Greene commissioner, former Beavercreekmayor to retire
Greene County commissioner Bob Glaser is retiring at the end of this year after more than two decades in local politics.
Glaser, 73, was born and raised in Dayton, but he’s been a longtimeBeavercreek resident. Hewas a businessmanforabout30yearsbefore entering politics 24years ago.
“Inbusinessandinlife, you have to listen towhat people have to say at the podium,” he said. “There’s been times when I read (about county issues) and I come to one conclusion, but then I talk with people about the issue and they change my mind entirely. You have to have an open mind.”
Glaser was a member of the Beavercreek city council for eight years, including a term asmayor. He also served seven years as a Beavercreek Twp. trustee. He remembers many long and passionate zoning meetings when he was on city council and was a township trustee, he said.
“Therewere zoning cases thatwould go until midnight or 1 a.m.,” Glaser said.
Glaser replaced State Rep. Rick Perales in 2013 and served two terms as a Greene County commissioner. Perales will now fill Glaser’s seat when his term begins in 2021.
Glaser ran for county commissionerbecausehewanted there to be representation from Beavercreek on the board.
The accomplishment he is most proud of is getting Greene County lawenforcementagenciesontheMARCS radio system. He said it took a lot of late night meetings to get every city and township on board for the project. Radio towerswere completed in 2012.
“There used to be dead spots in Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Sugarcreek,” Glaser said. “The last thing I wanted was to have an officer get out of his cruiser, not be able to call for back up and not come back home to his wife and kids.”
Glaser and his wife, Barb, weremarriedinBeavercreek. They have two children, Rob and Melissa. Glaser said in retirement he is looking forward to spending more time with his four grandchildren and having more time to woodwork in hisworkshop.
His last meeting as commissioner will be Dec. 29.
“I’ve met a lot of interesting andwonderful people in my time here,” Glaser said.