The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Three vie for Geauga County Commissioner seat
Three candidates will face off for a Geauga County commissioner seat in the Nov. 6 General Election.
Republican Jim Dvorak, Libertarian Candace Loyd and Democrat Anita Blue Marlowe are seeking the four-year term that begins Jan. 1. Geauga County commissioners earn $55,524 annually.
County Republican voters chose to nominate Dvorak over incumbent Commissioner Walter M. “Skip” Claypool in the May 8 primary election.
There are a total of 66,423 registered voters in Geauga, according to the county Elections Board.
Here is some of what Dvorak, Loyd and Marlowe had to say on the election questionnaires sent to them by The News-Herald:
Dvorak
Dvorak, 64, is currently a Burton Township trustee.
He also served on the Geauga County Township Association, Geauga County Veterans Memorial, Inc., Kent State Advisory Committee, Leadership Geauga, Geauga County Shared Services Design Team, Ohio Township Association Election Committee and the Red Tulip Project.
He believes his past experiences have prepared him for this position.
“I want to help combat the opioid epidemic which is real and here in Geauga County,” Dvorak said. “The Red Tulip Project is a collaborative project with many local businesses and all private money to build the first safe-sober house for women in Geauga County. I have been involved with the project since March 2017 and the home is currently under construction.”
He was instrumental in OhioCheckbook.com, which allows residents to review Township finances.
Dvorak also led the effort to establish the first Township Association-endowed scholarship in the state, providing college funding for Geauga students, he said.
If elected, Dvorak plans to protect the quality and quantity of the county’s well water by keeping some kind of monitoring system in place with USGS.
“I would also get the most out of our tax dollars through collaboration and shared services,” he said. “I am for the feasibility study on all of the county buildings and location.”
Loyd
Loyd, 37, lives in Munson Township and is a small business owner.
“In my experience I have managed a research lab, which includes utilizing various grants, and other monies effectively,” she said. “I trained and educated personnel and students as well as collaborated with colleagues abroad. I have also undergone extensive security clearances for working with hazardous biological and radioactive materials.”
Loyd plans to reduce spending and property taxes, increase financial transparency and limit the effects of unfunded state and federal mandates on citizens, if elected.
“Geauga County has the second highest property taxes in the state and in the top 4 percent in the country,” she said. “I plan to work with the other commissioners to reduce the county portion of the property tax and cut spending accordingly. This will keep more money in the hands of our hard working citizens and attract businesses to grow our local economy.”
Loyd said she has something to offer every voter.
“Everyone will benefit from reduced property taxes, especially our growing population of fixedincome retirees who are struggling to remain in their homes in the face of constantly growing expenses,” she said. “Republicans will like my fiscally conservative policies and my commitment to protect property rights. Democrats will like that I am socially inclusive and my policies on civil liberties. Independents and the unaffiliated will be happy to have someone in office that is not beholden to partisan politics of the two legacy parties.”
Marlowe
Marlowe, 69, lives in Middlefield and is a retired registered nurse.
She is also the treasurer of Homeowners Association, a precinct person in Middlefield Village and the secretary of Geauga County Democratic Party.
“Geauga County currently lacks representation of the Democratic voice,” Marlowe said. “Our county has between 35 to 40 percent Democrats, who are not represented on the current Commission. I also believe that women are underrepresented in government and that we need to be included in government elected positions.”
Marlowe wants to ensure that social services in the county remain supported by the commissioners.
“I am concerned that the County Home was closed and I believe that the money spent to support the County Home continue to be used for social services,” she said. “If possible the County Home should be used to continue to serve those who need assistance. I intend to work for that to happen.”
She also hopes to create jobs that come with a livable wage and benefits.
“I am dedicated to pursuing high speed internet access throughout the county and attracting tech companies that can employ our local citizens,” she said. “We need to focus on the businesses of the future and encourage our children to get their education and be able to raise their own families here in Geauga County.”