Gardner (left), Pace, and Jones
Tuscarawas County’s newest officeholders are getting settled in.
New Philadelphia resident and former city councilman Mitch Pace has replaced newly-retired longtime county commissioner Chris Abbuhl. He joined the county’s two incumbent commissioners in the boardroom for the first time on Monday.
“Signing papers today, I’ve got some good help here in the office and looking forward to working with Mr. Loudermilk and commissioner Zemis and Ress.”
Monday was also the official first day on the job for new clerk of courts Wendy Clarke-Jones. She felt well-prepared after spending the past couple of months training with her predecessor and more than two decades before that with the New Philadelphia municipal court probation department.
Downstairs, Lori Gardner was saying her first day as the county recorder was going great.
“Just trying to keep things running smooth. I have a really good staff, they’re very confident in what they’re doing.”
Clark-jones ran unopposed to replace Jeanne Stephens, who retired at the end of 2024. Pace and Gardner won their respective races against democrats Kent Watson and David DiDonato.
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