Tuscarawas County commissioner incumbent Kristin Zemis is being challenged by Kent Watson in November’s general election.
Zemis is seeking another term and says her 30 year legal career, being a mediator, and her community leadership at different organizations make her a good fit, but she also brings experience.
“My vision for the county has not changed. I don’t do anything halfway and there are some projects and initiatives, and multi-year policies we want to go forward with we hope will bring some economic development, housing opportunities, and some opportunities for our local businesses to grow.”
Watson, a life-long county resident, says he has been part of many local community foundations and boards, and that background would be a benefit.
“I feel I have a lot to offer to the resident. We need to have more transparency from the county commissioners. I’d like to have town hall meetings that people can come and engage.”
Watson says he’s running to work through problems that may arise and believes he can help move the county forward.
“Being able to sit down at a table to be able to come up with a common goal. I also was able to work for a local manufacturing company, and I would do a lot in negotiations for sales of products on national and international levels, and I think that’s a valuable asset that I have.”
Zemis would like to continue with projects already in the works but also to maintain the level of fiscal responsibility already in play at the county level.
“$40 million of taxpayer dollars that we need to oversee. We are very conservative. We are very accountable and from all the departments we oversee we expect that same level of accountability.”
On Tuesday polling locations open from 6:30am to 7:30pm. The person with the majority of votes will take a seat on the board of commissioners for four years.
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