A Tuscarawas County Commissioner is saying goodbye to the position after more than 20 years of service.
Over the years, Chris Abbuhl was re-elected to the position and he thanked the voters for keeping him in office.
“I think that, first of all, that a vote of confidence, and secondly, I believe they rewarded me for doing the best that I could. Doing a good job. The intentions and the direction that I was going was always for the best interest of the people that I’d represent.”
He looked back to his first day in office, remembering a feeling of excitement and anticipation.
“It was different than the type of work I had done before. Think it helped prepare me, being a Township Trustee. It allowed me to be able to build relationships a step further because of the positions I’ve held with different regional organizations and state organizations.”
Abbuhl said there is one position he was elected into that stands out the most.
“On of my highlights from my career has been the president of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. So very fortunate to go up through those ranks and become president of our state organization. It gives us the opportunity, it puts Tuscarawas County on the map, it builds these bridges, it gives us access to sometimes people we don’t have access to.”
Other achievements for Abbuhl has been the new Board of Elections office set to open early 2025.
Abbuhl felt it was the right time to retire and is looking forward to spending more time with his family, especially his grandchildren.
“I just felt like it was the right time. There’s no really specific reason why. I feel that I’ve done a good job. I’ve tried to do a good job. I think there’s been some accomplishments. My goal was always to leave the county a little bit better than when I came in.”
Taking over his seat is Mitch Pace, a current New Philadelphia councilman.
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