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Voters will decide the race for Hancock County commissioner, with Republican William "Bill" Bateson, 56, of Arlington, and Democrat Melissa Kritzell, 43, of Findlay, seeking a seat on the three-member board. The four-year term begins Jan. 3, 2021, and pays $68,671 annually.
Bateson is seeking the seat for a second time, having run as an independent against Mark Gazarek in 2016. Gazarek did not file to seek reelection to a third term this year. Bateson captured the party nomination in the delayed April primary.
Bateson worked for 20 years at Whirlpool Corp. before leaving to manage the family farm, 750 acres just south of Arlington. He is also the franchise owner of Roof Maxx Technologies LLC for Northwest Ohio. He is vice chairperson of the Ohio Soybean Council and owns property in Findlay and in rural Hancock County.
"I am invested in all aspects of the county," he said. "As an officer on the Ohio Soybean Council, I see how important it is to have agricultural representation at all levels of government.
"I believe that it is important to be engaged in the leadership of the county," he added.
Kritzell was selected by the Hancock County Democratic Party Central Committee to replace Ronald L. DeCooman, of Arcadia, on the primary ballot. DeCooman was unopposed in the delayed primary, but later withdrew his name.
Kritzell listed her occupation as a housewife and activist. She was elected to the county central committee and is now on the organization's executive committee.
It was the withdrawal of DeCooman and Bruce Workman, of Findlay, that prompted Kritzell to seek the central committee's nomination, she said. Workman was unopposed in the primary for the commissioner's seat held by Brian Robertson, who did not seek reelection. The Democratic central committee did not select a replacement for the ballot, so Republican Mike Pepple, of Findlay, is unopposed for the other commissioner's seat.
Kritzell said she "felt the need to step up and run, bring a different voice to the room."
Bateson said he favors conservative financial responsibility.
"I want to help guide the county into the future and keep Hancock County attractive for businesses and families to make it their home," he said.
Affordable housing for the county "should be a private sector solution," Bateson said. "Government's role should be to support the infrastructure needs of the developers. The affordability of the homes will depend on the economic health of the community."
On the county's 2021 budget, Bateson said the current commissioners in consultation with the budget commission (county auditor, prosecutor and treasurer) reduced this year's budget by 10% for all departments as the COVID-19 pandemic moved into the area and forced the closure of schools and businesses. Also, the county instituted a hiring freeze.
"I agree with these practices and will continue them (as commissioner)," he said. "The recent (quarter percent) sales tax (continuation) is helping with revenue for county responsibilities at this time."
Kritzell said she is focused on bringing "living-wage, union jobs that provide benefits" to the county.
"Long-term economic development will keep Hancock County strong and ensure a better future," she said. "No one should have to work two or three jobs to pay their expenses."
She also believes that increased funding for “rehabilitative services, youth programs and education will reduce juvenile and drug-related arrests in Hancock County."
And, Kritzell would like to further invest in rehabilitation homes and services.
On the issue of the county jail expansion downtown or construction of a new jail and how to fund it, Bateson wants more information.
"At the local, state and national level, there is a lot of uncertainty regarding both economic and political direction," he said. "I feel it is important to have more clarity regarding the actual need, and the funds available to meet these needs before we move forward.
"As these decisions impact both the city and the county, I feel that we need a lot more transparency and discussion between all the parties involved and the citizens of Hancock County."
Kritzell, however, said after meeting with Sheriff Michael Heldman, she agrees with new construction on county-owned land at Liberty Township 89 and Hancock County 140 with several options, including the structure having 252 beds. The estimated cost for new construction is more than $46.4 million. That estimate doesn't include space for the sheriff's office, which could be added to the project at an additional cost.
"My focus as a county commissioner will be listening, bipartisanship, taking care of jail and court issues," Kritzell said. "We need a new jail and (probate)/juvenile court (buildings)."
A proposed 150-bed jail expansion at the Hancock County Justice Center would require use of a Findlay-owned parking lot on West Crawford Street, if the new juvenile and probate court building is constructed on West Main Cross Street. The jail has 98 beds now, so it would have a similar number as a new building. No agreement has been reached on use of the city property for the jail.
Jail expansion has been estimated at about $37 million by M.J. Martin, a jail consulting company in Nebraska, hired by the commissioners to determine options. A public look at the two proposals has been on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the commissioners and other county officials have been in contact with the consultant on the issue.
Kritzell said she would study the plans, bids and new location for a probate/juvenile court building near the post office. The domestic relations court and the clerk of courts office would be located in the new building, too.
Commissioner Timothy Bechtol has proposed renovation of the existing probate/juvenile court building to house records required to be kept by county departments. The current building was constructed in the 1860s as a church. Over the years it has been used for businesses and county offices, with various building additions constructed. Those additions would be removed under Bechtol's plan, and the original structure would be upgraded for record maintenance.
Final plans are being developed, but seeking bids has been blocked by Gazarek and Robertson, who have refused to second separate motions by Bechtol to seek bids. Bechtol has said it will provide a framework for the county to decide whether to move ahead with the project as designed.
On flooding, Bateson favors the current effort.
"The current plan that the commissioners are executing with the MWCD (Maumee Watershed Conservancy District) and Stantec (engineering firm) is proving to be helping and should be continued to be followed," Bateson said.
Kritzell said she would focus on keeping the “Blanchard River, lakes (and) our reservoirs free of tires, trash (and) log jams." She would like to maintain ditches by keeping them free from debris. And to help “reduce flooding in our communities," she suggested cleaning and dredging the river.
Visit www.batesonforcommissioner.com and www.melissakritzell4countycommissioner.com for more information on each candidate.
Bechtol is up for reelection in 2022. He was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2016 and completed the term through 2018.