Frische, Hunker, Wobser pitch for votes

Three Hancock County commissioner candidates each argued Friday for why voters should choose them to address top issues like Findlay's growth and upgrading recycling. The Republicans — Findlay City Councilwoman Holly Frische, Liberty Township Trustee Jeff Hunker and Findlay City Councilman Jeff Wobser — spoke at a GOP-sponsored forum. Only one will get the party's nomination in the March 19 primary. They are seeking the commissioner seat held by Michael Pepple, who is not seeking reelection. The current Board of County Commissioners is exploring outsourcing the Litter Landing recycling operation as they also consider building a new recycling center. The existing site on East Sandusky Street is landlocked and short on space for other programs, such as household hazardous waste and tire collection. The commissioners have had difficulty staffing Litter Landing. Yet Hancock County residents are avid recyclers. "The recycling situation is a financial issue as much as (anything)," Wobser said. "More people reach out to me about the recycling situation than anything else. It is embedded in our community … We've got to figure out how to do that right and do it economically." Hunker described the Litter Landing issue as "big, especially with people that live in the city." The recycling situation has problems, he said. "People abuse what's out there. They pulled a lot of the (recycling) containers out in the county because people were throwing trash in them," Hunker said. "If you know neighbors who are doing that, stop them from doing that. We need to get this right." All three candidates spoke about balancing growth and economic development with protection of rural interests. "Economic development is the core to where we are in our community as city and county, so the decisions that we are making, the development and growth that we are doing is having impacts on all aspects of our community, including what our jail will look like in the future, how safe we feel, our small-town, community charm; our drug problems, our domestic, all of those things," Frische said. "I want to make sure we are working hard to bring high-paying jobs into the community and make sure we are preserving those townships," she said. "If we do do an annexation for the right business, (she would ensure) that everybody has a seat at the table and everybody is made whole at the end of the day." Frische and Wobser — both City Council members — seemed to be reassuring noncity residents that they would advocate for them; Hunker — a township trustee and lifelong agribusinessman-agriresearcher — seemed to be reassuring city residents that he would represent their interests. "As commissioner you work for everyone," he said. "I want to be a voice for all residents of Hancock County." Hunker, as a Liberty Township trustee, last fall proposed creation of districts which Findlay would not annex but from which city income tax would be charged and then shared among the city, township and possibly Hancock County. "Annexation has to be looked at, and economic development, from all parties involved. It's a tough issue, a very tough issue," he said. Wobser also pledged to work through city-noncity tensions. "We have the continued growth of the city and how is that mitigated or worked with, with the county, and how do we continue to be a thriving community and still maintain our small-town lifestyle," he said. "People want to make sure they have that small-town, community feeling. So we have to work hard to maintain that." Wobser pledged to advocate for maintaining farm land, property owners' rights and agricultural lifestyle. He let the audience know he has some rural roots. "When I was growing up I spent a lot of time on our family farm over in Canfield County on the east side of Ohio, learning about farming from my two uncles who ran the family farm over there," he said. Frische cited her past efforts to fight for property rights for Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative and its customers. She said she would advocate for residents of Washington and Cass townships and their concerns about proposed solar farms. Hunker "The first thing I want each of you to know is I'm a God-fearing, Bible-believing, born-again Christian," Hunker said. "That's my personal life, Christian life, that's my public service life." He has served 10 years as a Liberty Township trustee, which, he said, gives him a balanced perspective. "A very diverse township: The east side is very much urban. We butt right up to the city of Findlay. The west side is very much rural. So … as a trustee that in many ways forces you to address many different types of issues," he said. Wobser Wobser said his 32 years with Marathon Petroleum and one year as president of Bodie Mechanical Services give him the required business management experience. "Good sound management of taxpayer dollars: That's ultimately what this comes down to, is making sure we spend every dollar in the most economical way possible and using those dollars in the best way they can be used," he said. "And then, not asking for more." Wobser said he would commit to working full time as a county commissioner. "In my opinion, it's paid as a full-time job and I will be there full-time," he said. "I will 100% be in this job all the time and committed to taking care of our county." Frische Frische works as an independent insurance agent. She worked 17 years as a personal family business manager and has four years of banking experience. She said the role of a commissioner is to be the voice of the citizens. "It is to advocate. It is to get a job done," Frische said. "The difference between me and my other two candidates — all great guys — is I am a doer and I am a problem solver," she said. "You see that on City Council. I stand up for the people. I ask the hard questions. I have the hard conversations. Some people think that is arguing. It really isn't. It's doing your job." She has fought Findlay water rate increases, but she also knows how to work with people, she said. "I am an insurance agent and I do Medicare for seniors, and problem solving is one of the biggest things you are doing every day. You have to be willing to take that phone call, from the littlest thing that is going on to the big picture, because they just need to know that you are listening," Frische said. "And that's the same thing with the public. They need to know that you are listening and you are there to help."