July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Miller faces primary challenge
2010 Commissioner election
A veteran of Jay County government faces a challenge from a first-time candidate in the May 2 Republican primary for Commissioner of the Middle District.
Milo Miller Jr., finishing his fourth 4-year term as commissioner after serving 10 years on the county council, is running against local businessman Roger Locker.
Miller, a contractor, says that he intended to step down several years ago, but has been asked by supporters to continue serving.
"I had a lot of people say, 'you can't leave ... we need your experience,'" says Miller, who for years has served as president of the commissioners and is a member of many other local and regional boards. "We've got some stuff going on I'd like to get finished," Miller says.
Locker, the owner of Locker's Touch of Country Gift Shop, says he likes and respects Miller. But he says it is time for new blood on the three-member board of commissioners.
"I think it's time for a change. The incumbent has been there 20 years. The time was right for me ... and I had a desire to serve my county ... I want to give the voters of Jay County a choice, and I'm doing that."
Both men agree that recent property tax reform at the state level and the resulting budget crunch on local governments is among the most crucial issues likely to challenge the commissioners over the next four years.
"(Property) Tax caps are a reality ... and the commissioners are still going to have to get stuff done (within the budget)," Locker said. State lawmakers have capped property taxes at 1 percent on residential property, 2 percent for rental property and agricultural land, and 3 percent for businesses.
Miller says that another change likely to affect local government finances is reform of township level government - a move that could shift more responsibility to the county level.
"If they can prove to me it would save money, I'd be all for it. I'm thinking if they want to save money, they could do away with the (county) council," says Miller.
With all county departments being asked to cut current year budgets 10 percent, Miller says that "Two thousand and eleven is going to be worse than this year. It's going to put the squeeze on a lot of people."
Miller says that several big responsibilities for the commissioners over the next few years include getting the new Jay County Jail up and running, handling details over an expected multi-million dollar wind project in the southern third of the county, and dealing with an ever-increasing load of unfunded mandates from the state.
Locker, who has served on the Jay County Hospital Board since 2005, says he has been encouraged by the feedback and support from the public.
"While this is my first venture into politics, I have many years of experience running a business ... with tight budgets and getting the job done," Locker says.
"It's pleased me that so many people have taken ... the time to talk to to about issues. I have been surprised and grateful ... at the people who have expressed their support. It's been a positive experience and I've very much enjoyed it."
Along with budget issues, Locker says that the proposed wind power project and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) will be two hot-button issues over the coming four years.
In fact, Locker says that he's gotten more feedback and comments on the CAFO issue than any other.
"Ag people and non-ag people need to co-exist. We need animal agriculture ... at the same time, the non-ag people have a right to live in their homes and outdoors ... without oppressive manure odors," Locker says. "I do support the expansion of confined feeding as long as it's done within the rules," says Locker, who grew up on a farm and whose Noble Township home is located across the road from a calving operation.
Miller adds that he knows that roads, always a contentious issue, will continue to be so.
Handling construction and repair of roads on the wind power project will be a major undertaking, as well as continued maintenance on the more than 700 miles of surfaced and stone county roads.
"Another problem ... is we've got semis running all over the county. The roads weren't made for semis," said Miller, who says he understands that farmers and other businesses need to use those trucks and roads.
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Milo Miller Jr., finishing his fourth 4-year term as commissioner after serving 10 years on the county council, is running against local businessman Roger Locker.
Miller, a contractor, says that he intended to step down several years ago, but has been asked by supporters to continue serving.
"I had a lot of people say, 'you can't leave ... we need your experience,'" says Miller, who for years has served as president of the commissioners and is a member of many other local and regional boards. "We've got some stuff going on I'd like to get finished," Miller says.
Locker, the owner of Locker's Touch of Country Gift Shop, says he likes and respects Miller. But he says it is time for new blood on the three-member board of commissioners.
"I think it's time for a change. The incumbent has been there 20 years. The time was right for me ... and I had a desire to serve my county ... I want to give the voters of Jay County a choice, and I'm doing that."
Both men agree that recent property tax reform at the state level and the resulting budget crunch on local governments is among the most crucial issues likely to challenge the commissioners over the next four years.
"(Property) Tax caps are a reality ... and the commissioners are still going to have to get stuff done (within the budget)," Locker said. State lawmakers have capped property taxes at 1 percent on residential property, 2 percent for rental property and agricultural land, and 3 percent for businesses.
Miller says that another change likely to affect local government finances is reform of township level government - a move that could shift more responsibility to the county level.
"If they can prove to me it would save money, I'd be all for it. I'm thinking if they want to save money, they could do away with the (county) council," says Miller.
With all county departments being asked to cut current year budgets 10 percent, Miller says that "Two thousand and eleven is going to be worse than this year. It's going to put the squeeze on a lot of people."
Miller says that several big responsibilities for the commissioners over the next few years include getting the new Jay County Jail up and running, handling details over an expected multi-million dollar wind project in the southern third of the county, and dealing with an ever-increasing load of unfunded mandates from the state.
Locker, who has served on the Jay County Hospital Board since 2005, says he has been encouraged by the feedback and support from the public.
"While this is my first venture into politics, I have many years of experience running a business ... with tight budgets and getting the job done," Locker says.
"It's pleased me that so many people have taken ... the time to talk to to about issues. I have been surprised and grateful ... at the people who have expressed their support. It's been a positive experience and I've very much enjoyed it."
Along with budget issues, Locker says that the proposed wind power project and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) will be two hot-button issues over the coming four years.
In fact, Locker says that he's gotten more feedback and comments on the CAFO issue than any other.
"Ag people and non-ag people need to co-exist. We need animal agriculture ... at the same time, the non-ag people have a right to live in their homes and outdoors ... without oppressive manure odors," Locker says. "I do support the expansion of confined feeding as long as it's done within the rules," says Locker, who grew up on a farm and whose Noble Township home is located across the road from a calving operation.
Miller adds that he knows that roads, always a contentious issue, will continue to be so.
Handling construction and repair of roads on the wind power project will be a major undertaking, as well as continued maintenance on the more than 700 miles of surfaced and stone county roads.
"Another problem ... is we've got semis running all over the county. The roads weren't made for semis," said Miller, who says he understands that farmers and other businesses need to use those trucks and roads.
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