Stepping away

Gary Theurer first put his name on the ballot for commissioner in 1996.

Twenty-five years later, he’s finished his last term in local government as a county council member.

Theurer, 66, served three terms as a Jay County Council member and three terms as a Jay County Commissioner. A 1972 Portland High School graduate, he’s worked on the family farm — Theurer and Sons Farms Inc. and subdivision RMG Farms LLC — for nearly all his life.

Being self-employed made it easier to clear his Mondays for regular commissioner meetings, he said, back when the group met four times a month. And over the years, his role in government has helped him to understand that legislative change takes time.

“On the farm, (if) you want to do something, you just go do it,” he said, “whereas in government, you’ve got to go through the process of public meetings and get input from other people before you can make decisions.”

He’s ready to retire from his role in politics now, although he plans to continue work at the farm as needed. He’s relieved to no longer feel as though he holds responsibility for ongoing county decisions and issues.

“It’s not as stressful, (I’m not) worrying about things in the county,” he said. “I get to sit back and watch other people make the decision(s).”

Some of the projects that passed through during his time in office include expanding the landfill, developing two wind farms, building the new Jay County Jail, drafting regulation for concentrated animal feeding operations and creating Jay County Regional Sewer District.

Theurer also devoted nearly 35 years as a volunteer firefighter and sat on the Madison Township board for at least four years.

Jay County Council member Faron Parr has worked alongside Theurer. Both served as commissioners and council members together. Parr recalled when he, Theurer and Milo Miller Jr. were all commissioners and shared similar ideals.

“We all want the same goals,” Parr said. “We live here, we stay here, we raise our kids here. We all want Jay County to be one of the best counties in the state.”

Overall, Theurer is grateful for the opportunity to serve the county.

“I’d just like to thank the people of Jay County for putting their trust and confidence in me for the last 24 years,” he said. “I wish all the politicians well over the next (several) years.”

Theurer is excited to spend more time with his granddaughters, Emme and Maddie.

Now that he’s retiring from office, he said he might visit meetings every now and then to voice his opinions.

“He’s been a great asset to the county,” Parr said. “He’s going to be happy to sit on the other side of the fence for a change.”