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Regula wins on his fifth try |
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Wednesday, 05 November 2008 |
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Staff Writer
WAPAKONETA — For 12 years Donald Regula knew he wanted to become an Auglaize County commissioner.
That dream came true for him Tuesday night, when the Republican farmer beat Democratic candidate Brent Henschen 11,354 to 10,362, according to unofficial results from the Auglaize County Elections Board.
According to those results, 52.2 percent of those voting cast ballots for Regula, compared to 47.7 for Henschen.
Approximately 800 provisional ballots are expected to be counted Nov. 19.
Regula, 62, of Wapakoneta, who ran for the office for the fifth time this year, said his interest in being a commissioner began years ago as a township trustee sitting in on joint meetings with then commissioners. He said he felt fortunate to be involved with mentors like that and strived to serve like they did.
“Public service is important to me,” said Regula, a Clay Township Trustee for 22 years and a member of the Auglaize Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors for nine years.
“It means a lot. I know there are more important things in life but I’ve wanted this for so long and I’ve worked so hard to get it.
“I love working with people,” the Army veteran said. “I want to be of service and I think I have what it takes to be of service.”
Thanking dedicated family and friends who helped him with his campaigns, Regula said there were definitely moments after each election that he thought he would never run again, but then the time would come to fill out the petition and he would do it all over again, hoping to keep his name out in the public.
Taking office, Regula said his biggest goal is to bring jobs in to the county.
“It’s an old cliche I know, but I want to add life to the community,” Regula said. “Taxes are killing the jobs that are left. I want to find a way to share the burden that’s not getting any easier on anyone.”
Henschen, 52, of New Knoxville, who recently retired after 25 years as a deputy with the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office, said he, too, began thinking about running for county commissioner at least 10 years ago.
“It was something I was always interested in, a job I would like to have to continue to serve Auglaize County,” Henschen said.
Congratulating Regula, Henschen said he learned a lot and met a lot of nice people during his campaign. The member of the New Knoxville School Board, who has served on the St. Marys Township Zoning Board, the Foundation Board of Joint Township District Memorial Hospital and the board for the United Church of Christ of New Knoxville, thanked those who supported him.
As for whether or not he’ll run for county commissioner or any other political position in the future, Henschen said he’ll have to wait and see what the future brings.
Republican John Bergman, who is currently serving his 12th year as an Auglaize County commissioner, ran unopposed for his seat and received 16,846 votes, according to unofficial results.
Within the next four years, Bergman said he would like to find a permanent location for the county dog shelter and complete a courthouse renovation project.
“Overall, I want to make sure to maintain a good value for the tax dollars that are being spent while providing quality services to the residents of Auglaize County,” Bergman said. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 10 November 2008 )
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