Change came to Clark County on November 8, 2016 and with it came a new political address for former New Carlisle Mayor and now council member Lowell McGlothin. McGlothin ran as a Republican against the only Democrat on the Clark County Commission. The win came as a surprise to McGlothin as well as many who supported the return of David Herier who was appointed to replace retired commissioner David Hartley.

“I am thrilled” said McGlothin in his interview with the New Carlisle News. He explained how he ran his campaign by using social media, visiting neighborhoods, placing signs across the county and then attending six parades this year. “The vote just kept going up” he said of the early returns which showed Herier in the lead and then changed to a win for the Republican as more precincts reported.

We asked McGlothin when he would be vacating his seat on the New Carlisle Council. He explained that he will be speaking with the city manager and law director soon. He expects to be sworn in sometime the last week of December and will take his seat on the commission on January 3, 2017. He noted that he will miss his service to the city to a degree, but is certain that serving all of Clark County will be something to look forward to. He also noted that because the city is part of the county, he will continue to hear from his current constituents as well as others in the western part of the county such as Pike Township, Enon, Medway and Park Layne.

McGlothin is working closely with retiring commissioner John Detrick who has been a “help” to him as he campaigned and now gets ready to take his seat along with Melanie Flax-Wilt as a newly elected freshman commissioner.

When asked about his best memories of his service to New Carlisle, McGlothin spoke of the success of the police levy which allowed for the return of four deputies to patrol the community. He noted that without the support of the voters, the city would be in a much different place financially. His greatest disappointment during his time as mayor was when the council learned that a previous city manager had allowed the carryover funds to reach an all time low of around $5,000 when it should have been closer to $15,000. Hard decisions had to be made in order to move things in a positive direction.

McGlothin shared when asked about the challenges he will face as a county commissioner that his goal is to see more economic development that will keep the young people of our area from leaving for larger cities and counties. “I really believe in the blue collar worker” said McGlothin. He noted that Clark State has a number of courses that are available to local residents that provide training for welders, electricians and plumbers for example saying “Clark County needs to keep our young people from moving away”.

The growing population of senior citizens is also an area in which McGlothin would like to see an upswing in programs and opportunities.

When asked about the commission’s role in the drug problems faced by the county, including New Carlisle, McGlothin noted that the problem exists throughout the county. He indicated that the commission must work with the new sheriff to improve programs within the jail to try to stop the return to drug use once prisoners are released.

In comments regarding his role on the commission representing western communities in the county, McGlothin noted that all three of the commissioners now represent different areas of the county. Melanie Wilt who will replace John Detrik comes from the eastern part of the county, Rich Lohnes is central to the county and McGlothin the western edges. He believes this will allow the commission to better serve the entire county as each member can bring knowledge of their area to the table when called upon to make decisions.

McGlothin pledged that he will “definitely find out what we need and work for all of the residents of Clark County”. He still has a few New Carlisle council meetings prior to taking the oath of office to complete his service to the city.

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