Hydraulic fracturing, government spending and qualifications of Republican Randy Mace and Democrat Chris Chmiel were main concerns brought up by Athens County voters Tuesday night at the third of six Candidates’ Forums.
A crowd of nearly 50 Athens residents attended the forum, which was held at the Athens Public Library on Home Street and was organized by both the library and The League of Women’s Voters.
“I thought they both did a great job presenting themselves the best that they could,” said Joe Radwany, an Athens resident who supports Chmiel. “I think it’s a pretty clear choice. There is a retired bureaucrat running against a young businessman with a fresh perspective.”
Chmiel is the operator and founder of Integration Acres, the world’s largest pawpaw processer as well as a seasonal dairy, while Mace is one of the principal organizers of the Athens County 9-1-1 emergency response system. He worked for almost 15 years as director of the Athens County Emergency Management Agency.
Mace said he supports fracking on private property as long as the activity doesn’t disturb neighbors but added that as commissioner, he would enforce strict water testing on fracking sites.
“Every bad thing I’ve seen in relation to fracking has to do with bad drilling,” Mace said. “So we have to make sure that the companies that will be doing it are using the best methods out there.”
But Chmiel emphasized potential health risks of fracking and said that as commissioner, he would “make sure we protect the health of our citizens first.”
Chmiel said citizens who are considering allowing fracking on their property should make sure they are with a landowners group so that they can get the most money possible out of a deal.
“If we are going to be extracting these resources, we have to make sure we can keep the money (in Athens County),” he said.
The candidates later addressed how they would respond if other local officials were inappropriately using money.
“If Democrats in my party are doing it, I feel stronger of my ability to go in, sit down and deal with the issue,” Chmiel said. “I’ll make sure this stuff isn’t happening.”
Mace agreed that commissioners should make sure money is being spent appropriately, adding that the county “can’t afford to be doing silly things with money.”
Voters also questioned each candidate’s qualifications.
“I’ve turned problems into solutions. I like to say, ‘When you’ve got lemons, make lemonade,’ … ‘When you’ve got pawpaws, make pawpaw popsicles,’ ” Chmiel said. “I want to bring the level of customer service I’m used to to the Athens market.”
Mace cited lifelong experience as an Athens resident and his history of “not always following the rules” as qualifications for the job.
“I’m looking for common sense, and sometimes, the government doesn’t consider what boils down to common sense,” he said.
Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly and Steve Kane, the Republican challenger, will debate at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Athens Public Library.
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