By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

Voters will have two choices for county commissioner Nov. 4.

One is incumbent David Uible and the other is retired pilot Richard Perry.

Uible was first appointed to serve as commissioner in March 2012 to replace former commissioner Archie Wilson and was elected in November 2012.

Since he has been in office, Uible said he has worked to revitalize the Clermont County Visitors’ Bureau, balance the general fund budget, lengthen the runway at the Clermont County Airport, create an alternative sentencing center for inmates, and more.

“I a.m. big into economic develop.m.ent and job creation,” Uible said.

Uible said he is working to make sure there are shovel-ready sites for businesses to come to in Clermont County. He said employee training is also critical.

“Getting Grant Career Center, Live Oaks, and UC Clermont involved in helping to train employees is important,” Uible said.

Uible said there are other issues that are important in the county including drug abuse.

He said the creation of the alternative sentencing center in the county has helped get some of the addicted, non-violent misdemeanor inmates out of the jail and into a progra.m. that can help.

“We are able to rehab these people and do it at a cost that is cheaper than the jail,” Uible said. “It’s less expensive and we’re providing more value.”

Uible said the county has also worked to create the Opiate Task Force, which is made up of police, mental health professionals, judges, healthcare professionals, and more, to help develop plans to combat drug abuse in the county.

In addition to his work as commissioner, Uible has worked to turn around distressed companies, and he owns a buffalo ranch in New Richmond.

Perry, originally from Youngstown, said he is a retired pilot and decided to run for office after he retired.

“As a pilot I worked with people and had to make decisions,” Perry said about his experience.

Perry said the number one problem that needs to be addressed in Clermont County is the drug problem.

“We need to have more funding, we need to get more people trained and we need more facilities,” Perry said about the drug problem. “Businesses aren’t going to come into the county if they know there’s a drug problem.”

Perry said once the drug problem is improved, he would focus on other issues.

“We need better transportation,” Perry said.

Perry said he is in favor of improving transportation in the county, including lengthening the runway at Clermont County Airport.

He said he also supports marketing and branding of the county to encourage people to locate their businesses in the county.

“Hopefully businesses will begin looking at Clermont County,” he said. “We need to make sure we have a well-trained, qualified workforce.”

Perry said he believes he can bring a different perspective to the commissioners’ office.

“I can think outside the box and put balance back into the commissioners’ office,” Perry said. “I a.m. willing to ask hard questions, and I believe everyone should have a fair shake.”

For more information about David Uible visit www.daviduible.com. For more information about Richard Perry visit https://www.facebook.com/RichForCommish.