Mary Samide (R) for Geauga County Commissioner

Mary Samide has lived in Chardon for 47 years. She has served as Commissioner for 10 years and as the Republican Precinct Chair for 14 years. She served as a Munson Township trustee for 9 years.
"I am seeking this office to continue the excellent record I have as County Commissioner for the past 10 years and to serve the people of Geauga County," Samide wrote on her candidate questionnaire issued by The News-Herald.
Samide said the following items were accomplished during her 10 years as commissioner:
Moody’s upgraded Geauga County bond rating to Aa1 while other states and communities were downgraded.
14.7 million Safety Center will be paid off in less than 10 years after opening in 2005
State Auditor continuously gives Geauga County highest award for sound fiscal management with 2011 award with distinction (given to less than 5% of Counties) We have balanced county budget yearly without raising taxes. Geauga County receives Digital Technology award for outstanding use of technology countywide.
Extended Fiber Optic throughout county facilities. All Sheriffs vehicles have the latest technology and presently we are installing the latest digital communication radios that bounce signals between our 5 constructed towers in Geauga. This will help all fire, and safety personnel countywide throughout all 16 townships, 4 villages, and one city.
We are continuing to build economic development through our 14 million dollar portfolio, and our new small business incubator project. I plan to continue economic development while at the same time preserving farmland and protecting the beautiful environment in Geauga County. Our motto, which we put in place in 2004 is “Growing Geauga Greener economically and environmentally.” These goals are not mutually exclusive of each other. We see them working in tandem.
We have managed to keep all personnel working in Geauga County through a difficult economy and have managed not to raise taxes. Geauga county has a 5.8% unemployment rate, and property values have only gone down by 5%. We feel we have weathered the economic downturn. Geauga County was ranked by Forbes magazine the 4 th best place in the Country to raise a family ,and we are ranked 1 st as the healthiest in the state of Ohio during my tenure as Commissioner. If re-elected, I plan to continue these aforementioned policies, committees, and involvement.

Mary Samide News Herald Candidate Questionnaire