10/31/2024

Voice of County Leadership: Jerry Laffin, Mercer County Commissioner

How long have you been a county commissioner?

I have been a commissioner for 44 years.

Can you tell me about yourself? What is your professional background? What other elected positions have you held? Why did you first run?

I’m 85 years old, married & have 1 son, 2 daughters, 11 grandchildren, & 4 great grandchildren. I graduated from Celina High School in 1956. While in high school I was in FFA (Future Farmers of America). I participated in Parliamentary Procedure and Public Speaking. I received the State Farmer Degree. I was Ohio FFA Vice President in 1956. I learned many of my leadership skills while being active in the FFA. After High School I became involved in the Mercer County Farm Bureau and Grange. I held the position of President. I was in the US Army from November 20, 1961 to November 21, 1963. I also worked at Karch Stone Quarry for 10 years. I have always been active in farming.

What other elected positions have you held? Why did you first run?

I have always liked working with people and serving my community, hoping to make the county a better place.

I first ran for Mercer County Clerk of Courts in 1976. My uncle, Dwight Laffin was going to retire after 32 years of service. He talked to me about running for his position. He said that farming has its ups & downs and he thought I could help myself if I got elected along with farming. I lost that election by 800 votes. In 1977 a Trustee in my Township was retiring and he ask me to run for his position. I got elected and took office January 1, 1978.

In 1980 I was President of the Mercer County Township & Clerks Association. During that time many of the Township Trustees talked to me about running for Commissioner. Also, many people from the county were encouraging me to run for commissioner. I got elected and took office January 2, 1981.

Why did you want to be a commissioner? What are you most proud of for having achieved in your time as commissioner?

I wanted to work with the County Engineer to update our roads & bridges in the County. With Grand Lake being in the County there was a need for a Sanitary Sewer System around the Lake to improve the quality of the lake water. I wanted to improve the Economic Growth in Mercer County. The amount of Sanitary Plants and Sewer Lines put in to improve water quality has shown that my time and effort towards Economic Growth has helped create employment in the county. Mercer County has been either the lowest or number two in unemployment for the last 8 or 9 years in the State of Ohio.

What has been the biggest challenge you’ve dealt with as a county commissioner?

In 1972 the Ohio EPA put a building ban on one mile of the Lake. Working with the Ohio EPA and the residents in that area to build a Treatment Plant and Sewer Line was a challenge. A plan had to be developed that met federal guidelines. It was necessary to have public hearings with the residents in the effected area who were going to be paying for the development. All of this was required in order to upgrade their homes or build new ones. There was kick back against the plan, however, we did get it approved and the treatment plant was put into operation

in December of 1986.

What do you find are the most successful methods for reaching out to the residents of your county to communicate what your office is doing and why it’s doing it?

The best ways to be successful in keeping in touch with the citizens of the county are: listening to the people, using the newspaper and radio. Also, attend meetings where you can represent the county.

What was the biggest surprise or adjustment after taking office?

The departments that the commissioners are in charge of are the Dog Warden, Mercer County Home, Job & Family Services, Child Enforcement Agency, Sanitary Sewer Plants, EMA-EMS, and Economic Development. I must remember that I was working with two other commissioners and we had to agree so action could happen.

One of the primary responsibilities of a commissioner is to develop a balanced budget and provide adequate resources to deliver county services. What has been one of the biggest challenges in that area?

As commissioners we have to develop a balanced budget, but we also have to provide adequate resources for the county. It was our responsibility to provide the funding needed for the other Elected Officials. The biggest challenge when working with the budget, was during the years the economy was in recession. We always liked to not spend any more each year than we took in as income.

What advice do you have for our new members?

Once you have been elected commissioner and take office, you are elected to  serve all citizens of the county, not just those who voted for you.  If you have an axe to grind leave it at the door. Try to be prepared to take on the responsibility in a common sense way. You are going to find this job is larger than you thought. You must remember that you are working with two other commissioners to operate the county and it takes two votes to pass or fail a decision. 

There will be times that you will need to think thoroughly to come to an agreement. It will take the first term to understand how the county operates. You will also be learning after many years of service. Be honest and trust worthy to the people of the county.

Could you discuss your involvement with CCAO as well as the benefits of being an active member?

We have always been members of CCAO.  We have served on different CCAO Committees. We encourage other Elected Officials to be involved in their Association.