Price seeks stability in Crawford County, looks to attract Intel business industry
Jeff Price, challenging incumbent Doug Weisenauer in the March primary election for commissioner, is a newcomer to local politics, but he has a picture of changes he wants to accomplish in Crawford County.
“I've decided to run because I believe our county needs a lot of changes,” Price, a Republican, said.
The idea to run for office came to mind when commissioners started to discuss the windmill issue that could have change the landscape, he said, noting Crawford County, as an agricultural community, can’t allow itself to lose farm ground to industries, such as wind and solar.
“I hate to see that lost and out to somebody, to an investor out, with no interest in the county other than making money,” Price said.
Banning windmills and solar
He said farmers care about their land, and create jobs, whereas outside investors care about their own profits and not about the land or creating employment opportunities for residents.
“I believe that that's the wrong way for our county to head,” Price said. “We're an agriculture community.”
Other disadvantages of installing windmills are flickers, which are shadows cast by turbines, and noise, said Price, also noting windmills hurt the local wildlife.
More: Wind farm opponents celebrate commissioners' vote
If elected, Price said, his goal would be to replace a 10-year ban on windmills in with a permanent one and expand it to industrial solar fields. Referring to an article he read, Price stated communities that banned those industries saw faster community growth.
“With a permanent ban the possibility of people moving or building in our community grows,” said Price. “I will always stand with the majority.”
Future focus should be on developing Intel industry
Price suggested focusing on developing the industries that could potentially benefit Intel coming to the region. Intel is the world largest manufacturer of central processing units and a multinational technology company based in California.
According to the information on the Intel website, the company plans to invest more than $20 billion in the construction of two leading-edge chip factories for advanced semiconductors and other technologies just outside of Columbus in Licking County.
“It's approximately an hour away from here,” Price said. “That could be a great opportunity for us to attract businesses that are going to stock Intel being the major chip manufacturer.”
Recycling, landfill issues should be addressed
Price also spoke about the need for an update to the landfill because of the odor coming from the facility, which is attributed to the increase in intake from 1,200 tons of trash a day to several thousands tons a day.
According to Rumpke Waste and Recycling's monthly report, the January 2024 total waste received amounted to 27,383.91 tons, and the daily totals thus averaged at about 1,140 tons for 24 days of operation.
Rumpke began to discuss the increase in the intake in 2018. At that time, the idea bothered some of the Crawford residents who worried cities like Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo might ship refuse to Crawford County and dump it for a reduced rate.
“It's filling our landfill up faster,” Price said. “That's what's causing the odor."
Price said should he be elected he also will work on better transparency, including scheduling commissioner meetings for a time when most people are off work.
Price was born in Galion in 1970 and lived in Crawford County his whole life, working in heavy equipment construction. He said he decided to run as he realized current local politicians were no longer in favor of the residents.
This article originally appeared on Bucyrus Telegraph-Forum: Jeff Price: Crawford should stay agricultural, attract Intel business
