MIKE McCARTY
Republican
Age: 44
Residence: Clarksville
Occupation: Owner of McCarty Gardens
What are your qualifications for the position of Clinton County Commissioner?
• As a business owner in our community for 20 years I know what it takes to create jobs, manage resources during challenging times, and have an understanding of what it will take to help businesses succeed.
• As a Clinton-Massie school board member I worked with others to manage a $16,000,000 budget. Together we balanced tight financial resources with providing our students a top quality education.
• After serving on the boards of The Clinton County Foundation and The Wilmington/Clinton County Chamber of Commerce I realize the value that they and other non-profits provide to our community.
• 20 years of service in The Ohio Air National Guard taught me integrity first, service before self, and excellence in all we do.
• Member of the Clinton County Business Advisory Council.
• Instructor for Wilmington College
• Ohio Farm Bureau Member
• Finance Committee at Saint Columbkille in Wilmington
Why do you want to be a Commissioner?
As a business owner, school board member, and serving on numerous boards/organizations in our community I have developed a strong passion to see our county succeed. I am a firm believer in servant leadership and feel that each of these experiences will give me a unique skill set to look at county issues through a well rounded perspective.
Describe the kind of Commissioner you would like to be.
I strive to be a servant leader which believes in sharing power, service before self, and empowers people to develop and perform to their fullest potential. I will be responsive, decisive, accountable and approachable for our community.
What goals would you have if elected?
• Work to create an environment that retains and creates living wage jobs.
• Ensure county resources are used efficiently and effectively. To put it simply, ensure everyone understands the difference between wants and needs.
• Work with the education system to ensure students have the skill sets for in demand, higher paying jobs.
• Work collaboratively to create solutions that reduce drug dependency in our communities.
The Commissioners oversee millions in public money. What’s your fiscal philosophy as to how that money should be overseen?
I would work collaboratively with county leaders to ensure that county resources are used efficiently and effectively. You can’t sit down once a year and produce an effective budget. County leadership needs to develop short and long term strategic fiscal plans. As a successful business owner, a short and long term fiscal plan are critical to continued success and growth.
Do you support the county’s levied 0.5 percent sales tax or do you think it should be reduced, increased or expire this year?
I believe taxes should be levied based on a definitive need. Likewise, I believe taxes should be rolled back when the need doesn’t exist. Based on the information I have reviewed the tax was increased to create a rainy day fund and pay down long term debt. Mission accomplished. Roll back the tax.
During the four year term of office you seek, the county expects to receive millions of dollars from the sale of the formerly county-owned Clinton Memorial Hospital. What should be done with that money?
I support a plan that embraces creating a legacy fund that preserves the principle and uses the interest to fund projects in the county that will have a lasting impact. I think it is critical to ensure that applying entities provide matching funds to ensure they have skin in the game.
Do you wish to briefly add something that hasn’t been touched upon in your responses?
The county is very fortunate to have so many great candidates put their foot forward for these two vital positions. It is very important to select candidates that have the skill sets and vision to move the county forward. Clinton County has been through some very trying times and should be very proud of how we banded together to make lemonade out of lemons. However, it is time to turn the page and write a new chapter. I can guarantee I don’t have all the answers to the challenges that face our great county. I do have the leadership to bring the right organizations and people to the table to write a new chapter for the growth and prosperity of our community. I grew up in this county, I choose to raise my children in this county, and my business has thrived due to the support of Clinton County. I look forward to making a difference for this generation and future generations.
