Evans seeking county commissioner post

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Venedocia area resident Bill Evans has formally announced his candidacy for Van Wert County commissioner. Evans, a third-generation farmer and small business owner from the Venedocia/Jonestown area, is seeking the January 3, 2013, term as commissioner.

A 1971 graduate of Lincolnview High School, Evans is also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served during the Vietnam War.

“I have always been a hands-on person and someone others can rely upon to get things done,” Evans said. “I realize that, as commissioner, you have to depend on other people to get projects accomplished.”

Evans characterized himself as a good communicator who also has a great work ethic. “I am willing to work hard for you and not afraid to tackle the tough jobs and get my hands dirty,” he said. “Don’t ask someone to do a job you’re not willing to do yourself.”

Evans currently serves as a York Township trustee and is commander of American Legion Post 346 in Ohio City. He is a member of the Van Wert County Farm Bureau and Salem Presbyterian Church in Venedocia.

His wife of 35 years, Ruth (Ringwald) Evans, grew up on a family farm near Middle Point. The couple has five children and seven grandchildren, with grandchild No. 8 due in February. The whole family lives within 50 miles of Van Wert.

“As county commissioner, it will be my task to make your county a better place to live and work,” Evans said. “We need to move forward with a comprehensive plan for Van Wert County. Many people have worked on such a plan, but nothing has been officially adopted at this time.

“We need to bring jobs to this county, keep the environment healthy and try to keep our children and their children in this county with jobs and businesses that support them,” Evans added.

Evans is also pushing for agriculture, promising to keep the industry strong locally and to promote ag-related jobs. He noted that he follows USDA recommended conservation practices and does his best to be a good steward of the land, even encouraging his son to be a fourth-generation farmer in the family.

“I understand the problems we have with the economy,” Evans said. “Housing, construction, factory jobs, and small business work are at an all-time low. Our government debt is at an all-time high. We need to work on reversing the current trend; we have to take the country back.”

In conclusion, Evans promised to improve communication between local residents and the commissioners’ office.

“This is your county, and if I’m your commissioner I will listen to you and come up with solutions to serve the community,” he noted. “Let me know what you want, where you stand on important subjects … with any subject.

“I have the experience,” added Evans, who calls himself community-minded and a fiscal conservative. “As a township trustee, I work with the public every day creating solutions. I can lead Van Wert County in a new direction, to new opportunities.”