Pike County Commissioner Candidate Ron Schmalzle, Republican
What follows is a combination of Tri-State Lookout questions with responses from before the primary and responses to questions asked this month.
What circumstances prompted you to run for Pike County commissioner?
I was appointed in 2018 to complete retiring Commissioner Rich Caridi’s term, and I ran in 2019 to serve the community with what I learned from building first generation businesses in Pike County. It’s not about being the best… it’s about making everyone else better!
What experience, skills and/or education prepares you for the role of commissioner? Please be specific.
As a business owner and manager I acquired skills needed in both business and government operations—managing people, understanding human resources and benefit packages, fiscal planning and management and the ability to communicate internally and externally. I have long and excellent relationships with my fellow commissioners and many key county leaders, business owners and state and federal legislators.
My family from both sides are third generation Pike County residents with productive roots in the county. I have lived in Pike County my entire life and built a career developing first generation businesses in Pike County. My desire to live here and raise our family here was the driving force in creating our family of local businesses.
Our companies and management contracts employ hundreds of part time and full-time people and we create opportunities for young people to have their first work experiences. We operate two of the main tourist attractions in the county, and I was executive director of the largest children’s summer camp operation in the county, awarded best in the country for more than 25 years.
I served as Pike County’s member of the Board of Trustees at a regional Hospital and Health system to bring more service to Pike County. This remains my number one priority and we have organized many meetings with providers by leveraging the relationships I have created.
What would you like to change if elected?
Creating pathways to friendly and cooperative homes for businesses is critical, while choosing target industries that mesh with the county and protecting natural resources.
Technologies for efficient and secure management of data and systems across departments is imperative.
What are your priorities to accomplish if elected for another
term, and how would you accomplish these goals?
To see the Bennett Ave facility completed as a Vocational Training Center for the disabled. This will be in partnership with Human Resource Center (HRC) and the office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). To accomplish the expansion of Medical Care Services in Pike County. We have bolstered ambulance services, created a program to train EMTs and soon 2 Urgent Cares. To finalize the creation of a Medical Foundation with the role of building a 24/7 emergency facility in Pike County. The vision of a 24/7 medical facility in Pike County is also coming to fruition. Under the leadership of Matt Osterberg and myself we are making it happen. Leaders that have the committed, communication skills and experience to deal with all levels of such a monumental undertaking for the people of Pike County are the leaders that need to stay in office to see these plans through.
What are your other priorities to accomplish if elected for another
term, and how would you accomplish these goals?
Healthcare and Emergency Services
Pike County is far underserved in Healthcare Services. I served as Pike County’s member of the Board of Trustees at one of the regions Hospital and Health systems because my goal has always been to bring more service to Pike County. This remains my number one priority and we have organized many meetings with providers and are bringing them to the county. We have also been innovative and forward thinking in finding ways to improve our EMS systems within the county and we are proud of the improvements in this area and believe we set an example for the entire state. We will continue to lead Pike County into offering better quality of life to it’s residents now and for decades to come.
What kinds of better paying jobs would you work to bring to Pike
County, and how would you do that?
Business and Commerce Development and Job Creation. The County must continue to seek ways of creating more diverse and sustainable jobs. Creating pathways to friendly and cooperative homes for businesses is critical and choosing target industries that fit and mesh with the county should lead to carefully planned success in growth.
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