Holmes County business sector gets to know area's new state senator

MILLERSBURG − A proposed local roundabout, the state budget, unemployment fraud, health care, tourism and taxes were a few of the topics tossed around when Holmes County's new State Senate representative visited Thursday.

Andrew Brenner, who began to represent Holmes County after the latest redistricting went into effect in January, toured the East Holmes School District and attended a meet-and-greet with Holmes County Chamber of Commerce members and elected officials. In addition to Holmes, he represents Delaware, Knox and Coshocton counties.

More: 'We've waited for this day.' Holmes County Health District breaks ground on new building

Brenner said he is a frequent visitor to the area and has a history with many of the elected officials who were at the gathering, including state Rep. Darrel Kick, Commissioner Dave Hall and Recorder Anita Hall.

Dave Hall brought up the proposed roundabout at state Routes 39 and 557 just west of Berlin.

"The state is saying this will fit well in our community, but with electric bikes, buggies, and you add farm equipment and tourists into the mix, it is not a healthy thing for our county," Hall said. "I ask that you will reach out to our governor and the transportation director to bring about a common sense approach, which we believe would be an easy fix on that process."

Kick said Holmes County people are too kind, and that is why roundabouts are a bad idea.

More: Easter message rings true as Holmes County man finds peace through cancer battle

"I've driven in downtown Columbus and Chicago, and there's nobody kind. They don't let you in," he said. "They don't slow up. Out here, we're literally so kind, we're not making accidents, which doesn't show on the report that it's needed."

Kick said the county doesn't have safety issues, "we just have (traffic) backups and slow-downs and frustrations of tourists."

Brenner pointed out problem areas on the roads usually are only addressed when there are fatalities, which is not a good practice.

Keim President Jim Smucker added he would appreciate the senator addressing the issue because the Ohio Department of Transportation will not look into the matter unless it's bought to its attention.

Brenner said he would look into the roundabout matter.

Discussion of inflation, work force, unemployment fraud

Brenner said inflation is the No. 1 problem facing the state right now. It has impacted the labor work force immensely, whether it's Medicare related or in-home care for seniors.

"Whether it is in health care, education, infrastructure, you name it, inflation has had a huge impact on everything," he said. "There is more money available and there are a lot more people asking for a lot more money than before. I've noticed a huge difference from two years ago."

He said there are work shortages in skilled trades, noting there are not enough people to build houses and buildings that are needed.

"I've talked with the Lieutenant Governor (Jon Husted) about it, and I think there's still a lot we have to do to insure our work force and everything is lined up," he said.

The senator added the state has been dealing with the number of false unemployment claims and problems at the state level of Job and Family Services for three years and hopes to get that problem rectified soon.

Brenner lives in Delaware County, where he said he deals with suburban sprawl, transportation problems and congestion, but he also sees areas where the residents of the two counties face similar issues, such as tourism and agriculture.

A bit of background on the senator

"I serve on a bunch of committees, including finance," Brenner said. "We'll be getting the state budget in a couple of weeks from the House. I serve as chair of the education committee for the senate, and I'm on the energy and public utilities committee and transportation committee."

He has served in the general assembly for 12 years and was a county recorder previously. He is licensed in real estate and insurance. He has been working in education policy since he was a freshman state representative.

A beneficial visit

"The senator reached out to us. He's being proactive. He wants to come learn from us," said Tiffany Gerber, Chamber of Commerce executive director "To have this relationship, to have the comfort level to just give him a call is vitally important. The chamber is very humbled to be able to put something like this in place."

Kick said he appreciated the time he worked together with Brenner in the House, and feels he will do a solid job as a member of the state Senate.

"The short time we worked together, every once in a while you'd hear, 'Oh what's Brenner up to?', and then you realize he's right again," Kick said. "He ruffled some feathers to get there."

Hall added he enjoyed working with Brenner when he was a member of the House of Representatives, and believes he will represent this area strongly.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Brenner visits Holmes, new area of representation since redistricting