Lifetime of service: Ray Eyler reflects on his 16 years as Holmes County commissioner
MILLERSBURG − As his fourth term as a Holmes County commissioner comes to a close at the end of 2024, Ray Eyler can look back on a lifetime of service and see a job well done.
Joe Miller, who served alongside Eyler, who is not running for reelection, through his four terms, said few people have given as much to their country and community as Eyler has done.
"I don't know of anyone who has done more for Holmes County than Ray Eyler," Miller said. "He served his country in the navy, was on the school board, on the fire department. He's been a commissioner.
"Hands down, Ray Eyler is one of the nicest people that I have ever worked with," Miller continued. "He has helped make Holmes County what it is today. As far as our mission, if it's right for the county, we will do it. Ray and I have agreed on that for the longest time. I don't make big decisions without consulting with Ray Eyler. He likes to fix things and take care of problems."
Navy, marriage, settle in Holmes County
After a four-year stint in the U.S Navy, Eyler and his wife, Verlie, settled in Millersburg, where he went to work at Holmes-Wayne Electric in 1968. He worked there until 2002.
The Eylers raised six children. They have 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Eyler said his wife told him early on he should get involved with the kids, and he did. He spent eight years serving on the county school board and 14 years on the West Holmes Local Schools Board.
Eyler's father was a firefighter for the city of Massillon, where Ray was born and raised until the Eyler family moved to Millersburg so his mother, a nurse, could be closer to her family. He graduated from Millersburg High School where he played football, baseball and some basketball.
"I loved playing baseball. I was a catcher," he said. "I played basketball just to stay in shape for football."
Eyler served 45 years with Holmes Fire District No. 1, including eight years as fire chief. His son, Robert, also was a firefighter and chief, having retired from the Wooster City Fire Department.
Eyler said it has a true pleasure to use his talents and abilities to improve the quality of life in the Holmes County community.
Recognizing the value of teamwork
Through training at Leadership Holmes County he was reminded of the need to work closely with other leaders as a team. He also is aware of the great value of listening to the people he represents.
As a commissioner he addressed issues that included attracting and maintaining new business, developing a plan for controlled growth and assuring the continued operation of the county.
During his 16-year tenure there has been incredible growth in the county, thanks in part to the more than 40 enterprise zone agreements Eyler has encouraged. Through the enterprise zone program, the county issue a 10-year tax break for businesses, which encourages development and expansion locally.
Eyler credits the good people he has worked with over the years for his ability to get things done, from staff at Holmes-Wayne Electric, to the fire department to county government.
"Sometimes you spend more time with the people you work with than you do your own family, so it helps to enjoy the people you work with," he said.
Making fiscal conservancy pay off
As a fiscal conservative, he said he used common sense and his experience as an accountant, work on school boards and the fire department to meet the needs of the county, keeping in mind the importance of having a balanced budget.
"When I first took office, Joe (Miller) and I sat and talked and got things organized," Eyler said. "We just weren't going to spend every penny there was. You look at our carry-over budget right now is around $12-13 million. We started with basically zero in '09. It's come a long ways. Government does not need to get into businesses."
Eyler said he looks forward to reading and relaxing and enjoying time with his family when his term ends in December.
Eyler's commissioner seat is being sought by five candidates in the March primary - David Crilow, Holley Johnson, Steve Johnson, Dustin Kaufman and Eric D. Strouse.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Ray Eyler serves Holmes County: Firefighter, commissioner, friend
