Three compete for two seats on FSWCD Board

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Three candidates are running this year to fill two seats on the Board of Supervisors of the Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District.

Fred W. Melvin and Gary Reiterman are seeking re-election to the board. They are being challenged by Bryan McClish. The following candidate information was provided by the respective candidates.

The supervisors elected will serve three-year terms, beginning on Jan. 1, 2022. The board is composed of five supervisors. The duties of the board include being familiar with and understanding the land and water conditions within the entire district; developing and implementing a strategic plan and an annual plan of work for the conservation and development of natural resources of the district; and establishing sound policies and priorities concerning the work to be accomplished in conservation education and technical assistance on the land.

Fred Melvin has served as a supervisor since 2004. He is a lifelong resident of Fayette County. He and his wife Debra have raised three sons, Benson, Clark, and Henry. He graduated from The Ohio State University in 1982 with a bachelor of science degree in agricultural mechanization and systems. He currently farms with his brother, John C. Melvin. The total operation has grown to 3,300 acres of owned and rented ground where they grow corn, soybeans, wheat and hay. Most crops are No-Till. He plants cereal rye as a cover crop.

Melvin is a member of the Fayette County Agronomy Club. Ohio Soybean Association, Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association, and has been a 4-H advisor. He is also a member of Grace Community Church where he is active on the finance, mission, and deacon boards.

Gary Reiterman is completing his 27th year as a supervisor for the Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District. Reiterman lives in Madison Township with his wife, Sheila. He farms approximately 2,000 acres with his son, Mike. He also owns a feed elevator in Mt. Sterling, which is run by his son, John, and daughter-in-law, Nicol. Most of Reiterman’s soybeans and wheat are grown for seed production. Corn is grown for feed production. Malt barley is grown for seed production and malting purposes. Most of his crop ground is No-Till.

Reiterman is a graduate of The Ohio State University and past president of the Fayette County Farm Bureau. He is a member of Ohio Foundation Seeds, Ohio Seed Improvement Association, and SW Ohio Corn Growers Association. He is a founding member of Origin Malts. He is a member of Grace United Methodist Church where he serves as a trustee and as an usher.

Note: Bryan McClish did not provide any candidate information.

The election of supervisors of the Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District will be held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Eligible voters must be at least 18 years of age and either reside in Fayette County, or own or occupy land within Fayette County.

A corporation, partnership, association, or other entity registered with the Ohio Secretary of State that owns land or occupies land in Fayette County may vote for Supervisor. The corporation, partnership, association, or other entity registered with the Ohio Secretary of State must designate a single representative to cast its ballot.

There are three ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot: (1) at the Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District office, 1415 US 22 SW, Suite 500, Washington Court House, OH 43160, until 4 p.m. on Aug. 17, 2021; or (2) vote absentee by requesting an absentee ballot from the Fayette Soil & Water Conservation District; or (3) at the SW Ohio Corn Growers Field Day, which will take place Aug. 17 with voting from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Fayette County Farm, 2768 Old SR 38 NE, Washington Court House, OH 43160.

All completed ballots must be received at the Fayette SWCD office by 4 p.m. on Aug. 17, 2021.

Contact Chet Murphy at 740-313-3214 or [email protected] to request an absentee ballot or for more information.

By Chet Murphy

Fayette SWCD Director

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