A guy from Mount Vernon and a woman from Apple Valley are both running for a seat in the Ohio House for District 98, which covers Holmes, Coshocton, and Knox counties.
The Republican candidate is Mark Hiner of Mount Vernon, and the Democratic candidate is Annie Homstad of Apple Valley. Both are running to take the seat that Darrel Kick of Holmes County has held for four terms. Kick is no longer able to work.
He said that every county has its own problems and wants.
“In Holmes County, e-bikes are proving to be a safety concern and officials are talking about ways to prioritize safety for everyone,” he added.
Not only the county engineer and commissioners, but also ODOT will need to be a part of the talk. Those talks are going on right now and will keep going.
Hiner: Property taxes, workforce development are major issues
Hiner also says that he wants property taxes to go down.
“Property taxes are on the rise and I would like to see reductions for everyone, not just carve outs for a few,” said Hiner.
“A few bills are still being worked on, and House members are meeting to talk about them.” Many things can be done to lower property taxes, but I would rather see people rely less on them in general.
He also thinks that developing the work force is a big problem.
“Workforce development is needed everywhere and even though I am a proponent of school choice, I want to ensure our public schools have the tools they need to compete and excel,” said Hiner.
“All of our children deserve a first class education and I will work to ensure that our schools are able to provide it.”
He said that technical education should get more attention because the 98th District is having a hard time with rising costs for public safety (fire and police) and that “we will need to find ways to raise pay to keep those people from leaving to find better paying jobs elsewhere.”
There are always issues with water, sewers, and drains to fix. I will do what I can to help get the money and laws that are needed.
Hiner, who has run his own business for 30 years, said that his business background could help him as a state lawmaker.
“I am pretty good at bringing people together and will work with whoever is willing to help move our state and district forward,” he added.
“I have been going to meetings of county commissioners and village councils in all three counties.” Getting to know all of the other elected leaders is important so that we can all work together to reach the district’s goals.
She has been married for 33 years and has two married children and two grand kids.
About Annie Homstad
Homstad is the treasurer for her local school board and a substitute teacher in her community. She also runs her own accounting business. She is ready to do more.
She tells people on her website, “I am ready to step up and represent you.” The problems I see in my neighborhood and across the country have made me very angry. I have not seen the good changes that everyone needs.
“I am passionate about finding solutions to the rising cost of living and healthcare, women’s healthcare, voting rights, the low minimum wage, and school funding issues that my family and neighbors are facing,” she said more.
“I am done whining about politics.” “I have the power to do more.”
She said that her work experience in finance gives her the skills she needs to serve the people of Knox, Holmes, and Coshocton counties at the Statehouse.
Homstad wrote on her website that problems that need to be fixed include internet access in rural areas, help with paying for utilities, help with paying for health insurance premiums, and raising the age at which Medicare coverage starts to 50.
She also supports unions and building more places for kids and old people to get care.
