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Incumbent Athens County Commissioner Charlie Adkins plans to continue focusing on infrastructure, including sewer upgrades
By: Arielle Teppert
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Incumbent Athens County Commissioner Charlie Adkins is seeking re-election to continue the work of building up key infrastructure in the county.
Charlie Adkins says he’s spent his first three terms as an Athens County Commissioner working to build up key infrastructure and is hoping for a fourth term to continue that work.
As commissioner, he worked to upgrade the EMS communication system, which eliminated dead spots in certain parts of the county.
“I promised that they would have the best communication possible if elected,” said Adkins. “We can communicate, and they can communicate back and forwards just about anywhere in the county.”
Adkins, first elected in 2012, also promoted a much-needed upgrade to the county’s 911 dispatch center.
“Right now, they’re in the basement in the sheriff’s office, and they’re in an area where there’s no lighting,” he said. “There are sewer issues because overhead stuff.”
The new 911 center will go online Jan. 1 and will be a “state of the art” center, said Adkins.
If re-elected, Adkins says one key issue he would focus on would be installing sewer systems in villages outside the city of Athens.
“The sewage, you know, coming out of the ground, we can’t get new businesses and upgrade the area,” said Adkins. “If we can cost-effectively help folks and get a sewer system in, I think that’s huge for that area.”
Establishing a strong sense of community across Athens County is another main priority of his campaign.
“I will continue coming to work every day as I’m a full-time commissioner. If I get a call, and I do, I’ll go out and visit with folks to make sure, you know, I can try to get them help,” said Adkins. “So I’m not gonna quit, no matter what happens.”