by Melody GustafsonEAST LIVERPOOL – City resident Tim Ginter, Republican candidate for the Ohio Senate, sat down with the Eastern Flash last week to discuss his race against Jason Wilson in the 30th district.
Formerly the director of development for Craig Newbold’s American Spirit Initiative, Ginter traveled with Newbold and acted as a government liaison for the New Life Technical Institute. Ginter recently started his own professional development consulting firm. Originally from Mansfield, he and his wife moved to the area in 1995.
Ginter expects a hard campaign ahead against Jason Wilson, son of U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson. The district contains more than 300,000 people and encompasses five counties—Columbiana, Harrison, Jefferson, Tuscarawas, and Belmont.
When asked what draws him to the state legislature, Ginter said, “I know it sounds corny, but I really love this area and our country. Also I have life experience from being a former minister. It gives me a behind-the-scenes look at how hard it is to bring an area back.”
He likes to think outside the box with innovative approaches to improvement with courage and common sense. “I know the frustrations of red tape,” he said. Ginter went on to explain that when people continually try the same solutions after they prove unsuccessful, there will be no progress.
He described Ohio’s position in a ranking of positive business environments as 49th. “It’s no wonder businesses don’t want to come here,” he said. “It takes a long time to turn a big ship around, and there’s been a lot of downward momentum.”
Ginter also spoke of his hope to see education expand in East Liverpool. He envisions a training facility that will prepare workers for permanent full-time positions at the coal liquification plant scheduled for construction in Wellsville.
The General Election is Nov. 4, 2008.
