WOODSFIELD — Monroe County voters must choose between three individuals to fill one of two commision seats on the ballot this election.

The three-way race includes Incumbent Commissioner Tim Price, an independent, Democrat Ron Taylor and Republican L. William Bolon.

Price, 62, of Sardis has been a commissioner for the past 12 years, serving three terms, and is hoping to continue filing the role. Prior to becoming a commissioner, Price was the sheriff of Monroe County for four years and served with both the sheriff’s office and Woodsfield Police Department for a total of 30 years.

Price said he will use his experience as an elected official to continue making positive change in the community. If re-elected, Price said he would continue working toward completing necessary projects within the county.

“We have some projects we’ve been working on that I’d like to see through,” he said.

Price said he had not originally intended to seek a fourth term; however, after further consideration, he decided to run in the Nov. 3 election.

“I’ve enjoyed the job. I originally thought I would not run or re-file for a fourth term, but I changed my mind. I’ve enjoyed working with people and this is where I was born and raised and I’d like to see some of these things through,” he said.

Price said he has always tried to be fair and work with residents in the community and plans to continue to do so if elected.

“I’ve always tried to be fair and make the best decisions on any issue that has come before the board based on the information I had before me at the time. I believe my record speaks for itself,” he said.

Price is married to wife Rhonda. The couple has twin daughters, Lauren and Leanna.

Taylor, 54, of Adams Township, Woodsfield worked as a deputy sheriff in Monroe County for 30 years up until 2007. He then worked at the Ohio Department of Corrections in Caldwell until 2012. Taylor currently is employed by the sheriff’s department working part-time for the Cross Paws Animal Shelter.

Taylor said he wants to be a voice for the residents of the county and help address their concerns.

“I’ve been a lifelong resident of Monroe County. I worked as a sheriff’s deputy in Monroe County for 30 years. I know the people of the county and I know the county itself. I have never been elected to an office, I’m just basically a person that has concerns for the county and want to see those concerns addressed. I want to be a voice for the people of the county, I want to listen to what the citizens have to say and work to get our county back on the map, help it thrive and help it grow,” he said.

Taylor said there are many issues he hopes to address if elected including bringing good-paying jobs back to the county, repairing infrastructure and addressing drug and violence issues.

“Our infrastructure in this county is dwindling quickly. People want business and industry brought into the county, but little do people know that our river has no sewer system. Clarington has its own sewer system and the old Ormet plant has a sewer system but south of that, there’s no sewer system. We need to work on trying to find alternatives or getting a sewer system down through there,” he said.

Taylor said he also plans to work more closely with the engineer’s office to help find solutions to fix the roadways.

“If we work with the county engineer, we can solve some of the road issues,” he said.

Taylor said he would also like to provide the emergency squads with bulletproof vests in order to better protect their personnel from dangerous situations.

“With the drug and violence on the uprise in the county, our emergency squad personnel, we need to start working on protecting them a little bit more. What I would like to do as commissioner is put at least three bulletproof vests in each squad,” he said.

Taylor is married to wife Maria, and together they share five children: Kourtney, Lewis, Tarra, Kaitlyn and Kaiden. The couple also has two grandchildren, Kyler and Easton.

Bolon, 61, of Lewisville has been a small business owner in Lewisville for the past 18 years and was formerly the mayor of Woodsfield for 26 years.

“I’m a small business owner here in the county and a life-long resident. I believe that my background as a small business owner lends me to be able to be fiscally responsible in my actions as a county commissioner,” he said.

Bolon said during his time as mayor, he was able to accomplish many positive changes for the village of Woodsfield.

“I know that in the capacity as a county commissioner, I could bring my experience and dedication to the table to continue to make positive changes for our residents,” he said.

Bolon said the county currently faces many issues including unemployment and low economic growth, as well as road infrastructure issues that he hopes to address if elected. The county needs to be diligent in seeking and assisting any possible growth, he said.

“There are several things that are up in the air that the county commissioners have no control over. One of them is the (proposed ethane) cracker plant in Dilles Bottom. I believe in my heart that the cracker plant will go through, which will be tremendous for the valley, not only Monroe County, but also Belmont, Marshall, Wetzel (counties) and everybody,” he said.

Bolon said he believes commissioners need to be more proactive in their approach to impending projects.

If elected, he said he would make the position a top priority and strive to make positive change for the community.

“It would be my intent to be a full-time commissioner and work at it very hard every day should the residents choose to elect me as their commissioner,” he said.

Bolon is married to wife Becky, and they have three sons: Dylan, Gabe and Carver.