BUCYRUS — The newest Crawford County Commissioner was sworn into office Thursday.
Tim Ley will join Doug Weisenauer and Mo Ressallat on the board of commissioners after being sworn into office by Crawford County Common Pleas Judge Sean Leuthold.
Many members of Ley’s family as well as members of the Colonel Crawford Local Schools community were in attendance during the ceremony.
Ley defeated incumbent Jenny Vermillion and challenger Jeff Teynor in the 2018 republican primary race. Ley ran unopposed in the general election on November.
“It’s very humbling,” Ley said. “I’m appreciative of all my supporters who got me to this point in my life, but also to represent the county.”
Ley formerly was a 37-year veteran of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, until his retirement in July, where he acted as the local D.A.R.E. officer for 17 years.
Ley also resigned from his position on the Colonel Crawford Local Schools Board of Education after 22 years of serving on the board. He most recently was serving as the board’s president before resigning Dec. 17.
After years of public service, Ley said the decision to run for office was not terribly difficult to make.
“I felt like it was something I might want to do, and I was approached by several people last year to run and I see the point.” Ley said. “I really wanted the position because I believe I can help bring Crawford County some jobs, some industry as my first priorities and also get the budget in line.”
Ley said he has known Weisenauer and Ressallat for multiple years.
“I’m looking forward to working with them,” Ley said. “I’m going to do my best to represent the people of Crawford County while doing my work as commissioner.”
Ley officially takes office in 2019.