Shalersville native Solak says it’s time for a change

Incumbent Democrat Chris Smeiles will face Republican Larry Solak in a race for Portage County commissioner.

Smeiles is vying for re-election to a sixth term, while Solak, a Shalersville Township trustee since 2001, is running for the position for the third time.

“I think Chris Smeiles has been a commissioner long enough,” Solak said, “and it’s time for a change.”

Smeiles is using his two-decade-long experience as commissioner as the selling point in his campaign, something he says Solak is lacking. He also said it’s his conservative attitude, which he plans to stick to if re-elected, that has brought the county together to work as a successful team.

Solak served on the Portage County Emergency Planning Committee from 1988 to 2006, the Portage County Emergency Management Agency since 1988, and the Portage County Airport Board from 2004 to 2008, all of which he said makes him a viable candidate.

He said he originally ran for the trustee position because he wanted to give something back to his community.

“I’ve lived here (Portage County) all my life,” he said. “I’ve been a part of the community, so I feel a certain responsibility.”

Solak said responsibility is something all people need to have toward government, and without taking an active part in it, people cannot complain about what they get.

“If you want a government that says ‘for and by the people,’ that’s exactly what it means,” he said. “Anytime you’re involved with anything, you try and leave it better than you found it.”

Solak said that is his plan if elected as commissioner, adding that he thinks a lot can be done better at the county level.

“I’d like to see the debt level of the county reduced, especially with the economy situation like it is today,” he said.

To do this, Solak said he’d be more careful with the county’s spending and thinks that eventually the county government staff needs to be downsized.

As a trustee, Solak has reviewed the township budget and allocated money, yet townships are not allowed to run in the red or incur a deficit at any time, he explained.

During his campaign Solak is pushing for accountability on the government’s part to the citizens, saying he thinks the people deserve an honest answer from their officials, such as how money is spent.

“Government is there to serve the people, not the other way around,” he said. “Taxpayers don’t serve the government; in this country they are the government. If you live in Shalersville, I work for you, and if you live in Portage County, and I’m a commissioner, I work for you. I think we’ve lost that a bit.”

Dennis Bujak, also a Shalersville trustee, said Solak has done a lot of good for the township. When the township was looking to acquire land for expansion that was adjacent to the township’s garage, Solak spoke with the private owners of the land, ultimately convincing them to donate the property, Bujak explained.

“He’s very candid, determined and not afraid to voice his opinions,” he said of the candidate. “I’m sure he could handle (the commissioner position) if he puts his mind up to it.”

Solak also said he would like to see the county government partner with higher education in hopes of preparing students with the skills to walk right into the job market, without playing catch-up. He said he also believes that no job is too menial for graduates, even as technology continues to advance.

“We live in a fast-changing world,” he said. “But there still needs to be people who can use a pencil.”

Solak started his own business, Solak’s Automotive Machine Shop, in 1970 and said applying sound business practices to government goes without saying.

When Solak first ran in 2004 he was defeated by Democrat Commissioner Maureen Fredrick, and in 2006 he lost in the Republican primary election to Meg Hudson, who later was defeated by Commissioner Chuck Keiper.

Contact public affairs reporter Alyssa Sparacino at [email protected].