THE LANCASTER EAGLE GAZETTE

BY JEFF BARRON

LANCASTER — Rep. Steve Stivers, R-Upper Arlington, said it will be important to have an office when takes his seat Jan. 3 in the newly-drawn 15th Congressional District.

But instead of occupying the outgoing Rep. Steve Austria’s (R-Beavercreek) office at 207 S. Broad St., he will move into the nearby Chase bank building at 123 S. Broad St., Suite 235. The move is contingent upon the federal General Service Administration approving the lease agreement, which still is in negotiations.

“Fairfield County is the second biggest county in the district and fastest growing,” Stivers said Monday. “With our Fairfield County office we have made a real commitment to serve the people in the district and give them the kind of service they expect.”

Stivers defeated challenger Pat Lang, of Athens, to retain his Congressional seat.

Stivers also hired Fairfield County Board of Commission Clerk/Manager Branden Meyer to be his Southeast Regional District Manager. Stivers said he wants to hire two more people for the office.

He said Lancaster is centrally located to serve Perry, Hocking, Morgan, Vinton and Athens counties, another reason for keeping a Fairfield County office. The district also includes Franklin, Pickaway, Ross, Madison, Fayette and Clinton counties.

Stivers said he’s moving from Austria’s old office because he’s getting a better deal in the Chase building. However, he would not disclose what the rent could be because of ongoing lease negotiations. Austria pays $1,800 per month, which includes utilities, cleaning service and four parking places.

Stivers said he wants to pay about $300 less per month for the 1,281-square-foot office at the Chase building. Austria’s office is 2,461 square feet.

“We might have a little less space, but I think we’ll be fine with it,” Stivers said.

Stivers said he plans to work out of the office on occasion and meet with constituents.

Before working for the commissioners, Meyer worked for two years at Austria’s Springfield office.

“I’m excited about the opportunity but I’ll miss everybody at the county,” he said. “It’s a real good staff. But it’s just up the hill, so we can still have lunch sometimes.”

The county commissioners must find a replacement for Meyer, who said he would start his new job no later than the second week of January.

“We’re going to miss him,” Mike Kiger said. “He’s done a good job and he takes his job seriously.”

He said the county first will post the job for people who already are county employees.

The position consists of a variety of duties, including preparing resolutions, taking minutes of the weekly commission meetings, participating in the annual budgeting process and representing the commission at public functions.