Press Release
March 31, 2016
Monroe County Commissioner, J. Henry Lievens, has announced his intention to seek re-election to the County Commissioner District 9 seat he has represented since 2005. District 9 includes Whiteford Township and the southwest portion of Bedford Township.
A local practicing attorney for over ten years, Mr. Lievens currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners having been elected twice by his fellow commissioners to this leadership post. Previously, he has held additional leadership posts including Chairman of the Human Resources Committee, and leading a Healthcare Task Force. He has also served on the Monroe County Land Bank Authority Board, the Retiree Healthcare Trust Board and the Monroe County Employees Retirement System Board of Trustees.
Mr. Lievens points to a list of accomplishments he has been involved with, including restructuring the appointments to the Historical Commission to ensure county-wide representation in preserving the county’s rich historical heritage. He also notes the support provided to the Conservation District to help in efforts to manage local environmental initiatives as well as the River Raisin Watershed Council that works with multiple units of government to coordinate best practices to protect waters and streams. His hallmark accomplishment in the environmental area was the county-wide injection well ordinance. “Banning the injection wells due to our karst geology and other efforts the Board took were all to protect the drinking water supplies for the 30% of the county citizens who depend on safe, clean well water for everyday life. Certainly, this was one of the most important accomplishments on behalf of our community,” Mr. Lievens said. “As a district that has broad agricultural interests, I am proud of our efforts to support farming and agri-business that is so important to so many families.”
In addition to these stewardship efforts on behalf of future generations, Mr. Lievens outlined the support and work he has done to help strengthen public safety in his district and county-wide. He said, “We have made good progress in providing more law enforcement officers directly in the community since 2013 with the addition of four officers.” Beyond adding officers, Mr. Lievens points to other important achievements supporting public safety, including the addition of two additional 911 dispatchers to handle the growing volume of calls. “Public safety remains a top priority for me and ensuring every single emergency call is answered immediately is the start of getting help to my fellow citizens.” He also noted the Board accomplished an important goal in supporting county-wide emergency first responders by constructing a new facility housing their most important equipment and ensuring the equipment is ready when needed. “We had over $1.5 million worth of important specialty law enforcement equipment sitting outside. When my citizens call, I want to know we have given our first responders and law enforcement reliable equipment to meet any emergency need in our communities,” Mr. Lievens said of the building project. “It is not about a building, rather about more tools and resources for our public safety personnel to best serve our residents and businesses.”
Mr. Lievens recited his support and leadership in ushering through a public-private partnership to strengthen opportunities for economic development. The recently announced I-75 corridor strategic plan highlights local governments and businesses working together and sharing resources. “This is about creating a business environment where companies can prosper, hire skilled employees right here in Monroe County and attract new commerce. I am proud of the Board’s efforts in leading on this important initiative. The private sector support speaks to the confidence of our business community who know what Monroe County can offer,” said Mr. Lievens.
In the next term, Mr. Lievens looks forward to serving his fellow citizens in his district and said he will continue to guide the County in a fiscally responsible manner. “I take my stewardship responsibilities to the citizens and taxpayers very seriously. They have entrusted me to get things done in a constructive manner and the Board has worked very well accomplishing goals that benefit our community. With the County’s finances fairly stable, I will turn additional attention to working with our state, federal, and Ohio partners in ensuring common sense solutions are applied so that Lake Erie remains a viable source of safe, clean drinking water. He also reiterated his support for the community efforts in rooting out the scourge from drug addiction, specifically heroin. “There is progress being made but we are not where we want to be. There is a strong coalition of citizens and public agencies really making a difference in the lives of families fighting with the challenges from the heroin epidemic. This County is leading in these efforts, and other communities across the state are following what we are doing and that is very encouraging,” he said.
A life-long resident of Monroe County, and a Republican, Mr. Lievens and his wife Betzi have a two month old son. A graduate of Monroe St. Mary’s Catholic High School, Mr. Lievens earned his bachelor degree from the University of Michigan and his law degree from the University of Toledo. He is a beekeeper and avid outdoorsman, member of the Ottawa Lake Sportsman Club, Monroe County Rod and Gun Club, Bedford Business Association, Monroe County Chamber of Commerce, Farm Bureau, Monroe Exchange Club, Ducks Unlimited, among others.