OTTAWA — Ron DePriest of Ottawa is challenging County Commissioner Sue Farrell for the Republican nomination. He is one of two Republican challengers in District 1, which is mostly Ottawa. No Democrats have filed. DePriest said he doesn’t have an opinion right now concerning a new juvenile detention center but he has a definite opinion how it should be handled – the question should be put to Franklin County voters before the county commits any funds to the project. Like other candidates, DePriest said his top issue is jobs. Unlike many Republicans, he said he’s concerned with the environment and he says encouraging green business is the best way to increase the number of jobs in the county. The county has a major opportunity in developing those small businesses that make or service green and alternative products. He is probably the first county candidate to have a Web site and much of it is devoted to green subjects. That Web site is rondepriestforcommissioner.info.
Tuesday, May 4, 3 p.m.
