Kent County Commissioner Ron Fithian has filed to run for a fifth term — calling for a decrease in dependence on the state and heralding Kent’s recent fiscal success.
- Kent Commissioner Ron Fithian (far right) files to run for a fifth term on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2014. Far left is Fithian’s campaign treasurer, Ralph Hall
“I thoroughly enjoy the job,” Fithian said moments after filing with the Kent County Board of Elections on Thursday. “Kent County is probably in better shape than it has been in a long time financially, and we’ve been able to move the county forward with important projects.”
Fithian boasted Kent’s leadership in the state on solar initiatives, the development of the Kent County Community Center, and the build-out of water and sewer to the Georgetown/Galena area–where growth is anticipated.
He also pointed to a decrease in water and sewer rates for the first time in the county’s history, a modest raise for county employees and retirement of 17 percent of the county’s debt as major achievements of his tenure.
Fithian credited his enduring partnership with Commissioner William Pickrum for steering the county through tough economic times.
“Things are really turning around since the Great Recession began,” Fithian said.
Fithian said he envisioned Kent becoming less dependent on help from the state.
“We are trying to make ourselves self sufficient — where we depend on nobody but Kent County for the most part,” Fithian said. “I want to continue to make sure that happens.”
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