Star Beacon
Fri, May 09 2008
—
County commissioner stepping down to take over the cabinet-level position
By DORIS COOK
Staff Writer
dcook@starbeacon.com
Ashtabula County Democratic Commissioner Robert Boggs is stepping out of his 10-year post representing the county to take over as Ohio Director of Agriculture.
Boggs, 59, was appointed Friday to the cabinet-level position by Gov. Ted Strickland. He begins the $111,000-a-year salary job Wednesday. Boggs will be working at the Reynoldsburg-based complex for the ODA.
Boggs served 24 years in the Ohio General Assembly in both the House and Senate. At 24, he first entered the political arena when elected to the House of Representatives. In 1983 he was appointed to the Ohio Senate seat replacing Mark Roberto of Ashtabula County and was Democratic caucus leader for five years until 1997. He is a former teacher for the Pymatuning Valley School District.
Boggs has been a county commissioner for 10 years. His replacement to finish the unexpired two years of a third term will be made by the Ashtabula County Democratic Central Committee, said party chairman Duane Feher.
"I was encouraged to join the administration of Gov. Strickland after he won the election. It will be a challenge and I'm ready to help. Agriculture is one of Ohio's biggest industries. The governor wants agriculture to take a key role in his "Turn Around Ohio" plans," Boggs said during a phone interview in Columbus.
"We need to develop new energy sources out of agriculture products in this state. Ohio is a leading state for agriculture research. The governor wants to enhance the research and promote more markets for agriculture products not only locally, but overseas," Boggs said.
The ODA provides regulatory protection to producers, agribusiness and consumers while promoting agriculture products in the U.S. and as part of a global economy.
In making the appointment of Boggs to head the Department of Agriculture, Strickland said, " Robert's years of service in the public sector, particularly his efforts on behalf of Ohio farmers have prepared him to be director."
Growing up on a Dorset Township farm, Boggs graduated from Jefferson High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in government at American University in Washington, DC. and Masters degree in public administration from Kent State University.
During his time in the state legislature, Boggs authored and co-sponsored numerous bills to help Lake Erie development, water quality, inter-modal transportation such as the Ohio Rail Development Authority, economic development, education and natural resources. He has served as president of the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) in 2002 and presently is on the board of trustees and legislative committee.
In 2002 as president, Boggs initiated the CCAO's Health Insurance Pool and chairs that committee. He is currently president of the county board of commissioners plus serving on various local government related committees.
During his tenure as commissioner, Boggs led the drive to construct the Geneva State Park Lodge & Conference Center and worked with fellow commissioners to bring more commercial and industrial growth to Ashtabula County. In addition, commissioners acquired a county operated water system and expanded infrastructure to the rural area of the county.
Boggs and his wife, Judi Sylak, have three grown daughters and seven grandchildren. Sylak is a retired nursing professor at KSU Ashtabula campus. The couple will maintain their residency in the county with their home in Roaming Shores, but plan to rent a condo in the Columbus area, Boggs said.
Star Beacon Print Edition: 1/20/2007
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