Sherrell Servin-Gonzalez is this year’s winner of the Huron County Democratic Party’s scholarship essay contest. She is a graduating senior from Willard High School and also participated in the Pioneer Career and Technology “College Now “ program, where she will graduate with an Associates Degree in Business Administration. She is accepted at The Ohio State University where she plans to finish her degree in Business studies, and is considering continuing into law school. At Willard High, she is a National Merit Scholar, plays second chair alto sax in the band, participates in Spanish club and in community service activities. Her scholarship of $2,500 will be sent to OSU to apply toward tuition expenses. She is the middle of three sisters, who were proud to attend the awards ceremony with her.
The second-place essay was written by Gabriel Drymond of Edison High School; and third place by Shyla Gruhlke of Norwalk High School. Although no money is awarded, these students are to be commended for their thoughtful and well-written essays. The essays are judged blind; the judges have only the topic and essay text. They do not know the name, gender or high school of the student essay writer.
"We hold this annual essay contest as a challenge to our young people to become politically aware, to seek to learn about politicians at the local, state and federal levels, and to learn about those who will be making decisions and passing laws that will affect our lives, both now and into the future," said Scholarship Committee Chair Helen Wheeler. "We hope they will become informed and regular voters."
This year’s essay topic was: “Local Government - Huron County; how does our government function”. There were four questions to consider:
1. What are the duties and responsibilities of each position?
2. What is the elected term of service?
3. How does each office holder interact with other local government positions – think coordination, supervision, review, audit?
4. As a Huron County resident, how does the elected office-holder interact with you and/or your family?
Here is the prize-winning essay:
Huron County, Ohio, operates under a local government system in which various elected officials are responsible for overseeing essential services that affect the daily lives of its residents, These taxpayer-funded, voter-elected positions are central to maintaining the county’s infrastructure, ensuring public safety, and managing finances. In this essay, I will describe three key Huron County positions—County Commissioner, Sheriff, and Auditor—outlining their duties, responsibilities, and interactions with other government offices and the public.
The Huron County Commissioners are among the most critical officials in the county, responsible for managing and governing the county's general operations, The commissioners oversee the county’s budget, allocate funds for public works, emergency services, and other community programs, and pass resolutions that affect the local population. Their primary responsibility is ensuring the efficient operation of the county’s various departments, such as road maintenance, health services, and social welfare programs. They serve a four-year term and collaborate closely with other local government offices, such as the county treasurer, auditor, and department heads. For example, commissioners work with the sheriff’s office to allocate funds for law enforcement and emergency services. In terms of their relationship with residents, commissioners are accountable to the public through town hall meetings, consultations, and direct communications regarding public services. Residents often contact commissioners for assistance with county-related issues, from infrastructure concerns to social programs.
Another essential position is the Huron County Sheriff, who is responsible for maintaining law and order within the county. The sheriff supervises law enforcement personnel, manages the county jail, and responds to emergencies across unincorporated areas. The sheriff works alongside other local officials to ensure public safety and collaborate on law enforcement matters. The sheriff’s office provides mutual aid to local municipalities during emergencies, supports crime prevention programs, and contributes to regional investigations. Like the commissioners, the sheriff serves a four-year term and interacts with other local offices such as the prosecutor's office for criminal cases and the auditor’s office for managing law enforcement funding. The sheriff’s office also connects directly with residents by providing safety resources, addressing crime-related concerns, and offering programs to help prevent crime. Community outreach is an important part of the sheriff’s role, and the sheriff meets with residents and local organizations to discuss crime trends and safety initiatives.
Finally, the Huron County Auditor plays a crucial role in managing the county’s financial operations. The auditor’s responsibilities include overseeing tax collections, maintaining accurate financial records, and ensuring that county revenues and expenditures are properly managed, The auditor works closely with the county commissioners to provide financial data that aids in decision-making and prioritizing public spending. The auditor is also tasked with assessing property taxes, ensuring fair tax valuation, and conducting audits of county departments to promote financial transparency and accountability. Serving a four-year term, the auditor interacts with residents primarily through property tax assessments and providing information about county finances, Residents may contact the auditor’s office for assistance with understanding tax bills or for financial records related to the county’s budget.
These three positions—Huron County Commissioner, Sheriff, and Auditor—are essential to the smooth operation of the county government. Each officeholder plays a unique role in maintaining the county’s infrastructure, safety, and fiscal responsibility. The officials work together to ensure that services are provided effectively, that public funds are used appropriately, and that residents’ needs are met. Whether it’s a county commissioner overseeing public works, a sheriff ensuring public safety, or an auditor managing finances, these elected officials provide critical services that support the wellbeing of Huron County residents. Through their interaction with other government offices and the public, they help build a strong, well-functioning community.