ThisWeek CW 01/05/2012

http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2012/01/03/untitled-story.html

Canal Winchester resident Marco Miller has tossed his hat in the Democratic primary ring in March for the 20th Ohio House District seat.

Miller will run against Heather Bishoff of Blacklick.

New Albany resident Nancy Garland currently represents the 20th District, but because of recent redistricting changes, which shifted the 20th House District from primarily northeastern to primarily southeastern Franklin County communities, Garland announced that she would not seek a third term.

Miller said is the opportunity he has been waiting for.

“I grew up in this district, raised my family in this district and my grandchildren go to school in Reynoldsburg and Groveport,” Miller said. “I’ve waited 20 years for this opportunity, and I’m excited. I’m retired, so I’m not in this for a part-time job. I’ll represent my people full-time.”

Originally from Groveport, Miller graduated from Walnut Ridge High School. He went on to receive a fire science degree from Columbus State Community College and then completed a bachelor’s degree in public administration with a minor in accounting from Capital University.

Just out of high school, Miller began his career at Rockwell before joining the United States Air Force and serving for four years during the Vietnam War. After leaving the Air Force, he joined the Columbus Division of Fire, where he worked as a firefighter for 25 years, until he retired.

“Recently, we’ve seen the governor and legislature attacking public servants. I spent 25 years on the fire department as one of those public servants,” Miller said. “The budget that was passed has hurt everyone in our schools and local governments. They’re closing firehouses and laying off firefighters, police officers and teachers.”

Miller said his experiences and lifelong residency in the district qualify him to represent it.

“I’m not transient. I’ve watched these communities change and I can sit down with people and talk about all these things. There are things you don’t learn in a book,” Miller said. “I remember raising my family in Countryview Village and we joked about how when they say it takes a village to raise a child.

“Well, my wife and I believed that was what Countryview Village was. That’s why safe neighborhoods are near and dear to my heart.”

Miller said he has held elected office in the past. He served on the Groveport Madison Board of Education from 1993-97 and as the school board president in 1994 and 1997; he was also elected to the Democratic Central Committee and spent six years as the president of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 67.

“One thing is that I listen to people, and when you’ve lived here as long as I have, there’s about nothing I haven’t done here, being involved with the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, VFW; these people will tell you exactly what they want,” Miller said. “And they say they can’t wait for me to be elected.”

According to Miller, he will focus on growing jobs through small business and promoting educational opportunities, particularly for veterans.

“With Rickenbacker and DCSC, there’s a good job base, but we need to promote more small business,” Miller said. “There are a lot of military veterans in this area and a lot of educational opportunities for them, but they aren’t advertised so they aren’t being used. I will be an advocate for the vets.”