Clermont Times

County of Clermont recently issued the following announcement.

Bonnie Batchler shared her journey From Bethel to the Commissioner’s Office at today’s Bethel Business Association luncheon. The annual event took place in the Keith Boys Conference Center in the Grant Career Center.

Batchler went to school in Bethel and her parents lived there until they passed way. She moved to Pierce Township nearly four decades ago.

“I’ve always been proud of saying that I’m from Bethel,” Batchler said to a crowd that included several long-term friends such as Judi Adams of the Bethel Historical Society and Museum.

Batchler became a member of the Board of County Commissioners in 2021 and was elected President this year. She had served as a Pierce Township trustee starting in 2000. She also serves on the Local Emergency Planning Committee and County Investment Advisory Committee and is chair of the County Records Commission.

In 1981, she embarked on a 14-year stint as EMS Chief of the Pierce Township Volunteer Fire department. In between terms as trustee, she also served on the Pierce Township Board of Zoning Appeals.

She noted that she was recruited to become a volunteer firefighter, a post she called “the most rewarding thing I ever did in my life.” She became an EMT and ran for trustee to advocate for full-time paid positions to upgrade the department.

A couple of years ago, a friend persuaded her to run for county commissioner.

“I like to give back,” she said. “I like to feel I’m doing something to give back to the community.”

Batchler said she has always tried to support small businesses by purchasing goods and services from them. She encouraged business owners to take advantage of services provided by the Clermont County Port Authority and Department of Community and Economic Development. She also spoke positively about recent ribbon cuttings at Ace Hardware and Papa John’s in Bethel.

The past eight years, Batchler served as President of the Clermont County Township Association. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Clermont County Community Services and the Senior Service Housing Board and is a member of the Clermont County Law Enforcement Appreciation Selection Committee and the Ohio Public Works Commission grant committee.

She retired as Senior Credit Analyst from Senco Products after working there for 37 years. In 2009, she graduated from the Clermont 20/20 Leadership Program.

Yes, it’s been quite a journey from Bethel to the Commissioner’s Office.

“It’s always nice to come back home,” she concluded. “Bethel will always be my home.”

Original source can be found here.