Pike County Commissioner: Thompson and Leist Answer the Same Six Questions

- Advertisement -

WAVERLY, Ohio: Two candidates are running for an open seat on the Pike County Board of Commissioners in the November 3 election: Democrat Bob Thompson and Republican Neil Leist. They are the only two candidates for the seat.

Heritage Headlines sent both men the same six questions, word for word, the same style questions we are sending every candidate for local office in our coverage area. Both replied by email. Their answers run below as they sent them, Thompson first, then Leist, so voters can read the two side by side.

Bob Thompson, Democrat

Thompson grew up in Pike County, graduated from Waverly High School in 1967, and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Ohio State University on a basketball scholarship. He spent 37 years in education as a teacher, principal and administrator, most recently with the Olentangy Local School District in Delaware County. Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and early voting is already underway.

1. Who are you, and where are you from?

I’m Bob Thompson and I’m from Pike County, Ohio.

2. Why are you running for this office?

I’m running for Pike County Commissioner because I owe Pike County so much for helping me prepare for a successful career and life. I had great teachers at Waverly High School from which I graduated in 1967. I had excellent coaches who prepared me to earn a basketball scholarship to Ohio State University where I earned both my BS and Masters Degrees. And I received my religious training here in Pike County that has formed my character and concern for people less fortunate than I. I would love to pay Pike County back for what her people have done for me!

3. A lot of people here say they feel more unheard than ever. Forgotten, or even betrayed, by the people in office. So forget plans for a second: what have you actually DONE, in your work and in this community, that shows what you would do in this office? Not promises. Accomplishments, the here and today.

I too feel unheard in the county. I am extremely concerned about the lack of transparency and complete, accurate information provided to our citizens.

I was an educator and administrator during my 37-year career. As a high school principal, I worked with students, parents, teachers, fellow administrators, the Board of Education and the public. As an Assistant Director of Human Resources, I worked closely with the bus driver and the maintenance/custodial unions. And as the Director of Operations, I worked with teachers, consultants, engineers, architects and the public to project student populations and stay abreast of the exponential growth in the Olentangy Local School District in Delaware County, Ohio. In each of those capacities I developed advisory committees to give investment holders ownership in helping administer their piece of total system and to assist in settling disagreements and structuring labor agreements with unions. Those advisory committees gave stakeholders the opportunity to be heard and to feel a part of the bigger picture.

4. Honest question: when would you NOT complete a task or goal you promised? Under what circumstances would you let something you committed to go unfinished, and what would your reaction be when it happened?

I would not complete a task or goal I had promised if: a) I discovered there was a statute or law that prohibited its completion; b) I discovered that its costs were prohibitive given the total operating budget; or c) I was provided new information that rendered my promised task or goal irrational or impossible.

My reaction to the inability to complete the task or goal would be to fully and openly explain why it couldn’t be completed.

5. Property taxes. After the recent reappraisals, tax bills jumped and voters are furious, and county commissioners hold the county budget and a seat at the table on levies. What will you actually do about property taxes? And if the county takes in less, what gets cut or changed to make up for it? Plain southern Ohio English, no political jargon.

I would gladly welcome the decrease in or elimination of property taxes. However, we must accept the fact that if property taxes were decreased or eliminated either another form of income would have to be increased or usual county services would also need to be decreased or eliminated. No one, including me, wants to see county services cut. As a matter, of fact, I would like to see them expanded! Pike County needs their own EMS services, their own jail and to improve the upkeep of county-owned buildings. Hopefully, the impact fees from the PORTS Projects will allow the county to decrease property taxes and to add the aforementioned services.

6. In two sentences: why should our readers vote for you?

Pike County voters should vote for me because I have the experience and necessary skills to help the county deal with the impact of the PORTS Projects. I want to take the wheel of the bus that is about to run over us and take Pike County where we want to go, not where the billionaires want to take us!

Thanks for the invitation to respond to your questions!

Neil Leist, Republican

1. Who are you, and where are you from?

Neil Leist and I was born and raised near Stockdale, Ohio on a 200 acre cattle farm and sawmill. I was the first in the family to get a college degree. I graduated from Morehead State University with a degree in education. I attended Athens university to obtain a degree in administration and then I obtained my superintendent’s degree from Xavier University. I have five children, Lindsey, Leah, Neil II, Tucker and Cade and a wonderful wife of 25 years, Candy.

2. Why are you running for this office?

I’m running for this office because I think I can help the people of Pike County. I would like to help change the political atmosphere in our county and surrounding areas. Several years ago in the 60’s and 70’s when I listened to my father campaign, he would discuss the reasons why people should vote for his candidate and his democrat friends would tell him why he should vote for their candidate. They would shake hands and leave the conversation with things to think about. In today’s political atmosphere, it is completely reversed. People now give reasons why you shouldn’t vote for the other candidate and it makes for a hateful conversation over name calling of each other’s candidates. I would like to bring politics back to how it used to be and only speak positively about the candidates. I want to be elected on my own merit and what I have done for Pike county over the last several years.

3. A lot of people here say they feel more unheard than ever. Forgotten, or even betrayed, by the people in office. So forget plans for a second: what have you actually DONE, in your work and in this community, that shows what you would do in this office? Not promises. Accomplishments, the here and today.

December of 2025, I started promotional videos to promote Pike county family owned businesses. I have promoted over 70 Pike county businesses on my Facebook page with over one million views. I have done research across the country and it shows that counties that have family owned businesses doing well helps the county thrive financially. I have also written a book, Superintendent Savings Strategies, which talks about different ways school districts can save money. Many of those same strategies can be used to save the county money. I have always been an outside of the box thinker when coming up with different ways to save money for the school district. I am also a leader that leads by example and would never ask anyone to do something I wouldn’t do myself. I have a lot of energy and love to put into my county. My father taught me you can’t sit back and wait for that next dollar, you have to get out there and make something happen. I have lived in Pike County almost my entire life and I want to have a hand in making it the best it can be.

4. Honest question: when would you NOT complete a task or goal you promised? Under what circumstances would you let something you committed to go unfinished, and what would your reaction be when it happened?

The only way a task wouldn’t be finished is insufficient funds or if I was the only vote and it takes two to make it happen.

5. Property taxes. After the recent reappraisals, tax bills jumped and voters are furious, and county commissioners hold the county budget and a seat at the table on levies. What will you actually do about property taxes? And if the county takes in less, what gets cut or changed to make up for it? Plain southern Ohio English, no political jargon.

The existing commissioners are in the process of negotiating a lot of money in Pike county over the next 15-20 years. My pledge would be to take part of that money to cover property taxes for the people of Pike county. The people of Pike county deserve a break. If elected, I’ll be trying my hardest to help cut the property taxes. With the money coming in, there shouldn’t be a need to cut or look elsewhere for financial help with property taxes.

6. In two sentences: why should our readers vote for you?

I have proven over the last several years that I want what is best for the people of Pike county. I’m honest, hard working and will hit the ground running on day one.

Editor’s note: Mr. Leist also sent us a cutout version of the fair photo above. We ran the full photo instead. We thought it was the better picture, and we wanted to keep things positive and about this race.

Send a tip or correction to info@heritageheadlines.com.

Get the morning stories.

- Advertisement -