CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — After a controversial last couple years, the top three candidates vying to be Circleville’s next safety director have been revealed.
Circleville Mayor Michelle Blanton — who took office in January — has said that the final applicants have been contacted and are undergoing a review process.
Following a period of turnover in the role, which saw several occupants during former Mayor Don Mcllroy’s tenure, the responsibility of appointing a new director fell to Blanton in January. Mcllroy held the interim safety director position upon departing from office. However, the initial appointee by Blanton, Steve Wilkinson, was terminated a week later when she took office in January, leading the Mayor to serve as the acting Safety Director since then.
Two of the candidates have law enforcement experience, and notably, all candidates reside in Circleville, with interviews scheduled to commence this week.
Gary B. Cameron served 31 years as a Columbus Police Officer, retiring in 2021 as a commander to assume the brief-role of Pickaway County’s Dog Warden, and then, the county’s EMA Director. He left the county in May 2023 and is currently retired.
“As you will see, I have a long history of serving our Central Ohio community. I attained the rank of Police Commander for the Columbus Division of Police and at times supervised over 200 personnel,” Cameron said. “During that time, I successfully managed the Division’s operating budgets, led many special projects and developed trusting relationships within the community and other government agencies. This brought me to Pickaway County serving as the Chief Dog Warden and County EMA Director. I am grateful for the many relationships ni Pickaway County including a few within the City of Circleville. I view the Circleville Director of Public Safety position as an opportunity to continue my life-long desire to serve the community.”
Roger A. Cooper is currently employed by the State Highway Patrol and is assigned to Pickaway County.
“I began my career with the patrol training with the 136th Academy Class, which commenced on September 13, 2000 and was commissioned as a trooper upon graduation on March 9, 2001,” Cooper said. “I was assigned to the Circleville Post, serving as a trooper, until my promotion to sergeant and transfer to the West Jefferson Post to serve as an assistant post commander in November 2014. I transferred back to the Circleville Post as an assistant post commander in July 2017. In addition to the duties of a field trooper and an assistant post commander, I have also served in a supervisory capacity at major details such as Ohio State Buckeye Football, other major events such as concerts and World Cup soccer at Ohio Stadium, the annual Farm Science Review and the Circleville Pumpkin Show. Prior ot my service with OSHP, I was employed by United Parcel Service as atraining supervisor, Byers Imports and Byers Volvo as an automotive sales consultant and by WCMH-TV in Columbus, WTOV-TV in Steubenville, Ohio and KATV-TV in Litle Rock, Arkansas as a news photographer. In 1993, I graduated from Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in radio and television communications.”
The other other finalist for the position is a female who has background in mental health, addiction treatment, community outreach, and physical fitness.
Tonya R. Lowe-Winfield currently works for Ohio State University as a community organizer assisting locals with obtaining state-funded benefits. She was previously the general manager for Circleville’s Anytime Fitness gym, and worked for Integrated Services and Ohio RISE as a care coordinator helping children with behavioral needs. She holds a bachelor and masters degree. She did not provide a personal statement.
The job posting outlines an annual salary range of $60,749 to $72,899, contingent upon the candidate’s experience, skills, and knowledge, along with health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits. They will oversee the police and fire department.
Upon the appointment of a new Safety Director, focus will shift to addressing vacancies within the police department, including the Chief and Deputy Chief positions.