Ex-Ohio Legislator Named to Run ODNR ; Strickland Gives Logan Recreation/Conservation Post; He Served on Natural Resources Committee for Six Years.
By Steve Bennish Staff Writer
COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor-elect Ted Strickland on Tuesday appointed a county board of commissioners president as director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
Sean Logan, 40, is president of the Columbiana County Board of Commissioners and has been a commissioner since 2001. He serves on the Little Beaver Creek Wild and Scenic River Advisory Board.
“Sean truly believes in the potential of Ohio’s parks and natural resources, and he’s someone who will respect the rights of Ohio sportsmen and women,” Strickland said.
From 1990 to 2000, Logan was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives. During that time, Logan served on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for six years. He earned his law degree from Capital University Law School in 2001.
“From camping and hiking to hunting and fishing, our state parks and bountiful natural resources are a vast source of recreation — and economic strength — for our great state,” Logan said.
Jack Shaner, a lobbyist with the Ohio Environmental Council, said Logan faces three major challenges: securing adequate funding for parks and natural preserves, fixing inadequate coal mine regulation and cleanup, and championing adoption of the Great Lakes Compact, which bars diversion of the waters from the region.
“Parks and nature preserves are a crisis waiting to happen,” Shaner said. “Campgrounds go all day and night without a safety patrol, and park facilities are crumbling.”
Rich Shank, Ohio Director of the Nature Conservancy, has known Logan 20 years. Shank has been working with him recently on efforts to protect wetlands in Columbiana County. Logan is up to tackling the problems, Shank said.
“He’s got the right qualifications and experience. We look forward to working with him,” Shank said.
Logan married Melissa Davis in 1993. The couple has three children.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7407 or sbennish@DaytonDailyNews.com.
(c) 2007 Dayton Daily News. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.