Election Notice
The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission will cause an election of Supervisors of the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) to be held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Individuals who own or occupy land within the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote for Supervisor.
There are 3 ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:
1.) At the SWCD office, 1404 Goodale Blvd Ste 100 Columbus OH 43212, from 8/21/2024 until 9/19/2024 during normal business hours; or
2.) At the SWCD Annual Meeting, which will take place at Grange Audubon 505 W Whittier St Columbus OH 43215 on 9/19/2024 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ; or
3.) Voting absentee from 8/21/2024 until 9/19/2024, by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office at the following address 1404 Goodale Blvd Ste 100 Columbus OH 43212, by calling 614-486-9613, or email tlarkmour@franklinswcd.org. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by 9/19/2024.
Two (2) Supervisors will be elected to a three-year term commencing January 1, 2025 and ending December 31, 2027.
Nominees and their bios are below.
Franklin County residents 18 years or older can cast an absentee ballot, or vote in-person at our office from August 21 until September 19, 2024.
- Contact us with your name and mailing address to request an absentee ballot.
- Vote in-person at our office weekdays 8:30am-4:30pm August 21 until September 19, 2024.
Below are the four candidates running for two open seats.
Lydia Cumming
Lydia Cumming received a BS in Geology from Ohio State University. She was employed at Battelle, an independent not-for-profit research institute. She enjoyed an awarding career during which she worked her way up from an intern to project manager of research programs in areas of soil and water remediation and pollution prevention. Consequently, she is experienced with regulatory compliance, grant writing, data analysis, budgeting, and presenting scienced-based information about environmental issues. She is passionate about learning and applying new processes to solve problems and improve outcomes. She cares about the quality of work and how to best communicate results to maximize the societal benefits of research. She is currently retired. She resides in the neighborhood of Harrison West and has been the vice president of the Harrison West Society since 2023, supporting its mission of encouraging new and potential programs to improve the neighborhood conditions and environment.
She is interested in serving on the board because she supports the work of the Soil and Water Conservation District, especially promoting native plants and wildlife habitat in our urban environments.
Jessica D'Ambrosio
Jessica D’Ambrosio is the Western Lake Erie Project Director for The Nature Conservancy in Ohio, where she works with agriculture to keep farming productive and profitable while protecting Lake Erie and its tributaries. She believes that we need to work collaboratively to establish a shared community vision and set of goals in order to protect the land and waters on which all life depends. Prior to joining the Conservancy, she was an assistant professor of cooperative education in the sciences for Antioch College and was a program manager for the Ohio Nonpoint-source Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) Program, an extension education program of The Ohio State University.
Jessica has a MS in environmental science and a Ph.D. in soil and water engineering from The Ohio State University. Her area of expertise includes watershed management, hydrology and agricultural drainage which has lead to being a technical adviser for many state and local groups involved in both urban and agricultural water resources management including MORPC, Franklin Soil and Water, The Nature Conservancy, watershed groups, and municipalities.
Denton Kitts
Denton Kitts, a longtime Columbus resident, is a dedicated advocate for environmental stewardship within the central Ohio area. With a dual degree in Political Science and Economics from The Ohio State University, Denton has used his expertise to help shape environmental policy, and make a positive impact on conservation efforts in Franklin County and the surrounding areas.
Throughout his career, Denton has been immersed in various roles within the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system, ranging from park ranger to naturalist, and from park maintenance to natural resource management. This diverse experience has provided him with a comprehensive understanding of the intricate balance between conservation and recreation within our park systems.
Currently serving as the Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation for the Village of Plain City, Denton has made it his mission to safeguard green spaces amidst the rapid suburban development of central Ohio, particularly within the Big Darby Creek watershed. His visionary leadership extends beyond mere preservation, as he actively engages with Tolles Career and Technical School students through an Ohio Environmental Education Fund grant project. Together, they are spearheading a restoration effort to establish a nature preserve while fostering a deeper understanding of environmental careers.
Recognizing the importance of urban forestry in shaping sustainable communities, Denton initiated and leads the Tree Commission for the Village of Plain City. Through this role, he is instrumental in guiding future planning and policy decisions that prioritize the preservation and expansion of urban greenery.
Furthermore, Denton is a fervent advocate for local agriculture and community-driven initiatives. As the organizer of the Plain City Farmers Market, he promotes the consumption of locally sourced foods, strengthening the bond between residents and their agricultural heritage.
Denton Kitts embodies the spirit of service and innovation, committed to preserving the natural beauty of Franklin County while fostering sustainable growth and community resilience.
Marty is a 24 year veteran with the U.S. Army and Ohio National Guard, where he was promoted through the ranks to Captain, and served as an Environmental Trainer, visiting National Guard units in Ohio to ensure their compliance with EPA regulations in their armories and surrounding areas. He has also been a science/math school teacher in the Westerville School District since 1970. Marty earned his BA of Science with a focus in sociology and psychology from Excelsior College, a minor in Business, Master in Curriculum and Instruction from Ashland University, with a Certificate of Administration from The Ohio State University. He currently teaches sixth grade math at Heritage Middle School in Westerville, and actively works with students in the Service Learning Initiative, functioning as part of a Service Learning Team that leads students into a global awareness mind set. He also runs an environmental awareness class annually throughout the summer with the assistance of the FWSCD staff where he works with students in identifying macroinvertebrates to determine the water quality index. Additionally, students walk away from the class understanding the stresses that the human population can inflict on the environment. Marty was awarded Environmental Teacher of the Year by the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District in 2004. Marty is married and a father of three and grandfather to a boy and a girl. He spends time playing his piano, learning guitar, swimming, and working out at the gym. He has also been voted onto the Franklin County Planning Commission as a board member.