Thu Sep 02 2010
By JACK PALMER
PAULDING -- During his 35 years in public service, Sam Jeffery has been called outspoken, opinionated and even bullheaded.
But that's only one side. He's also personable, dedicated and has a heartfelt love for Paulding and its people.
"Evidently they must have liked me to get elected all these times," said Jeffery, who is retiring this year after his second stint on village council.
Known as a staunch fiscal conservative, Jeffery says he's just tries to look out for his constituents.
"Whenever I vote on any utility increase, it's hard not to think about older people on a fixed income. Many of them are widows. A couple more bucks a month is a big deal. Besides, right now plenty of people who are laid off."
Jeffery, 78, has been on kidney dialysis since March, necessitating three weekly trips to Defiance. He schedules them around his council and committee meetings, where his voice remains as strong as ever.
"I really enjoy it. I've got a lot of great memories. If not for the dialysis, I would probably run again."
He's served on council consecutively since 1997 and previously for eight years in the 1970s. In between, he was elected to two terms as county commissioner. He also served eight years on the county fair board.
His philosophy is simple: "I don't care if someone is a Democrat, Republican or atheist. If you come in with a problem, we should work to solve it."
Jeffery voted against the village income tax when it became law about 10 years ago. He's also been a perennial critic of federal and state mandates.
"Yeah, I voted against the income tax," he said. "I knew we needed the money. But what I didn't like was that it was unfair for those folks who worked in places like Defiance and Bryan where there already was an income tax. It wasn't right to make them pay in both places."
He talks almost in apologetic terms about the village's new $8.5 million water plant, still in the planning stages.
"Some people don't realize this new plant is mandated. It wasn't our choice. I spouted off at one meeting and said the 'E-P-A can go to H-E-L-L.' That's how I felt at the time and I still do."
He's sparred over the years with veteran village administrator Harry Wiebe on a bevy of issues, but isn't hesitant to praise Wiebe's overall job performance.
"I was on council when we hired Harry in the late 70s. He's a very competent administrator, one of the best. It's a tough job and he can't please everyone."
Jeffery also has good things to say about his colleagues in village government.
"I've worked for five or six mayors, from Ralph Wyatt to Greg White. They've all been good people and good mayors. I didn't agree with them all the time, but nobody ever held a grudge. Same way with the other council members. Every single one had the best interests of Paulding in mind when making a decision. It's still that way with the present council."
A lifelong village resident, Jeffery is a 1948 graduate of Paulding High School. That's where he met his bride of 62 years, Nancy.
"We were in the same class. We broke up twice but we were back together within two weeks both times. We were married in 1947, even before our graduation."
Jeffery spent a semester at Defiance College, but loved the outdoors more than the classroom. After two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he took an avid interest in horse racing. He also was one of the first Little League coaches after Paulding's program was established in the early 1950s.
"I owned horses for about 20 years," he said. "I really enjoyed the competition. Once you are an owner, it really gets into your blood."
In later years, Jeffery worked as a sales rep at Stoneco (the former quarry in Auglaize Township) until his retirement in 1997.
"All my government contacts came in handy, I knew all the county engineers and commissioners. I was on the road a lot, but I enjoyed talking to all the people. My boss asked me to learn to play golf so I could play with my customers. I never swung a club until age 58, but I fell in love with the game. I had to quit two years ago or otherwise I still would be playing."
He and his wife have three children: Blake, Indianapolis; Becky Mayer, Paulding; and Greg, Oakwood. There are 11 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren.
"We have around 40 here for a family meal," said Jeffery. "All of the grandchildren live close so that's really nice.
His hobbies include hunting, fishing and watching sports. He rabidly follows Paulding High School, Ohio State Buckeyes and Indianapolis Colts.
"I like Peyton Manning. He can really throw the football."
Jeffery is an active member of Paulding United Methodist Church and he calls going out for dinner after Sunday services "an automatic." He also talks fondly of a 10-day trip with his wife to England and Ireland three years ago.
"The Irish were really friendly, much more than the English," he reported.
Despite the current high unemployment, Jeffery is bullish about the future of Paulding.
"There seems to be some young people moving into town and that's a plus. We've got a lot of good things going for us, including friendly people and great recreation facilities.
"I've lived here all my life and don't have any regrets."
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