20 • The Beacon January 11 , 2024
Walters recommends Leadership Coshocton County
Chris Walters is a native Coshoctonian , having lived his entire life in Coshocton County , just outside of West Lafayette . He attended the Ridgewood Local School District and graduated in 1990 . He wasn ’ t involved in sports but rather spent his junior and senior years working for Jones Zylon , attending Muskingum Area Technical College ( now known as Zane State ) and
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Mt Vernon ( 740 ) 397-7368 completed the Ohio Peace Officer ’ s Training Academy from MATC / Zane State .
In 1993 he was sworn in as a sheriff ’ s deputy under Sheriff Dave Corbett . This started his long career in public safety , working from 1996-2001 full-time with the Village of West Lafayette as a sergeant while being dually commissioned as a sheriff deputy in Coshocton . From
Sugarcreek ( 330 ) 852-3600
2001-21 , he was a full-time road deputy for the sheriff ’ s office and transferred to the position of court guard for the juvenile and probate court in 2017 . In 2021 he accepted the position of chief of police for the Village of West Lafayette .
As chief of police , Walters ’ main responsibility is to protect and serve the residents of the village . He is the leader to four
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Marion ( 740 ) 382-9162 full-time and 10 part-time auxiliary officers and one administrative assistant . He ensures the state laws and ordinances passed by West Lafayette Village Council are enforced and manages the budget for the department . He also schedules his officers to ensure ample coverage for the village and is responsible for ensuring the department ’ s vehicles are in good working order . He also ensures the officers are kept up to date with their continuing education coursework and training .
Walters is a working chief , meaning he responds to calls for service and patrols the village . He is active in the village and participates in the community engagements the police department hosts for the community such as the annual Easter egg hunt , WLPD First Responders Block Party and Movie Night at Burt Park , and he also teams up with the West Lafayette Chamber of Commerce for the annual Halloween Party at Ridgewood Middle School . Walters also ensures the community food pantry at the police department is kept stocked .
When he is not serving the residents of the village , Walters is the Coshocton County representative on the Allwell Health Services Board of Directors , which serves six counties . He also is a member of the Ohio Associate of Chiefs of Police , serves on the advisory board for the Coshocton Resource Center and
Chris Walters
is a member of the local corrections planning board . Locally , he is a member of the West Lafayette Rotary and Lions Clubs .
Walters was nominated by West Lafayette Mayor Stephen Bordenkircher , and he was hesitant to apply . “ As a cop I ’ ve seen everything . What else is there to see ?” Walters said .
But he said he ’ s glad he joined . “ I ’ m very impressed by the connections with local businesses and the people in the community I ’ ve met . I wish I had done it when I first was nominated . This program has shown me the differences between being a leader and an authority figure . It ’ s reinforced the leadership qualities I already had . To be honest , I didn ’ t know what to expect , but this program has opened my eyes to manufacturing and jobs I ’ ve never seen and provided me with opportunities to network with the other participants who come from those businesses and industry .”
When asked his view of the community , Walters said , “ It is rich in history . I have lots of memories from growing up here . My family is from here . It ’ s a beautiful area . There ’ s a lot going on in Coshocton . Main Street is looking better , and businesses are moving in . When something happens , everyone pulls together to help . Everybody knows just about everybody ; there ’ s always someone you know , and we all help each other out when needed .”
Walters points to the work of the Coshocton Port Authority as a means of making the county stronger . “ I appreciate the work of the Port Authority to bring businesses to the community ; it ’ s a tough job ,” he said .
He went on to point out assets of the county . “ For a community to thrive , you need good schools , fire and police protection . There is good infrastructure throughout the county and the city . Villages and county all have appealing parks and green space .”
Walters said he would recommend LCC for others . “ You ’ ll see parts of Coshocton that you ’ ll never get to see and meet leaders from other businesses in Coshocton . The networking opportunities and curriculum are top-notch ,” he said .
Walters is a divorced father of two adult sons — one employed at Cleveland Cliffs and the other Kraft Foods — and a grandfather of 2-year-old granddaughter Aubree .
Vendors meeting set for the 2024 farmers market
Coshocton Farmers Market will hold its annual vendors meeting on Wednesday , Feb . 21 at 6:30 p . m . at Frontier Power ’ s community room , 770 S . Second St ., Coshocton .
Topics of discussion will include how to sign up to be a vendor , market rules , how to participate in Women , Infant , Children and Senior Farmers
Market Nutrition Programs , and any changes regarding location . Anyone who thinks they might be interested in selling their homegrown or homemade product at the Coshocton Farmers Market on Saturday mornings from May to October this year is invited to attend .
Suggestions regarding setup and marketing are welcome for discussion . A short business meeting will be conducted to maintain compliance with the market bylaws . Only 2023 seasonal vendors are able to vote during the business meeting , but all are welcome . Text Kacie Powers , market manager , at 330- 600-5501 or call Becky Bowden , program coordinator , at 740-327-2235 .