New auditor on the job at the Athens auditor's office

by Denis Flaschner
FOR THE POST

Jill Thompson quit her job at the county auditor's office five years ago to spend more time with her children. And now, five years later, she has returned to the job.

When former Athens County Auditor Dave Lovett retired earlier this month, the Athens County Republicans Central Committee nominated Thompson for the position. The Ohio University graduate jumped at the chance to get out of her house and into the workplace again.

"It's refreshing to work and communicate with people who aren't 3 years old," Thompson said. "I'm getting what I didn't get at home here at the office."

Thompson was officially sworn in as the new auditor Oct. 18, but was administered the oath of office by Judge Edward Robe in a public ceremony in the Athens courthouse last Thursday afternoon.

Employees in the office have been getting used to their new boss. For the moment, things have gone without a hitch, said Dave Owen, chief deputy of the auditor's office.

"Everything has been going really smoothly," he said. "We have a very competent staff here, and Jill really does a good job of working with people."

While the office is quickly adjusting to the change, Thompson is getting used to the busy life as the chief fiscal officer of the county. The office is crunching numbers in the county budget, figuring how much money will be spread around to the different government agencies.

"It doesn't feel like there are enough hours in the day," Thompson said. "I should fall into a pattern pretty soon, though."

Thompson has to fill the shoes of Lovett, who served as the county auditor since 1996 before retiring earlier this month. Because Lovett was a Republican, it was up to the Athens County Republican Central Committee to appoint a new auditor to finish the next two years of his term.

Ellsworth Holden, chairman of the Athens County Republican Central Committee, said Thompson's experience in the auditor's office, as well as her educational background contributed to her nomination. In addition to her previous experience, Thompson has a bachelor's degree in finance from OU, and previously has been involved in local.

"She already knew a lot about the job," Holden said. "And when reelection time comes, she will attack that with enthusiasm and vigor."