“I feel greatly honored that I have never lost in a primary or race in 20 years,” Detrick said. “I love this community. I took this job with the idea of making it better.”
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Detrick is the community’s biggest cheerleader, Springfield City Commissioner Kevin O’Neill said.
“Springfield is going to miss him,” said O’Neill, a Democrat. “No one can replace John Detrick. There’s no question.”
Detrick, a Tecumseh High School graduate, taught at both Mechanicsburg and the former Springfield South High before taking over his father’s business, Springfield Tire and Battery on Main Street, in 1970.
After a stint as president of the Clark County Parks District board — which included creating the bike trail from Springfield to Yellow Springs — he decided to run for Clark County Commission in 1996.
“The people here made us,” Detrick said. “This was payback for all the good support.”
Detrick said he has worked to bring business to Clark County, improve quality of life, preserve farmland and improve county government. He was a big advocate of consolidating county offices at the former Springview residential center on East Main Street.
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He prides himself on building relationships that can lead to other successful projects, he said.
“My pants are on fire wherever I’m at,” Detrick said.
O’Neill and Detrick worked together to raise about $25,000 each year for the annual fireworks at the Clark County Fairgrounds for several years when no one else wanted to do it, O’Neill said.
“I called him and asked for help and he didn’t hesitate,” he said.
Two of Detrick's biggest projects were bringing Ritchie Bros. to Clark County and keeping Konecranes in Springfield, O'Neill said. He expects Detrick to take some time off, but continue to stay involved locally.
“He just enjoys economic development,” O’Neill said. “He just thinks jobs, jobs, jobs.”
Clark County Commissioner Rick Lohnes wouldn’t have run for office if it weren’t for Detrick, Lohnes said. He’s been a mentor to Lohnes through the election process and serving on the commission.
“He was just tremendous with his wealth of knowledge,” Lohnes said. “I appreciate that more than anything.”
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The biggest thing about Detrick is his energy, he said.
“The guy is always on the go, having breakfast with someone or having coffee,” Lohnes said. “People call him and want to talk and he just never stops. He’s been quite the ambassador for this county.”
As Lohnes takes over as the longest-serving member of the commission, he said he’ll lean on Detrick to help groom two new commissioners.
Detrick will be replaced by recently elected Republican Melanie Flax Wilt — the granddaughter of former County Commissioner Gordon Flax. Former New Carlisle Mayor Lowell McGlothin, also a Republican, won the other seat in November.
Lohnes, also a Republican, will also speak with Detrick on how to handle other situations, he said.
“I will not hesitate to dial his number, that’s for sure,” Lohnes said. “He’ll be missed.”
Detrick plans to stay active in the Springfield and Clark County community, where seven generations of his family have lived. He’s already been asked to serve on several boards next year.
“This community has been good to us,” Detrick said. “If you compare my life to a basketball game, I’m in the fourth quarter but I’m willing to go into triple overtime.”
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