GREENVILLE — State Representative Jim Buchy (R-Greenville) was presented with the Darke County Chamber of Commerce’s first-ever “Lifetime Achievement Award” at the group’s annual meeting held Friday.
In presenting the award, Chamber President Sharon Deschambeau, said, “He truly believes that what you and I do every day in our businesses and communities, and the opportunities availed to us through these activities, is what it means to be an American citizen and why it is so important that we always protect our freedom and never take it for granted.”
Also on hand to honor Buchy were aides representing Ohio Governor John Kasich and Lt. Governor Mary Taylor, State Representative Steve Huffman (R-Tipp City), State Senator Bill Beagle (R-Tipp City) and State Senate President Keith Faber (R-Celina) who will face Democrat Ed Huff for Buchy’s seat in the November 8 election. Buchy announced last fall he would not seek another term in the Ohio House.
In addition to be given the award, Buchy was the featured speaker during the event and spoke on his lengthy career as both a businessman and a politician.
Buchy is the former president and CEO of Buchy Food Service in Greenville. His first foray into public service was on the Greenville City Schools Board of Education and from there he rapidly moved into the statehouse.
He served as a state representative in two stints — first, from 1983 to 2000 — and then was appointed to the Ohio House in 2011 by Governor John Kasich to fill the unexpired term of Rep. Jim Zehringer. Buchy then won reelection to the 84th District in his own right in 2012 and 2014.
In between House stints, Buchy served as assistant director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture and then on the leadership council and as policy director at the National Federation of Independent Business, where he received numerous business awards. He has also been honored many times for his support for agriculture from groups such as the farm bureau, 4-H and Future Farmers of America (FFA).
In addition to the Darke County Chamber, Buchy is active with the Darke Economic Foundation, YMCA and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Buchy said during his 12 terms in the Ohio House, he witnessed 3,135 bills that became law, cast more than 9,000 votes, handled more than 6,000 constituent cases, and had a total of nine bills he sponsored become law.
“I’m a below-the-radar guy,” he said. “I like to stay away from bright lights and Broadway.”
Buchy said that his work promoting FFA and 4-H programs will continue and he hopes initial success with the programs recently installed in Cleveland public schools will “turn the culture around.”
“I just want you to know that I’m the luckiest guy in the world. For 30 years of my public service career, I’ve worked for the finest people in the world. I originally got into the business of government because of the effect that government has on business. And I can tell you that when December 31 comes, I will leave thinking and knowing that I contributed positively to the process, because of you,” he said to the crowd.
