Pamela Limes announces candidacy for mayor of Hillsboro

Longtime Hillsboro resident Pamela Limes has confirmed her 2015 candidacy for mayor of Hillsboro, as announced Sunday, Aug. 3 by former Mayor Betty Bishop at the annual Highland County Democratic Party Picnic at the AmVets Park.

Limes brings an impressive resumé to the 2015 campaign for mayor.

She holds a bachelor's degree from Miami University in Oxford and has completed post-graduate academic studies in legal, real estate and business fields.

From 2000-11, Limes served as an executive assistant for Highland District Hospital in Hillsboro. Prior to that, she was an office manager and administrative assistant for Birch & Bush, P.C., in Cincinnati.

Limes also has worked with the former law practice of (now Judges) Rocky Coss and Kevin Greer in Hillsboro.

Of course, many Hillsboro residents will recognize the Limes name as it was associated with the local business of Limes Jewelry for many years on West Main Street in historic uptown Hillsboro.

Limes served as the manager and sole proprietor of Limes Jewelry, a locally owned and operated Hillsboro business.

Limes has served on the Highland District Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees; was a co-chair of the Hillsboro 200th Anniversary Celebration; served on the Highland County Historical Society Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of the Highland County Chamber of Commerce. She was a treasurer and charter member of the Hillsboro Area American Association of University Women (AAUW) and serves on the Highland County Democratic Party Central Committee.

In announcing Limes' candidacy and her support, former Mayor Betty Bishop said: "As most of you know, I have always been reluctant to recommend and support anyone running for any office just to have a name on the ticket – unless I believe with all my heart that the person can and will make a difference and will be able to move our community forward.

"I am excited and I believe Pamela Limes is the right person for mayor of Hillsboro," Bishop said.

"Along with her education, Pam has work experience and life experiences in big and small cities as well as big and small companies. She also has owned a small business, and all of this gives her the ability to have a common sense approach for our community.

"She also has a love for people that gives her the ability to treat everyone she meets with respect. I have watched Pam grow in stature, and I know she is the one that I can trust. These are only a few of the reasons I am supporting Pam Limes for mayor of Hillsboro."

In an interview with The Highland County Press, Limes said: "Being asked by a group of citizens to run for Hillsboro mayor was flattering, to say the least.

"Because of the seriousness of the request, I really had to think about it. I needed to examine if I had the ability to serve the citizens in a way that would be best for everyone.

"Representing Hillsboro is a very serious responsibility not to be taken lightly," Limes said. "Because my Hillsboro and Highland County roots are deep, I care very much for the city. My grandfather, my father and I have all owned businesses here. My grandfather was from Danville, my father from Greenfield, and my mother from Hillsboro. My career took me away from Hillsboro for several years, but I always seemed to find my way back. I like it here. This is where I am most happy."

Former Highland County Commissioner Harriet Fenner offered her support for Limes this week, saying: "Pam has wonderful credentials for this job, and she has the energy to do it. She is probably the very best candidate we could possibly hope for."

Highland County Democratic Party Chair Dinah Phillips agrees.

"Pam Limes will be an excellent mayor of Hillsboro, and we are thrilled about her candidacy," Phillips told The Highland County Press.

"I have known Pam for many years and have always been impressed with her business acumen, her professionalism, her fundraising abilities on behalf of the Highland District Hospital Foundation and her interest in community affairs," Phillips said.

"The Limes family has a long history of caring and involvement in Hillsboro. Pam's father ran Limes Jewelry for many years, and I know Pam wants that family and community legacy to continue. Those who know Pam know that she'll be fair, honest and approachable. She will listen to others' concerns and ideas and listen to city employees and their concerns and ideas," Phillips said.

"The city's best interests will be at the top of her agenda. I know she will work tirelessly and relentlessly on behalf of the city, and Hillsboro residents can be proud to call her their mayor," Phillips said.

When asked why she was running for the office, Limes said: "It occurred to me, as I was deciding what to do, that perhaps I could bring a different perspective on governing. So, after much soul searching, and because the political process works more effectively when there is a choice of candidates, I decided to offer myself as an alternative to the current administration."

Limes said her candidacy can be summed up in two words: "Integrity and Community."

"With integrity, I will ensure honesty, ethics and fairness in city government," Limes said. "My goal is to make the community work for the good of all citizens by using compromise and respect. I want to keep the city moving forward with new ideas, and at the same time, preserve the friendly, small-town atmosphere that makes living in Hillsboro so special.

"If elected, it will be an honor to serve the city as its mayor."

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Keynote speaker and Secretary of State candidate Nina Turner said: "It was such a pleasure spending time in Hillsboro with the Highland County Democrats, First Lady Strickland, and everyone who makes this community great.

"The upcoming election is critical to Ohio's future, and it was encouraging to see so many who are engaged and excited to get involved this fall.

"I had a great time in Hillsboro, and I look forward to visiting again soon."

For more on the Turner campaign, go to: http://www.ninaturner.org/.

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In addition to Betty Bishop's announcement of Pamela Limes candidacy for mayor of Hillsboro, the Highland County Democratic Party also heard from:
 
• Former Ohio first lady Frances Strickland, on behalf of statewide candidates; 

• Highland County Common Pleas Court Judge Rocky Coss;

• Highland County commissioner candidate Randy Mustard;

• Hillsboro City Treasurer Bobby Storer;

• State Board of Education (10th District) candidate Michael B. Kinnamon of Chillicothe; 

• Ohio Supreme Court candidate Tom Letson; and,

• Second Congressional District candidate Marek Tyszkiewicz.

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Special anniversaries 

• Highland County Democratic Party Central Committee member Nelson Thompson and his wife, Pam, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this week.

• Former Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink and his wife, Jo, celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.

Highland County Democratic Party Chair Dinah Phillips expressed congratulations to both couples Sunday.

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Special guests

Longtime representatives of the Adams County Democratic Party Virginia Grooms and Linda Stepp also attended Sunday's picnic.