Atwater, Ohio, a quaint township of Portage County

With a population of 2,711 and spanning 25.5 square miles, Atwater, Ohio is a smaller township compared to others in Portage County.

White’s Farm Supply has been a staple of Atwater since it was founded in 1975. Bucky White owned and started the business until his son David took over four years ago.

With the rate of inflation rising 8.3% over the last year,the prices at the business have gone up. 

“Everythings gone up, yeah definitely a lot,” David said. “But that hasn’t slowed anything down.” 

Contradicting other businesses, the pandemic was favorable to the business. 

“The demand for stuff went up,” David said. “You can’t buy a camper, you can’t buy a side by side, you can’t buy a lot of things, you know, they sold more than they ever have.”

The demand is starting to level out now but was the highest at the start of the pandemic, David said. 

The White’s were Democratic until recent events changed their perspective on the party.   

“I don’t like anything the Democrats have done for quite a while,” David said. “We were always Democrats, but not anymore.”  

The perspective of Democrats changed for the White’s and now they vote Republican. 

“At one time, Democrats was for the average working person,” Bucky said. “They’ve got some ideas now that just off the board. Totally out of sight in my mind.”  

People are more open about their political stance these days than they were when Bucky was growing up. 

“When we grew up, my dad would tell us, but he never mentioned anybody who we vote. You just didn’t do that,” Bucky said. “Today it’s outspoken, people flying flags and they cuss.” 

Regarding the upcoming election on November 8, nothing on the current ballot caught either Bucky’s or David’s interest, but they do plan on voting. 

“Anything for Atwater we normally vote through,” Bucky said. 

However, on the ballot, there is a proposed income tax for Waterloo Local School District. This would be an annual income tax of 1.5% on the earned income of individuals residing in the district for five years for current operating expenses, the ballot stated. 

“The school? Nah. The school lost all its respect,” Bucky said. “People’s against Waterloo High School right now it seems like.” 

Al Kinsey, owner of Kinsey’s Korner believes the president needs to be taken out of office before he ruins the country, he said. 

When asked about his politics he said any answer would be “Republican” and “conservative.”