HG Biggs

Paramedic Jon Rose prepares the back of an ambulance on Oct. 11, 2024, in Athens, Ohio. Rose decided to run for Athens County Commissioner during the 2024 election cycle after 6 years working as a full time charge medic for Athens County EMS. Rose cited his experience working as a paramedic as one of his primary motivations for running for county commissioner. “Dollars and cents wise, people can’t afford to live and work here,” Rose says. Rose and his wife are raising two girls, who qualified for medicaid and food stamps while Rose worked full time 24 hour shifts as a paramedic. Today, Rose’s daughters still qualify for food stamps. Rose also says he makes more per hour working as a barista at Donkey Coffee and Espresso than he does as a paramedic.

Jon Rose speaks at a press conference outside Athens City Hall on Oct. 24, 2024. During the press conference, Rose read testimonials from other Athens County EMS employees about low salaries and mismanagement of funds.

Devine Rose, Jon Rose’s wife, holds up two phones to livestream the press conference on Oct. 24, 2024, in Athens, Ohio.

Mary Anne Kieliszewksi shows Jon Rose where an Athens County sewage expansion project cut through the forest in her backyard as the two walk through the wooded area behind Kieliszewksi’s house on Oct. 19, 2024, in Athens, Ohio. Kieliszewksi has been a vocal supporter of Rose’s campaign for Athens County Commissioner.

Jon Rose chats with Jake Somers during a campaign event, as Rose’s children Nemi Rose and Evie Rose watch on Oct. 22, 2024, at the Red Brick in Athens, Ohio.

Jon Rose’s daughter Nemi leans against her dad during a campaign event on Oct. 22, 2024, at the Red Brick in Athens, Ohio.

Jon Rose rehearses with bandmates Aaron Schlagbaum (left) and Chris Pyle (right) on Oct. 20, 2024. The group plays in an 80’s cover band called Naka Toni Danza.

Jon Rose rests his head in his hand while speaking with Mary Anne Kieliszewksi about an over budget an Athens County sewage expansion project on Oct. 18, 2024, at Kieliszewksi’s home in Athens, Ohio.

Jon Rose chats with a coworker before his shift for Athens Count EMS on Oct. 11, 2024, in Athens, Ohio. On Nov. 5, 2024, Rose lost the race for Athens County Commissioner to incumbent democrat Charlie Adkins.