Trittschuh new City Council member

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert City Council will have a newcomer as its Fourth Ward representative, while three Republicans who either serve now, or have served in the past, won election to the three at-large seats on City Council.

Steve Trittschuh, a computer analyst at Central Mutual Insurance Company, said he is looking forward to taking Pete Weir’s Fourth Ward Council seat in January. Weir lost a bid for Council president in the May primary election.

“I’m looking forward to getting started and seeing what I can do for the city,” Trittschuh said, adding that job creation and other economic development issues are at the top of his priority list, while also saying he wants to help ensure that City Council and the city administration are “on the same page” when it comes to the various economic development issues.

Trittschuh faced off against Democrat Jim Hamman, a longtime local educator and coach, and defeated Hamman 593-296.

Jeff Agler, currently of one three at-large City Council members, was the low vote-getter Tuesday, losing to Republicans Jon Tomlinson, Stan Agler and Brent Crone. Jeff Agler received 1,194 votes, compared to 1,579 for Tomlinson, 1,425 for Stan Agler and 1,312 for Crone.

All other city candidates were unopposed on Tuesday.

In addition to the city, there were several election races for village and township positions. Results include the following:

Ohio City – Glory Agler (81), Carol Brown (58), Carol R. Miller (77) and Kent Ransbottom (64) won seats on the Ohio City Village Council in a six-person race for four seats. Susan I. Gates received 54 votes, while Greg Waterman had 51 votes in the race.

Venedocia – Thomas Emery (24), Lee Lare (18), Gloria Leiter (24) and Paul Price (34) were successful in their bids for a seat on Venedocia Village Council on Tuesday. Others running included Matt Eutsler and Sarah Kimmet (17 votes each) and Kimra Rowlett (15 votes).

Hoaglin Township – Rick Ashbaugh and Milo Schaffner won seats as Hoaglin Township trustees, with Schaffner receiving the top number of votes (84) and Ashbaugh squeaking by challenger Christopher Webb, 75-74.

Jackson Township – Eugene Arn (56 votes) and Doug Teman (60) won township trustee seats in a five-person race that also included Scott Deitering (52 votes), Brittin T. Schaffner (18) and Roger Wilkin (48 votes).

Pleasant Township – Gary Ashbaugh defeated Lou Dickinson and William Harting for the unexpired term of former Trustee Ed Wells. Ashbaugh received 1,014 votes to 982 for Dickinson and 352 for Harting. Greg Germann and Tim Mengerink also were re-elected to full terms as Pleasant Township trustees. Germann received 1,660 votes to 1,180 for Mengerink and 892 for challenger Brian Schaffner.

Tully Township – Tom Gibson (263 votes) and Phil Kreischer (215 votes) won seats as Tully Township trustees over Jerry D. Parrish Sr. (69 votes) and Jeff Wise (198 votes).

Washington Township – Thomas Odenweller and Bob Trentman were elected to seats on the Washington Township Board of Trustees. Odenweller received 539 votes, while Trentman garnered 508 votes. Others running were Larry Hoersten (332 votes) and Joe Wittler (316 votes).

In school board races, current Lincolnview Board President Eric Germann was the top vote-getter in a five-person race to fill three seats on the Lincolnview Local Board of Education. Germann received 573 votes, while Miller had 534 votes and Lori Eversole Snyder earned 504 votes. Laura Fox had 307 votes, while Jody Taylor garnered 306 votes.

In the Parkway Local School District, Mellissa Burtch, Tom Lyons and Ryan Thompson received the most votes from Van Wert County voters, although a majority of voters in the district live in Mercer County.