Choices abound in City Council races

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

There are three separate contests for the Republican nomination for seats on Van Wert City Council. Positions being contested include Council president, Fourth Ward and the three at-large Council seats. Unopposed are First Ward Councilman John Marshall and Second Ward Councilman Joi Mergy, along with Ken Markward, who is running for the Third Ward Council seat vacated by mayoral candidate Jerry Mazur.

Council President

The race for Council president provides a clear choice between an older candidate with decades of experience in city government versus a young, energetic candidate with much less actual political experience.

Stan Agler served as mayor for 12 years and has also spent two decades on City Council, where he is currently an at-large member of Council.

A lifetime city resident, he has also been involved in county endeavors for a number of state and national political candidates, including former presidents Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, former Ohio governor James Rhodes (three times), U.S. Representative Thomas Kindness, and former governor George Voinovich. He has been a Republican Central Committee member for 12 years and was vice president of the Ohio Mayors Association in 1991.

Agler has had a varied business background, working as a life and health insurance sales manager, a realtor, in customer service for Federal-Mogul Corporation’s National Seal plant in Van Wert and as a buyer for the former Aeroquip Corporation plant in Van Wert. He is a graduate of Van Wert High School and attended Ohio Northern University in Ada. He also has certificates in economics, economic development, negotiating and Federal Emergency Management Agency training.

He was the former Van Wert Jaycees’ “Outstanding Young Man” in 1965, earned an Ohio Parks and Recreation Award in 1987 and an Ambassadorial Award through Rotary International for a group study exchange to Nigeria in 1987. He was also county general chairman for the county’s sesquicentennial celebration in 1971 and also earned a trip to Munich, Germany, in 1977 while an agent for Purmort Brothers Insurance Agency.

Agler is unmarried and has two children, a daughter, Linda Agler Evans; and one son, Daniel Agler, as well as a granddaughter, Christina Evans Abram, and a great-granddaughter.

Agler cites his years of education and “hands-on” experience in economic development matters working with local businesses and industries.

“My knowledge of working with other government agencies and groups is extensive,” Agler noted. “I also have full working experience of all city operations and departments, including parks, water and sewer, streets (and) safety departments of fire and police.”

Agler also noted: “My previous involvement with the Ohio Mayors Association and (Ohio) Municipal League can still be very useful when needed.”

His opponent, Pete Weir, 55, is a 1978 VWHS graduate who has also earned an associate’s degree in computer programming, a bachelor’s degree in computer science and a technical degree in quality engineering.

Weir retired after 20 years in the U.S. Navy, reaching the rank of lieutenant, but retiring at the highest enlisted rank of master chief petty officer (E-9). He currently is Adult Education Trade & Industry program manager at Vantage Career Center.

He is a member of Van Wert Optimist Club, American Legion Post 178, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5803, 40 et 8 of the Legion, Moose Lodge 1320, Masonic Lodge and Elks Lodge 1197. He served a term as Fourth Ward councilman but left that position to run unsuccessfully for Council president two years ago. He is a former member of the Van Wert Regional Airport Authority Board, Van Wert Regional Planning Committee, Van Wert Economic Development Advisory Group and Van Wert County Port Authority Board. He is currently president of the Van Wert Humane Society Board of Trustees and is co-town coordinator for the Great Ohio Bicycle Adventure (GOBA) event coming to the city in June.

He is married and he and his wife, Sue, have six children between them: Zach, Cory, Kaley, Codi, Cori and Nick and two grandchildren, Maddie and Dallas Weir.

Weir he feels training is important for new City Council members and also said he would like to help address what he perceives as a “disconnect” between county, city and City Council something he would like to help resolve.

“I want to be Council president because I am all about our community,” Weir said. “This is why I came back to my hometown … I love my town.”

Weir noted that he originally got involved with Council because he wanted to help find solutions for issues in areas such as trash, junk vehicles, parking, speed limits, traffic signals, condemned housing and budgets.

“That hasn’t changed, but now I want to put that same energy and leadership abilities into being our Council president to ensure our City Council continues to improve our community,” he said. “With my current involvement in the community, my high level of leadership and the management positions I have held in the military, I am uniquely qualified to fill this position.”

Weir also noted that he is well-versed and up-to-date with media and office software technology, noting that both have definite advantages in today’s world.

“There is not doubt my opponent has many years of experience in political office, but it is time for a change of the guard,” Weir said. “I would like to be part of that change and new ideas.”

Fourth Ward Council

The race to represent Fourth Ward on City Council is also a choice between a relative political newcomer and a politician with extensive experience.

Incumbent Steve Trittschuh is currently serving his first term on City Council. Trittschuh, 46, is a 10-year resident of Van Wert who currently works as a senior systems analyst in the IT department of Central Insurance Companies. Trittschuh earned an associate’s degree in systems engineering from Edison State Community College and a bachelor’s degree in organizational management from Bluffton University.

Trittschuh is a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Van Wert and is a retired member of the Ohio Army National Guard. He is a member of American Legion Post 178, the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge 1197 and an associate member of the Van Wert Area Law Enforcement Association. He is also a member of the Main Street Van Wert Board of Directors.

Trittschuh is married and he and his wife, Jennifer, a teacher in the Van Wert City Schools, have two children: Rob, a student at the University of Cincinnati, and Katie, a junior at Van Wert High School.

He notes that his goals, if elected, include continuing to work to improve Van Wert’s sidewalks, continuing to strive for a clean and safe community and striving for a city culture that is supportive to the creation and attraction of new business and industry.

His opponent, Louis Ehmer, is a former mayor and has a total of 17 years of experience in city government, where he has also served as Fourth Ward councilman, an at-large councilman and Council president.

He has also been involved in a number of community organizations, including Main Street Van Wert, the Van Wert Area Convention & Visitors Bureau and The Salvation Army.

He served as chaplain for American Legion Post 178 and VFW Post 5803, was a recipient of the Van Wert Lions Club’s “Dick Bryant Fellow Award” and was named “Volunteer of the Year” by the Van Wert-OSU Extension Economic Development Advisory Group.

Ehmer has lived in the Van Wert since 1982, when he came to the city as production control manger for the former Chrysler Amplex plant. When the plant closed, Ehmer decided to remain in Van Wert because he felt it was an excellent community in which to raise his family.

Ehmer has said he is committed to serving the people of the Fourth Ward and will fully support efforts to improve the local economy. He also said he sees a need to plan activities to increase Van Wert’s exposure to neighboring communities and support the downtown area with future Main Street revitalization grants.

Ehmer said he feels his long tenure of civic and community activities will be an asset, not only to the Fourth Ward, but also to the Van Wert community as a whole.

At-Large Council

Five people are seeking the Republican nomination for the three at-large seats on Van Wert City Council.

Of those, one has extensive governmental experience, one has some government experience, while the other three are political newcomers.

Current Mayor Don Farmer has served eight years in that position and has previously represented the city’s First and Second wards and has been an at-large member on Council. He has also chaired Council’s Finance, Judiciary and Streets and Alleys committees.

Farmer currently serves on the Community Improvement Corporation, Vann Wert Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, Main Street Van Wert, Salvation Army and Van Wert City Revolving Loan Committee. He is also on the executive committee of the OSU Extension-Van Wert Economic Development Advisory Group, is on the Civil Service Commission, Van Wert Planning Commission and Community Health board.

Farmer also has extensive business experience. He was a personal lines underwriter for Central Insurance Companies, then left the city to be a marketing manager for the Bell System in Los Angeles, California, before returning to the city in 1975. He has also been a local business owner, operating both The Paint Bucket and Mac’s Delicatessen, two former city businesses.

A native of Fresno, California, Farmer attended Los Angeles City College and Los Angeles State College, earning a degree in business administration. He married to the former Nancy Raabe, and they have four children, Robert “Skip”, Everett “Ev”, Scott “Clint” and Donna, and 11 grandchildren.

Farmer is a supporter of maintaining the current city economic development program.

“During the last four years, we have seen a major turnaround in our local economy,” Farmer said. “The unemployment has dropped from 15 percent to 4.6 percent; at the same time, we have seen local manufacturers and business in a growth mode.”

Incumbent Jon Tomlinson is completing his second term on City Council, the first as an at-large representative.

Tomlinson, 38, earned a doctorate from Regent University and also has an MBA and bachelor’s degrees from Wright State University. A Van Wert native, Tomlinson is currently a professor at the University of Northwest Ohio. He is married, and he and his wife, Diana, have two children: Taylor and Zachary.

Tomlinson said he wants to return to City Council to “be an advocate for Van Wert (and) represent a new generation of leadership for the city of Van Wert.”

Fred Fisher, 64, is a political newcomer. He is currently maintenance coordinator for Lincolnview Local Schools and owned and operated Fisher Refrigeration & Air Conditioning from 1974 to 1990, when he became facilities director for Paulding County Hospital. He currently operates a part-time business, A-1 Fixit, in Van Wert.

In addition, Fisher is a licensed airplane pilot and a certified flight instructor who gives flight lessons at Van Wert Regional Airport.

A lifetime Van Wert resident, Fisher has a daughter, Susan Fisher, and a grandson, Fletcher Collins.

Fisher said he has three goals, if elected: 1. Work to get city and county economic development moving in the same direction; 2. Research the possibility of a grant program that could provide financial aid to those wanting to attend local technical schools and colleges; 3. Work to ensure that the workings of city government are more transparent, to keep city residents better informed.

“I feel I have good leadership abilities; I’m not afraid to make decisions, whether popular or unpopular,” Fisher said. “I have a lot of pride in Van Wert and want to see it continue to grow … I am a hard worker and will keep Van Wert’s best interests as my goal.

“Knowing that my family will be here for a long time, I want to do everything I can to see they have as good or better place to live as I did,” he concluded.

Warren Straley, 27, is another political newcomer. Straley, a realtor who works for Straley Realty & Auctioneers in Van Wert, is a member of Van Wert Rotary Club, is a Van Wert County Council on Aging Board member and is assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 35 at First Presbyterian Church.

Straley earned a bachelor’s degree with a dual major in history and Spanish from Bowling Green State University.

He noted that his three goals, if elected, include beautification of the city, retaining the younger generation and emphasizing youth programs for city youngsters.

Straley said he would be a good City Council member because he is not afraid to take action.

“Our town is in need of repair, and I want to help clean it up,” Straley noted. “There are too many rundown house in this town, and ordinances need to be enforced to help correct this program. This ties into retaining our youth because if they move away for school, why would they want to return to a rundown town?

Straley said youth programs need more emphasis to help instill good values and morals, so that young people become “hard working, productive members of the community that help build it up.”

Straley also noted he is open-minded and welcomes advice and opinions from city residents.

“I believe collaboration, teamwork and an open mind to change are vital to the success of our town,” Straley concluded.

The final candidate for an at-large Council seat is Dennis Staude. Staude is a former manager for Borden’s Cheese and Fisher Cheese companies. He also has been involved in the OSU Extension-Van Wert City Economic Development Advisory Group over the past few years.

While a political newcomer, Staude has talked about how he feels his extensive business experience can help provide leadership on City Council, as well as assist in the city’s economic development efforts.