Several general election races on ballot

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

A number of Van Wert County election races are on the ballot for Tuesday’s general election, including a mayoral race in Van Wert and three county villages.

In Van Wert, Third Ward Councilman Jerry Mazur, the winner of the Republican primary election, will face off against independent challenger Joe Jared.

Mazur, a retired manager for Otis Elevator, has stressed his community involvement, which includes membership in a number of local organizations, is also a former manager of the Van Wert County Regional Airport.

Mazur has highlighted six items he plans to focus on if elected. Those include uniting the city and county economic development offices; developing a five-year strategic plan for the city; enforcing city codes related to junk vehicles, weeds, etc.; working with neighboring townships to combine fire and EMS coverage areas; improving small business and workforce development; and managing the city’s budget in a responsible manner.

Jared, a largely self-educated person who owns and operates a small business from his home in Van Wert, talked about the city’s economic problems and provided his take on what needs to be done to improve the community.

Noting that his business provides enough income for him to live on, Jared has said he would donate the mayor’s $55,000 annual salary toward helping individual city residents become more successful by starting their own businesses.

Like Mazur, Jared says he feels city and county ED efforts need to be combined to better serve local residents, while he added he also plans to look at city officials’ salaries to see where expenses could be lowered to provide more money to help local residents.

Other county mayoral races include one in Middle Point between Mark Dickman and Ken Myers, while Sarah Kimmet and Kimra Rowlett both seek the mayor’s position in Venedocia, and Byron Glass and Jeremy Akom are running for mayor in the village of Scott.

There are also several village council races on tap this Tuesday. Jack J. Brown, Royce High, and Elisha Mankey are seeking two seats on the Ohio City Village Council, while Christopher S. Martinez, Nancy L. Miller and Debbie Tarlton seek two positions on the Scott Village Council. Marjorie A. Clement, Jason Kimmet, and Christina Young are vying for two seats on Venedocia Village Council, while Bradley W. Berry, Jodi Berry, and Mark Sheets all seek two seats on Willshire Village Council.

There are also a number of township races, both for fiscal officer (former township clerk’s position) and township trustee.

Kristi Gamble, Melissa Miller, and Sara Miller are all running for the fiscal officer’s position in Harrison Township, while Becky Scheidt and Tracey Allenbaugh both seek the Liberty Township fiscal officer’s position.

Kelly J. Bartz and Linda J. Hartman are running for the fiscal officer’s position in Pleasant Township, while Cynthia Harting and Tricia R. Kulwicki both seek the Tully Township fiscal officer’s job. Melissa J. Mefferd and Terri Utley are both running for the fiscal officer’s position in Union Township.

Trustee races include the following: Stephen D. DuVall and Tim Miller are running for a Jackson Township trustee’s position; Gary Ashbaugh and Rick Roop both seek a Pleasant Township trustee’s job, while Brent B. Hoblet and Brian Schaffner are running for an unexpired Pleasant Township trustee’s position.

Richard L. Mollenkopf Sr. and Jerry Parrish Sr. both seek a trustee’s position in Tully Township.