Mayoral candidate organizes campaign

Van Wert independent/contributor content

Van Wert mayoral candidate Don Farmer has announced the formation of his election committee, which will be chaired by former YMCA executive director Larry Bowersock.

Bowersock, a 1958 graduate of Van Wert High School, also earned a degree in education from the University of South Florida.

Bowersock’s first job following college graduation was as a biology teacher in Bradenton, Fla., where he was also the head football coach and track coach. He first joined the YMCA organization in High Point, N.C., and also worked in the YMCA in Clearwater, Fla., before returning to Van Wert in 1970 to become program director of the local YMCA. He later was named executive director when longtime director Richard Louth retired.

During Bowersock’s tenure as Van Wert YMCA executive director, the Kemper Natatorium, McMillan Gymnasium, Wellness Center and Camp Clay all became a reality. Bowersock retired after 30 years at the local YMCA.

Bowersock was also involved with the United Way of Van Wert County, serving as the group’s campaign chair at one time, and was a 30-year member of Van Wert Sertoma Club. He has also served as finance chairman for Trinity United Methodist Church in Van Wert.

Bowersock noted that he was excited to be working on Farmer’s election campaign.

Farmer’s campaign treasurer is his son, Robert “Skip” Farmer. The younger Farmer is branch manager of the local Three Rivers Federal Credit Union office. He has been a resident of Van Wert since 1975 and currently resides on South Avenue with his wife, the former Cherrie Sanders, and their two sons, Dustin and Caleb.

A 1981 graduate of Van Wert High School, Skip Farmer served eight years in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army as a paratrooper. Recently, he was licensed as a minister in the Church of God Reformation Movement, and he and his family attend First Church of God in Van Wert, where he has served as worship leader for the past 12 years.

Other members of the Committee to Elect Don Farmer Mayor include Betty Lewis, Don Hangartner, Gene Goodwin, Robert Tomkins, Barbara Brown, Diane Thatcher and Nancy Farmer.

Farmer, who is a former mayor and currently serves as a Van Wert City Councilman, said he would be opening a campaign office at 147 E. Main St. at a later date.

For more information, go to the campaign’s website at http://electdonfarmer.weebly.com.