Winds of change sweep through city

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Van Wert voters sent a message that change was needed in city government, as Van Wert’s experienced politicians — its “old guard” — were all swept away by voters who also provided a clear mandate to the winners that new ideas were what they wanted. A lack of experience, in fact, characterizes those who won contested races in the primary election.

Of those candidates who won contested races, no one with more than two terms in office was victorious. On the down side, that means the political newcomers will need to work hard to get up to speed before they take office in January.

Mayoral candidate Jerry Mazur was a big winner, more than doubling the vote count of opponent Ken Mengerink, defeating the veteran public servant 961 (67 percent) to 473 (33 percent).

The victory was especially dominant in that Mazur won all 15 city precincts, with the only precinct even close being Van Wert 1D, where Mazur won by just a vote, 21-20. His largest margin of victory was in Van Wert 4-D, which he won by 123 votes, 206-83.

Mazur thanked voters for their support, and said he planned to relax a bit, and then begin work on his campaign for the general election in November, where it appears he will face opposition from independent candidate Joe Jared, who has already filed petitions.

“I thank the voters very much, from the bottom of my heart,” Mazur said, noting that their support has helped him move one step closer to being able to give back to a city he cares deeply for.

The Republican mayoral nominee also said that, if is successful in the general election, he plans to create a more inclusive city government that the current administration, adding that getting new ideas are crucial to solving the city’s problems. “That’s absolutely the key to success,” Mazur said.

He also thanked his late wife, Sonia, who he said was very supportive of his wish to run for mayor.

“She encouraged me to do what we’re doing,” Mazur noted.

One thing that’s likely to change if Mazur is successful in November is the city’s economic development program. Mazur, who has been an advocate for returning local control to city economic development efforts, said he has already had talks with the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners on the subject, and added that he would like to see more collaboration between the city and county in the area of economic development.

Mazur also praised the recent Stakeholders Summit, stating he feels the meeting will provide a roadmap for future economic development. “That’s 65 people interested in change,” he said of the event.

Council president candidate Pete Weir also won an impressive victory over former mayor and 20-year City Council member Stan Agler, garnering 944 votes (66.3 percent) to 479 (33.7 percent) for Agler. Weir, who also won all 15 city precincts, said he was a bit disappointed the turnout wasn’t higher, but was pleased with the end result.

“To the voters who came out, I want to say thank you and I will do the best job I can,” Weir said.

The council president-elect said he plans to sit down with the newly-elected City Council members to find out their needs and objectives, as well as get some ideas on who he would appoint to Council’s standing committees.

Incumbent Steve Trittschuh, now completing his first term on Council, was also a big winner over former mayor and longtime City Council member Louis Ehmer, defeating Ehmer 456 (77.3 percent) to 134 (22.7 percent).

Of the five candidates for the three at-large City Council seats, incumbent Jon Tomlinson was the top vote getter with 834 votes, while political newcomers Fred Fisher (767 votes) and Warren Straley (748 votes) also earned the voters’ nod for the other two at-large seats. Newcomer Denny Staude received 591 votes while Mayor Don Farmer, who was seeking a return to City Council, came in last with 584 votes.

Those running unopposed include City Auditor Martha Balyeat (1,162 votes), City Law Director John Hatcher (1,134 votes), First Ward Councilman John Marshall (122 votes), Second Ward Councilman Joi Mergy (221 votes), and Third Ward Council candidate Kenneth Markward (355 votes).

Turnout was low overall, with an average of approximately 20 percent of registered city voters turning out for the primary. The turnout varied, though, depending on where voters lived. First Ward voters had the lowest turnout, with approximately 12 percent of voters turning out, while Van Wert 4D precinct saw 41.81 percent of its registered voters turn out for a contested City Council race, as well as vote for mayor, Council president and the at-large contest.