Races, issues on general election ballot

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The ballot for Van Wert County’s 2015 general election includes a number of tax issues, most of them renewals, as well as a Van Wert mayoral race and several township and village contests.

In Van Wert, independent challenger Joe Jared will go up against Republican nominee Jerry Mazur in the city mayoral race.

Three county villages will also see mayoral contests. Mark Dickman and Ken Myers square off for Middle Point mayor, while Sarah Kimmet and Kimra Rowlett are both running for mayor of Venedocia and Byron Glass and Jeremy Akom both seek the mayor’s position in Scott.

There are also several village council races.

Jack J. Brown, Royce High and Elisha Mankey all seek two seats on the Ohio City Village Council, while Christopher S. Martinez, Nancy L. Miller and Debbie Tarlton are all running for Scott Village Council. Marjorie A. Clement, Jason Kimmet and Christina Young all seek two seats on Venedocia Village Council, while Bradley W. Berry, Jodi Berry and Mark Sheets are running for two seats on Willshire Village Council.

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

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

Trustee races include the following:

Stephen D. DuVall and Tim Miller each seek the trustee position in Jackson Township, Gary Ashbaugh and Rick Roop are both seeking a trustee position in Pleasant Township. Brent B. Hoblet and Brian Schaffner are both running for an unexpired Pleasant Township trustee’s position.

Richard L. Mollenkopf Sr. and Jerry Parrish Sr. are also seeking a trustee’s position in Tully Township.

There are a total of 18 issues on the November general election ballot, with most of those fire and EMS or current expense levy renewals. The two exceptions are a local option levy sought by Hong Kong Buffet in Van Wert Precinct 2A to sell liquor at its restaurant the in Towne Center Shopping Center and an additional 0.5-mill, five-year current expenses levy sought in Washington Township.

Other issues include the following:

• Renewal of a 0.7-mill, five-year permanent improvement levy for Vantage Career Center.
• Renewal of a 8.97-mill, five-year current expenses levy for Parkway Local School District.
• Renewal of a 0.5-mill, five-year maintenance and operations levy for Brumback Library.
• Reduction of a 0.5-mill, five-year current expenses levy to a 0.35-mill, five-year levy for the Ohio State University Extension in Van Wert County.
• Renewal of a 2.7-mill, five-year current expenses levy in Convoy.
• Renewal of a 3-mill, five-year fire levy in Middle Point.
• Renewal of a 1.3-mill, five-year current expenses levy in Middle Point.
• Renewal of a 1-mill, five-year current expenses levy in Willshire.
• Renewal of a 3.5-mill, five-year current expenses levy in Wren.
• Renewal of a 2.5-mill, five-year current expenses levy in Wren.
• Renewal of a 5-mill continuing levy for Crestview Local Schools.
• Renewal of a 1.8-mill, three-year fire/EMS levy for Hoaglin Township.
• Renewal of a 1.7-mill, five-year fire/EMS levy for Jennings Township.
• Renewal of a 1.25-mill, three-year fire/EMS levy for Pleasant Township (excluding the city of Van Wert).
• Renewal of a 2.2-mill, five-year fire/EMS levy for Ridge Township (West Fire District).
• Renewal of a 0.7-mill, five-year current expenses levy for Tully Township.
• Renewal of a 2.1-mill, three-year fire/EMS levy in York Township.