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Local News

Sunday, March 02, 2008

A primary primer

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By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER

About 21,000 Hancock County residents are expected to vote during Tuesday's primary election, which features two Republican contests for county commissioner, plus GOP races for sheriff, coroner and treasurer.

There are no Democrats running for those offices, but voters from both parties will select presidential nominees, and cast ballots on a countywide tax issue sought by the Hancock Park District.

There are also tax matters before voters in McComb, Arcadia and Van Buren school districts.

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner predicts 52 percent of Ohio's 7.9 million registered voters will vote during the primary election -- either at the polls or absentee.

Brunner's estimate is based on the high number of absentee ballots being requested statewide. She said 10 to 20 percent of voters will cast ballots absentee, either through the mail or in person at county boards of elections before Tuesday.

In Hancock County, the turnout is expected to be closer to 40 percent, according to Lori Miller, director of the Hancock County Board of Elections.

Miller said interest in the presidential primaries and the county races, park issue and school levies will result in about 20,670 people voting during the election. The county currently has 51,673 registered voters.

“We're hoping it will be higher than that, but based on past (presidential) primaries we feel it will be close to 40 percent,” she said. There was a 40.1 percent county turnout in 2000 and 40.6 percent in 1996.

As of Friday, Miller said more than 2,000 county voters had cast absentee ballots. She expected the final absentee total to end up between 3,000 and 4,000, about the same total as in other elections.



Commissioner races

A total of five Republican candidates are seeking the party's nomination in two Hancock County commissioner races.

Incumbent Ed Ingold is facing a challenge from Robert Kuhlman in one battle, while a three-way contest is on the ballot for the post currently held by Emily Walton. Walton's opponents are former commissioner Steve Oman and newcomer Brad Griffin.

With no Democrats running, the winners of both contests will only face opposition in November if an independent files candidacy petitions by Monday.



Other county contests

Hancock County Sheriff Mike Heldman, seeking a fourth term, is facing a challenge from former city police chief Tom Renninger.

The first race for Hancock County coroner in 28 years will pit Dr. Mark Fox against Dr. John Ziegler. Current Coroner Dr. Leroy Schroeder is not seeking re-election.

In the treasurer race, incumbent J. Steve Welton has two opponents, Carl Moses and Larry Settlemire.

All these candidates are Republicans; no Democrats are running for sheriff, coroner or treasurer.



Park levy

The Hancock Park District is asking voters to replace its tax levy. The proposed 0.8-mill levy would generate $1.3 million annually for eight years. The money would be used to pay for day-to-day park operations.



School issues

Voters in the McComb School District are being asked to approve a 5.7-mill bond issue for renovations and additions to the McComb school building. It would raise $6.2 million over 28 years.

The Van Buren School District is asking voters to renew a 5.2-mill emergency levy that generates $1,275,000 annually, for four years.

A renewal is also before voters in the Arcadia School District, where a 6.4-mill emergency levy would generate $440,000 annually for four years.



Presidential races

Republican voters in Hancock County will choose between Arizona Sen. John McCain, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas for president.

Democrats have a choice between New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama.

Other presidential candidates will appear on both parties' ballots, but they are no longer running.

Even though the names of presidential candidates will be on the ballots, citizens aren't really voting for them. When they cast a vote, people are really voting for a delegate who promises to vote for a particular candidate during the party's national convention this summer.

Republican voters will cast two ballots -- one for an “at large” delegate, and one for a “district delegate.”

Democrats will cast only one ballot for a delegate.



Congressional contest

Three candidates, incumbent Bob Latta, Scott Radcliffe and Michael Reynolds, are vying for the Republican nomination for Ohio's 5th Congressional District. The Republican nominee will face Democrat George Mays in November.

The 5th District includes Wood, Seneca, Henry, Putnam, and eastern Wyandot County.



Legislature races

There are primary election races for three area seats in the Ohio Legislature.

Candidates are competing for party nominations for an Ohio Senate seat in the 2nd District, and for Ohio House seats in the 81st and 82nd districts.

In the 2nd, incumbent state Sen. Mark Wagoner is competing with Mark Hollenbaugh and John Schulte in the Republican primary. On the Democratic side, Darwitt R. Garrett and Sylvia A. Washburn are seeking that party's nomination. The 2nd District includes Wood County.

A Republican primary race for an Ohio House seat in the 81st District pits incumbent Jeff Wagner against former state representative Gene Damschroder. The district includes the western side of Seneca County.

In the 82nd District, State Rep. Steve Reinhard has reached term limits. Seeking the GOP nomination in that district, which includes Wyandot County, are Lois Fisher and Jeffrey McClain. Craig S. Swartz and Wanda L. Sharrock are squaring off on the Democratic side.



Area counties

Major election issues Tuesday in surrounding counties:

Allen County -- Republicans and Democrats will pick candidates for judge of Allen County probate/juvenile court.

Hardin County -- Republicans will choose party nominees for county prosecutor, county commissioner and treasurer. Countywide, voters will decide whether to replace a 0.75-mill levy for the 911 telephone system.

Putnam County -- Two Republican county commissioner races and a Columbus Grove school building project are on the primary ballot. The school district is seeking a .25 percent income tax and a 6.38-mill bond issue for a new school. The district also seeks a half-mill levy to maintain the new building.

Seneca County -- Voters will decide whether to restore and renovate the Seneca County Courthouse. An additional 0.8-mill levy for the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board also is on the ballot. County Republicans will pick nominees for two county commissioner seats, juvenile judge and sheriff.

Wood County -- North Baltimore School District is asking voters to renew an 8-mill operating levy, and four Republicans are competing for Wood County prosecutor. No Democrats are running for the job.

Wyandot County -- Voters will decide a countywide tax issue for mental health and recovery services. Republican voters will decide a party race for commissioner.

Contact staff writer J. Steven Dillon at: (419) 427-8423 Send an e-mail to Steve Dillon
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News Briefs Health official to give lecture
Terry Carson, a visiting executive at the University of Findlay, will give a public lecture on health care at noon Monday at Winebrenner Theological Seminary.

Carson will speak on, “Health Care: Where Are We and Where Are We Going?”

Carson is chief executive officer of a 25-bed critical access facility, Harrison Community Hospital in Cadiz, Ohio, a position he has held for 18 years. Before that he was administrator of Hialeah Hospital in Hialeah, Fla., Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield, N.C., Colleton Regional Hospital in Walterboro, S.C., and chief accountant of Suburban Community Hospital in Warrensville Heights, Ohio.

Carson is a graduate of the University of Findlay with a bachelor's degree in accounting. He completed graduate studies at Wheeling Jesuit University and the University of Miami.

H1N1 flu vaccine offered in Carey
CAREY -- The Wyandot County Health Department will be administering H1N1 flu vaccine in the Laird Room at Carey School from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Vaccine will be available to health care providers, pregnant women, children 6 months to 24 years, caregivers of children under the age of 6 months, and people age 25 to 64 with a chronic medical condition.

The vaccine is being provided on a first-come, first-served basis and is free of charge.

For more details call the health department at 419-294-3852.

Democratic Party meeting Monday
The Hancock County Democratic Party will hold its last 2009 general meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in Findlay City Council chambers in the Municipal Building.

Members will name a temporary successor to Jim Smith, a Hancock County Board of Elections member who will retire at the end of the year.

An election to fill the post for a full term will be held at the Feb. 8, 2010 general meeting. Democrats interested in the post should attend that meeting.

VB meeting reset
Van Buren -- Van Buren Village Council's regular meeting has been rescheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Community Room at Van Buren High School.

Program offered for 'Wee Ones'
Animals getting ready for winter will be discussed at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Nov. 16 during the Hancock Park District's Wee Ones in the Parks program.

The same program will be offered at each time in the Discovery Center at Oakwoods Nature Preserve.

The program will include a story, activities and a craft.

The event is for toddlers 3 years old and under, accompanied by an adult.

For more information, call the park district office, 419-425-7275.