Wednesday, April 18th, 2018
State rep candidate reportedly assaulted
By Tom Stankard
CELINA - A volunteer for the Aaron Heilers campaign faces charges after a confrontation over a yard sign with rival candidate Travis Faber.
Franklin P. Urwin, 55, St. Henry, reportedly tussled with Faber on Tuesday night after the Celina Republican reportedly saw Urwin trying to remove a yard sign along U.S. 127.
Heilers of Anna and Faber are both seeking the Republican nomination for Ohio's 84th District House seat.
Urwin has been charged with first-degree misdemeanor assault and first-degree misdemeanor theft, according to Celina Municipal Court documents.
Faber this morning said he was traveling along U.S. 127 and noticed Urwin removing a yard sign near the boardwalk on West Bank Road. Faber said he had permission to put the sign there, but Heilers, R-Anna, told the newspaper this morning that Faber didn't have permission.
Faber said he parked his vehicle in an adjacent parking lot and claims Urwin reportedly ran up to his vehicle and forced him out.
Urwin reportedly punched Faber in the face, according to court documents.
After the altercation, Urwin left the scene, Faber said. Faber said he then called the police department to report what had happened.
The altercation was captured on cameras installed at the city water plant, Faber said.
Heilers said he hadn't been at the scene but said he had heard an altercation had taken place. He identified Urwin as a campaign volunteer.
Urwin did not return a call seeking comment by press time today.
