08-23-03: Voters to decide on issues and candidates

08-23-03: Voters to decide on issues and candidates

By TIMOTHY COX
tcox@dailystandard.com

    With the passage of Thursday's deadline to file paperwork, Auglaize County's Nov. 4 election ballot is set leaving St. Marys voters to face a number of decisions.
    Voters in the city and throughout the St. Marys City Schools district will cast ballots on two school tax issues. A 29-year, 6.92-mill property tax that would be used to pay down the principal and interest on a $27 million school construction project. School district voters also will be asked to approve a 1 percent income tax to help the school meet current operating expenses.
    In city politics, incumbent Mayor Greg Freewalt, 1015 W. High St., a Democrat seeking his third term in office, will face Bradley Bartlett, 222 N. Main St., an independent candidate who is a downtown businessman.
    The ballot will be crowded but the choices few in races for city council seats. At-large council members Michael L. Bernard, 686 Coventry Green, Ronald E. Ginter, 813 Lake Ave., and James J. Harris, 413 Concord Ave., are all unopposed in their re-election bids. Also uncontested are first ward councilor Michael C. Kleinhenz, 688 Coventry Green, second ward councilor Dennis J. Vossler, 1126 Neil Ave., third ward councilor Billy A. Slemmons, 330 Greenville Road, and Robin Willoughby, 415 Beech St.
    Willoughby is a newcomer who has no opposition in her bid to replace Teena Ward, fourth ward councilor. Ward did not seek re-election so she could run in the primary election mayor's race, where she lost to Freewalt in May.
    Council President Daniel R. Hoelscher, 714 W. South St., Auditor Douglas M. Riesen, 210 Concord Ave., and Law Director Kraig E. Noble, 120 Nagel St., also are uncontested.
    Fourth ward voters also will be asked to consider a local option to allow Sunday sales of alcohol at the Veterans of Foreign War Post, 1309 E. Spring St. If approved, the sale of alcohol would go forth under terms of the post's existing liquor permit.
    In the St. Marys school district, voters will have a choice of seven candidates for the two open school board seats.
    Those candidates include: incumbent Anna Katterhenry, 03235 Ohio 219, incumbent John B. Lampert, 14581 Ohio 66, Jeff Bowersock, 739 Augustus St., Craig A. Gottschalk, 05076 Salem-Noble Rd., Rees A. McKee, 121 S. Perry St., Teena Ward, 320 S. Pear St., and Ralph Wiley, 123 Augustus St.
    In New Bremen, voters face a lively race among five people for two open council seats and also will elect a new mayor. The council candidates include former village administrator, Clarence B. Art, 311 Lane St., James M. Ashman, 303 E. Monroe St., Austin Ewing, 313 S. Walnut St., Edward J. Rump, 23 Rummel Creek Drive, and John T. Schwartz, 8 Circle Drive.
    Craig J. Hoffman, 22 Knoxville Ave., and current council member Jeffrey Pape, 704 N. Main St., seek to replace two-term Mayor Robert Klein, who is not seeking re-election.
    New Bremen Clerk-Treasurer Diane Gast, 109 E. South St., is uncontested on the ballot.
    For New Bremen school board, only the two incumbents, Norman Holcomb and James D. Luedeke, have filed petitions to retain their seats.
    In Minster, Mayor Dennis Kitzmiller, 248 N. Hanover St., Clerk-Treasurer John Stechschulte, 133 E. Fifth St., and council members Dale A. Schmitmeyer, 160 S. Garfield St., and Thomas C. Herkenhoff 106 N. Garfield St., are all uncontested.
    For school board, only incumbents Ted F. Beckman and Carol A. Ranly have filed for the two open seats.
    In township races in western Auglaize County:
    - Scott E. Snethkamp, 5933 Washington Pike, and Robert H. Wilker, 09451, are running for one St. Marys Township Trustee seat. Lynda C. Sudman, 02386 Ohio 219, is unopposed to return as clerk.
    - Trustee Vernon L. Paul, 419 Canal St., New Bremen, and Clerk Dennis Wm. Dicke, 6 Haarbye St., New Bremen, are uncontested to return to their German Township posts.
    - Jim Albers, 1864 Ohio 119, Minster, and David R. Doenges, 47 N. Main St., Minster, face off in the Jackson Township clerk race. Carl B. Albers, 03299 Tri-Township Road, is unopposed for the single trustee seat on the ballot.
    - Greg Leffel, 15627 Ohio 66, and John A. Mueller, 03947 Glynwood Road, are vying for a single Noble Township Trustee seat. Steven Schamp, 18396 St. Marys River Road, is uncontested for the clerk position.
< Daily Standard reporter Janie Southard contributed to this story.

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