Election: Infrastructure, transportation, education: What 3rd Ward candidates are focused on
Marion has just one City Council race on the primary/special election ballot this year — a Republican contest for the Ward 3 seat.
The candidates, incumbent Jason Schaber and Ralph Smith, current at-large councilman, will appear on the May 6 ballot.
Schaber as been on council for more than 10 years. He said it's possible the election will result in all Republicans on City Council, which could result in "group think." One of the biggest things he's running on is to be someone to break away from that and ask questions.
"But I set myself apart because I'm an independent thinker, and any issue that comes up, the first thing I say to myself is, 'how does this affect the Third Ward? Does it benefit them? Does it affect it negatively?'" Schaber said.
Schaber said he would advocate for street improvements such as sewer improvement and paving projects for Ward 3.
He also will support the expansion of public transportation in the city. He said he'd like to see the bus route include evening hours on weekdays or ideally six days a week.
"A lot of those individuals don't have reliable transportation," Schaber said.
Finally, Schaber said he plans to continue asking questions and requesting public records concerning the city's financial status.
"It affects the Third wWrd, but city wide, we have a major financial crisis on our hands," Schaber said.
Smith said he intended to run for his at-large seat again, but after some time on council, he felt Schaber was too "negative."
"So I thought, you know, Third Ward is not being represented the way it should be," Smith said. "And so I decided that I would go ahead and try to get somebody in there, namely me, to represent the Third Ward as they should be."
One of the issues Smith said he'd if elected is inadequate infrastructure, such as blighted houses, roads and sidewalks. He said he's heard complaints from Third Ward residents of abandoned or dilapidated houses.
"That's not really good for the neighborhood, the city or anybody really," Smith said.
Smith also wants to support first responders and improve traffic safety around the city.
Lastly, Smith said he wants to develop a plan with school officials to cut down on truancy and increase test scores in Marion.
"I think it's just becoming active with the people and active with the administration in a positive way, not a negative way, that I'm going to be able to do those things," Smith said.
Election day for the primary/special election is May 6.
Early voting began in Ohio on Tuesday, April 8. Through Friday, April 25, Marion County residents can vote 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Board of Elections Office, 222 West Center St., Marion. Extended hours will be 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. April 28; 7:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. April 29; 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. April 30-May 2; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. May 3; and 1-5 p.m. May 4.
Polls will be open 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. on election day.
Sample ballots are available on the Marion Board of Elections website.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Marion Council election in 3rd ward candidates schaber and smith
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