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Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
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
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City council race, village/city levy requests, school asks, liquor options on Wayne ballot
Voters across Wayne County will vote on city council races, a slate of tax levies, bond issues and local liquor options in the May 6 primary/special election. Early voting began in Ohio on Tuesday, April 8. Through Friday, April 25, Wayne County residents can vote 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Board of Elections Office, 200 Vanover St., Suite 1, Wooster. 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 can be found on the Wayne County Board of Elections website. Here is what will be on the ballots in Wayne County on May 6. Wooster's only contested is for two at-large City Council seats. Republican Steven Huszai of Blair Boulevard, Bonita Louise Kaufman of Cher Court and Drew Paul of Summerlin Drive will compete for the two seats. The two with the most votes will be on the November general election ballot. No Democrats filed. Running uncontested for a Ward 2 seat is Democrat Jennifer Warden of East Wayne uncontested for a Ward 4 seat is Republican Carrie L. Snyder of North Bever Street. Rick Aspiras Jr. of South Walnut Street and Rees H. Davies of McGill Street, both Republicans, are seeking the two open at-large seats. No Democrats filed. In Orrville Ward 4, Beverly Ann Squirrell of West Market Street, a Democrat, is running unopposed. For Orrville Ward 2, no candidates filed. City of Rittman, 1-mill renewal, five years: Funds support the fire department, with at least 25% of revenue for capital improvements and the rest for maintenance and operations. The tax costs about $22 per $100,000 of property value and would raise an estimated $96,000 per year. Village of Shreve, 7.3-mill additional, five years: Funding would be used for police protection, including salaries and benefits for two full-time and one part-time officer. The levy would raise about $173,000 annually and cost $256 for property valued at $100,000. Sugar Creek Township, 2-mill renewal, four years: Funding would be used for road and bridge improvements and maintenance. The levy would generate about $200,000 and cost $25 a year for a property valued at $100,000. Wooster City Schools, $67 million bond issue, 3.4 mills, 36 years: The funding would be used to construct a middle school and renovate or improve other buildings and facilities. The would be about $119 a year for property valued at $100,000. Norwayne Local School District, 2-mill renewal, five years: The permanent improvement funds would be used for upkeep of facilities and equipment. The levy would raise about $120,000 annually and cost homeowners about $12 per $100,000 of property valuation. Waynedale Local School District, 2.7-mill, renewal, 10 years: It is an emergency levy that funds essential needs and provides about $1.8 million a year. Property would pay about $95 per $100,000 of value. Hillsdale Local School District, 20.1-mill renewal, continuous: Funding would be for operating expenses. It generates about $8.1 million annually and costs about $347 a year for property valued at $100,000. Canaan Township (Creston), Moose Lodge 1227 (Moose Lodge): Voters in Precinct 2 will decide whether to allow Sunday sales of spirituous liquor at the lodge. Chippewa Township American Legion Post 407 (Doylestown): Precinct 5 voters will see a local option for post to sell wine, mixed beverages and spirituous liquor on Sundays. A statewide bond issue proposal addresses infrastructure. The amendment would allow the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds over 10 years to finance projects such as roads, bridges and water systems. This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: See what on the May 6 primary ballot in Wayne County, Wooster, Orrville
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
City council race, township levies and infrastructure on Marion ballot
Voters in Marion County will vote on a City Council race and a slate of tax levies in the May 6 primary/special election. 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. Marion's only contested race will be for the Ward 3 seat. Incumbent Jason Schaber and council at large representative Ralph Smith, both Republican, will appear on the ballot. All other city council races are uncontested and will not appear on the may ballot. Pamela Larkin, Republican, will run for the Ward 2 council seat. Ayers Ratliff currently occupies that seat, but he did not file for reelection. Incumbent Shawn Barr, Republican, will run again for his Ward 1 seat unopposed. Incumbent Twila Laing, Republican, will run for her Ward 4 seat unopposed. Incumbent Thaddaeus Smith, Republican, is the lone candidate to run for the Ward 5 seat. Incumbent Ronald Prater, a Republican, will face Democrat Anthony Azaria for the Ward 6 seat City Council seat in November. For City Council at large, Republican incumbent Aaron Rollins is running again. Bill Dichtl and Dan Clark, both Republican, filed to run at large as well. Democrat Dana Martin is running for a council at large seat and will face the Republican candidates in November. Finally, incumbent Mary Stoneburner, Republican, will run for council president and incumbent Tommy Reese, Republican, will run for city treasurer. Pleasant Township Fire, five-year renewal of a 2-mill levy: For the purpose, in part, of providing and maintaining fire equipment, appliances and buildings. Estimated to collect $264,000 annually and cost $40 for property valued at $100,000. Salt Rock Township, continuous renewal of a 1.5-mill levy and 1-mill increase for a total of 2.5 mills: For the purpose of paying the current operating expenses. Estimated to collect $67,000 annually and cost $59 for property valued at $100,000 Prospect Park District, five-year renewal of a 0.6-mill levy: For general maintenance and improvements for parks for operating expenses. Estimated to collect $25,000 annually and cost $11 for property valued at $100,000. Marion County gas aggregation is up for a county-wide vote. A statewide bond issue proposal addresses infrastructure. The amendment would allow the state to issue up to $2.5 billion in bonds over 10 years to finance projects such as roads, bridges and water systems. Charlie Walker, deputy engineer for Marion County, spoke about Issue 2 during the April 10 meeting of the Board of Marion County Commissioners. He called Issue 2 a "huge resource" for Marion County Engineers Office. "Without these two types of grant funds we are not replacing bridges right now," Walker said. He said without those funds, Marion will "have a lot of posted or closed bridges throughout the county." Walker urged the public to vote "yes" on Issue 2. This article originally appeared on Marion Star: See what on the May 6 primary ballot in Marion County
