20-04-2025
Newark City Council 3rd Ward GOP primary candidates Jeff Rath, Molly Ingold talk housing
NEWARK − Candidates always cite their experience, but the question in the Republican primary election for Newark City Council's 3rd Ward will be what type of experience voters want.
Incumbent Jeff Rath faces Molly Ingold in the May 6 primary election. The 3rd Ward is on the city's west end, south of State Route 16 and west of 30th Street. Part of the ward is in the Granville Exempted Village School District.
Rath emphasizes his experience on Newark City Council, where he serves in his 16th year representing the 3rd Ward and chairs the council's Service Committee. He said he's familiar with issues such as the city budget, firefighter overtime, homelessness, growth and development.
Ingold, who has no experience on city council, cites her experience in the community, which includes vice president of Hospice of Central Ohio, United Way director, Newark school board member, Newark Rotary Club president and Licking Memorial Hospital human resources director. She said development issues are critical in the 3rd Ward, which she said needs stronger representation.
Rath has represented the city's 3rd Ward since 2010, after winning his first election in 2009.
'There's a lot of growth going on in the 3rd Ward,' Rath said. 'This neighborhood deserves somebody who is a resident and lived here a long period of time. Experience is very important.
'They say the squeaky wheel gets the oil, but the squeak doesn't matter if the right person doesn't hear the squeak.'
Ingold said she has been meeting with 3rd Ward residents and listening to their opinions on issues affecting their area.
'I've done some meet and greet gatherings and (am) really enjoying that,' Ingold said. 'The 3rd Ward is growing — probably one of the fastest-growing wards in the city."
Both candidates said the possibility of an apartment complex near West Main Street and Thornwood Drive has residents concerned.
Vista Residential Partners is already constructing a 10-building, 308-unit apartment complex called Trailhead Vista on West Main Street, between Thornwood Drive and Coffman Road, north of Builders Drive. What comes next is the issue for residents.
A year ago, Scott Hartley, managing director of capital markets for Vista Residential Partners, said Vista had about 42 acres under contract, extending from Trailhead Vista west to Thornwood Drive, then north, along Thornwood Drive to The Overlook, a 66-lot residential subdivision under construction on the west side of Cherry Valley Road.
'Phase 1 (on West Main) people are somewhat receptive to, but Phase 2, I'm not sure,' Rath said. 'The (road) infrastructure will be a nightmare.'
Ingold said of Vista's complex under construction, 'That doesn't seem too bad, but I'm concerned about traffic.' She said people are concerned about a potential second housing development closer to the West Main-Thornwood intersection.
On River Road, which includes Park Trails and Park Ridge housing subdivisions and Willow Bend under construction, Granville school officials have expressed concerns about significantly adding to their enrollments.
Rath said the city of Newark needs to keep Granville informed about any possible changes to the area..
'There's no development on River Road that should be a surprise to the village of Granville,' Rath said. 'I know Granville is hurting for schools, and that's something that needs to be addressed.'
Both candidates praised the Housing Opportunities through Municipal Engagement Court program to help people charged with camping on public property.
Ingold said it's good to see 18 to 20 organizations lined up to provide support.
'The people that want the help will be able to be part of the HOME Court program and get help with mental health issues or drug issues,' Ingold said. 'Not all will take advantage of it.
'I think that's a good step. Nonprofits are kind of excited to be involved with it as well, and they have to be, or it's not going to work out. I really think we have to look at this problem as a long-term problem, not just a problem of where people sleep.'
Rath said council's passage of an ordinance to outlaw camping on public property has already had an impact.
'It's absolutely had an effect," Rath said. "We see a lot less of it going on right now.'
Rath said he supported the ordinance because he knew the law director was working on the HOME Court plan.
'That's the main reason I agreed on the camping ordinance: to get people into a system to get help," Rath said. "They'll have a team of people to help them in any area they need help.
'No one thing is going to solve homelessness. It's got to be a multipronged approach, and this is one of those prongs.
Election Day is May 6, when polls will be open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Early in-person voting at the Licking County Board of Elections office begins 8 a.m. Tuesday.
Early in-person voting at the Licking County Board of Elections Office, 20 S. Second St., Newark, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 21-25; 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 28 and 30 to May 2; 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 29; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3; and 1-5 p.m. May 4.
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This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark City Council GOP primary election: Jeff Rath vs Molly Ingold
