By Karen Cornelius
The boards of election filing date for candidates who want to run for public office and for issues going to the voters has come and gone on Wednesday, August 9. Locally, the November 7 ballot for the General Election will not be an exciting one. Very few races have opposition except for trustee in Brownhelm and Vermilion townships.
The only city of Vermilion race of interest will be the mayor’s face-off between Jim Forthofer and Fred Ostrander, both currently serving to represent their wards on Vermilion City Council. All the city council incumbents are coming back unopposed for another two-year term. They are Steve Herron, council president; Monica Stark, council-at-large; Frank Loucka, Ward II; Barb Brady, IV Ward; and Brian Holmes, Ward V. Facing no opposition for Ward I is John Gabriel who will be replacing Fred Ostrander as the ward’s representative. Filing for Ward III with no opposition is Steve Holovacs, replacing Jim Forthofer as this ward’s representative. The seven will take their seats in January of 2018 barring no foreseen changes.
The Vermilion Local School Board candidates will not have any opposition as well. There are two seats open and current board members Chris Habermehl and Sarah Stepp filed to fill them again with no opposition.
In Vermilion Townshhip there are two trustee positions open and incumbents Ronald Dickel and Charles Trinter have filed to run again for another term. Also filing for one of the two seats is Carl Hill. In Brownhelm Township, there are two trustee seats open and incumbents Orrin Leimbach and Jim Northeim have filed to run for another term. Challening them for a seat is Monica Bauer.
As far as issues, the city of Vermilion voters will be looking at a Parks Levy, a continuing one-mill tax levy for maintenance, operation, and improvements of the parks. The levy would generate $269,026 per year. In Vermilion Township, there is a Fire Replacement Levy that would replace the two existing levies with a reduction of 0.35 mills for 1.65 mills for fire protection and emergency medical services for a continuing period of time starting in 2018. Also in Vermilion Township for precinct 1 only, Friendship Food Store is looking for approval of Sunday alcohol sales from 10 a.m. until midnight.
Going to county issues, Lorain County’s side of Vermilion has three issues on the November 7 ballot. They are a renewal of 0.065 mills for the Tuberculosis Clinic; a renewal of 0.5 mills for 911 Emergency Service; and a renewal of 0.08 mills for The Drug Task Force. Erie County has no issues on the ballot.
Voters will see two statewide issues on November 7. One is a proposed Initiated Constitutional Amendment Crime Victim Bill of Rights called Marsy’s Law For Ohio. Enough signatures were gathered on a petition for this amendment which would expand and make crime victims’ rights stronger.It was named after a victim who was stalked and killed by her ex-boyfriend. The second Ohio issue is a proposed Initiated Statute Prescription Drug/DrugPrice Relief Act.
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