Mazur defeats Jared in city mayoral race

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Republican mayoral candidate Jerry Mazur got an easy victory over independent challenger Joe Jared, while Van Wert County voters mirrored the state in trouncing State Issue 3 (see story below), which would have legalized marijuana use in Ohio.

Mazur, who currently represents Third Ward on Van Wert City Council, defeated self-made local businessman Jared 2,106 to 707.

After thanking the voters who supported him, the mayor-elect said he was ready to move forward.

“It’s kind of a relief to have it over with,” Mazur said. “While I’ve been thinking about what I would like to do if, I can now actually get to work to unify economic development and do those things we talked about during the campaign.”

Mazur, who will take office in January, noted he plans to get to work immediately and plans to meet with the Van Wert County Board of Commissioners and other people with an interest in economic development and try to get together a game plan to develop a new economic development system.

Jared, who said he was pleased he received 25 percent of the vote as a first-time candidate, added that he planned to continue his work to help people in the community be successful in business.

All other city candidates ran unopposed in the November general election, although some had to get past challengers in the May primary election.

Other election contests on Tuesday’s ballot were village and township races.

Results of village races is as follows:

Mark Dickman defeated Ken Myers 109-78 for Middle Point mayor, while Jeremy Akom edged Byron Glass 16-14 in the Scott mayoral contest. Sarah Kimmet was elected Venedocia mayor over Kimra Rowlett, 31-16.

There were also several races for village council. Elisha Mankey and Jack J. Brown were elected to the Ohio City Village Council, with Mankey getting 143 votes and Brown 124. Challenger Royce High garnered 59 votes. In another three-way race for two seats on Scott Village Council, Christopher Martinez (23 votes) and Nancy Miller (20 votes) were elected, while Debbie Tarlton had 10 votes. Christina Young (38 votes) and Marjorie Clement (23 votes) had successful bids for seats on Venedocia Village Council, over Jason Kimmet, who received 17 votes.

Bradley Berry and Jodi Berry (67 and 74 votes, respectively), beat out Mark Sheets (47 votes) for two seats on Willshire Village Council.

Several township races were also decided during Tuesday’s general election.

Sara Miller defeated Kristi Gamble and Melissa Miller in a three-way race for Harrison Township fiscal year (formerly township clerk). Sara Miller had 132 votes, to 114 for Gamble and 89 for Melissa Miller. Becky Scheidt defeated Tracey Allenbaugh 340-125 in a race for Liberty Township fiscal officer, while challenger Linda Hartman was elected Pleasant Township fiscal offer over incumbent Kelly Bartz 1,683-1,406, while Tricia Kulwicki defeated Cynthia Harting 367-207 to become the next Tully Township fiscal officer. In Union Township, Melissa Mefferd won handily over Terri Utley, 188-94, for the fiscal officer’s position in that township.

There were four township trustee races. Stephen DuVall defeated Tim Miller 92-56 for Jackson Township trustee, while Gary Ashbaugh was elected Pleasant Township trustee over Rick Roop, 1,767-1,257. A second Pleasant Township trustee’s race for an unexpired term was on the ballot, with Brian Schaffner defeating Brent Hoblet 1,461-1.427. Richard Mollenkopf Sr. also defeated  Jerry Parrish Sr. 393-174 for a Tully Township trustee’s position.