Wauseon, Archbold school districts celebrate

11/8/2006
BY JANE SCHMUCKER
BLADE STAFF WRITER

WAUSEON - Wauseon will get a new middle school, Archbold schools will get more operating money, and Republicans will keep their hold on all countywide offices in Fulton County.

The Wauseon Exempted Village School District's request for a 6.99-mill combination bond issue-maintenance levy for a new middle school was one of the closest issues in the county. However, the outcome appeared unlikely to be changed by provisional ballots, which won't be counted until Nov. 18.

Wauseon Superintendent Marc Robinson said, after a group hug with Tribe Pride supporters, that he had predicted a very close vote because of economic uncertainties. But he was glad for the chance to get state building assistance funds. "Obviously, the community saw this as an opportunity," he said.

In the Archbold Area Local School District, a request for a 4.91-mill, five-year additional emergency tax for operations passed decisively after the defeat of two much larger levies in August and May. It even passed in the Henry County portion of the school district, which is unusual.

"I'm very excited for the students of Archbold. The community really came through for them," Archbold school board President David Yoder said.

Republican candidates easily won the county commissioner and county auditor seats, and the Four-County ADAMs levy passed handily in Fulton, Henry, Defiance, and Williams County.

Joseph D. Short, a German Township trustee, defeated Democrat David Pilliod, who is a Swanton Village Council member, and independent Michael Jason Vasko.

"I'm very excited. There's no question about that," Mr. Short said. "I'm very honored that the people of Fulton County have chosen me to be one of their leaders."

In the auditor's office, Nancy Yackee, the incumbent, won a huge majority. She had been opposed by Michael T. Van Wagner, the county Democratic party chairman, who ran as a write-in.

The highly Republican county, however, gave Democrat Ted Strickland more votes in the gubernatorial race than it gave Republican Ken Blackwell. The county supported all other Republican candidates statewide.

One question of Sunday alcohol questions was so close that an automatic recount appeared likely. That was in northeastern Wauseon, where Circle K convenience store on Shoop Avenue asked for Sunday sales of wine and mixed beverages between 10 a.m. and midnight. Twenty-five provisional votes from that precinct have yet to be counted.

Contact Jane Schmucker at:

jschmucker@theblade.com

or 419-337-7780.