Incumbent Oregon councilman denied spot on November ballot

6/20/2013

Oregon City Councilman Sandy Bihn was denied a spot on the re-election ballot today when the Lucas County Board of Elections ruled that her petition was not valid.

The board voted 4-0 not to accept Ms. Bihn's petitions to be on the Nov. 5 ballot because she submitted her signatures after the deadline and did not have enough valid signatures.

Ms. Bihn, executive director of Lake Erie Waterkeeper Inc., president of the Toledo Lighthouse Society, and an environmental activist, turned in her petition about 4:30 p.m. on June 12, half an hour after the deadline expired, and with only 47 signatures, according to board Director Meghan Gallagher. The law requires 50 valid signatures.

A Democrat, Ms. Bihn was seeking her sixth term since 1983. She has also worked for 17 years as Oregon clerk auditor and finance director.

Candidates who were certified by the board to run for seven seats on Oregon City Council, including those previously approved, are Gerald Peach; Terrance Reeves; James Seaman; Michael Sheehy; Dennis Walendzak; Marvin Dabish; Kathleen Pollauf, and Timothy Zale. The elections board also certified for the ballot as candidates for mayor of Oregon incumbent Mayor Michael Seferian and Councilman Thomas Susor.  There will be no primary election for Oregon council or mayor.

The board certified nine candidates for four seats on Maumee City Council, assuring there will be a primary election on Sept. 10. The candidates are Brent Buehrer, Julie Rubini, Michael Coyle, Timothy Pauken, Danny Cobb, John Schafer, Hal Simon, Thomas Wagener Jr., and Maria Zapiecki.

The elections board certified Republican Constantine Stamos to run for Toledo Municipal Clerk of Courts against incumbent Democrat Vallie Bowman-English.

The board certified the first candidate in the race for six at-large seats on Toledo City Council - Republican Ernest McCarthy, of East Toledo. Don Gozdowski was certified to run as a write-in candidate for mayor of Toledo. Democrat Gretchen DeBacker was certified to run for Toledo Municipal Court judge for the seat now held by Republican Michael Goulding. The deadline for Toledo mayor, council, and judge candidates is July 12. 

Also certified were Lee Bialecki to run for Providence Township trustee and Cynthia Irmen and Jeff Michael to run for Swanton Township trustee. 

Contact Tom Troy at tomtroy@theblade.com or 419-724-6058.