New contender for Sylvania Twp. Trustee

Sylvania School Board member John Crandall puts hat in ring

Screengrab from youtube.com video representing John Crandall.

Sylvania City School District Board member John Crandall has decided to be a contender in the race for Sylvania Township Trustee.

At Monday night’s school board meeting, Mr. Crandall, a school board member for more than five years, shared with his colleagues his decision not to seek re-election for 2014.

Before the board meeting, he collected signatures from members and attendees for beginning the process to place his name on the November ballot for township trustee. Trustee Chairman John Jennewine’s and Trustee Kevin Haddad’s terms conclude in December, opening up two positions for election.

“I’ve been thinking about if I want to run another term since January,” he said. That led to discussions about what he would do if he were to still serve the public. His 30-year career as director of operations for the Lucas County Engineer's office, where he worked on road, bridge, and drainage projects, coupled with his service with the Sylvania Area Community Improvement Corporation, an economic development organization, made township trustee a suitable fit for his talents, he said.

The 75-year-old, a lifelong resident of the Sylvania area, stressed that being a trustee means working well with the other two members as well as the City of Sylvania.

He applauded the current three trustees for working closer with the city, as he sees each entity as two halves that make a whole Sylvania community.

Mr. Crandall made the final decision to run for trustee over the weekend, and is in the initial phase of his candidacy, working on building a campaign committee and platform.

School Board President Vicki Donovan-Lyle said his knowledge of government and opinion would be missed. Mr. Crandall always respected the opinions of others, especially in face of the difficult economic times the school district has endured in the past years, she said.

“The biggest challenge in the board is when faced with adversity, being respectful of others opinions. John was always a true gentlemen,” she said.

She said his expertise in engineering was invaluable when the district dealt with building and facility construction, and renovation projects in the past four years.

"John is a student-centered, community-minded board member that understands the positive impact teachers have on the world. His expertise and guidance have been beneficial to our school district," Superintendent Brad Rieger said.

Mr. Crandall in turn, had the utmost respect and adoration for the school board members, administration, teaching staff, and employees. He said everyone's efforts to cut back on costs and still run an excellent district was one of the accomplishments he was most proud of as a member of the board.  

Mr. Crandall was named by the board to take over George Gernot's spot in 2008, when Mr. Gernot moved out of the district. In 2010, he was elected to the board for a four-year term.

The filing deadline for the November election is Aug. 7.

So far, Penny Levine of Sylvania Township is the only person who's filed to run in the Sylvania Township trustee race. She has run for the post in the past.

Contact Natalie Trusso Cafarello at: 419-206-0356 or ntrusso@theblade.com.