SUBURBAN RACES

Mayoral, city council jobs lead full slate of contests in Perrysburg

10/8/2017
BY JAY SKEEBA AND ZACK LEMON
BLADE STAFF WRITERS
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    Ann Hosman Worden casts her ballot during the the primary at Way Public Library.

    THE BLADE/AMY E. VOIGT
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  • Contested city council and mayoral races in Perrysburg headline a full slate of suburban races around Toledo. 

    After a mayoral primary, incumbent mayor Michael Olmstead, 53, and challenger Tom Mackin, 52, are the last two candidates standing in the Perrysburg mayoral race. 

    In the low-turnout primary, Mr. Mackin received 63 percent of the vote, with Mr. Olmstead coming in a distant second, earning 24 percent of the vote.

    Ann Hosman Worden casts her ballot during the the primary at Way Public Library.
    Ann Hosman Worden casts her ballot during the the primary at Way Public Library.

    Mr. Olmstead, a former city councilman who served from 2005-2013, has primarily run on continuing his accomplishments in the last four years, and getting long discussed ideas, like Riverside Park and a second fire station, done. 

    Mr. Mackin also served on city council from 1998 through 2015, when he resigned to focus on his new job as general counsel of the Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority. He is returning to Perrysburg politics with plans for a more transparent and collaborative administration. 

    In addition, seven candidates are running for four council seats. Haraz Ghanbari, 36, and Ashley McMahon, 28, are running for the last two years of an unexpired term. The seat is currently filled by Nelson Evans, 63, who is not running for re-election. 

    Jim Matuszak, 53, and Barry VanHoozen, 58, both incumbents, are running for re-election, and fellow incumbent Rick Rettig, 47, has dropped out of the race. Challengers for the three seats include Deborah Born, 55, Todd Grayson, 39, and Chip Pfleghaar, 34.

    Maumee

    In Maumee, six candidates are on the ballot for four city council seats.

    Council president Brent Buehrer, 53, Thomas Wagener, Jr., 58, Tim Pauken, 57, and Tracey Elmore, 53, are up for re-election. Mrs. Elmore was appointed to council earlier this year after Julie Rubini, 56, resigned.

    Scott Noonan, 30, and Lou Thomson, 62, are challenging.

    Sylvania

    Sylvania city councilmen Katie Cappellini, 55, and Mary Westphal, 60, are running for re-election, with Jason Mishka, 38, Mark Clark, 59, and Patrick Richardson, 26, also in the race. Three will be elected.

    Rossford

    Four Rossford city council seats are on the line. Councilmen Jerry Staczek, 55, and Caroline Zuchowski-Eckel, 45, are running for re-election, with Bob Densic, 50, Christopher Heban, 34, and Jim Richards, 74, also running.

    Dan Wagner's council term was also up, but he resigned in August.

    Waterville

    Three incumbents are all running for re-election. Mary Duncan, 62, Charles Larkins, 65, and John Rozic, 66, are all running for re-election, challenged only by Anthony Bruno, 20. 

    Whitehouse

    Village council has six candidates seeking three seats. Incumbents Bill May, 77, Frank Billings, 62, and Louann Artiaga, 62, are running to keep their seats. Challenging them are Madisyn Curry, 19, Richard Bingham, 50, and Katrina Huebner.

    Ottawa Hills

    Ottawa Hills, Jeffrey Gibbs, 57, and Rex Decker, 67, are running again for their seats, and are challenged by Dana Dunbar, 52, Edward Shimborske III, 47, and Matthew Gargas, 21.

    Jerusalem Township

    Jerusalem Township, Monclova Township, Richfield Township, Spencer Township, Springfield Township, Sylvania Township, Washington Township and Waterville Township all have contested Board of Trustee elections.