Maumee's mayor to seek seat on county commission

12/21/2005

Maumee Mayor Timothy Wagener said yesterday he plans to run for Lucas County commissioner next fall.

He will formally announce his candidacy at 3 p.m. today in the lobby of the Maumee Indoor Theater.

Mr. Wagener, a Democrat, said he thinks it's important that the board of commissioners has suburban representation. The three current commissioners all live in Toledo.

Commissioner Maggie Thurber's term is up at the end of next year. The only Republican on the board, she has not said whether she will seek re-election.

Mr. Wagener said he is not running against anyone specifically; rather, he wants to help the city of Maumee and the surrounding area.

In recent years, Maumee has opened a new police station, bought land for a new fire station, renovated and reopened the Maumee Indoor Theater, and seen preliminary work begin at the long-planned Shops at Fallen Timbers.

He became Maumee's mayor in August, 1999, when then-mayor Steve Pauken resigned and moved to Colorado. As council president, Mr. Wagener automatically got the job.

He was elected to a full term that November and re-elected in 2003, when he ran unopposed. He began serving on council in 1991.

Another Democrat, Ben Konop, a Toledo lawyer who unsuccessfully ran against U.S. Rep. Mike Oxley (R., Old Fort), announced his candidacy earlier this month.

Several other Democrats, including Toledo City Councilman Phil Copeland and some other suburban politicians, are expected to run.