Lucas County elections board fills vacancy

9/9/2008

The Lucas County Board of Elections this morning appointed a new deputy director who will fill the office's last vacant leadership position with just two months before the November general election.

Jeremy Demagall, who previously was the northwest Ohio regional representative for the secretary of state, will take the place of Deputy Director Jill Kelly.

Mr. Demagall's salary will be $83,874 annually.

Ms. Kelly has been on leave for unspecified medical reasons since July 11, board Chairman Patrick Kriner said.

"Jeremy brings a lot to the table, and he has experience and a great relationship with the board of elections from when he was with the secretary of state," Mr. Kriner said.

Mr. Demagall, 35, a Republican, said he knows the office has a lot of work to do before Election Day.

"I expect to go in with two months to go, and I expect the staff to do their job and do it well," he said. "I know there is a lot to do with a short amount of time, but I also know everyone on the staff, and I have faith everyone will get it done."

Mr. Demagall received a degree in human resources from the University of Toledo in 2000. After his two-year tenure with the Ohio secretary of state, he worked as an insurance agent for the Juris Insurance Agency.

The Lucas County Board of Elections gave Ms. Kelly until Aug. 11 to return to her job before they began looking for a new deputy director.

Although she initially requested a 30-day medical leave, she later told the elections board that she may need to stay on leave longer.

Director Dan Pilrose retired June 30, and the board hired Linda R. Howe on July 17 to become the agency's director.

With the new management, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner ordered "transitional support" to the county board of elections.

Ms. Kelly is entitled to 12 weeks of unpaid sick leave, which will expire next month, Mr. Kriner said.

She has accrued 26 weeks of paid sick and vacation time, which she can use with a doctor's documentation.