NW Ohio cities choose mayors and councilmen

Old-fashioned, door-to-door campaigning credited by 1 woman for a win in Bowling Green

11/6/2013

A former Fremont councilman who opposes removal of the Ballville Dam won election to the city’s 1st Ward seat Tuesday.

Independent candidate Michael Koebel, a former at-large councilman, defeated incumbent Democrat Don Nalley, a three-term councilman.

Mr. Koebel doesn’t want to tear down the dam and instead wants to look at the cost to repair it and use it to generate hydroelectric power. He said voters also were swayed by his opposition to gas-powered boats on the city’s reservoir.

“My opponent voted in favor of putting gasoline-outboard motors on our new reservoir that was designed for fresh, clean drinking water,” said Mr. Koebel, who ran without party affiliation. “They voted him out.”

Mr. Nalley said he’ll remain involved in the community. He fears the city will encounter more costs if it does not stay on track to remove the dam, for which grant funding is secured.

“It’s going to be a burden on our citizens because they are going to have to pay for the repairs,” Mr. Nalley said.

RELATED CONTENT: Full election results

In Fremont’s 2nd Ward, Republican Kathy Stout defeated Democrat David Guardiola. Robert Gross, a Republican appointed earlier this year, narrowly won election in the city’s 4th Ward, defeating independent challengers Joe Michles and Anthony Taylor.

Fremont Treasurer Holly Elder, a Democrat, was re-elected.

In Bowling Green, attorney Theresa Charters Gavarone, a Republican, won the 4th Ward seat over Democrat Robert Piasecki, appointed earlier this year.

Ms. Charters Gavarone credited her win to old-fashioned, door-to-door campaigning.

“I got a chance to meet a lot of the people in the 4th Ward, and truthfully just talking with the people ... listening to their concerns,” she said, adding that setting priorities for the council to tackle will be among her initial goals.

Mr. Piasecki could not be reached for comment by deadline Tuesday.

Bowling Green’s two at-large seats went to incumbents Bob McOmber, a Republican, and Democrat Sandy Rowland.

In Fulton County, voters returned incumbent Heather Kost to the Wauseon City Council, as well as Rick Frey and top vote-getter Kathy Huner.

In Ottawa County, Port Clinton Auditor Cole Hatfield — a Democrat appointed to the position in 2012 — defeated Bert Fall, a Republican.

In the city’s 1st Ward, Democrat Ronald Aukerman, appointed last year, bested Republican Kassie Anderson. In the 2nd Ward, incumbent Republican Mark Coppeler narrowly lost to Democrat Jerry Tarolli. In the 3rd Ward, incumbent Democrat Margaret Phillips beat Republican Patricia McCartney.

In Seneca County, Tiffin voters picked Republican Richard Cline, currently a councilman, over fellow Republican Mark Pardi for council president.

Contact Vanessa McCray at: vmccray@theblade.com or 419-724-6056, or on Twitter @vanmccray.