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Three primary races, four issues to be decided Tuesday

Created on Monday, 02 May 2011 Written by THE BELLEFONTAINE EXAMINER STAFF

Up for grabs are the Democratic nomination for Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge and the Republican nominations for Bellefontaine city mayor and the Second Ward council seat.

On the issue side, all county voters will be asked if they want to continue to support Logan County Children’s Services. Voters in the Riverside, Ridgemont and Waynesfield-Goshen school districts will decide various school issues, including whether Ridgemont can build a new school near Mt. Victory.

Polls are open Tuesday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and voters must declare whether they wish to vote Democrat, Republican or independent. A voter who asks for an independent ballot will see only issues.

Two Democrats seek the nomination for the municipal court judge post. Only those requesting a Democrat ballot will see their names. The winner between Bellefontaine attorneys Ann Beck, 59, and Edwin Dougherty, 54, will move on to face the lone Republican seeking the office, West Liberty attorney Steven Fansler.

Ms. Beck has called Mr. Dougherty to task over an issue of about 15 years of federal taxes that went largely unpaid until this year. She also said her experience filling in for retiring Judge John L. Ross and a serious attitude qualify her for the bench. Mr. Dougherty, on the other hand, said his ability to talk and relate with people on a personal level as well as his knowledge and fair application of the law would make him the best choice.

The two races for city offices will only appear on Republican ballots. Seeking the mayoral nod are former mayor, Robert Lentz, 67, and Downtown Bellefontaine Partnership director Marcus St. Clair, 29. The winner will face incumbent Mayor Adam Brannon in the general election.

Mr. Lentz said he believes experience is needed in the mayor’s office to stop overspending, while Mr. St. Clair believes his connection with the business community would help the city grow economically.

Meanwhile, incumbent Second Ward Councilwoman Diane Hager faces a challenge from Allen Hadley. Only the voters who select Republican ballots in Ward 2 will see this race.

Ms. Hager stressed the importance of dealing with the budget deficit and attracting business to the city are her top priorities while Mr. Hadley did not return telephone calls for stories and has done minimal advertising for the election.

On the issue side, all voters in the county will see the Children’s Services issue in which the agency is asking for a 1.2-mill renewal levy for operating expenses. It would cost the owner of a $100,000 property about $36 per year.

Riverside officials would like voters to renew a 2-mill levy that generated $81,000 in 2010 for permanent improvements and maintenance of district facilities and assets.

At Ridgemont, the district is asking for support of an issue that would lead to the construction of a $23 million school for all grades.

The Ohio Schools Facilities Commission will shoulder 76 percent of the project, or about $16.3 million. Property owners in the district must pick up the balance.

The 6.67-mill bond issue would cost the owner of a $100,000 property slightly more than $200 a year, district officials report.

The new school would be located west of Mt. Victory on a 40-acre piece of land along State Route 273 that was donated contingent on the passage of the bond issue.

Only a handful of voters in northwestern Logan County will see the Waynesfield-Goshen issue in which the district seeks renewal of its one-percent, five-year income tax to help pay annual operating expenses.

Follow live coverage of the election at www.examiner.org after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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