Candidates, issues lined up

Filings in for this year’s elections, which will include some primaries

The need for primary elections depends on factors such as the number of candidates who come out, partisan and nonpartisan races and rules in city charters.

The mayor’s race in Vermilion, at-large City Council seats in Lorain and in North Ridgeville are among the races drawing candidates filing to run for election this year.

Meanwhile, voters will consider renewing a number of financial issues in Lorain County communities.

Feb. 3 was the deadline to file petitions to run for local offices, and for political subdivisions to submit the proper paperwork for levies and other issues for a vote.

The collected signatures are filed at the Lorain County Board of Elections.

There will not be a primary election in every race for every elected office in every Lorain County city.

The need for primary elections depends on factors such as the number of candidates who come out, partisan and nonpartisan races and rules in city charters.

So, voters in some communities may not see the candidates’ names on the ballot until the November election, said Paul Adams, director of the Lorain County Board of Elections.

In recent days, candidates in various communities issued statements and announced their intentions.

Vermilion

Voters in Vermilion will choose among three contenders for the city’s chief executive officer.

Mayor Jim Forthofer will face challenges from Jerry Kyle and Daniel G. Roth.

The top two will advance for the November contest.

Kyle used social media Jan. 24 to announce his candidacy.

“After 38 years in business and a lifetime in Vermilion, Jerry is capable and excited to use his hardworking and hands-on approach to address current issues, attract and develop business, while keeping Vermilion a safe and beautiful place to live,” the post said.

Lorain

In Lorain, newcomers and challengers are lining up, setting up a Republican primary for three at-large seats on City Council, and a Democratic primary for the Second Ward.

Republicans Lynne Christner, Brian Jameson, Otis Jenkins and Jeremy Leighty will run in a Republican primary.

Three will advance in hopes of winning one of three at-large seats.

Incumbent Democrats Mary Springowski, Mitch Fallis and Tony Dimacchia also are running for the atlarge seats and voters will choose among the Republicans and Democrats in November.

Ward 2 Councilman Rob McFarland is not seeking re-election.

City resident Victoria Kempton has filed to run for the Ward 2 seat.

Kempton will face Dennis Flores, a former councilman, in a Democratic primary.

The Second Ward includes downtown Lorain, Broadway and Black River Landing.

Ward 2 has eight precincts, but just one — Broadway — gets attention and resources.

It is “absolutely the shining star of the city,” Kempton said, but the surrounding neighborhood needs help, too.

“We can’t continue with that,” she said. “I decided

that it was time for somebody to step up, that there needed to be new vision, there needed to be new blood, there needed to be somebody who listens to the people of the ward and asks them what they want and need, versus telling them what they want and need.”

Looking ahead to November, Dan Nutt, a Democrat, filed to run for the Ward 4 seat currently held by Councilman Greg Argenti, the lone independent on the city’s governing board.

As an independent, Argenti has a later filing deadline for his petitions to run again.

Republican John Schrenk filed to run for the Ward 7 seat and will challenge Cory Shawver, the Democratic incumbent.

Republican Lori Olson, a member of the City Charter

Commission, filed to run for Council President against Joel Arredondo, the Democratic incumbent who also is vice chairman of the Charter Commission.

Along with the elections board records, the Republican challengers were announced by the Lorain County Republican Party late afternoon Feb. 3.

Elyria

There will be one primary contest for Elyria’s 5th Ward Council seat.

Democratic voters will choose between Leigh Ann Arroyo and Diane Simmons, with the winner becoming the Democratic candidate for the post in the November election.

In November, Democrat Mark Jessie and Republican Maurice Corbin III will square off for Council’s Ward 3 seat.

Also in the fall, Democrat

Kenny Oswald and Republican James L. Miller will vie for the 4th Ward Council seat, and Democrat Donna Mitchell and Republican Marcio Tolentino will run for Council’s 6th Ward seat.

North Ridgeville

City Council’s three atlarge seats were the hot ticket for the May primary.

Seven Republican candidates have filed to run: Steve Ali, Georgia Awig, Bob Chapek, Martin DeVries, Christina Doran, Jason Jacobs and James R. Maleski.

DeVries currently serves as council president and Jacobs and Maleski are incumbents.

The top three vote-getters will move on to the November race, which will include Democratic candidates John Kevin McNulty and Paul Wolanski.

Amherst

Voters will not see any primary fights for City Council candidates in May.

But, the fall election will bring choices for several seats.

Democrats Martin Heberling III and David Janik, and Republicans Bradley Lacko and Chuck Winiarski III, all are running for three at-large seats on Council.

Democrat Stephanie Smith Pinskey and Republican Deborah LeSuer will square off for the 4th Ward Council seat.

Avon Lake

In Avon Lake, two contenders are seeking to fill the unexpired term of the Ward 3 Council seat.

The race will not have a May primary vote, but in November, Ward 3 voters will pick between challenger Deanna M. Leitner and appointed Ward 3 Councilman Mark A. Spaetzel.

“Campaigning is not something I ever thought about doing,” Spaetzel said. “I just enjoy the work, talking with residents and getting things done.

“I look forward to the challenges ahead and to continuing my work on the Avon Lake City Council for Ward III.”

Spaetzel was appointed to replace Gary Izo, who left Council due to health reasons.

Izo died in November last year. He was 71.