Galion businessman Jim Hedges upset incumbent Galion City Councilman Michael Richart Tuesday in the biggest surprise of Election Night.
Hedges defeated Richart by an unofficial total of 263-163.
“People are ready for a change,” Hedges said. “My platform was to bring big business back to Galion and no one was against it. It’s a win-win situation.”
He added that he is interested in running for mayor next year.
“Going to go to talk to friends who own big business,” Hedges said. “This town needs industrial growth and I will do what it takes.”
Richart said he was disappointed, but this is why we have elections.
“Hopefully my opponent will continue all that we have started with the community.” Richart said. “We want the community to prosper and the bottom line is we are heading towards getting the community on it’s feet.”
He continued to say that he believes things for city are heading in the right direction.
“Hopefully new members will follow,” Richart said. “So we have a bright future in Galion.”
The Galion City School District passed a renewal operating levy by an unofficial total of 2,005-1,206.
“I need to thank the voters that approved this renewal levy first and foremost,” Superintendent Jim Grubbs said. “Your yes vote today ensures that we can continue operating at our current levels and continue providing a quality education for Galion children.”
“We have a fantastic group of volunteers who worked on this campaign,” Grubbs said. “I want to thank those volunteers, as well as the many individuals and corporations who contributed to the success of this campaign.”
“We are incredibly grateful that the community chose to pass this renewal levy,” Board of Education President Jennifer Kuns said. “We must continue being good stewards of taxpayers’ monies to ensure we show the community our high level of gratitude.”
In another contested race, Dr. Thomas Fellner and Shirley Clark maintained their Galion City Council positions, while former Councilman Gail Baldinger rejoined Council by placing third.
They defeated Judy Gibson and current Galion Treasurer Paula Durbin in the race.
The unofficial results were Fellner (1,512), Clark (1,024), Baldinger (989), Gibson (842) and Durbin (729).
Fellner said he was very happy voters returned him to the council table.
“I am looking forward to it in the next two years.” Fellner said. “The city is moving in the right direction with a lot of things, like the new hotel.”
In Polk Township, a fire and ambulance service renewal levy passed by a 481-206 margin.
Rodney Sparks defeated William Comerford by an unofficial count of 1,157-856 in the race for Durbin’s old job.
“I’m excited,” Sparks said. “It’s an honor to serve the citizens. I need to get my feet wet. I want to go in with an open mind and see where we’re at.”
Carl Watt, Sarah Capretta, Susan Bean and Mark Triplett ran unopposed for Galion City Council, while Dennis Long, Brian Carson, Brian Owens and Grant Garverick ran unopposed for Galion Board of Education.
Galion President Carl Watt said he was overall pleased with how the election went Tuesday night.
“Not only on the local issues but the state issues,” Watt said. “Glad at the turnout we had with the voters and the school levy passed by with the majority it did.”
Bucyrus re-elected Mayor Jeffery Reser (2,090), Reser defeated Daniel Ross (656), Joshua Weiler (254) and Louis Katona (215).
Crestline elected a new mayor, Gloria McDonald (373), followed by Gerald Dowell (325) in second place with former City Manager of Galion Eugene Troy placing third (292) and John Mills (120) in fourth place.
Here are the contested results in Crawford County.
Bucyrus
Bucyrus City Mayor
Jeffery Reser 2090
Daniel Ross 656
Joshua Weiler 254
Louis Katona III 215
Bucyrus City at Large (vote for 3)
Mark Makeever 1874
Wanda Sharrock 1653
Daniel Wirebaugh 1289
Cory Tyrell 810
Crestline Village Mayor
Gloria McDonald 373
Gerald Dowell 325
Eugene Toy 292
John Mills 120
Crestline Village Council
Allen Moore 678
Tina Swartz 583
Galion
Galion Treasurer
Rodney Sparks 1157
William Comerford 856
Galion Council at Large (vote for 3)
Thomas Fellner 1512
Shirley Clark 1024
Gail Baldinger 989
Judy Gibson 842
Paula Durbin 729
Galion 3rd Ward Council
Jim Hedges 263
Michael Richart 163
New Washington Village Mayor
Benjamin Lash 207
Thomas Niedermier 80
Auburn Township Trustee
Tim Marcum 111
Carl Rader 101
Jackson Township Trustee
Aaron Paynter 69
Denis Kempf 47
Jackson Township Fiscal Officer
Kathleen Paynter 81
Denise Jeffery 34
Jefferson Township Trustee
Kevin Walker 392
Lindall Rachel 208
Vernon Township Trustee
Robert Finney 153
Russ Keller 134
Vernon Township Fiscal Officer
Robin Hipsher 197
Jennifer Price 85
Whetstone Township Trustee
Clay Ehmann 445
Steve Jones 307
Whetstone Township Fiscal Officer
Cheryl Wagner 514
Mary Ehmann 229
Mid Ohio ESC (Plymouth)
Margaret Prater 8
Douglas Theaker 6
Mary Theaker 3
Mid Ohio ESC (Plymouth)
Kyle Swigart 8
Richart Prater 7
Mohawk LSD Board of Education
Raymond Wagner 48
Samuel Flood 42
State Issue 1
YES 7745
NO 4079
State Issue 2
Yes 6667
No 5732
State Issue 3
Yes 3745
No 8800
Auburn Township Renewal
For 166
Against 48
Bucyrus Township Renewal
For 241
Against Levy 102
Chatfield Township Renewal
For 178
Against 54
Cranberry Township Additional
For 390
Against 122
Holmes Township Additional
For 277
Against 162
Lykens Township Tax Levy
For 167
Against 40
Polk Township
For 481
Against 206