By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
With campaign season getting up to full speed, candidates convened at the Lowe-Volk Park Nature Center Monday night to meet with the public.
The Young Professionals of Crawford County organized the event as a forum for the candidates and a platform to voice their stance on issues. It was also a chance for the public to meet the candidates
Casie Grau of the Crawford Young Professionals explained the importance of the event.
“The importance was having the public come here, learn about the candidates, so that when they go to vote they are educated and have all the facts,” Grau said.
Candidates that appeared at the event included incumbent Ohio House State Representative Republican Jeff McClain and Bryce Coder on behalf of Democrat challenger Jeffery Lehart. Other candidates to appear were County Auditor candidates Democrat Leanna Hershey and Republican Joanne Wolfe, Judge of Common Pleas Courts Candidates Republican Sean Leuthold, and Democrat Rob Neff.
Candidates running unopposed at the event were Jenny Vermillion for County Commissioner, Steven Eckstein for Juvenile and Probate Judge. Matt Crall appeared on behalf of State Attorney General Mike DeWine.
Representatives for ballot issues also made an appearance at the event. Mike Martin, and Pioneer Superintendent Glenna Cannon appeared as representatives for the Pioneer JVS replacement levy, Crestline School District Superintendent Noreen Mullins appeared on behalf of that district’s income tax levy, Sheriff Scott Kent appeared for the criminal justice levy renewal, and Peg Wells appeared for the Crawford County Council On Aging renewal to continue senior services.
Director of the Crawford Park District Bill Fisher was happy to provide the venue for the evening.
“I am very glad and proud of our young professionals who organized this, and it is gratifying that they asked us to host because it is an important public forum to give people a voice, and let people in Crawford County know what these candidates have to say,” Fisher said. “This is quite an opportunity to learn and also be inspired about our people running for office and share their vision of Crawford County so that is why I am glad that it’s here.
The event was moderated by Nathan Smith. After the candidates introduced themselves and answered the moderator’s questions, they took questions from those in attendance.