Flag City Politico

Election07, F.A.R.T. & NPC

What more can be said about the election that hasn't already been addressed by the media or in this - and other - blogs? Well, a little...

• Thank you to every candidate who ran for office. I know it is not easy to invest so much time, emotion and resources into campaigning; you all have earned my respect for doing so.
• Congratulations to everyone who won; we will be waiting with anticipation as you take on the complex issues that face our community.
• For everyone who made it out to vote, give yourselves a big pat on the back.
• To the 71.41% of registered voters who did not go to the polls yesterday - what happened?

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Remember to vote today!

Polls are open from 6:30am to 7:30pm.

To find out the candidates on the ballot, click here.

To find out the issues on the ballot, click here.

To find out where you vote, click here.

To find out results after the polls close, click here.

The weather for today: A slight chance of snow showers before noon, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 43.

Remember to get out and vote!

-RSKnopfJr

GOTV

A new mayor, new members on city council and school boards across the county, as well as a bevy of levys. The 2007 election has a little bit for everyone. The board of elections is predicting that only 35% of registered voters will be going to the polls, but once again, I have faith that the people of Findlay and Hancock County are really going to come out tomorrow and beat that number.

For Mayor of Findlay, FCPolitico endorses...

When I started this blog in May, I knew that tonight was coming. And let me be totally honest with you...for the past several months, I have not been looking forward to this moment. Since the mayoral forum, people have (jokingly) been asking me who I was going to vote for, and the answer has always been the same - honestly, I didn't know. Friends of mine, as well as the FCPolitiGal, have suggested that I just explain to everyone the situation I am in, and not make a recommendation for mayor (especially since the holidays are coming up, and family gatherings might be a little strained if I make the wrong decision).

For Findlay City Council, FCPolitico endorses...

Flooding, Towne Center, Port Authority, Sidewalks, Building Code...there are quite a few issues that city council needs to deal with over the next two years. It is always important to have the right mix of individuals in order to be effective when working toward solutions, and with a new administration coming in, city council will be relied on more than ever to provide leadership, guidance and support. For city council, I am only covering races that are being contested.

For Findlay School Board, FCPolitico endorses...

When I got home from work on Monday, I asked my wife if she wanted to go with me to the Findlay School Board candidate forum being held that evening. The look I received let me know that she would rather not, but knowing how important things like this are to me (especially at this time of the year), she agreed to come along. We arrived at Findlay High School, made our way to the library (which I last saw in the late 80s when I graduated from FHS), and joined the 48 other citizens (I counted twice just to make sure) who had assembled to listen to this year's crop of school board candidates.

Findlay School Board Candidates Forum videos

Here are the videos from the 2007 Findlay School Board candidates forum. The entire forum is covered in 14 parts (yep - 2 hours total...see what I do for all of you). If you did not see the forum in person, or only read about it or heard about it from others, I encourage you to watch these and make up your own mind.

I


Please excuse the sound quality/volume. The candidates decided to not use the sound system that was provided.

-RSKnopfJr

Election 2007: Peter M. Sehnert, candidate for Mayor of Findlay

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Mayor of Findlay. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from mayoral candidate Peter M. Sehnert; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be mayor?

no response

Election 2007: Thomas M. Knopf, candidate for Mayor of Findlay

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Mayor of Findlay. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from mayoral candidate Thomas M. Knopf; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be mayor?

My decision to run for Findlay Mayor primarily came about because I did not agree with certain financial decisions our representatives had made and where our tax dollars were being spent.  $109,000 was invested in a burned out building downtown, not to mention $23,000 for a city-wide wi-fi study and decorative light poles and new lights along Main Street which cost taxpayers $206,000.  Clearly $338,000 could have been better spent towards any number of other endeavors which would have benefited all city residents.   

I want to be Findlay’s next mayor in order to ensure that the city finances, your tax dollars and mine, are spent towards worthwhile projects that benefit a majority of our residents and not the elite few who have the greatest influence within our government.    

Behind the scenes of the Mayoral Forum

Before I get to what happened on the 22nd, I want to give you some background information. Since 2001, I have worked at The University of Findlay, and have been fortunate to work with very talented people in an exciting and challenging environment. In 2006, I was asked to manage a new group, which included oversight of the University's TV station. Since I joined the team, we have taped quite a few concerts/lectures/games that make it to the small screen, but I have never been involved in a 'LIVE' event before.

Mayoral Forum videos

Here are the videos from the 2007 Mayoral Forum. The entire forum is covered in eight parts. If you did not see the forum, or only read about it or heard about it from others, I encourage you to watch these and make up your own mind.

I

Election 2007: Randy C. Ward, candidate for Findlay City Council-At-Large

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Findlay City Council. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from council-at-large candidate Randy C. Ward; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be on city council?

no response

Election 2007: John T. Urbanski, candidate for Findlay City Council-At-Large

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Findlay City Council. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from council-at-large candidate John T. Urbanski; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be on city council?

no response

Election 2007: James P. Slough, candidate for Findlay City Council-At-Large

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Findlay City Council. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from council-at-large candidate James P. Slough; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be on city council?

no response

Election 2007: Mario J. Bower, candidate for Findlay City Council-At-Large

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Findlay City Council. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from council-at-large candidate Mario J. Bower; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be on city council?

The main reason I would like to be on Findlay City Council is to try to put some contributions back into the community I was raised in and love. Over the year’s family, friends and other individuals from this area helped my out in so many wonderful ways and I would like to say thank-you in return by helping to make decisions that will effect their live in a positive manner. Things that will help open Findlay to outsiders that would like to expand and enjoy our community but will not overburden our town with negative influences that would take away from our home town atmosphere.

Election 2007: Debra E. Seng, 5th ward candidate for Findlay City Council

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Findlay City Council. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from 5th ward council candidate Debra E. Seng; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be on city council?

Election 2007: Michael Eier, 5th ward candidate for Findlay City Council

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Findlay City Council. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from 5th ward council candidate Michael Eier; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be on city council?

no response

Election 2007: J. Michael Slough, 1st ward candidate for Findlay City Council

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Findlay City Council. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their answers, unedited. Below are the responses I received from 1st ward council candidate J. Michael Slough; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be on city council?

no response

Election 2007: James W. Madison, 1st ward candidate for Findlay City Council

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Findlay City Council. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their unedited answers. Below are the responses I received from 1st ward council candidate James W. Madison; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be on city council?

no response

Election 2007: Candidates for Findlay Board of Education

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for the Findlay Board of Education. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their unedited answers. Below are the responses I received; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be elected to the board of education?

RICHARD F. HOFFMAN - no response

BARBARA A.LOCKARD - Although it may sound like a cliché, I truly do feel that good schools are the community’s most important asset.  I’m talking about schools that foster a true learning environment; places where our kids can grow intellectually and emotionally.  Our family is pretty passionate about education.  My husband, Jerry Sisser, is a long time teacher in another school district, and I returned to graduate school in my late 40’s to earn an M.A. in Education from the University of Findlay.  Even when money was tight, we always tried to afford our kids a chance to learn. . . art lessons, music lessons, travel, etc.  (This could be why we still have junky furniture, but very smart kids!)  My son is currently a freshman at Findlay High School and my daughter is a 2005 graduate.  I have a personal stake in our school system.

HAL PAUL - no response

ANNE MONTGOMERY RICKETTS - I believe that my experience in law, education and business combined with over 12 years of parenting provide an excellent background for participating in school government. All organizations can benefit from a fresh prospective. As a member of the Findlay City School Board, I would encourage the entire board to take a fresh look at the way in which everything is done. I do not believe that “that’s the way it has always been done” is a valid reason for continuing any practice.

JEFFERY C. SHRADER - no response

Election 2007: Candidates for Mayor of Fostoria

On September 28, I sent letters to the candidates running for Mayor of Fostoria. I asked them a series of questions, and offered to publish their unedited answers. Below are the responses I received; I offer no comment or interpretation about what appears...that is up to you, the voter!

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Why do you want to be mayor?

CAROL S. BOOS - no response

JOHN DAVOLI - no response

SCOTT HOFACKER - no response

PAT STERLING - no response