(Posted April 3, 2019)
The Madison Messenger invited candidates in the upcoming primary election to submit candidate information forms. They are as follows. Candidates also were given the option to submit a photo.
The primary election is May 7. The only contested races in Madison County are for London city council at-large and London city council president. All of the candidates are Republicans. The top three vote getters in the at-large race and the top vote getter in the president race will move on to the November general election.
The deadline to register to vote in the May 7 primary election is April 8. The Madison County Board of Elections, 1423 State Rte. 38 SE, London, will be open for extended hours on April 8, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
In-office absentee voting at the Board of Elections starts April 9. Hours are:
- 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, April 9-26;
- 8 a.m.-7 p.m., Monday-Friday, April 29May 3;
- 8 a.m.-4 p.m., May 4;
- 1-5 p.m., May 5; and
- 8 a.m.-2 p.m., May 6.
The Board of Elections will start sending out absentee ballots requested by mail on April 9.
For more information about the voting process, call the Madison County Board of Elections at (740) 852-9424.
———————————————————————————–
London City Council At-Large
(The top three vote getters move on to the November general election.)
• Carla Blazier
205 S. Union St., London, Ohio 43140
Occupation: Registered nurse, Madison Health
Previous service in public office: I have never held a political office. I did work full-time as a paramedic and lieutenant for Madison County Emergency Medical District (MCEMD) for over 30 years. I continue to work part-time for the department after my retirement.
Education/military service: I am a high school graduate. I am certified in the state of Ohio as a Paramedic, Firefighter 2, Emergency Medical Service Instructor. I have associate degrees in emergency medical services and registered nursing. I have a bachelor’s degree in nursing. I have also been trained as a sexual assault nurse examiner.
Community activities/honors: Volunteer firefighter with Central Townships Joint Fire District for over 20 years. While working for MCEMD, I helped coordinate and participated in mock crashes for high school prom week, safety programs with all grades of school children and safe driving discussions in high school driver’s education programs.
Goals if elected: My main goal is to ensure that the people of London are represented honestly. I want to increase efforts to get truthful information to the citizens of London about what is happening in the administration of their city. By being truthful, I can build trust in council again and make the decisions I feel that are best for the city and what my constituents want.
• Michael W. Norman
188 S. Oak St., London
Occupation: Retired
Previous service in public office: I have never held a previous public office.
Education/military service: Served in the United States Army and attended Clark State Community College: social science.
Community activities/honors: I am a member of the London Lions Club.
Goals if elected: If elected, I would like to be the voice for the people. Email, phone, Twitter, Facebook, bi-weekly “town hall” meetings, and live streaming will be used to get information to and feedback from the people I will be representing. Using all these available media sources will allow me to stay in touch with what the people of London want.
• Joshua Peters
1085 Dorset Dr., London
Occupation: Owner, Handyman Cafe
Previous service in public office: Have been on city council since 2015
Education/military service: London High School; Columbus State Community College, A.S. construction management
Community activities/honors: London Kiwanis, past president London Kiwanis, London Area Baseball Council (LABC) first vice chairman, LABC board member, past vice president St. Patrick Athletic Association, past athletic director St. Patrick School, LABC coach, St. Patrick School coach, London Fastpitch coach, London Parks & Rec coach, London Travel Basketball coach, London Pride Travel Softball coach.
Goals if elected: To continue to see and promote smart growth and development that will help make the city of London a viable community for the future.
• John J. Stahl
194 E. Center St., London
Occupation: Retired but work 15 hours per week at Ohio Processors
Previous service in public office: London city council Ward 3 and at-large, 12 two-year terms between 1984 and 2013.
Education/military service: Graduated from Franklin University with bachelor’s degree in business administration.
Community activities/honors: Strawberry Festival since 1985, London Tree Commission since 1986, Ohio Festival and Events board of directors and second vice president, former 4-H advisor for 25 years, winner of the contest for London’s motto–“A Proud Heritage, A Promising Future”–in 1979, co-chair of committee to have downtown London listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Goals if elected: Help move London forward. Use my knowledge and years of experience to help the newer members.
——————————————————————————————-
London City Council President
(The top vote getter moves on to the November general election.)
• Henry N. Comer
55 S. Oak St., London
Occupation: Co-owner, Mandy’s Daycare of London LTD
Previous service in public office: Currently city council at-large, London Parks and Rec Commission. Board of governors West Central Community Corrections. Commissioner London Metropolitan Housing.
Education/military service: Graduate with honors University of Cincinnati 2008 Associate in Arts, 2011 B.A. psychology pre-med tract.
Community activities/honors: Member of London Community Organization, SPRC and Church board First United Methodist Church.
Goals if elected: My top priority once elected is to encourage active participation in persuing economic development in the city. It will take an active vs. passive effort to bring viable business into London, Ohio. I would also like to increase community involvement in the city council process to be sure that we are transparent and in tune with their wishes.
• Joe Russell
153 N. Main St., London
Occupation: Health care executive, The Ohio Council for Home Care & Hospice
Previous service in public office: City of London council president, London Historic Downtown Revitalization Committee member, London Board of Zoning and Appeals member, and student trustee of the University of Toledo (appointed by Ohio Governor)
Education/military service: Bachelor of Arts in political science from University of Toledo, Certified Association Executive (CAE) certification (in progress), and Political Leadership Certificate from the Washington Center.
Community activities/honors: As London Council president, I’ve focused on lowering taxes, improving economic development, and improving city services. I’m also an active member of the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Buckeye Firearms, as well as a member of the Freemasons and Ohio Right to Life. I often volunteer with various developmental disability and hospice programs. While I don’t do this work to receive accolades, I have received numerous awards and commendations for my work.
Goals if elected: Under my leadership, the city has excellent fiscal health, better infrastructure, and better city services. I’ve personally led the efforts to lower property taxes, make government more effective and efficient, and got $200,000 of state capital dollars for Project Cowling. But more must be done, which is why I seek re-election. I will continue to lower taxes and create economic incentives for small business. I’d also like to see the London trash bags go away!
