St. Marys council race down to one vote

WAPAKONETA — One of the most contested races in Auglaize County, that for the at-large seat on St. Marys City Council, has come down to one vote with a newbie edging an incumbent for now.

But 29 provisional votes remain to be counted and if the vote is within 0.5 percent it triggers an automatic recount, a spokeswoman for the Auglaize County Board of Elections said.

Incumbent Michael Bernard, who was down by one vote to retain his seat of eight years, said he will wait for the final outcome.

“Whatever happens, happens. That’s the vote of the people,” he said.

The man who is edging Bernard, Patrick McGowan, could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

Louis Fry, of St. Marys, said he voted for the two of the three incumbents, Ronald Ginter and James Harris, but chose McGowan instead of Bernard.

“I feel what they have done in the past is enough for my vote,” he said of the two incumbents for whom he voted.

While Fry skipped Bernard, Luke Craft, of St. Marys, voted only for him and left two spots open.

“I’ve known him a long time personally. I didn’t know the other people,” he said.

Ginter and Harris retained their seats handily. Ginter was the top vote-getter with 1,195, or 24 percent of the vote, followed by 1,094 for Harris, or 22 percent of the vote.

Ginter was in bed sound a sleep just before 10 p.m. when the vote was final.

Harris said he was pleased with the outcome.

“I look at it this way, I just had a job review and the bosses just said I want you on the job two more years,” he said.

Harris, who has been on the council for 10 years, said anytime a candidate is opposed he or she runs scared until the vote is final. The struggling economy created more worries, he said.

“You work, especially in this current economy, you’re working to help keep the city financially sound and we are,” he said.

Harris said his plans for the next two years of his sixth term are to maintain the jobs the city has and look to add jobs.

On the issue of casino gambling, 52 percent of Auglaize County voters said they did not want casino gambling in the state. Those for it were at 6,997 compared to the 7,601 against.

Roger Lee Bonifas of St. Marys voted for casino gambling saying he frequently makes trips out of state and staying in state would save him money.

 “I would rather have Ohio get the money I spend,” Bonifas said.

Glenna Davis, of St. Marys, said she definitely supported bringing gambling to the state.

“The police wouldn’t have endorsed it if it wasn’t good,” Davis said.

Auglaize County saw 14,648 voters turn out or about 45 percent of registered voters. There were 1,468 absentee voters.