Name: JoeAnn Finegan Age: 79

Each general election, The Lima News provides this section profiling the candidates and issues. The Lima News sent questionnaires to every candidate in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Putnam and Van Wert counties for this election section. Candidates had the opportunity to give biographical information and discuss major issues in their races. Candidates also had an option to submit a photograph. Only names and residences identify candidates who did not return a questionnaire. Van Wert - School Board(Choose three)Benjamin A. CowanParty: Non-partisanResidence: Allen Drive, Van WertKenneth E. Mengerink (incumbent)Party: Non-partisanResidence: East Maple Avenue, Van WertMike Morrow (incumbent)Party: Non-partisanResidence: South Wall Street, Van WertJessica WeissParty: Non-partisanResidence: Boyd Avenue, Van WertAge: 33Relevant experience: Board and program coordinator for Junior Achievement; served fsix years on Jefferson Parent-Teacher Organization, including four as an officer.Education: Van Wert High School.Years living in area: Lifelong resident of Van Wert County for 33 years.Major issues: I saw a need for the baord to reflect the demographics of the district. Having four children, spanning from kindergarten through high school, I felt that I could bring a perspective to the board that will reflect that of many of those within the community. I am very proud of our newly earned “excellent with distinction” rating and have a vested interest as a taxpayer, community member and parent to ensure that there are plans and policies in place that will support us achieving that rating recurrantly. I am a strong believer in public schools, but more importantly of the potential of our students here in Van Wert. As a board member, I acknowledge and accept the responsibility to advocate for the most impactful, relevant education while being a good steward of taxpayer dollars and community input as we look toward the future.If we provide our students with great educational opportunities, our community, in turn, is better able to provide our students greater opportunities.

Each general election, The Lima News provides this section profiling the candidates and issues. The Lima News sent questionnaires to every candidate in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Putnam and Van Wert counties for this election section. Candidates had the opportunity to give biographical information and discuss major issues in their races. Candidates also had an option to submit a photograph. Only names and residences identify candidates who did not return a questionnaire. Van Wert - Law DirectorJohn HatcherParty: RepublicanResidence: Elm Street, Van WertGregory W. Unterbrink (incumbent)Party: DemocratResidence: High Street, Van WertAge: 61Relevant experience: 30 years as practicing attorney; nearly four years as Van Wert law director.Education: Juris doctor from University of Toledo Law School; bachelor’s degree from Incarnate Word College, San Antonio, Texas; graduate work in history at St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas.Years living in area: Born in Van Wert and lived here all my life (except school and U.S. Army duty)Major issues: I provide honest and reliable service to Van Wert council, where I have not missed any regular council meetings and I have attended almost all of the committee meetings. I have done all the clerical work in my office in addition to court duties, which I share with an assistant.I have strived ot give honest, faithful and diligent service to the people of Van Wert, treating both the rich and poor with the dignity they deserve.I have not been afraid to voice my legal and personal opinions on the issues confronting the city and the people.

Each general election, The Lima News provides this section profiling the candidates and issues. The Lima News sent questionnaires to every candidate in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Putnam and Van Wert counties for this election section. Candidates had the opportunity to give biographical information and discuss major issues in their races. Candidates also had an option to submit a photograph. Only names and residences identify candidates who did not return a questionnaire. Van Wert - MayorDon FarmerParty: RepublicanResidence: East Ervin Road, Van WertKen Mengerink (write-in)Party: Non-partisanResidence: East Maple Avenue, Van WertAge: 62Relevant experience: Former city council member; 20 year on school board, with 14 years as board president.Education: Graduated in 1968 from Van Wert High School; computer programming specialty school.Years living in area: 62 years.Major issues: Economy and jobs are important. We need to ensure we are not forcing more financial issues on our residents.

Each general election, The Lima News provides this section profiling the candidates and issues. The Lima News sent questionnaires to every candidate in Allen, Auglaize, Hardin, Putnam and Van Wert counties for this election section. Candidates had the opportunity to give biographical information and discuss major issues in their races. Candidates also had an option to submit a photograph. Only names and residences identify candidates who did not return a questionnaire. Van Wert - Council at LargeJeff AglerParty: DemocratResidence: South Vine Street, Van WertStan Agler (incumbent)Party: RepublicanResidence: Linden Drive, Van WertAge: 78Relevant experience: Mayor of Van Wert 12 years (1980-1991); on council nine terms for 18 years; served as chairman of each committee over the years; 16 years in industry, real estate and community development.Education: Graduated from Van Wert High School; some college courses; certificates in economic development at Ohio State University, income tax, estate planning, life and health insurance.Years living in area: Lifelong Van Wert resident.Major issues: We go into 2012 with a balanced budget only because of our cutbacks on expenses and cooperation of our workforce and administration and council working together. Our biggest problem will be with the state cutting back our revenue streams with mandates and regulations already on the planning table.We need more jobs in manufacturing. At least we now have inventory of land for industrial growth.Meanwhile, we will promote service jobs and travel and tourism. I want to help Van Wert get through this recession, period.Brent CroneParty: RepublicanResidence: North Jefferson Street, Van WertAge: 63Relevant experience: Previously served approximately seven years as a councilman-at-large; four years as Van Wert school board member; retired April 1, 2010, from Grief Inc. with approximately 44 years continuous service.Education: Graduated high school in 1966; two years at Giffin College.Years living in area: Born and raised in Van Wert County, lifelong resident.Major issues: I have no major issues but will state that if I am elected by the residents of Van Wert, I am simply here to help Van Wert grow and prosper.However, I will challenge any issue before city council if it is not in the best interest of our community.Additionally, I will not be deemed as a rubber stamp. I am not a yes man, and I have no personal agenda. I do have a big concern about our senior citizens, with people on fixed incomes, single custodial parents, people on employment, people who have exhausted their unemployment benefits, people on welfare and people who can’t find employment with a respectable wage. God bless America.Louie EhmerParty: RepublicanResidence: Shawnee Drive, Van WertAge: 78Relevant experience: Eight years on city council; three years as council president; four years as mayor of Van Wert; 23 years management and executive positions with Chrysler Corp.Education: Two business degrees.Years living in area: 28 years.Major issues: Unemployment is a big issue, and the biggest topic is creating or maintaining jobs to support our community.The EPA is requesting more requirements to meet these standards that cities do not have the funds to meet these standards, and we are asking for an extension.

Alexander & Bebout Inc., headquartered in Van Wert, was honored as the 2011 Builder of the Year for the Midwest Region of Butler Manufacturing, the world sales leader in pre-engineered metal building systems. The award was presented at the recent Butler National Sales Meeting to Tom Alexander, president, and his wife, Sylvia, corporate secretary.

DemocratsPresidentBarack Obama461U.S. SenatorSherrod Brown501U.S. Representative, 
5th DistrictAngela Zimmann450State Supreme Court Justice, Jan. 1 termRobert W. Price435State Supreme Court Justice, Jan. 2 termWilliam M. O'Neill374Fanon A. Rucker115State Supreme Court Justice, unexpired termYvette McGee Brown440State Central Committee, 1st Senatorial District, WomanBrenda K. Griffith471State Central Committee, 1st Senatorial District, ManCharles R. Gray309Donald L. Traxler176State Representative, 
82nd DistrictDavid L. Schooley448Green PartyU.S. Senator(write-in)1LibertariansU.S. Senator(write-in)0U.S. Representative, 
5th DistrictEric Eberly2RepublicansPresident, delegates-at-large to national conventionNewt Gingrich714Jon Huntsman39Ron Paul406Rick Perry66Mitt Romney1,286Rick Santorum2,685President, district delegates to national conventionNewt Gingrich731Jon Huntsman51Ron Paul450Rick Perry85Mitt Romney1,209Rick Santorum2,592U.S. SenatorRussell P. Bliss Jr. 
 (write-in)12David W. Dodt325Donna K. Glisman802Eric LaMont Gregory291Josh Mandel1,702Michael L. Pryce618U.S. Representative, 
5th DistrictBob Latta3,890Bob Wallis1,121State Supreme Court Justice, Jan. 1 termTerrence O'Donnell3,594State Supreme Court Justice, Jan. 2 termRobert R. Cupp3,702State Supreme Court Justice, unexpired termSharon L. Kennedy3,5353rd District Court of Appeals, Feb. 9 termJohn R. Willamowski3,533State Central Committee, 1st Senatorial District, WomanJudy R. Miller2,258Angela Snyder1,865State Central Committee, 1st Senatorial District, ManFrank A. Guglielmi3,388State Senate, 1st DistrictCliff Hite3,462State Representative, 
82nd DistrictTony Burkley3,522Commissioner, Jan. 2 termPhil Baxter526Kim Brandt1,471Bill Evans1,116Todd Wolfrum1,940Commissioner, Jan. 3 termStan Owens3,831Denzil Wortman1,124Clerk of CourtsCindy Mollenkopf4,042Common Pleas JudgeCharles D. Steele4,002EngineerKyle Wendel3,979CoronerScott Jarvis4,046ProsecutorCharles Kennedy3,962RecorderKim Hughes3,943SheriffTom Riggenbach3,984TreasurerBeverly Fuerst4,122IssuesVillage of WrenElectric aggregationFor22Against14All Sports Foods LLC/FrickersSunday salesFor112Against109Delphos City Schools (overlap)For622Against287

CITY OF VAN WERTMayorx-Louis Ehmer (R)424Don Farmer (R)757Kirby Kelly (R)302Municipal Court, Judgex-Jill Leatherman (R)1,608Todd Wolfrum (R)1,356City Council, At-LargeStan Agler (R)880Brent Crone (R)748Paul Hamrick (R)632City Council, 2nd WardJoi Mergy (R)176Ian Miller (R)117City Council, 4th WardBob Hughes (R)203Pete Weir (R)300

Louis Ehmer (Incumbent)Party: RepublicanResidence: Shawnee Drive, Van WertAge: 73Relevant experience: Mayor, 3 years; City council, 9 years; Council president, 3 years; 23 years experience in management and executive position with ChryslerEducation: Industrial engineering degree, Chrysler Institute of EngineeringYears living in area: 27Major issues: Developing 1,600 acre mega site for a large manufacturing facility, meeting a certification date. Maintain city services with declining revenue. Improving the environment downtown. Stimulate the economy by marketing and focusing on activities and events to bring people into the area showing that we are a progressive city even in these slow economic times.Don FarmerParty: RepublicanResidence: East Ervin Road, Van WertRelevant experience: Central Mutual Ins., Los Angeles Office, Personal lines underwriter Bell System, Sales yellow pages, and Federated Dept Stores in Southern California. Independent insurance agent with HBW Insurance, Personal lines and Group Health Ins. Specialist. Owner Operator of The Paint Bucket, and Mac’s Deli. Owner of Pave AdvertisingEducation: Fresno High School, Los Angeles City College, Los Angeles State College (degree in business finance)Years living in area: 35Major issues: Van Wert is feeling the same pressures as many of the communities our size, larger, and smaller, that is loss of jobs. We are competing with each of these communities to attract new industry for our work force that allows a competitive but livable wage. Make sure that our community continues to improve its infrastructure, competitiveness, creativity, appearance, attitude, and the ability to put aside our own individual desires for the sake of the community. Realizing that when the community moves forward our own concerns stand a much better chance of success. I would like to bring to the Mayors office an attitude of positive thinking that will bring our community together. We need to realize that when we work together on our interests and differences as one, we can move this community forward. We will face risks in the future if we want to compete and grow. Maintaining our existing employment levels is first priority. Making sure that essential services such as Police, Fire, Water, Sewer, Street Maintenance and our park system are continued at the level that our community expects. Budget and fiscal responsibility play a major part in our future. My record shows a great concern in this area with a $1 million carryover for each of the four years serving as mayor and showing many improvements to our community. I will promise to work each day for a better Van Wert with honesty, integrity, dedication, hardwork and hold your vote in highest regard.Kirby KellyParty: RepublicanResidence: North Wall Street, Van WertAge: 53Relevant experience: Management, Pizza Hut of Fort Wayne; Route sales, Mechanics Laundry/Cintas, Fort Wayne; Union steward, Teamsters 414, Fort Wayne; Dolly Madison Bakery, route manager, Fort WayneEducation: Van Wert High School, 1976; Bowling Green State University, 1976 to 1979Years living in area: 40+Major issues: Economic development — taking “ownership” by more aggressive participation. Making certain all incentives are in place, zoning is up to date, code enforcement is considered an economic development issue. Streamlining government — making government more responsive to the citizens. Improve web presence — update web site to take advantage of changes in law, to better inform the citizens and to project a “progressive” image.

VAN WERT - Van Wert residents are urged to boil their drinking water until further notice due to cloudiness in the water which could contain harmful organisms, according to information from the Van Wert Police Department.

NOVEMBER 2010 GENERAL ELECTION

VAN WERT — One of the keys to a successful football season is having a solid defensive unit on the field.

BATH TOWNSHIP — For a team in a hitting slump, tournament play is a great time to break out of that slump.

VAN WERT COUNTY

Van Wert County Issues

ELIDA - It was obvious from the onset that points were going to come at a premium in the Western Buckeye League boys basketball opener for Van Wert and Elida.

ELIDA - It was obvious from the onset that points were going to come at a premium in the Western Buckeye League boys basketball opener for Van Wert and Elida.

VAN WERT - A $5 million state grant will provide more than half the money needed to develop a 1,600-acre industrial megasite that came in second place for Honda's newest plant.

President/Vice President, four-year term

VAN WERT - Power was retored to homes and businesses in northwest Van Wert at about 6:45 p.m. Saturday. Storms that blew through Van Wert County around 4 p.m. Saturday knocked out power to several locations, including Van Wert Cinemas.