LIMA — Former Allen County Sheriff Dan Beck, an independent candidate for Allen County commissioner, alleges the Allen County Auditor’s Office is playing “subtle politics” ahead of the November election.
Beck said the auditor’s office denied him an opportunity to meet to discuss 2021 budget projections until after an October debate, a claim which Auditor Rachel Gilroy swiftly denies.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Beck told reporters he has been trying to arrange the meeting with Gilroy to learn about projected shortfalls in preparation for the Oct. 13 debate, hosted by the Lima-Allen County In Partnership but was told Gilroy can’t meet until Oct. 14 or later.
Beck suggested Allen County GOP Chairman Keith Cheney, who serves as Gilroy’s chief deputy auditor, may be behind the move to benefit the Republican candidate, Beth Seibert, who was appointed to the position earlier this year to complete the final months of Jay Begg’s term.
“Is it ever right for an elected official to use their office to impede a candidate who is running against their party’s candidate?” Beck asked.
Cheney and Gilroy told The Lima News on Tuesday that Beck’s allegations of political maneuvering are false. Cheney said he is not involved in Gilroy’s schedule. Gilroy said she has not finalized 2021 budget projections, which will be presented to the county’s budget commission soon.
Gilroy described the allegations as offensive, stating that she was available to meet when Beck first reached out, but Beck was unavailable at that time.
Gilroy further claimed she was unaware of the Oct. 13 debate and suggested Beck was using the meeting request “for his political gain.”
Candidates have also been invited to a meet-the-candidates forum Thursday by the League of Women Voters and the Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce, to be held at the City Club.
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