WAPAKONETA — Five Republicans are running for three seats on Wapakoneta City Council. Residents go the polls for the primary election Tuesday.
Daniel Graf and Rachel Barber are incumbents, while Terry Campbell, Chad Dunlap and William Laney are newcomers.
Daniel Graf is a Wapakoneta native. He has worked for the school as an administrator and was director of the chamber of commerce for 12 years. He has served five terms on city council.
“I have developed a passion for Wapak,” he said. “Over the years I have developed some skills, and thought I could put them to good use for the community.”
Rachel Barber is finishing her second consecutive council term. She also served as fourth ward council representative in 2006-‘07.
“Perhaps it’s cliché, but I do enjoy helping people and serving,” she said.
She said she brings a tenacity to council. If an issue is raised and not settled, she will keep bringing it up at each meeting afterward until the issue is solved.
“It doesn’t matter to me if my opinion is unpopular,” she said. “I’m willing to bring up my perspective even if it’s not the majority perspective.”
Terry Campbell is a lifelong county resident who moved to Wapakoneta in 1993. Campbell served on city council in 2006-‘07 and was part of the effort to repair the city pool. He left council because of time needed with his job and family, but he has time to devote to his city now that he is retired. Campbell said his previous experience would be helpful.
Chad Dunlap has lived in Wapakoneta the majority of his life. He said he is running for council because he wants to serve the community.
“I thought it would be a good way to help the town I love,” Dunlap said.
He said he’s gone door to door, talking with voters about issues.
“A lot of people don’t feel like they a voice,” he said. “Many don’t know where to go if they have an issue. I want to be that voice.”
William Laney is the former editor of the Wapakoneta Daily News. He has lived in Wapakoneta for 24 years. He said he grew up in a family who discussed politics around the dinner table; his father was a Democrat, his mother a Republican.
Laney said his experience as a reporter would be a benefit.
“Being a reporter, you learn to listen to people,” he said. “I think I can bring the peoples’ voice to the council, which I think has been lacking. … I want to improve the connection between council and the electorate.”
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