Candidates, Issues On AW-Area Ballots
ANTHONY WAYNE – When Anthony Wayne-area voters head to the polls, some will find plenty of choices – and others not enough. In Swanton Township, four candidates are vying for two trustee positions. In Waterville, just one candidate is certified to run for three open seats.
Below is a list of candidates and issues to expect on the ballot, and we will be adding to this content as we gather information throughout election season.
Anthony Wayne Local Schools
Two incumbents are running for re-election to their seats: Kyle Miller and Mike Stamm. Miller, who is currently board president, is seeking a second four-year term. Stamm, who was elected in 2023 to a two-year unexpired term, is seeking a four-year term.
Read more about them in our Anthony Wayne Free Press article here.
Waterville
Waterville city council will have three openings in January, but only Mary Duncan is certified to be on the ballot for her third term. Rob Allen submitted petitions, but those were ruled invalid by the Lucas County Board of Elections. Current council member Anthony Bruno is not seeking re-election, and council member John Rozic is term-limited. Council members Duncan, Todd Borowski, Rod Frey and Wayne Wagner will review applications, conduct interviews and name two new council members in January.
Some Waterville voters will also be asked to vote on two liquor sales issues related to the
planned Meijer store – which will begin construction late this year or in early 2026. Meijer is seeking a D-6 permit to allow the sale of wine and mixed beverages on Sundays both in the main store and in the out lot that will contain a gas station and convenience store.
Whitehouse
Three candidates are certified to run for three, four-year terms on Whitehouse Village Council.
Incumbents Louann Artiaga and Steve Fine are running for re-election while Joe Bublick is seeking his first term in office. Read more about the candidates here.
Also on the ballot are three proposed charter changes. Two ask voters whether they support imposing term limits on both the mayor and council. If approved, the mayor and council members would need to sit out after serving three consecutive four-year terms.
Another proposed charter amendment would change how the mayor can appoint, transfer, remove or suspend department heads or chiefs. A change would require a majority vote by council in order for the mayor to take action on any personnel changes.
Townships
Three candidates are seeking two positions on the Monclova Township board of trustees.
Incumbents Barbara Lang and Trudy Yoder Vicary are re-running, challenged by Debbie Stevens-Laux. Lang won a seat on the board in 2003 and again every term since 2009 – a total of 20 years. Vicary was first elected to office in 2021. Stevens-Laux is the co-owner of Stevens Gardens in Monclova Township and is seeking her first term.
Read more about these three candidates here.
Providence Township trustees Steve Kendall and Lee Bialecki were the only candidates to submit petitions to be re-elected to their positions, but Bialecki’s petitions were deemed
insufficient by the Lucas County Board of Elections last month. The board – which also includes trustee Jeremiah Floyd – will consider filling that third position during the first meeting in January.
In Swanton Township, incumbents Jeff Michael and Kyle McPherson are being challenged for the two open trustees’ positions by Bill Anderson and Matt Beil. Learn more about these four candidates here.
Following the death of fiscal officer Peggy Michael in June, that position is now on the ballot as well. Trustees Michael, McPherson and Mike Nowicki appointed Sandy Speiker to fill the fiscal officer position. Mindy Curry and Speiker are seeking to fill that position.
Read more about about the candidates for Swanton Township fiscal officer role here.
In Waterville Township, Kim Anderson is not seeking re-election to the board of trustees. Toby Miller, who is currently chair of the board of zoning appeals, is on the ballot along with Kyle Hertzfeld, who has served on the board continuously since 2006.
Early voting begins Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Lucas County Board of Elections, 3737 W. Sylvania Ave. in Toledo. On Tuesday, Nov. 4, polls open at 6:30 a.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. For information on polling locations, early voting or absentee voting – as well as sample ballots visit lucascountyohiovotes.gov.
The Toledo Free Press will provide more detailed articles on AW-area races in the coming
weeks. If you are a candidate, contact [email protected] to join the coverage.
