Lots of issues, only 1 race on May ballot
from the Marion Star February 19, 2010

MARION — A former Marion County commissioner and the president of the River Valley Local Schools Board of Education will face off in the only partisan primary election on May 4.

Ken Frayer and Kenneth Stiverson have filed petitions to run as Republicans in the primary. Current Commissioner Josh Daniels was the only Democrat to file for the seat.

As it stands now, the victor between Frayer and Stiverson will run against Daniels. Independents may file through May 3.

Frayer said Thursday that he wants to run again because “our community’s heading in the wrong direction.” He referred to the increasing unemployment rate among other issues.

“We simply need to refocus, get back to basics, let them know we are a business-friendly community,” he said. “There’s no question there’s been a negative attitude for business in the last two years.

As an example Frayer referred to Daniels’ complaint to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office about CAN DO!, the city and county’s economic development agent. Daniels had alleged that local developer Lois Fisher improperly sold a building to CAN DO! while holding a position on the board.

“That paints a wrong message to the business community,” said Frayer. He said the county has also overspent.

Daniels did not respond to Frayer’s charge about the CAN DO! complaint, which led to an investigation that was dropped in January. The attorney general’s opinion stated that, while doing business with a board member was an “obvious conflict,” the facts did not establish a profit was realized by Fisher from the sale.

It went on to state, “... although this was substantiated only by portions of Ms. Fisher’s tax records provided and her sworn denial. However, due to the passage of time, this Office will not be continuing its investigation of this transaction.”

Daniels, in response to Frayer’s comments about overspending, said that “the biggest budget in (the county’s) history was voted for by Ken Frayer, not Josh Daniels.” He said that budget was about $17.5 million in 2008.

Daniels, who is running for his second two-year term as commissioner, said the commissioners have cut about $2.9 million from the budget during his two-year term. He said they also have not raised taxes or fees while lowering a sewer district fee.

Frayer served as commissioner for two terms, 2001-2004 and 2005-2008. He was defeated by Democrat Dan Russell in 2008.

Stiverson, a retired Whirlpool employee and a three-term member of the River Valley school board, said one of his goals has been serving the public on the county level. He currently serves as president of the school board and is a past president of the Ohio Pork Producers Association.

He said he feels he’s gained a lot of experience working with the public while serving on the school board and it’s time to run for commissioner.

“My big thing is I’m elected by the people,” Stiverson said. “I need to serve those people and not have my own agenda.”

Democrat Joan Kasotis and Republican Lewis Holland filed petitions to run for county auditor. Republican Marion County Common Pleas Judge Deb Alspach, who serves in the family court, was the only candidate to file for her seat.

In other races affecting Marion County, 82nd District Ohio State Rep. Jeff McClain, R-Upper Sandusky, is the sole candidate for his seat to file with the Crawford County Board of Elections. The district includes all of Wyandot and Crawford counties, and a portion of Marion County, including the city of Marion.

Ohio Rep. Dave Burke, R-Marysville, and Democrat Geoffrey Mount of Plain City filed for Burke’s seat in the 83rd Ohio House District.

Voters may register through April 5 to vote in the May 4 primary. The district includes Logan and Union counties as well as part of Marion County.