Candidates sought for open Findlay council seat

Residents of Findlay's 1st Ward who are interested in serving on City Council have until July 6 to submit letters of interest, according to a statement released by the Hancock County Republican Party on Wednesday. To be considered for the appointment, candidates must live in Findlay's 1st Ward and be 18 or older. A letter of interest, resume and up to three letters of recommendation from Findlay residents should be mailed to the Hancock County Republican Party, P.O. Box 536, Findlay OH 45839-0536. All submissions must be postmarked on or before July 6. Questions should be directed to Bill Johns, chairman of the Hancock County Central Committee, or Heather Pendleton, executive committee chair, at 419-422-5946. Councilman Brad Wisener, R-1, has submitted his resignation to Findlay City Council, effective July 1, due to job relocation. Wisener, 44, defeated former councilman Charles "Bud" Haas to represent the first ward in the 2021 Republican primary election, and he ran unopposed in the 2021 general election. He was sworn in on Jan. 4 for a two-year term. The Hancock County GOP will make the appointment. State law requires the appointment to be made within 45 days. The party's appointee will serve out the remainder of the term, which expires in December 2023. According to information given to city officials, the Republican party's screening committee will then be given copies of the applicants' information and will schedule interviews with those who apply. The screening committee is expected to present its findings to the party's central and executive committees at their regular meeting on July 25. Central committee members, who reside in Findlay, will then vote to fill the vacant council seat. Grant: 419-427-8412