West Park residents vie to represent 5th Ward

FINDLAY — Findlay's incumbent 5th Ward Councilman Brian Bauman is seeking reelection and is being challenged in the Republican primaries by a West Park subdivision staple. Retiree Kim Meador, 65, has been instrumental in recent years in seeking improvements to the subdivision's water and sewer lines and said she is "finally seeing the finish line." She also worked on the Oil Ditch clean-up project, she said, after Mayor Christina Muryn asked for help. Meador walked and photographed areas that need to be cleaned to show to city council. The ditch runs near the Norfolk Southern Railroad tracks to the west of The Courier building, 701 W. Sandusky St., to Lima Avenue and the West Park subdivision. The city petitioned the Hancock County Board of Commissioners for the cleaning of the ditch in November 2014 and agreed to pay assessments to cover the cost for parcels located within city limits. "Hopefully, this will avert needless flooding in the West Park area," she said. Bauman, 37, is self-employed and in his second term representing the 5th Ward. Bauman made an unsuccessful run for the seat in 2019 and was unopposed in 2021 and 2023. He is one of only three incumbent Findlay council members seeking reelection this year. Councilwoman Holly Frische, R-1, is seeking reelection and is being challenged by Nichole Coleman, executive director of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office, 1100 E. Main Cross St. Dan DeArment, R-4, is unchallenged in the primaries. No Democrats filed in the three wards. In 2024, "Our West Park," a citizens' group, organized to stop the development of city-owned land near the subdivision. The group argued that their neighborhood lacks storm sewers, sidewalks and curbs and has limited street access and low water pressure. They also argued that West Park relies on the green space provided by the city's property and in the neighborhood for storm drainage. The group repeatedly demanded that Bauman fight for their interest. Since that time, the city has made several improvements in the subdivision. Bauman said he is proud of his record and called it a "great honor" to represent the city's 5th Ward. "I think the issues facing the 5th Ward are the issues affecting other areas of the city. These are water and sewer infrastructure, the housing shortage and the overall safety of our neighborhoods," said Bauman. "As the chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee and a member of the Strategic Planning and Water and Sewer committees. These are the issues we tackle on a regular basis. I am proud of the work I have done in conjunction with fellow council members for the betterment of our community." He said several good candidates are running for city council this year. "I am looking forward to the many contributions of these individuals and what it will mean for the way in which city business will be conducted," he said. As a father, Bauman said he entered politics because he could no longer sit on the sidelines. He said the issues facing the city of Findlay "are too great to just leave to chance." "During my time on council, I have approached every decision with this mind, and I will continue to work to ensure that our kids can be proud to call the Flag City home," he said. "... I acknowledge there is still much work to be done, but absolutely the city of Findlay is on the right track. I am excited for Findlay's future, and I am committed to our community's continued success." Meador is a member of the Hancock County Republican Central Committee, representing Precinct 5-E, and vice president of West Park Block Watch. She said the turnover on city council may be a good thing. "For the last two to three years, I have been attending city council meetings regularly. There are numerous issues on spending and wages, the new uptown park, water rates, and now the dispensary that people should have been or needed to be more aware of," Meador said. "I personally feel the dispensary should be in Findlay, not outside of the city limits." Meador is referring to a March 17 vote by Findlay City Council Council that approved zoning to allow for the retail sale of cannabis within the city. The vote was 8-2, with council members Frische and Randy Greeno, R-at-large, opposed. The biggest public pushback against the zoning came from residents of Liberty Township, protesting a retail zoning overlay district that will allow for the sale of cannabis on West Main Cross Street near Interstate 75. They argued against its proximity to the campus of Liberty-Benton Schools, 9190 Hancock County Road 9, and township subdivisions. The overlays provide for "conditional use," which would mean that the applicants would be required to appear before the City Planning Commission for approval. Four areas of the city have been identified for the retail overlay, including Tiffin Avenue; Hancock County Road 99-I-75; Trenton Avenue, west of I-75; and West Main Cross Street and I-75. All Hancock County townships have enacted moratoriums on cannabis sales. Independent candidates can still enter the general election. The filing deadline for independent candidates is 4 p.m. May 5, at the elections board, 201 E Lincoln St. Signature requirements vary, based on position, and factor in the number of votes in the last election for Ohio governor. Jody O'Brien, an elections board director, said independent candidates are advised to request the correct signature count and rules for their petitions from the elections board. Early voting starts April 8.