5th Ward to host town hall

FINDLAY — Findlay's 5th Ward is planning its own "town hall" meeting on Tuesday to introduce residents to their candidates for council. The event is being organized by West Park Block Watch and will be held at its meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Blanchard Reformed Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 1648 Lima Ave. A meet and greet with the candidates will be held following the meeting. Block Watch President Robin Welty said the event is open to the public and will include a presentation on how neighborhoods can start their own Block Watch. She extended a "special invitation to the 5th Ward." "Come see our choices for the upcoming election," Welty said. Republican primary candidates for the 5th Ward and the five candidates for Findlay's three at-large seats have been invited to the event. Findlay's incumbent 5th Ward Councilman Brian Bauman is seeking reelection and is being challenged in the Republican primaries by retiree Kim Meador. 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. Meador, 65, is a member of the Hancock County Republican Central Committee, representing Precinct 5-E, and vice president of West Park Block Watch. She was instrumental in seeking improvements to the subdivision's water and sewer lines. Bauman and Meador are both residents of the West Park subdivision. 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. Vying for the GOP nomination for at-large are Antonia Faisant, Heather Kensinger, L. Reed Needles, Randy Otermat and Bradley Wagner. Voters will pick three. Jenny Fall was the sole Democrat to file for at-large and will challenge the three Republican nominees for one of the seats in the general election. Early voting in the primary started on April 8. Election Day is May 6.