By MARK TODD - Staff Writer - mtodd@starbeacon.com
JEFFERSON — The Ashtabula County Board of Elections rejected petitions filed by three would-be candidates, during a Wednesday morning meeting.
Two of the candidates were school board members whose petitions were denied because they fell short of the required signatures by just one name each.
Julie Hunt, a candidate for the Ashtabula Area City Board of Education, submitted 74 valid signatures, said Richard Hornstein, election board director. She needed 75 signatures, he said.
The same situation befell Roman Vencill, candidate for Buckeye Board of Education. He wound up with 24 valid signatures, when 25 are required, Hornstein said.
Petitions from a third candidate, Morgan Township trustee hopeful David LaRosa, were denied because they were dated after the signatures were collected, a violation of state rules, board members were told.
Thomas Lahti, running for Williamsfield Township trustee, faces a ballot bump if he doesn’t sign an affidavit by the end of the board’s business day today. Questions regarding dates were raised by the county prosecutor’s office, which scanned all petitions that met last week’s filing deadline.
The election board agreed to allow Lahti’s petition on the condition he sign an affidavit verifying its accuracy no later than this afternoon.
Two more petitions lacking information were studied by the election board. Members eventually allowed petitions filed by Monroe Township Trustee Charles Riley and Rock Creek council candidate Pamela Forristal, saying their intentions were good.
“I’m a stickler for detail, but there’s nothing fraudulent going on here,” said Luanne Laakso, chairwoman.
Board members approved the remaining names and issues for the Nov. 3 general election. In all, 198 people are seeking elected office in the fall, and 32 issues will be decided, along with two or three state issues, Hornstein said.
“It will be a big election,” he said.
Members also finalized two council ward races in Ashtabula for the fall. The board approved two Ward 2 candidates — August Pugliese (Democrat) and Earl Tucker (Republican) — who will run for the unexpired term of Bernard Roskovics who died last month. Also, the board formally approved James Gianell (Democrat) of Ashtabula to oppose Julie Lattimer (Republican) for the Ward 4 seat. Gianell replaces Jessie Smith, who dropped out after the May primary.
Members also approved a bid from Dayton Legal for ballots to be used in the election. Cost will be 26 cents per two-sided page, besting the second bid by three cents per page, Hornstein said.
