The Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters held their annual "Candidates' Night" Tuesday.
Aside from speakers on the two state and two county issues, most of the time was focused on Chillicothe council positions. Kevin Coleman spoke to the new candidates.
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Beth Neal is the incumbent First Ward council member, and chair of the Development Committee. She's also business manager for a family-owned company with 17 groceries and convenience stores.
Dan Wiltshire is running as a Republican against Neal. Why is he running? He says he wants what the people want, and want to hear their ideas - so they can help him run the city.
Wiltshire has been the director of Ware Funeral Home for 35 years, and says he has seen too much of the drug epidemic, every day.
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Aaron Hines was recently appointed to fill in the term of David Clay for the 2nd Ward, and is running for the first time this fall. He's also the pastor at Church Triumphant on State Route 180, but also has experience in retail management.
Brandon Lawson is running as a Democrat against Hines. Why is he running? He says his degree in political science and teaching it at the University of Rio Grande has given him an extra insight into legislation in local government.
Lawson says he already has a good relationship with the mayor and Democrats on council and wants to keep the city going in a good direction.
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Alicia Gray is the incumbent Third Ward council member, though she is running as a write-in candidate. She's chair of the Human Resources committee, as well as a Spanish teacher in city schools.
Lana Fairchild is running as an independent against Gray. Why is she running? She says the city has a bright future, but it needs planning, strategy, and a financial future.
Fairchild says she has more than 15 years in businesses large and small, as well as serving on the Chamber board and working on initiatives.
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Joel Fleurima is the incumbent 5th Ward council member, and is the chair of the Community Affairs committee, as well as a member of the Carver Community Center board.
Trent Fannin is running as a Republican against Fleurima. Why is he running?
He says he brings a unique perspective as a non-native, and someone who not only created and owns a local business but chose to move to Chillicothe in the face of stigmas.
He owns "Rost Coffee." Fannin says he wants to develop a market strategy to draw people and businesses to Chillicothe.
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Bart Henshaw, president of the Chillicothe-Ross League of Women Voters, said the 14-page brochures from the event will be placed at the Ross-Chillicothe library so people can read it to learn more.
Learn yet more at the League's website and on the League's Facebook page.
The broadcast schedule for the video coverage by Vanessa George's CHS crew should be announced soon.
Kevin Coleman regularly reports on Chillicothe & Circleville councils and local culture and government