Five get petitions for county seat

With the announcement that Joe Short will not seek re-election as Fulton County Commissioner, five candidates have so far taken out petitions for the post.

Pamela Moore, Dan Bruner, Michael Jason Vasko and Mark Cerda are considering runs for Short's seat. A fifth individual has taken out a petition but has asked the Board of Elections to not reveal his or her name yet. The elections board releases names of those who have taken out petitions as a courtesy to media, not a requirement.

Bruner is employed with the Fulton Soil and Water Conservation District. He ran for commissioner two years ago losing to incumbent Dean Genter in the primary.

Moore is currently serving on Swanton Village Council. Cerda is currently employed as a police officer in Swanton. Vasko's number is not listed and his current employment is unknown.

All four would run as Republicans if their petitions are filed and accepted by the Feb. 18 deadline.

Election Director Kathy Meyer said Paul MacDonald has checked his petition sigantures and has enough valid names but has not officially filed to run for former Clerk of Courts Mary Gype's unexpired term. He was appointed to the post by the county GOP Central Commitee.

Brett Kolb and James Barber are running for Auditor and Common Pleas Court Judge, respectively. Barber is seeking re-election and Kolb is seeking election to the post he was also appointed to by the GOP Central Committee.

The only other contested race is for the 74th House District seat currently held by Bruce Goodwin (R-Defiance). Goodwin will face Independent candidate Craig Rower of Fayette in the November general election.

Meyer noted no candidates have officially filed their petitions for office. After all petitions are returned, filing fees paid and signatures certified, the offical candidate list will be posted on the Board of Election's website.