With all the hoopla surrounding this year’s presidential election, the issues and candidates that will hit much closer to home may have not received the attention they deserve.

Listed below are general explanations of issues which are up for voting in both the state of Ohio and Wood County. We have also included the job description and candidate background for many of the state and local positions that you will be deciding this Tuesday.

For more detailed election information you can visit :

www.dnet.org

There you can type in any zip code in America to find the stances of state and local candidates on a variety of issues.

STATE ISSUES

Issue 1: Would amend the Ohio constitution so that only a union between one man and one woman may be a marriage recognized by the state.

Ohio would not create or recognize a legal status for relationships of unmarried individuals that intends to approximate the design, qualities, significance or effect of marriage.

A majority “yes” vote is necessary for passage.

STATE CANDIDATES

U.S. Senate for Ohio

Job Description: Represent the people of Ohio and the U.S. concerning matters of national and international importance.

Salary: $158,000

Term: 6 years

George Voinovich

Age: 68

Resident of Cleveland

Republican

Occupation: U.S. Senator

Eric Fingerhut

Age: 45

Resident of Cleveland

Democrat

Occupation: State Senator, 25th district

U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio 5th District

Job Description: To represent the people of their district within Ohio concerning matters of national and international importance.

Salary: $158,000

Term: 2 years

Paul Gillmor

Age: 65

Resident of Old Fort

Republican

Occupation:U.S. Congressman

Robin Weirauch

Age: 47

Resident of Napoleon

Democrat

Occupation: Assistant Director, Public Policy Center

LOCAL ISSUES

Proposed Tax Levy for Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board: The levy would provide support to this board, which provides services to Wood County citizens free of charge. The levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home $25.74 per year in additional taxes.

Natural Gas Aggregation Ordinance for the Citizens of Bowling Green: If approved, the city will be able to negotiate with natural gas suppliers to serve the citizens of Bowling Green at a lower fixed rate for the masses.

After a price is negotiated the chosen supplier would contact all Bowling Green residents and notify them of the agreed-upon price. At that point in time, citizens would have the choice to stay with the city’s plan, or opt-out and find their own supplier.

Twenty other cities in Ohio currently offer a gas aggregation program.

LOCAL CANDIDATES

Ohio House of Representatives, District 6

Job Descpription: Represent the people of their district in dealing with matters not handled by the federal government.

Salary: $54, 942

Term: 2 years

Robert Latta

Age: 48

Resident of Bowling Green

Republican

Occupation: State Rep.

Scott McCarty

Age: 44

Resident of Perrysburg

Democrat

Occupation: Electrical Worker

Ohio Senate – District 2

Job Description: Represent the people of their district in dealing with matters not handled by the federal government.

Salary: $54, 942

Term: 4 years

Randy Gardner

Age: 46

Resident of Bowling Green

Republican

Occupation: State Senator

Nathan Nickens

Age: 22

Resident of Sylvania

Democrat

Occupation: Full-time student at Bowling Green State University