Tim Wagener Wins Fourth Term As Maumee Mayor
BY NANCY GAGNET— MIRROR REPORTER
Democrat Tim Wagener will retain his position as Maumee’s mayor after defeating Republican challenger Tim Pauken for the seat on November 8.
This will be a fourth term for Wagener, who was first elected in 1999 when he defeated Marilyn Mount Kocevar. In 2003 and 2007, he was re-elected mayor after running in unopposed races. He also served on city council from 1991 to 1999.
Unofficial results on Tuesday night indicated that Wagener won the race with 61 percent of the vote.
“I’m overwhelmed and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with the administration and citizens of Maumee to move the city in a positive direction,” Wagener said.
He thanked his wife Karen and his family and friends who helped with the campaign.
Pauken will maintain his seat on Maumee City Council, where he has served for six years.
“I look forward to continuing to work with Mr. Pauken in his capacity as councilman for the betterment of the city of Maumee,” Wagener said.
Pauken was disappointed with the results of the election.
“It’s not the outcome we had hoped for, but the voters have spoken,” he said.
Pauken said that having Issue 2 – a referendum on a collective bargaining law passed by the state legislature – on the ballot may have had a negative impact on his bid for mayor.
“It was definitely an Issue 2 day, which took away from me,” he said.
He also said that voters lacked information about a state ethics investigation involving Wagener.
“I think if the public had all of the information regarding the ethics investigation, the outcome would have been different. The voters were making uninformed decisions,” Pauken said.
On April 5, Maumee City Council voted unanimously to have the Ohio Ethics Commission investigate allegations that Wagener sought multiple loans from a city employee.
The action followed an internal investigation report, which concluded that Wagener had violated the state ethics code and city charter by seeking such loans.
City law director Sheilah McAdams has reported that it is uncertain when the state ethics commission would conclude the investigation.
Three candidates also ran unopposed for three open seats on Maumee City Council.
Incumbent Jenny Barlos was re-elected to her sixth term. New candidates Dan Hazard and John Boellner were also elected, replacing council members Doug Brainard and Todd Zimmerman, who did not seek re-election to their seats.
Judge Gary Byers, who ran unopposed, was elected to his fourth term as Maumee Municipal Court judge.
School District Officials Relieved After Voters Approve Levy Request
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
Maumee voters approved a 4.9-mill operating levy for the Maumee school district in the November 8 election.
With 17 out of 18 precincts reporting on Tuesday night, unofficial results showed that approximately 57 percent of voters said yes to the levy.
“We’re feeling confident and relieved,” superintendent Dr. Greg Smith said as results were being tallied.
The levy is expected to generate $2.27 million in revenue for the district. It will cost the owner of a home valued at $100,000 an additional $150.06 annually.
Throughout the campaign, Smith maintained that the levy is crucial to maintain staff and services in the district. Without passage, the district would have cut nearly 30 staff including 18 teachers. In addition, a $300 student fee would have been implemented to participate in sports and extracurricular activities, he said.
“I think the community knew what was at stake. The message was out there,” Smith said.
Volunteers met with community groups and campaigned door to door. In addition, 600 yard signs were also distributed throughout the city.
“This is a great day for the students and a great day for the community,” Smith said after the election.
Three candidates were also seeking election to two open seats on the Maumee board of education.
Unofficial results on Tuesday night indicated that incumbents Janet Wolff and Bob Righi retained their seats on the board, while challenger Gina Hughes was unsuccessful in her bid.
Results of the election were unofficial and absentee ballots had not yet been counted as of press time.
City Of Maumee Reaches Collective Bargaining Agreement With Police Union, Employees To Receive 3 Percent Raise
BY NANCY GAGNET — MIRROR REPORTER
The city of Maumee and the Fraternal Order of Police have reached a one-year labor agreement.
Following an executive session at its November 7 meeting, Maumee City Council voted in favor of the agreement.
With the new contract, employees will receive a 3 percent base wage increase with the exception of the animal control officer and sergeants.
According to finance director Linda Wilker, the animal control officer wage scale increased slightly to match the service department laborer scale.
The sergeants’ rank differential – the difference between the sergeants’ pay scale and the patrolmen’s pay scale – will increase one percentage point per year in 2012, 2013 and 2014. The sergeants will not receive any other base wage increases for those years. In exchange, the sergeants gave up some double time opportunities, Wilker said.
The contract also sets limits on double time provisions, and employees who don’t receive Christmas Eve off will receive a holiday on the day after Christmas.
Employee contributions for health insurance premiums will also increase from 10 percent to 15 percent.
Life insurance was also increased to $50,000, to match other employees.
The contract will take effect on January 1, 2012.
Employees will also receive a 1 percent lump sum, payable within 60 days of execution, Wilker said.
During a special committee-of-the-whole meeting, staffing in all city departments was also discussed.
Department directors were asked to provide information regarding staff levels, staff vacancies due to retirements and filling job vacancies through outside hiring or promotion from within the ranks.
Maumee Police Chief Robert Zink said that the positions of a dispatcher, lieutenant and sergeant would be needed in 2012.
Public service director Joe Camp reported that three positions including commissioner of public service, supervisor and assistant supervisor would need to be filled. The position of an administrative assistant, should also be reviewed, he said.
Fire Chief Rick Monto said more time would be needed to make a recommendation regarding filling vacancies due to retiring employees.
Council voted to refer the matter to the personnel and finance committees for further review. In addition, civil service tests will be administered to establish a list of eligible candidates.
In other action at the meeting, council members:
• Approved the appointment of Thomas Hunyor as shift leader for the fire division and accepted the resignation of Daniel Bryan from the fire division.
• Approved a $19,900 contract with Burkhart and Sons Excavating for annual ditch cleaning services.
• Authorized a renewal agreement with the Lucas County Commissioners for countywide emergency medical services.
• Approved a $7,500 agreement with Lee Foster to create and compile a citywide disaster and recovery plan.
• Authorized a $10,000 agreement with Norfolk and Southern Railway relative to the Conant Street safety project upgrade.
• Placed on file an application by Original Gino’s, on Dussel Drive, for a new liquor permit.
The next Maumee City Council meeting is scheduled on Monday, November 21. The committee of the whole meets at 7:00 p.m. and the regular meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.
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