Troy voters support creation of outdoor area for drinking
Nasal re-elected municipal judge, holds off challenge.
Troy voters supported the creation of the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, in the downtown area and Miami County residents re-elected Gary Nasal as the county’s Municipal Court judge in Tuesday’s general election.
Also in the county, Tipp City school district residents elected two new board of education members and Troy school district voters ousted the board of education’s current President Tom Kleptz.
The DORA approved earlier this year by city council was challenged in a referendum. The unofficial vote was 58.88% in favor of the DORA ordinance and 41.12% against it.
“Tonight’s DORA vote was disappointing, but I commend the over 2,000 Troy citizens who voiced their opinion that a DORA is not the right thing for our community,” said Tom Kendall of the Anti-DORA committee.
Troy Mayor Robin Oda, a DORA advocate, said the city will wait for the elections board to certify the vote and an additional required fiveday waiting period before implementing the district.
“We are pleased that we will have the opportunity to implement a DORA in our downtown business community, and to give it the same opportunity for success that has been found in so many other communities in our region and around the state,” Oda said.
Brian Cardinal of Promote DORA said the group was “glad to see that the community came together to
put this in place, help support the local businesses.”
Nasal, a Troy resident who was county prosecutor before becoming judge in 2013, faced a challenge from Jessica Lopez of Tipp City, the current county recorder.
“I have not had a contested election in my 28 years in public office. The prospect of the campaign was daunting; however, I am overwhelmed by the confidence and support that thousands of Miami County voters have placed in me and I pledge to continue to do my utmost to keep Miami County one of the best and safest places in Ohio to live, work and raise a family,” Nasal said.
Lopez said she that, although she was “disappointed with the results, I want to thank my family, friends, and all those who supported me through this process. I will continue to serve Miami County in my current position and look forward to opportunities in the future.”
The unofficial vote in the only countywide race was Nasal with 51.95% and Lopez
with 48.05%.
Voters in the Tipp City school district elected Rick Mains and Amber Drum from four candidates for two seats opening at year’s end with the decisions not to run by Corine Doll and Joellen Heatherly. Mains received 41.1% of the vote with Drum getting 33.88%. Other candidates were Lydia Pleiman at 14.24% and Don Petsch at 10.77%.
In the race for Troy school board, incumbent board President Tom Kleptz lost his bid for re-election. Three board members — incumbent Susan Borchers and newcomers Levi Fox and Theresa Packard — were selected with 27.88%, 28.44% and 22.26% of the vote, respectively. Kleptz received 21.42%. He said the board vote to mandate masks for students was the “hot topic” with two challengers opposing the mandate and Borchers voting against it.
“I stand by my vote. Leadership is not always easy and making this decision was best for our students, teachers and employees. We will
never know how impactful our decision was, but I am confident that the district is better off for having the mandate,” Kleptz said.
Fox, who received the most votes, commented that, “I have said on numerous occasions that parents should have the choice on medical decisions of their children including masks and vaccines. I will also protect our school from controversial topics being taught.”
In issues, residents of unincorporated Monroe Twp. approved a 4-mill replacement with increase levy for fire/EMS by an unofficial vote of 62.84% to 37.16%. The township contracts with Tipp City to provide those services with more money needed as the city phases in a fire/EMS department from mostly volunteer to a full-time, part-time and volunteer staff.