The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Geauga voters decide on auditor, commissioner, common pleas judge races
Three Republican candidates have been elected by to the positions of Geauga County auditor, commissioner and common pleas judge in the Nov. 6 general election.
According to unofficial final results from the Geauga County Elections Board, incumbent Charles E. Walder has defeated Democratic challenger Garrett Westhoven 25,275 to 14,082 in the race for auditor.
The four-year term begins March 11.
Walder, formerly the fiscal officer for Russell Township, was appointed interim auditor by Geauga County commissioners back in April when then Auditor Frank Gliha announced he would resign in the wake of an embezzlement scandal which involved the county’s former chief technology officer.
Walder plans to restore the public’s perception and confidence in the auditor’s office, and said he will accomplish this by investigating and correcting procedural deficiencies, developing logical methodologies where necessary, and communicating information across departments to improve efficiencies and working relationships.
In the three-candidate race for Geauga County commissioner, Jim Dvorak took 63.09 percent of the vote in defeating Anita Blue Marlowe (30.77 percent) and Libertarian Candace Loyd (6.15 percent), according to the Elections Board.
Dvorak got to this runoff after defeating incumbent Commissioner Walter M. “Skip” Claypool in the May 8 Republican primary.
Dvorak, whose term begins Jan. 1, believes his past experiences have prepared him for this position.
“I want to help combat the opioid epidemic which is real and here in Geauga County,” he said previously. “The Red Tulip Project is a collaborative project with many local
“I want to help combat the opioid epidemic which is real and here in Geauga County.” — Jim Dvorak
businesses and all private money to build the first safe-sober house for women in Geauga County. I have been involved with the project since March 2017 and the home is currently under construction.”
Dvorak also plans to protect the quality and quantity of the county’s well water by keeping some kind of monitoring system in place with U.S. Geographical Servce.
“I would also get the most out of our tax dollars through collaboration and shared services,” he said. “I am for the feasibility study on all of the county buildings and location.”
In the race for common pleas judge, Republican David M. Ondrey, with 15,478 votes, or 42.84 percent, defeated Democrat candidate Matthew Rambo and Independent challenger Bob Umholtz.
Ondrey, a Chardon resident, promises to deliver swifter decisions and plans to reduce docket backlog.
“This would be accomplished by investigating specific cases which have lingered too long and dispose of each as expeditiously as possible,” he said.
Ondrey would also investigate whether a drug court is necessary and affordable in Geauga County.
Ondrey will replace Forrest W. Burt who was prevented from running for re-election due to age limits.