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ST. MARYS - Four candidates will compete for three open at-large seats on the St. Marys City Council in the Nov. 7 general election.
Republican incumbents Robert "Bob" Fitzgerald and Daniel Uhlenhake are being challenged by write-in candidates Michael Aquaro Jr. and Donna Thomas.
A write-in candidate's name does not appear on the ballot. Voters must physically write in the person's name in the space provided on the ballot.
Write-in candidate Aquaro, 28, said he hopes to revitalize downtown St. Marys just like his family did with their 2020 restoration of Friendly Tavern.
Aquaro's parents have owned the restaurant for the last 22 years, and with his help they remodeled the interior and exterior of the restaurant during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I really hope for it (the renovation) to be an example of the revitalization I'd like to do downtown," he said. "It's an example of my work and commitment to the community."
Aquaro founded the St. Marys Chili Cook Off fundraising event in October 2021 to support local organizations. The event gives back to a different local non-profit each year within the community.
"It supports local citizens each year," he said. "I wanted to use my skills as a leader in the hospitality business for the last 10 years. I wanted to put those skills to work, and also use my passion for food."
If elected, Aquaro said he would like to continue the progress that's already been started in the downtown area.
"I've worked with just about everybody down there, all of the city administrators, (to) really turn the downtown area into the bustling downtown it once was," he said.
Aquaro and his fiancee Jade Cassidy have two children.
Fitzgerald, 58, has held the seat for 12-14 years, and said if re-elected he hopes to change the public's opinion about council.
"I'd like to make sure things in the city get handled properly and timely," he said. "(Also) get as much of the community involved as possible."
Fitzgerald, an insurance adjuster at Westfield Insurance in St. Marys, added he's enjoyed serving in the wide-ranging position.
"I'm not just one zone or one area, it's pretty much open to the whole town," he said. "I enjoy working with my fellow councilmen, even if we have differing opinions on things that should happen. It's working together to try to get things to work so we can make some sort of reconciliation and make everybody as happy as they're going to be."
He and his wife, Lisa, have two adult sons.
"She supports me in my endeavors," he said. "It's certainly something that takes away from family activities at times, so I wouldn't be able to do this if she wasn't willing to let me attend meetings and be available to the community."
He added that in over 10 years of being a councilor, he's focused on the greater good of his community and family.
Write-in candidate Thomas, 69, hopes to be a voice for the voiceless in St. Marys. She currently serves on the zoning committee and the civil service committee.
Thomas said St. Marys voters need to know their prospective council members care about them before voting.
"I am asking for the community to vote for me because I really believe I can ease the minds on the things they as the voters need to hear," she said. "This is our community and it's up to us to treat it with respect no matter what political party you believe in. If elected that will be my stance. I will work for the voters."
Thomas said her No. 1 goal is to represent the community in whatever way possible. She said affordable housing and food insecurity are also two issues she's particularly focused on.
"Affordable housing, and I mean affordable, is a very big issue to continue growing and maintaining our city," she said. "An easier way to make sure all kids get lunch, whether they can pay or not, (I feel they) can't learn as well if they are hungry and the kids should never go hungry."
Thomas runs online home decor store The Little White House and lives with her husband Frank.
Uhlenhake, 68, said he'd like to continue to serve the citizens of St. Marys as their representative.
"In me, they have a watchful eye and a steady voice," he said. "I remain very interested in the day-to-day business of the city and I like helping to ensure checks and balances."
Uhlenhake has held the seat since January 2014. He is the chairman of the safety committee and a member of the finance and electric/communications committees.
"As an at-large council member, I attend all council committee meetings to keep pace with all matters concerning our town," he said.
Uhlenhake retired as a press manager at the Post Printing Company of Minster. He and his wife of 47 years, Beth, have two adult children and five grandchildren.
If elected Uhlenhake said he'd like to focus on water and sewer upgrades, the local electric grid and continuing to upgrade downtown.
"We're continually improving our many parks," he said. "The Miami-Erie Canal treatment train is coming, as well as the new Indiana Avenue and Kishler Drive pedestrian crossing. Our downtown revitalization is continuing with many storefront improvements, new businesses and the spectacular work done at the historic Grand Opera House/ St. Marys Theater."
Donna Thomas no longer runs an online home decor store called Little White House. She is retired. The error was due to reporting.
