Other Medina County Races
Published October, 2000

On November 7, Medina County voters will be asked to vote on the governmental aggregation of electric in an unincorporated area. Don’t run away yet. It’s really not as bad as it sounds.

Medina County Commissioner Steve Hambley recently gave The Messenger a tutorial on this issue.

“If you support this issue,” says Hambley, “you are giving the county the authority to shop on the open market for electric power for you.

According to Hambley, some residents are confused, thinking they will be voting for the deregulation of electricity.

“That ship has sailed,” Hambley says. “Electricity is deregulated.”

With electricity, he explains, there are three costs: transmission, generation and distribution.

“Generation is the only cost now deregulated and the only thing you can now shop for.

“The question is... Do you want the government to shop for you?”

So, if this issue passes and voters give the county permission to shop for their electric power, what does this mean?

According to Hambley, there will be no new county office or bureaucracy established. 

Instead, a task force has been created to look at the situation. Township officials will be working with the county to find a power contract.

Chances are, says Hambley, the contract will go to the lowest bidder, but their are other considerations.

“We will take the deal to every individual in the county and give them the chance to opt in or out,” he continues.

“In a letter, all the information will be provided... if you use this many kilowatt hours, this is how much you can expect to pay.

“If residents opt to go with the plan they will probably send a letter back, with their intentions, to the county.”

If residents ignore the letter, the county’s choice of power will become that individual’s default supplier.

And, once a contract is secured, an amount will be figured into the rate to compensate the county for the service.

Still, says Hambley, residents who now use First Energy will be pleasantly surprised by their new electric bills.

“Areas using American Municipal Power (AMP Ohio)are paying about two- thirds of what we do. They are getting a bargain.”

AMP Ohio services Wadsworth, Lodi and Seville. The power supplier has been consulting with the county through this process of electric deregulation.

Some areas in Medina County like Spencer and Homerville use Ohio Edison and have already opted against county interference in the issue but will still have a vote on November 7.

If the governmental aggregation issue passes, a council of governments will be passed to allow townships the authority to choose on a power plan.
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The City of Brunswick and the City of Medina are also asking voters to allow city government the authority to work with the county to find an electric contract. 
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Several county officials are running unopposed in the November 7th election. 

Long-time Medina County Highway Engineer Dave Miller is seeking re-election as is the Medina County Coroner, Dr. Neil Grabenstetter.

In addition, the Medina County Court of the Common Pleas Judge Christopher Collier is running unopposed.
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For the Medina County Clerk of Courts, the incumbent Kathy Fortney (R) is running against Joann Wiesemann (D).

Wiesemann admits to only running for the office as a favor to the Democratic Party.

“I’m only running so the position will not be unopposed. I have nothing else to say, I’m just running as a favor.”
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Medina County Prosecutor
Dean Holman (D)
Bill Michael (R)
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Representative to Congress (13th district)
Sherrod Brown (D)
Rick Jeric (R)
Michael Chmura (L)
David Kluter (Natural law)
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State Senator
(22nd District)
Ron Amstutz (R)
Elizabeth Kelley (D)
Randy Jotte (I)
Cheryl Neufer (L)
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State Representative
(81st District)
Charles Calvert (R)
Franklin Tibbitts (D)
Donald Bower (L)
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State Representative
(15th District)
Dan Downing (D)
James Trakas (R)
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Judge, 9th District Court of Appeals
William G. Batchelder (R)
John P. Quinn (D)
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