July 3, 2008

Filing deadline passes; Shar Mechling assured as next Wells treasurer

Shar Mechling will be the next treasurer of Wells County.

That fact was guaranteed as the clock struck 12 p.m. today and the deadline expired for filling of the ballot for the Wells County General Election on November 4.

Mechling, the Republican candidate for treasurer, is assured of the office because the Democrat party did not come up with a candidate for that office.

Also with the passing of the deadline, Wells County Surveyor Jarrod Hahn, District 2 Commissioner Kevin Woodward and Superior Court Judge Everett E. Goshorn, all Republicans, also were assured of re-election as they will not face opposition on the November ballot.

Mechling will enter the treasurer’s office with 39 years of business experience, including service as the Wells deputy assessor.

Two years ago, she ran for the assessor position in the May primary against Jill Ellenberger and lost by one vote. In a later recount, Ellenberger still came away with a one-vote triumph but she was defeated in the general election by Nylah Aschliman.

This past spring, Mechling won over Patty Randall in the GOP primary.

Hahn is completing his first term as the Wells surveyor while Woodward has been guaranteed a third term as a commissioner and Goshorn will begin a seventh term in office.

Wells County Democrats came up with two filings this week as Taneca Taylor announced her candidacy for Wells County Recorder and will oppose Rina Stuck, while Brent McAfee filed as a candidate for one of the three at-large County Council seats up for election.

Democrat Tony Garton had filed his candidacy for council in June.

Republican candidates for council are incumbents Peter Cole, Jim Van Winkle and LeRoy Cramer.

The only other contests on the ballot will be for coroner where Republican Kent Gilbert and Democrat Mike Miller will square off, and for District 2 Commissioner, where Republican incumbent Paul Bonham is opposed by Democrat Michael Todd, who announced his candidacy last month.

General Election Line-ups
Republicans         Democrats

For Wells Superior Court Judge
* Everett E. Goshorn           No candidate

For Wells County Recorder
Rina E. Stuck           Taneca M. Taylor

For Wells County Treasurer
Shar Mechling           No candidate

For Wells County Surveyor
*Jarrod Hahn         No candidate

For Wells County Coroner
Kent Gilbert            Mike Miller

For Wells County Commissioner, Dist. 2
*Paul Bonham           Michael Todd

For Wells County Commissioner, Dist. 3
*Kevin Woodward        No candidate

For Wells County Council At-Large
(vote for three)
*Pete Cole
Tony Garton
*Jim Van Winkle
Brent D. McAfee
*LeRoy Cramer

* Denotes incumbent

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