Meet Your Grand Rapids Township Candidates for Trustee

With election day right around the corner, and early voting officially starting, NWO Community Media has reached out to two candidates running for Grand Rapids Township Trustee. We’ve invited both candidates to address voters in their own words. We’ve also provided a rundown on various county and township levies that Grand Rapids village and township voters will see on the ballot.

*Candidates are listed below in alphabetical order by last name.

Grand Rapids Township Trustee

Randy Bachman, Candidate

Hello, my name is Randy.  I’m a lifetime member of the community and with my wife, Connie of 37 years, have raised our 2 children here in Grand Rapids.  I am a Farmer and a retired Millwright (industrial maintenance, construction), and currently a consultant for the construction industry.  I have spent many years on the Zoning Board of Appeals for Grand Rapids Township, as well as a member of Calvary United Methodist Church. I am a board member of Northern Ohio Grain Co Op, and currently serving as President. 

I believe that through these experiences it has prepared me for the tasks that are required for this position.  I am looking forward to serving the community of Grand Rapids in the role of Trustee and will serve with honesty and integrity.

Thank you for your support on November 7.

Rita Foos, Candidate (Incumbent)

I recognized the need to make residents aware of what we do in the Township, and now make sure the minutes are
regularly posted on the Wood County Township Association website, along with Zoning Resolution, special notices, and major events in Grand Rapids with a link to learn more about them.

I applied for ODOT Safety Grant and was awarded over $35,000 to replace and upgrade every traffic control sign in the
Township, including:

• Stacking arrows
• Replacing old signs with larger signs
• Addition of Stop Ahead signs

I worked with the Village of Grand Rapids to include replacing signs in the village as part of this grant.

We were awarded $2500 grant for 2024, from Ohio Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing to improve
Beaver Creek Cemetery.

I have applied for multiple grants to hopefully improve roads and to maintain Beaver Creek Cemetery.

I have served as a Grand Rapids Township Trustee for 8 years; 6 years as chairman where I kept meetings
informative and on-topic following Roberts’ Rules of Order.

• President of the Wood County Township Association and have served as secretary, treasurer, vice president.
• Participated in the Ohio Township Association Conference attending many general topic seminars including seminars and webinars on Roberts Rules, Zoning, Cemeteries, Fire and EMS updates, ARPA money use and guidelines.

I have been a resident of Grand Rapids since 1981, managing and owning successful businesses in Grand Rapids
township (Rita’s Dairy Bar since 1998, and Washers Laundromat since 2010). My husband of 41 years, and I raised
our sons in Grand Rapids, both of whom participated in Boy Scouts and each achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Both
are now college graduates and are gainfully employed in careers of their choosing.

We have been blessed with three grandchildren.

• Established Grand Rapids’ annual “Run to the Rapids, 5K”, and in my 8 years as director of the ‘Run to the
  Rapids’, have watched the event grow from 120 participants to over 225, and have raised almost $20,000 to
  support the ALS Association of Northwest Ohio.
• Grand Rapids Arts Council member
• Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce member
• Grand Rapids Senior Center volunteer
• Active member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Providence

***

Various levies will also be on the ballot this November.

Grand Rapids Township Fire

An additional tax for the benefit of Grand Rapids Township for the purpose of providing funds to purchase a new fire truck that the county auditor estimates will collect $152,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 3.5 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $123 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2023, first due in calendar year 2024.

Replacement Levy for Beaver Creek Cemetery

A replacement of a tax for the benefit of Grand Rapids Township for the purpose of providing funds to maintain and operate Beaver Creek Cemetery that the county auditor estimates will collect $11,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 0.25 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $9 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 4 years, commencing in 2023, first due in calendar year 2024.

Proposed Income Tax Otsego Local School District Henry, Lucas and Wood Counties

Shall an annual income tax of 0.50% on the school district income of individuals and of estates be imposed by the Otsego Local School District, for a continuing period, beginning January 1, 2025, for the purpose of current expenses?

Proposed Tax Levy (Replacement) Northwest Wood Ambulance District

A replacement of a tax for the benefit of Northwest Wood Ambulance District for the purpose of providing funds for 24-hour ambulance service and emergency medical service that the county auditor estimates will collect $667,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 6 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $210 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 3 years, commencing in 2023, first due in calendar year 2024.

Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Wood County (Board of DD)

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Wood County for the purpose of providing funds for operational and capital needs for citizens with developmental disabilities that the county auditor estimates will collect $8,443,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 2.45 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $69 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2023, first due in calendar year 2024.

Our thanks to both candidates for participating. If you’re a resident of the Village of Grand Rapids, each candidate for council and mayor addressed voters as well. You can read those here.

Early in person voting started October 11 at the Wood County Courthouse. Polls are open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Election day is Tuesday, November 7 from 6:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. Voters in the Village of Grand Rapids will vote at Otsego Elementary. If you’re not in the village, you can find your precinct here.

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