Amid conflict of interests, Ferrell named to elections board

PERKINS TWP. — Despite the obvious conflicts of interest, Tom Ferrell can serve on Erie County's elections board.Last week, Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted affirmed Ferrell's nomination to the board.Ferrell, however, can't weigh in on issues involving two prominent political officeholders and their positions:• Erie County treasurer Pam Ferrell is Tom's wife.• Perkins Township trustee Jeff Ferrell is Tom's brother.Ferrell, a Democrat, joins party mate Kevin Zeiher along with Republicans Nic Smith and DJ Swearingen on the four-member board. The organization oversees local voting matters and related efforts to ensure fair, balanced political contests.A meeting involving the newly assembled board took place on Sunday."I'm optimistic that we are going to be able to have full and fair elections and to be the first county board of elections on Election Day to post our results," said Zeiher, who's now the longest-serving board member among the four. "Being on the board is not about politics. I just want to make sure that everyone who can vote does and that votes are cast and counted properly."Ferrell succeeds Amy Grubbe, who's also the Erie County Democratic Party chairwoman.Husted refused to reappoint Grubbe, claiming she "would not be a competent member of the board." In making his decision, coming down late last month, Husted pointed to Grubbe's "harassing treatment of staff, a poor relationship with the media and poor relationships with other governmental offices and entities."Ferrell previously served 28 consecutive years as an Erie County commissioner. He opted against running again, and his term ended on Jan. 2.A Register investigation published earlier this year linked Ferrell to wastefully spending at least $81 million in taxpayer dollars as a commissioner through problematic construction projects and incomplete studies.Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.Former Erie County commissioner Tom Ferrell is the newest member of the county elections board.