Norwalk's 3rd ward controversy

NORWALK — Norwalk council's open third ward seat is causing rifts in the city. Currently, the third ward is vacant, as council member Samantha Wilhelm gave up the seat to be an at-large member. As Wilhelm is a Republican, the Huron County Republican Central Committee voted and selected Jordan Duncan for the position during a Jan. 27 meeting. Duncan is the son of former Norwalk Mayor Rob Duncan, who is the former chair of the committee. Rob did participate in the vote to fill the position with the committee. Due to the familial connection, Kim Zadeh filed an ethics violation with the city to oppose Duncan's appointment. The city is currently seeking applicants for the third ward seat. The deadline to apply is Friday. Zadeh applied for the position and introduced herself to council members during the meeting. She is a lawyer said she moved to the area 16 years ago and was very involved with education while her children were in school. "In the last three years, we've started three new businesses," Zadeh said. "I've been a business manager for over 30 years. I'm used to running a budget and trying to be efficient. I'm used to dealing with cities, chambers, banks (and) investment bankers." Zadeh and her husband also purchased the old PIPO building on Ontario Street in Norwalk and have started to clean up the property. "Your council has done such a great job, especially in the last two or three years to get the city back on track," Zadeh said. "When we first moved here, it was a small town. As the years have gone by, it's gotten better. We've got people coming back to the city or moving in." Zadeh said she would like to see more businesses come to the city and would like to focus on housing for Norwalk. She said she'd like to see more affordable and mid-pricing housing opportunities to help attract more to the city. "I'd be thrilled to be on this council and spend my time to make Norwalk even better than it is today," Zadeh said. After Zadeh spoke to council, president Steve Schumm opened the floor for public comment. Jeff Bertram, a member of the Huron County Republican Central Committee, addressed council, expressing his frustrations. Bertram said the city did not perform its duties because Duncan was not sworn in. "The city charter states and part of any vacancy in the office of council person who was elected or appointed as candidate of a political party shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term," Bertram said. "The city charter doesn't say, 'If we get a letter from someone advising us not to carry out those duties, maybe we should heed that warning and not do our job.' The charter doesn't say that at all." Bertram said he submitted an affidavit to council that the central committee is not subordinate to council and the actions taken at their meeting were proper. He said he is considering submitting the affidavit to the Secretary of State for consideration. "Council needs to know that former committee chair conducted himself with integrity on Jan. 27. He never contacted any committee members for them to ask them to support his son for the third ward seat," Bertram said. "It is wrong for city council or any other entity to assume that any of us voted for any particular candidate." Bertram said he hopes council will do the right thing. "You have an opportunity to do the right things and do what you said you would do for the voters of the city," he said. "To act with integrity and honor the Huron County Republican Center Committee and select Jordan Duncan to carry out the expired term of the third ward seat." In other council news, four items were introduced to council. First, the city could accept a grant from Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council. The grant will likely be used to install electric car charging stations in the city and to purchase an electric vehicle for park rangers. The second item was budget adjustments allowing the Norwalk municipal court to receive funds for technology upgrades. The court will be upgrading the courtroom with a sound system and smartboard. The adjustments also include repairs for a damaged light pole. The next item of legislation was the annual tree board's plan. Zoning officer Mitch Loughton said they are hopeful to plant more trees this year. The final item is an annual agreement with the city and the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership for the Community Development Block Grant program. Council will meet again at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 15 at the Ernsthausen Recreation Center.