Election board keeps staff, brings on new member

PERKINS TWP. — Erie County elections board officials recently handled various housekeeping items. The board operates with a staff and four members, a pair of Democrats and Republicans each, who provide workers with direction and oversee elections. Most notably, they include the following: New member appointed Republican Lisa Crescimano just completed her term as a board member and did not seek a reappointment. Crescimano began serving on the board in 2023. Replacing her, the Erie County Republican Party nominated — with the Ohio Secretary of State confirming — of Gary Smith, of Castalia, to a four-year term, running through early 2029. Smith, a Castalia native and Margaretta High School graduate, retired as a human resources professional with experience working at KBI/New Departure, formerly of Sandusky, and Borgers in Norwalk. Existing member stays The Erie County Democratic Party nominated, with the secretary of state confirming, the reappointment of Tom Ferrell to a new four-year term, running through early 2029. Additionally, the board also unanimously voted to select Ferrell as its chairman for the next two years, spanning through early 2027. By law, the chair must belong to the opposite political party as the director, Alex Jones, who's a Republican. Both Smith and Ferrell will serve alongside two fellow board members: MaryAnn Groot, a Democrat, and John Adams, a Republican. Staff members renewed Also in unanimous votes, the elections board selected Jones to continue in his role as director along with Adrienne James to continue her role as deputy director. Those votes ensure their employment through, at least, early 2027. By law, the director and deputy director — James, who's a Democrat — must belong to different political parties.