Vermilion Councilman Holmes Resigns; Ward 5 Seat to Remain Vacant
Ward 5 Councilman Brian Holmes has resigned from Vermilion City Council, stepping down roughly a month before the end of his term. Holmes was not seeking re-election and would have concluded his service at the end of December, but he submitted notice that health concerns made it necessary to finish Continue Reading
Vermilion’s Mayor-Elect Promises Open Door and Honest Dialogue at Vermilion City Hall
Mayor-elect Russ Owens says restoring transparency and rebuilding trust will be among his top priorities when he takes office in January. After years of frustration among residents over rising costs and limited communication from City Hall, Owens believes the city must return to what he calls “a relationship of accountability Continue Reading
City to Challenge Voter-Approved Charter Amendment
VERMILION — Outgoing Vermilion Mayor Jim Forthofer has directed the city’s law department to begin a constitutional review of a newly approved charter amendment that limits the city’s use of Tax Increment Financing (TIF). Forthofer announced the move during Monday’s city council meeting, saying the amendment’s language may conflict with Continue Reading
Vermilion’s Next Mayor Aims to Make Vermilion More Affordable
Incoming Vermilion Mayor-Elect Russ Owens says the rising cost of living is one of the city’s most pressing challenges, and one he plans to face head-on with a mix of business sense, collaboration, and creativity. Owens called affordability “the $64,000 question,” acknowledging that residents have felt squeezed by higher utility Continue Reading
Vermilion Schools bond issue defeated
VERMILION — Voters in Erie and Lorain counties rejected the Vermilion Local School District’s proposed $47 million bond issue during Tuesday’s general election, according to unofficial results. The proposal sought to fund major repairs and replacements for the district’s aging buildings, including roof reconstruction, HVAC upgrades, water and electrical improvements, Continue Reading
Vermilion Charter Amendment Approved by Voters
VERMILION — Voters in both Erie and Lorain counties approved a charter amendment on Tuesday requiring voter approval before City Council can authorize new tax increment financing (TIF) agreements. The measure appeared as Issue 6 in Erie County and Issue 26 in Lorain County, representing the same proposal on both Continue Reading
Stepp, Treece elected to Vermilion Board of Education
VERMILION — Voters selected Sara Stepp and Jill Treece to serve on the Vermilion Local School District Board of Education in Tuesday’s general election. According to unofficial results from the Erie and Lorain County Boards of Elections, Stepp led with a combined total of 2,492 votes, or about 42 percent. Continue Reading
Lieux wins Vermilion Municipal Court judgeship
VERMILION — Voters chose attorney Kenneth Lieux to serve as the next judge of the Vermilion Municipal Court, defeating attorney David Berta in Tuesday’s general election. According to unofficial results from the Erie and Lorain County Boards of Elections, Lieux received a combined total of 3,181 votes, or about 68 Continue Reading
Rowe Secures Vermilion Township Trustee Seat; Second Spot Still Undecided
This article has been updated to reflect an automatic recount due to closeness of the vote totals. VERMILION TWP. — One person can confidently claim victory in a crowded Vermilion Township race. But the other, as it stands today, can’t. Here’s what’s been confirmed, according to unofficial results from the Continue Reading
Vermilion Township fire levy fails
VERMILION TOWNSHIP — Voters rejected a proposed 3.35-mill replacement and increase levy to support Vermilion Township’s fire and emergency medical services. According to unofficial results from the Erie County Board of Elections, 898 voters (57%) opposed the levy, while 665 voters (43%) supported it. A total of 1,563 ballots were Continue Reading