HOWLAND TOWNSHIP 6 vie for 2 seats in trustee race

HOWLAND -- Last year, William B. Jobe caused a political stir.
Now, the man whose complaints held up the certification of Trumbull County Sheriff Thomas Altiere's election for 10 months has decided to seek office himself.
Jobe is among six candidates for two seats on the Howland Township board of trustees. The seats are held by Richard E. Orwig and Sally B. Wehmer, both of whom are seeking re-election.
Candidates James McCloskey, Gust Michelakis and Larry Sudano did not return questionnaires to The Vindicator seeking information about their platforms.
"I'm not aware of any controversial issues at this time," Wehmer wrote in her candidate questionnaire.
"Township is financially in good shape and no major complaints have been received about issues."
Both Wehmer and Orwig have been around Howland politics for decades.
Wehmer, who was appointed to the board of trustees in February, was a school board member for 17 years.
Orwig was on the school board for 16 years, and has been a township trustee for 20 years.
Managed campaign: Jobe has never held public office, but managed police Chief Steve Lamantia's unsuccessful run for sheriff against Altiere last year.
Altiere won the vote, but Jobe's formal complaints about Altiere's acceptance of corporate contributions and his failure to itemize the source of campaign funds resulted in the Trumbull County Board of Elections' failing to certify the election results.
Altiere was fined after a hearing before the Ohio Elections Commission this summer.
Jobe says that if elected trustee, his priorities will be to review township expenditures and to improve communications between residents and the board of trustees.
Orwig says he is most concerned with fostering growth in Howland and continuing to fight annexation.