ELECTION MATTER Apology cancels hearing

A fire department supporter was praised for dropping a complaint.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- An apology issued by a local political action committee has resulted in the cancellation of a hearing before the Ohio Elections Commission.
Charles Presley said today he had issued the apology after meeting Wednesday night with Stephanie Ritchie, the wife of a firefighter, and David Ventresco, city council president.
The commission was to have a probable-cause hearing today on a complaint about whether Presley's group, Fire Facts are Critical to Salem, sent erroneous information before the election. Presley, the city's Republican chairman, said Ritchie was dropping the complaint.
The commission earlier ruled that FFACTS signs that said the move would save $600,000 were improper. The exact savings are undetermined.
That statement was repeated in the flier. Ritchie challenged it and other statements in the flier.
Almost two-thirds of city voters approved two initiative petitions Nov. 2 that prevent the city from disbanding the department or joining a district without a public vote on council's plan.
Past and current firefighters gathered signatures and put the two initiative petitions on the ballot.
Council's plan
Council wants to form a fire district with Perry Township to save money.
Presley indicated the intent of the flier was not to mislead the public.
The flier also listed the names of council members and township trustees, but they have indicated they did not know about the flier.
Presley said he listed their names because FFACTS was obviously supporting their plans for the fire district.
Presley said today, "It's time for Salem to move forward."
Ritchie could not be reached to comment.
But Presley said that in light of the turmoil surrounding the fire district, Ritchie "took the high road" in dismissing the complaint.
Presley said any discussions on how to resolve the dispute will be between council and the firefighters. FFACTS will be disbanded, he added.
wilkinson@vindy.com