ROSSFORD – Neil MacKinnon III, a newcomer to city politics, was elected the new mayor of Rossford, just
months after being appointed to council.
MacKinnon defeated fellow councilman Chuck Duricek, 1,279 to 1,089, or 54 to 46 percent.
MacKinnon was appointed in January to fill an unexpired term created when Jim Richards retired from
council.
Jerry Staczek ran unopposed to fill the remaining two years of that term. Staczek had also sought
appointment to the seat in January.
Robert Ruse, another candidate who came forward in January and a former service-safety director in
Findlay, won one of three four-year council seats up for election with 1,368.
Top vote getter in the contested race was incumbent Larry Oberdorf, a retired social studies teacher,
with 1,464. Incumbent Greg Marquette retained a spot on council with 1,254.
Incumbent Ken Hermes, who chaired the budget ways and means committee and was known as keeping a close
eye on the budget, lost in the four-way race with 1,132 votes.
At a candidates forum, MacKinnon said that the casino scheduled to open in spring just over the line in
Toledo could prove to be a boon for the community. Duricek was more skeptical of the benefits the casino
would bring to the city.
MacKinnon also touted his close relationship with Toledo Mayor Mike Bell and other area officials, and
his interest in working regionally.
He promised to push for more economic development.