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Long won’t be on council ballot

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By Scott Halasz

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XENIA — The Greene County Board of Elections certified petitions for the Nov. 3 election and one prominent name is missing from the Xenia City Council race.

Vice-President Josh Long will not be able to re-run for his spot due to a clerical error when petitions were turned in. According to a video Long posted on Facebook, the number of signatures the circulator witnessed was supposed to be filled in on the back of the petitions. As the circulator of the petitions, Long was supposed to do that — and he did not.

“I missed it when I was double checking the petitions,” Long said. “That’s on me. I own up to my mistakes. We turned in more than enough signatures. I really feel like I let you guys down.”

Long wasn’t downtrodden over the fact that his time as a public servant was coming to an end. After four years on planning and zoning and another four on council, he said he’s ready to give some time back to his family.

“It wasn’t a no-brainer to file the petition,” he said. “(Council) takes a lot of patience from your family. If I had run for another four years my son would be graduating from high school. I’m OK not recommitting for another four years.”

Long also recently changed employers and his new career will require travel.

“I’m not going to be in the city as much,” Long said.

He could file an appeal with the state to try and be placed on the ballot. But Long said he won’t do it.

“I’m done guys,” he said. “Sense of relief right now.”

With Long out, that leaves five certified candidates for four spots in the Nov. 3 election: Incumbents – John Caupp, Michael Engle and Dale Louderback along with newcomers Sarah Mays and Edgar Wallace.

Mays is a community leader who is heavily involved in the free thanksgiving dinner served at the Xenia senior center along with the annual Easter egg hunt. Mays is also on the Xenia Traffic Commission.

Wallace is pastor at First United Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and is part of the Simon Kenton Bridges of Hope coalition.

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By Scott Halasz

[email protected]

Contact Scott Halasz at 937-502-4507.