A slate full of candidates have been certified by the Logan County Board of Elections to run for Bellefontaine City Council seats this year.
While there are several contested city council races, only one city council ward will have candidates that appear Tuesday’s Primary Election ballot, May 6. The remainder of the candidates will appear on the ballot in the November election.
Tuesday, voters in the First Ward will choose between Republican candidates Devin Palmer and Silas Augsburger.
Then, the winning Republican candidate will run against Sarah Lewis, a Democrat, in November.
For the position of city council president, no partisan candidate has been certified by the board of elections, but unaffiliated candidates have until Monday, May 5, to file their candidacy.
In addition, no partisan candidate filed for the position of city treasurer. Again for this position, unaffiliated candidates have until Monday, May 5, to file their candidacy.
In the city council-at-large race, four candidates are vying for the three positions. Jenna James, Kyle Springs and Wes Easton are all Republican candidates, while Tim Steinhelfer is a Democratic candidate.
Voters will not select their three candidates until November.
In the Fourth Ward, incumbent MacKenzie Myers Fitzpatrick, a Democrat, faces Republican Mick Lile. This race will be voted on in November.
Finally, the Second Ward seat, which is currently uncontested by incumbent Republican Jordan Reser, and the Third Ward seat, which is uncontested by incumbent Republican Nick Davis, will be on the ballot in November as well.
Here’s a look at the two First Ward candidates for Tuesday’s Primary Election, Devin Palmer and Silas Augsburger, based on their responses that they submitted to the Examiner this spring:
Devin Palmer
• Can you provide your background? How long have you lived in Bellefontaine and do you work in the community?
Palmer: I am 41 years of age, and born in Charleston, S.C., though my family relocated to Ohio when I was just a toddler. I was raised in Allen County, and graduated from Bath High School. After finishing college, I moved to Logan County in 2007 to pursue my career in rural healthcare. For the past 18 years, I have had the privilege of serving the Bellefontaine community as an Occupational Therapist Assistant, delivering rehabilitation services across diverse settings, including skilled nursing facilities, home health, acute care, and outpatient clinics.
• What experience do you have in elected office, public service or other leadership roles? Do you serve in any volunteer roles in the community?
I have never held elected office, but for nearly 20 years, I have devoted my career to serving and advocating for the public in both clinical and administrative roles. Presently, I serve as vice chair of the Top of Ohio Patriots of Logan County, a civic organization committed to promoting the principles of liberty enshrined in our Constitution. For more than a decade, I have been actively involved in children’s ministry at Vineyard Christian Fellowship, and I also volunteer with the summertime COG program at Mary Rutan Park.
• What are your top priorities if elected to Bellefontaine City Council?
My biggest concern facing Bellefontaine right now is managing the rapid growth expected with the addition of 500 new homes across two new housing divisions. I want to make sure we have the infrastructure, services, and resources to support this kind of expansion while keeping the integrity and values of our community intact.
• Why are you seeking election to City Council, and what strengths do you bring to the role?
We have a Constitutional mandate to self-governance. It’s something I’ve always been incredibly passionate about. Our government derives its authority from the consent of the governed, and it is our duty as citizens to be informed, engaged, and active in shaping our culture and politics. I would be honored to do this as a member of council.
My primary strength is being properly oriented to the most fundamental of the natural order: God. Family. Country.
A constitutionally conservative perspective, excellent communication skills, and the ability to solve problems and maintain effectiveness and composure under pressure could also be leveraged as an advantage.
• How do you plan to engage with and represent the interests of Bellefontaine residents?
If elected, I would encourage residents to contact me via e-mail or phone to share their ideas and concerns. I would also ensure I’m available to meet with individuals at community events, open forums and discussions. I recognize that many in our community may lack the confidence to speak from the podium at city council meetings, and I want residents to know there are alternative ways to make their positions heard. Elected officials cannot represent your voice if you don’t raise it!
Silas Augsburger
Can you provide your background? How long have you lived in Bellefontaine and do you work in the community?
Augsburger: I have lived most of my 29 years in Logan County. I grew up in DeGraff, although my four siblings and I spent every possible minute working and playing at Marmon Valley Farm. After graduating from Riverside High School, I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from Urbana University. In 2019, after spending the previous year working for Congressman Jim Jordan and then the Wood County Republican Party, I moved to Dayton for law school. I met my wife, Maggie, at a church retreat at Marmon Valley Farm in 2021, although Maggie would probably tell you that our families technically met during a play at the Holland Theatre when I was helping with a play she and my younger brothers were in. We became fast friends and married in May 2022, a few weeks after I graduated from law school and she finished nursing school. I started practicing law in Dayton in November 2022, but moved back to Bellefontaine in the spring of 2023 to join the law firm of Smith, Smith, Montgomery & Chamberlain, LLC, where I currently work as an associate attorney.
What experience do you have in elected office, public service or other leadership roles? Do you serve in any volunteer roles in the community?
I have been involved in various leadership and public service opportunities since I was a child — I am the first of five children in my family after all. However, I would say the most influential experiences in my life have been working for Congressman Jordan, clerking in the Miamisburg Municipal Court, running the University of Dayton Student chapter of the Federalist Society, participating in the Forge Leadership Academy, and serving in Grace Chapel Church. All of these experiences impressed upon me that leadership is ultimately about service and service is promoting what is good, right, and just, and seeking the common good of the community. Currently, I enjoy serving on the Logan County Chamber of Commerce Business Impact Committee and in various volunteer roles at Grace Chapel Church.
What are your top priorities if elected to Bellefontaine City Council?
My priorities are simple: 1) continuing to make Bellefontaine a great place to live, work, and raise a family; and 2) fiscal responsibility.
Bellefontaine is a great place to live, work, and raise a family. It is clear that many people have poured their time, hard work, and resources into making Bellefontaine what it is today. I plan to continue supporting this good work to keep Bellefontaine a desirable community for families, individuals and small businesses. I am also committed to financially responsible small government. For example, maintaining affordable utilities and good public roadways and sidewalks are important local government works that should be managed efficiently.
Why are you seeking election to City Council, and what strengths do you bring to the role?
As a child, realized how important good government, law, and justice are for a civilized society, and have aspired to public service since then. At about 10 years old I set out to study American history, government, law, and my Bible in preparation to serve my community well in whatever capacity the Lord had in store. I believe our local government has endeavored to be just, responsible, and act in the best interest of the city most of the time, which is part of the reason why our city is such a great place to live, work, and raise a family. Starting in June, I will have another reason why I am running — to continue this work in Bellefontaine to pass on an even better city to my own child.
I previously learned how to serve constituents and interact with the legislative process in Congress. I participated in the application of law and administration of justice in the Miamisburg Municipal Court. I also saw first-hand how important it is to understand law and its effects on everyday life when crafting legislation. Most recently as a local attorney, I work to understand client concerns, represent client interests, and solve problems efficiently every day. By God’s grace, I have developed a love for other people and an eagerness to listen and learn the stories and concerns of others. I hope to put these abilities and skills to use serving this community. Simply put, I love this city and want to continue making Bellefontaine a great place to live, work and raise a family.
How do you plan to engage with and represent the interests of Bellefontaine residents?
A wise friend recently sat me down to impress upon me the importance of being in the community in general and as a potential city council member specifically. Part of his sage advice was to regularly walk the streets of my neighborhood to assess the conditions of the city. I share this story because it illustrates the importance of listening and being present to best represent the values of the residents of Bellefontaine.
Practically, I plan to take opportunities to be present and get to know my neighbors. Certainly, this includes continuing to walk the streets of Bellefontaine’s First Ward with my wife in the evenings, but it also includes participating in Chamber of Commerce events, talking to local small business owners, my neighbors, or the person next to me in line at the Holland Theater. I welcome the opportunity to meet people, learn their stories, and listen to their concerns. These interactions will be essential if I am to best represent the interests of my neighbors in Bellefontaine’s First Ward.