Dan Lee set to lead Wapak
May 2—WAPAKONETA — Wapakoneta residents chose a new mayor Tuesday night, picking Dan Lee in a three-way Republican primary in the city.
Lee finished with 46% of the vote. He finished ahead of Steve Henderson (30%), who had been interim mayor and then mayor of the city, and Thomas Finkelmeier (24%) in a three-way Republican primary. There were no Democrats running for the position, meaning Lee would be unopposed on November's ballot.
Lee weighed in on the new position.
"I am excited," Lee said. "I am looking forward to the challenges. Wapakoneta is such a great place to live. We have a great group of individuals and citizens that get together to do amazing things like the right side of the track, Riverside Moon Festival and our parks. We are really on the growth as far as quality of life for our citizens."
Lee said he plans to talk with Henderson and Finkelmeier to discuss why their supporters voted for them.
"I want to incorporate that reasoning into what I do," said Lee. "I want those voices to be heard because they voted. I will incorporate the view of their constituents so the totality of Wapakoneta is heard."
On Tuesday afternoon, one resident shared why he voted for Lee.
"I voted for Dan Lee," said resident Bill Koeper. "He is the only one that reached out to me. He actually stopped at my house and talked to me and my wife. He told us what he would like to see happen in the city of Wapak. No other guy did that."
The position became open after former Wapakoneta Mayor Thomas Stinebaugh was convicted on charges of having an unlawful interest in a public contract, theft in office and conflict of interest.
According to the Auglaize County Board of Elections, 17% of registered eligible voters cast a vote in the primary.
In the Wayensfield-Goshen school district, voters overwhelmingly approved a renewal school levy. More than 78% of voters supported the 4.9-mill renewal levy for permanent improvements over the next five years.
No other positions or issues were contested in Auglaize County.
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
