North Perry Village Council race shrinks as Steve Sabol withdraws
Sep. 20—The outcome of the North Perry Village Council race in the Nov. 7 General Election has become much easier to predict.
Barring unforeseen circumstances, incumbent Ken Siegel and newcomer Robert Ford will be elected to two available council seats. That's because Steve Sabol, a third candidate, has withdrawn from the race.
Sabol submitted a letter to the Lake County Elections Board on the afternoon of Sept. 15, officially requesting that his name be taken off the Nov. 7 ballot. The receipt of Sabol's letter was confirmed by Elections Board Director Ross McDonald.
Within a few hours on the same day, Sabol's name was removed from the list of certified candidates for this November's election, which is found on the Lake County Elections Board website.
Sabol, a lifelong resident of North Perry, had previously worked about 17 1/2 years for the village's government.
Over the course of his tenure in North Perry, Sabol held the positions of maintenance employee, road commissioner and service director. He resigned as service director in November of 2020 to take a new job outside of the village.
Sabol said in a Sept. 17 text message that he was excited about the possibility of once again serving his community, this time as a council member.
"Unfortunately, some personal and professional obligations have arisen that would interfere with the time and attention the (council) position requires," he said.
Sabol said he hopes to have another opportunity in the future to represent the residents of North Perry Village.
"In the meantime, I am confident in the ability of the two candidates (still on the ballot) to carry out the duties of this office," he said.
North Perry Village's registered voters will get the chance to cast votes for Siegel and Ford to fill two seats on council for four-year terms.
Siegel is poised to win re-election to the council position he already occupies. Ford is set to occupy the council seat now held by Brian Titus.
For almost the past 14 months, Titus, who is council president, also has been performing duties as acting village mayor. He secured the additional position after then-Mayor Ed Klco retired on July 31, 2022, nearly 17 months before the end of his four-year term.
Klco, who was 73 years old when he announced his retirement, said it was time to move on, and indicated he wanted to enjoy his grandchildren and the rest of his life.
Titus was up for re-election to council this year, but instead decided to seek a four-year term as village mayor. He is running unopposed for that position.
