Elections board delays decision on opening prayer, Robert's Rules

New chairman thanks community for opportunity to serve

SANDUSKY — An outsider from the local political scene until just a few weeks ago, the new chairman of the Erie County Elections board learned during his first board meeting Oct. 24 that meetings are informal.

Edward Leonard was appointed by the Ohio Secretary of State after being nominated by county Democrats to replace Tom Ferrell Jr., who stepped down Sept. 30. A recently retired attorney from the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, Leonard also is a former Franklin County treasurer who served on the elections board there for four years. He lives in Vermilion Township.

There was unfinished business from September’s board meeting, including a motion by Republican board member John Adams to require that each meeting begin with an opening prayer. It wasn’t adopted then or at the Oct. 24 meeting, although Leonard suggested if handled correctly an opening prayer could be adopted.

Board attorney, assistant prosecutor Jason Hinners offered a legal opinion to the board.