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November 7, 2013
Tracy Davidson (left) talks with supporter Kate Mantenieks during an Election Night gathering at Giammarco’s restaurant to watch election returns Tuesday evening, Nov. 5. CHRIS PARKER/THISWEEKNEWS (2)
Candidates John Sodt (left) and Luke Davis talk with supporters at the Time and Change restaurant while waiting for election returns Tuesday evening. The two men, along with candidate Jim Burgess, unsuccessfully campaigned as a team for election to the school board.
Nestor-Baker, Davidson, Vilardo win board seats
By JENNIFER NESBITT THISWEEKNEWS.COM The face of the Westerville City Board of Education will change come January, as voters elected three new members Tuesday, Nov. 5. Nancy Nestor-Baker was the top vote-getter and will return to the board following an eightyear hiatus. She will be joined by newcomers Tracy Davidson and Rick Vilardo in replacing outgoing board members Denise Pope and Kristi Robbins, who chose not to run for re-election,
and Kevin Hoffman, the incumbent board president who lost his bid for a fourth term. Nestor-Baker earned 6,814 votes, or 18.1 percent of the votes cast, according to unofficial results from the Franklin and Delaware county boards of elections. “I’m almost speechless. This is really incredible,” NestorBaker said. Nestor-Baker, 56, served on the Westerville Board of Education for more than 14 years, before stepping down in 2005. She works as senior assistant
vice president for the United Way of Central Ohio. Nestor-Baker said she believes her experience can help to heal the rift the community feels after facing levy failures, budget cuts and controversial decisions. “It’s a good thing for the district to have some experience on the board. It’s nice to have new opinions and new blood, but it’s good to temper that with experience,” Nestor-Baker said. “There has been so much unrest,
and now (voters) hope that we’ll be able to put some of that unrest behind us.” Davidson earned 6,509 votes, or 17.3 percent, and Vilardo earned 5,855 votes, or 15.6 percent. Davidson, 44, is a professional tutor who volunteers her services in the school system. She has three children in the district and has volunteered with many district organizations, including PTAs, on the Westerville Parent Coun-
cil and the board of the Westerville Education Challenge. She’s been an active volunteer with the pro-levy group, Our Community, Our Schools. “I’m excited. I’m so very honored that I get to sit up there and be the voice for the children of the district,” Davidson said. “I’m eager to get to work and move this district forward.” Davidson said she looks forward to the board working with a new superintendent to create a strategic plan. “I really want to set a vision, one that includes the commu-
nity,” Davidson said. “I think we need to continue to be fiscally responsible in that vision, but I definitely think our community needs a voice.” Vilardo, 55, is the lead pastor at NewSong Community Church and an active district volunteer. He currently serves on the district’s Community Engagement Committee and has volunteered with Our Community, Our Schools. Vilardo has two elementaryaged children in the district.
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Council incumbents re-elected; Cocuzzi top vote-getter By JENNIFER NESBITT THISWEEKNEWS.COM
Westerville City Council’s four incumbent candidates held their seats in the Nov. 5 election. Kathy Cocuzzi, Jenifer French, Mike Heyeck and Larry Jenkins beat out challenger Doug Rankin. Kathy Cocuzzi was the top vote-getter, according to unofficial results from the Franklin and Delaware county boards
of election Tuesday night, Nov. 5. With all precincts reporting, Cocuzzi earned 5,440 votes or 24 percent. She was followed by Heyeck, who earned 5,092 votes, or 22.5 percent; Kathy Cocuzzi Jenifer French French, who earned 4,960 votes, or 21.9 per“With any election, you just cent; and Jenkins, who earned never know, and I’m very 4,151 votes, or 18.3 percent. excited and honored that the Rankin earned 3,005 votes, people of Westerville have choor 13.3 percent. sen me to represent them for
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served as mayor, a position she was appointed to by her fellow council members. Cocuzzi said she looks forward to continuing her work on council. “The voters are Mike Heyeck Larry Jenkins telling us that they’re liking the job we’re the next four years,” Cocuzzi doing, so we’re just going to said. Cocuzzi, 61, will commence keep working hard to make her third term on council. For Westerville better than it the past four years, she has already is,” she said.
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Heyeck, 59, has served on Westerville City Council for 20 years. “I’m honored to serve another four years,” Heyeck said. French, 39, was appointed to council in 2009. French said she was excited to win her first election and looking forward to tackling more of the issues council will face in the coming year.
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