Six people in the running for three school board seats

NORWALK — Three Norwalk residents are running for school board with the support of CIA (Christ in Action). The group will host the three in a forum at 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 21, at The Norwalk Gathering, 24 W. Main St., in Norwalk. The three who will challenge for a seat are Alison Crawford, Shannon Mason and Jeremy Norris. The three incumbents, who all said they are running in November, are board president Ralph Ritzenthaler, Steve Linder and Beth Schnellinger. Mason, Ritzenthaler, Crawford and Schnellinger have taken out petitions. Mason has filed her petition. When asked if he was running, Linder responded by email, "Yes!!! NHS needs me more than ever now." What is CIA? "As Christians (we are) doing our best to find truth and encourage others to do the same at the onset of Covid and the restrictions," said Cheryl Pugh, spokesperson for the group. "We sincerely believed there was more to this than the governor and ODH (Ohio Department of Health) was putting forth. We felt as though there may be some unlawful mandates and possible government tyranny, so we did and are doing our level best to educate and motivate concerned and like-minded citizens. "We have spent a year-and-a-half digging deep into this issue. So much of what has transpired since this all began, has stirred many patriots with deep concerns that our freedoms are being attacked and we need to peacefully fight against that, getting involved at the grassroots level at every juncture. Everything from what our constitutional rights are, what is actually lawful or unlawful as opposed to a 'mandate' and suggestions from the powers that be. "There are currently 30 or so fellow citizens who attend our monthly meetings. We have had quest speakers speak on topics of: • HB248 (preserving our medical rights to choose), a highlight on Bill Gates (pretty diabolical), the efficacy of the mask wearing, the harmful effects of the 'vaccine' and the flip-side of the medical establishment/big pharm; • A business owner from Canton who fought the unlawful mandates and won; • 3 local pastors sharing how the church is responsible to get involved, and now the candidates for our upcoming election for school board. • We always invite Dick Stein and the commissioners. Dick has attended a couple (he is mostly busy in Columbus) and all three commissioners had their own night with Q & A from the public. "Keeping in mind it's a grassroots effort, we started attending the Norwalk School Board meetings. I, personally, was very opposed to children wearing masks as I addressed the board with that issue. I cannot put my finger on the issue with the school board ... too much is hearsay. That is why we are hosting an open forum to meet the candidates and see where they stand as advocates for our children and the community. We are always open for any topic that is of interest to the public."