ANNA — Anna residents will get the chance to vote for a new mayor and a new council member this November.

Anna Mayor Bob Anderson is not seeking reelection, so current Council Member Mark Pulfer is running unopposed for the position.

There are three residents running for the open council seat, Joel Kranenberg, Laura Lentz-Fogt and James Nolte. Kathleen Eshleman is running for reelection to her seat on council

Eshleman is a graduate of Anna High School. She attended Miami-Jacobs Business College in Dayton. She also has attended Ohio Municipal League and State sponsored seminars and conferences pertaining to her positions with the village.

“What makes me the ideal candidate for a position on Anna Village Council is experience, dedication and the passion I have for Anna to be the best it can be. I have spent the last 25 years in the positions of assistant clerk/treasurer, utility clerk, clerk/treasurer, mayor’s court clerk and councilperson, learning the inner workings of village government. I have the knowledge needed to make informed decisions that are in the best interest of the village and its citizens. As a lifelong resident of Anna I care deeply about its future,” Eshleman said.

She said the biggest issue facing the village, and all other municipalities in Ohio, is finances. There is never a shortage of projects to be accomplished. Some are mandated, some are necessities and others would just be beneficial to the village and its residents, she said.

“We have taken a big hit in the last couple of years with increased expenses and loss of revenue. We need to keep working diligently to reduce costs in areas that we can and to share costs with other villages when we can. Projects we need to be looking at include bettering our police department, commercial and industrial growth, storm sewers, annexation of ground East of I-75 and continuing our program of rebuilding streets,” Eshleman said.

She is married to her husband Richard and they have two adult sons and their families.

“I would like to remain active in village government and be a voice for the people. I will devote the time needed to address the issues facing the Village and to listen to its citizens concerns and comments, and answer their questions. I will be dedicated to keeping the village of Anna a great place to live and raise a family,” Eshleman said.

Lentz-Fogt, is a graduate of Anna High School. She has been a village resident for the past 12 years and said she sees a responsibility to be active in her community.

“To serve as a village council member would be an opportunity for me to do so. I will carefully listen to the logic of the subject matter, without being swayed by the loudest voice. I will be an independent voice on the village council, who will work collaboratively together with each of the other members as a team for the common goals of the Village of Anna,” she said.

Lentz-Fogt said economic growth in the village is an important goal of hers, as well as focusing on new business development within the village.

“I would like to see continued support for our school, continuous improvements and beautification of our village. I am proud to be a resident of Anna – I want to instill that pride in others,” she said.

She attended The Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute in Wooster, Ohio. She is currently a student in the Medical Office Professional Program at the Upper Valley Career Center in Piqua.

Lentz-Fogt is employed with Baker Chiropractic in Anna as the front desk receptionist, and with Wilson Health in the Family Birthing Center as a Health Unit Coordinator.

She has been married for 17 years to Jason Fogt and they have two sons, Jacob and Wyatt. She is a Life Member of St. Jacob Lutheran Church in Anna, a Vets to DC Volunteer, a 2015 Shelby County Farm Bureau Membership Chairman and is a part of the Anna Library Advisory Board.

Notle has lived about 50 years of his life in Anna and said his experience of how council works makes him best for the job.

“I care about the village of Anna, and I have a desire to work to help implement improvements,” he said.

He would like to see more communication between council and residents, East Main Street improved with sidewalks and curbs to the village limits, the conflict about the village police department addressed and settled, and more businesses to locate in Anna.

Notle was born in Anna in the house he now resides in. He is a retired tool maker, now working as a PMR at the post office in Kettlersville. He graduated from Anna High School, is an Air Force Veteran, has served on Anna council previously for eight years, and also served six years on Kettlersville Council.

He has been married to his wife Doris for 45 years and they have three sons: James II, John, and Jason.

Joel Kranenberg could not be reached for comments.