HOYTVILLE, OH (Toledo News Now) - While most people are gearing up for the polls to open Tuesday, one small community in Wood County is not.
The Village of Hoytville has a population of about 300 people. Out of those people, not a single person is on the Nov. 5 ballot.
"This is the first time in all the years that I've been here that there hasn't been someone on the ballot," said Peg Phillips, village clerk and treasurer.
She says it's not because the community doesn't care, but that they didn't have time to turn their paperwork in to the Board of Elections. She also says they've had an open council seat for about a year.
"They're busy with family, they're busy with farming, they're busy with other jobs, and so it's difficult to find people that can find the time to serve," she said.
Last week, the village council drew up a resolution that re-appointed the mayor and four city council members. Mayor Russell Teegardin says this has been a common practice for the village for awhile, and he hopes it doesn't give Hoytville a negative reputation.
"There are a lot of people here that care. We take care of our town. We have a lot to offer," he said. "With the rail yard coming in, we're hoping to gain business that way and not only help us, but help the country, so I think we have a lot to offer. I just don't want people to get the wrong impression of who we are."
