Vote sent a message

The voters have spoken and elected newcomer Nancy Fisher and incumbent Dale McAvena -- who was seen as a maverick -- as Wellington Township trustees. In doing so, they voted out Calvin Woods, who has consistently voted with Virginia Haynes on most matters.

Fisher won convincingly in both the township and Wellington village. In fact, she was the top vote-getter in every precinct, according to unofficial results from the Lorain County board of elections.

McAvena's 160-vote margin over Woods in the township easily made up for Woods's stronger showing -- by 88 votes -- in the village. In fact, Woods came in second in the village, with 75 percent of his votes coming from Wellington village, compared with 69.5 percent for Fisher and 62.4 percent for McAvena.

We see these results, particularly the results from the township, as a referendum on bloc voting. Voting along party lines might be expected in the federal and state legislatures, but in local politics we expect our representatives to listen to the people rather than a party boss.

We want free thinkers on our boards of trustees and village council. A variety of opinions are needed to analyze all available options, and open minds are necessary to be persuaded of the best course of action.

Too often, in our opinion, actions of the Wellington Township board of trustees have been decided by the same 2-1 vote. Unanimity has been woefully lacking, as has been a variety of voting combinations.

We would urge the board, when the new terms begin, to work together. But work independently.