Washington County Board of Elections continues hearing on candidate’s residence
Ari Gold, right, Anne Labes’ husband, testifies Wednesday during the Washington County Board of Elections hearing on a challenge to her residency. Labes is an independent candidate for mayor of Marietta. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
Anne Labes, right, an independent candidate for mayor of Marietta whose residency was challenged, testifies Wednesday during a hearing at the Washington County Board of Elections. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
The Washington County Board of Elections reviews evidence packets presented to them. Left foreground: Jon Grimm, who challenged the residency of candidate Anne Labes; right foreground, Labes. Background from left, board members Charlie Wentz, Robin Bozian, Khadine Ritter and Chairman Dennis Sipe. Labes is an independent candidate for mayor of Marietta. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
Ari Gold, right, Anne Labes’ husband, testifies Wednesday during the Washington County Board of Elections hearing on a challenge to her residency. Labes is an independent candidate for mayor of Marietta. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
Anne Labes, right, an independent candidate for mayor of Marietta whose residency was challenged, testifies Wednesday during a hearing at the Washington County Board of Elections. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
The Washington County Board of Elections reviews evidence packets presented to them. Left foreground: Jon Grimm, who challenged the residency of candidate Anne Labes; right foreground, Labes. Background from left, board members Charlie Wentz, Robin Bozian, Khadine Ritter and Chairman Dennis Sipe. Labes is an independent candidate for mayor of Marietta. (Photo by Gretchen Dowler)
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A hearing before the Washington County Board of Elections on a challenge to the residency of an independent candidate for mayor of Marietta will reconvene on Friday.
The board Wednesday continued hearing testimony on the challenge to the residency of candidate Anne Labes, who filed as a resident at 286 Front St., Marietta, but whose challenger, Jon Grimm, says she doesn't live there.
Thirteen witnesses Wednesday testified during the hearing, including Labes, her husband Ari Gold, who recently filed as a write-in candidate for mayor, and Grimm.
Of the 13 witnesses, nine had signed affidavits stating they knew Labes, knew where she lived and had been inside her home at 286 Front St.
Wednesday's hearing again focused on dates on Labes' utility bills and the mailing addresses of those bills being on Front Street. The board also focused on where Labes lives and specifics of the addresses at 1160 Bethel Road, 286 Front St. and the four apartments at 286 Front St.
Wednesday's proceedings were a continuation of a hearing convened Aug. 11.
The board went into an executive session for 20 minutes about halfway through the Wednesday morning hearing.
When it reconvened in open session, more questions were asked of Gold and a representative of the Marietta water department, who said she had bills mailed to Front Street.
Board Chairman Dennis Sipe announced during the Wednesday hearing no decision will be made.
"We have to make our decision at a public hearing," Sipe said. "We will not have any closing statements. The board understands your positions and evidence on the matter."
The board will reconvene 8:30 a.m. Friday.