Joshua Hayes and his campaign team invited the community out to a veteran’s rally on Friday, days before the primary election. Being a veteran himself, Hayes knows the importance of supporting those who have served. He wanted to have a community discussion on his plans to improve the lives of veterans in the city. Heading into next week, there’s one thing that Hayes wants people to remember.

The Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce and The League of Women Voters presented the City of Lima Mayoral Candidate Forum at the convention center where voters were able to see where the candidates stand on certain issues. Rob Alexander, political science professor at Ohio Northern University was the moderator. The panel asked questions relating to infrastructure, the Schoonover Pool, jobs in the area, and why people should vote for them. We spoke to the candidates on why the people of Lima should vote for them in the primary election on May 4th.

A document obtained by Your Hometown Stations from the Ohio State Chiropractic Board shows that Hayes received a suspension on his license in Mid-Late February. According to the document, Hayes has received a one-year suspension with six months stayed for multiple violation counts, which include providing acupuncture without a license and failing to report arrests. Hayes has also received a $5,000 fine. The document further elaborates that Hayes performed dry needling on two patients without the education, training, and experience to perform the service, and without a valid certificate to practice acupuncture issued by the board.

Elizabeth Hardesty officially kicked off her campaign for Mayor of Lima this afternoon. She outlined her plan for office, which focuses on three key points. They include investing in the economy, essential services, and the people. She aims to utilize the parks and rec infrastructure already in place and improve on them. She would also make sure resources to learn trades and earn degrees would be available to young students. One of her biggest goals will focus on the economy.

One of Lima's mayoral candidates met with citizens Wednesday afternoon in a question and answer session. Joshua Hayes invited people to speak about positive and negative things that they are seeing around town, and what they want to see changed.

Elizabeth Hardesty added her name to the ballot Wednesday afternoon. She submitted a petition with 96 signatures to the Allen County Board of Elections, making her the fourth candidate for the seat. She says her campaign will concentrate on safety services, reviewing the parks and rec department, and connecting schools with trade programs to prepare students for the workforce.

Joshua Hayes is calling for change in what the community is doing to battle opioid addiction. He introduced a 5-step plan which would tackle the problem from different areas. The chiropractor would like to establish a more holistic method for pain management, create a public awareness campaign for the problem, and clean up and improve rundown neighborhoods that could be contributing factors to opiate addiction. He would also like to improve access to nutritious food and safe natural medicines, and find out why people are misusing prescription pills for pain management.

Current Lima Chief of Staff, Sharetta Smith, announced at Faurot Park on Wednesday she will be running for Mayor in 2021.

One Lima man is looking ahead to 2021 as he announces his campaign to run for the position of mayor. Joshua Hayes made the announcement Wednesday morning at I Can Celebration Ministries.