By Erica Solvig
The Cincinnati Enquirer

DEERFIELD TWP. - What had been a relatively quiet campaign for township trustee is heating up in the final stretch.

Trustee Bill Morand has filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission against his challenger, Lee Speidel, saying his literature is distorted and inaccurate. The commission received the letter Thursday.

Earlier in the week, Speidel was charged with criminal mischief for taking down one of Morand's yard signs. He is scheduled for a Nov. 12 court date.

"I do not mind losing an election based on my record but not due to a distortion of the truth," Morand wrote in his complaint. "I feel the distortions not only affect my election but also the reputation of the township, its employees and our volunteers."

Among those inaccuracies, Morand claims, is Speidel's statement that the trustee led the way in "giving 100 percent tax abatements to all new commercial developers." Morand calls it a "complete, calculated lie," adding that none of the new development in the township was given tax abatements.

Speidel said he had not seen the letter and could not comment on Morand's concerns. "All I can say is I believe that all my statements in the campaign are accurate and can be borne out by public records," Speidel said.

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E-mail esolvig@enquirer.com