By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Bowling Green City Councilman Neocles Leontis was killed tonight in a crash on Ohio 25, according to Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn.
In the vehicle with Leontis was his wife, Vassiliki. Wasylyshyn did not know the extent of her injuries.
The crash occurred shortly after 6 p.m., north of Bowling Green on Route 25 between Simonds and Nims roads.
A news release from the sheriff’s office this morning said that a 911 call was received at 6:09 p.m. about a car crash involving injuries. The initial investigation indicated that a southbound car had entered the opposite lane of travel, striking a northbound vehicle. The car then struck a second northbound vehicle with a front end collision.
Multiple people were transported for medical treatment.
Leontis, reportedly the driver of the southbound vehicle, was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher issued a statement this morning about the loss of Leontis.
“I am saddened by the tragic and untimely death of Neocles Leontis – I am saddened for his family, his students and peers at Bowling Green State University, and our community. I wish to extend my most heartfelt condolences to Neocles’ family,” Aspacher said.
“Neocles was a tireless advocate for issues such as sustainability and science, improved housing conditions and social justice,” the mayor said. “While on City Council, Neocles proved to be a vocal supporter for these issues, devoting countless hours working to improve our community. He made a significant positive impact on both his students and our community and his loss will surely be felt.”
Leontis, a chemistry professor at Bowling Green State University since 1987, was elected to the at-large seat on City Council in 2019. He ran on a platform of frustration with the slow speed at which government moves.
“If you don’t move forward, you get behind,” Leontis said during his campaign.
He fought hard on behalf of BGSU students and young families who he felt were living in unsafe rental housing in the community.
Leontis was dedicated to Bowling Green’s efforts at sustainability. He supported neighborhood revitalization efforts – but only if they involved updating homes’ heating, electricity, insulation, and energy efficiency.
“I’m for revitalization if it includes all those things,” he said during his campaign. “It can’t just be about image. Not just a new coat of paint on a house. Then we’re just putting lipstick on the pig.”
Leontis believed Bowling Green could do better on environmental issues. He praised the city’s huge strides in green energy, as he pushed for efforts to lessen waste generated in the community.
One of his goals – for a city program to collect and compost food waste – is in the city administration’s budget for 2021.
Leontis also was a voice for bicyclists in the community, asking for more marked bike lanes, so people would feel more comfortable bicycling on city streets.
He was a member of the East Side Residential Group, Peace Lutheran Church, Bowling Green Kiwanis Club and was a founding member of the Black Swamp Green Team, which promotes clean and affordable energy solutions in the community.
A story will appear Wednesday from people who worked with Leontis at BGSU, on City Council, and at church.
