RICHLAND COUNTY — The ballots are full of contested races across the county, and especially in Jefferson, Monroe, Washington and Worthington townships.
Voters in each respective township will choose from the following candidates (listed alphabetically):
Jefferson Township (Vote for 2)
Term would begin Jan. 1, 2022 and expire Dec. 31, 2026. Annual salary is $12,478.
Mark J. Gatton – incumbent
Henry Levingston
Kelly Lee Lyon
Peter Markovic
Bob McConkie – incumbent
Randy Swank
Jefferson Township (Unexpired term, vote for 1)
Susan Duncan Gentille
David D. Taylor – incumbent
Monroe Township (Vote for 2)
Term begins in January, ends in 4 years on Dec. 31. Annual salary approximately $12,000.
Heath Maglott
Edward Sauder
James P. Sweat – incumbent
Jeff Ulery
Washington Township (Vote for 2)
Jack G. Butler – incumbent
Stephen C. Swank
David Yoder – incumbent
Worthington Township (Vote for 2)
Sworn in the first meeting of Jan. 2022, term ends Dec. 31, 2025. Annual salary as of 2021 is $12,477.96
Wesley Dingus
Roger A. Oswalt – incumbent
Clint Sellers – incumbent
Half of the 18 candidates listed participated in phone interviews with Richland Source and were asked an identical set of questions. The other nine candidates that provided contact information were called at least twice, and messages were left when possible.
Responses have been lightly edited for length and clarity:
• Mark Gatton, 69, resides at 6358 Durbin Road in Bellville
Current occupation: Retired
Educational attainment: Graduated from Clear Fork High School in 1969
Any prior experience as an elected official: Jefferson Township trustee for 19.5 years
Any other details you believe are relevant: Retired from our family business, Sunburst Light Corp.
Why are you interested in retaining your seat as a Jefferson Township trustee?
I’m seeking another term as trustee because I believe my past efforts have had a positive effect on our board and township. I have enjoyed serving and consider it a high honor.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest assets? If re-elected, how could you leverage those assets for the betterment of the township?
The people of Jefferson Township who support township levies are critical to a well-functioning community. After that, top-notch fire, EMS and road crews are vital for the safety of the township. Last but not least is the schools, every successful community has good schools. I would leverage those assets by building upon the good reputations of the aforementioned.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest challenges? If re-elected, how would you work to tackle these challenges during your term as a trustee?
Our challenges are maintaining the status quo with dwindling funding while coping with rising costs of materials, services and equipment. Jefferson Township has always lived within its means.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Our township board may be grassroots government, but it has far-reaching effects on our community. Jefferson Township’s financial records reflect that I have supported equipment upgrades and capital improvements when appropriate. I have discharged township duties to the best of my abilities and respectfully ask for your vote. I share the success of our township with all the other conscientious trustees, fiscal officers, road crews, and fire/EMS leadership and volunteers.
• Henry Levingston, 60, resides at 6930 Garber Road in Bellville
Current occupation: Certified aircraft mechanic
Educational attainment: 2 years at Columbus State Community College, earned associate degree and trained to be FAA certified aircraft mechanic
Any prior experience as an elected official: No
Any other details you believe are relevant: Involved with the labor unions, vice president of labor councils, financial officer for Local 90
Why are you interested in becoming a Jefferson Township trustee?
One reason is, last winter some of the lack of care given for the highway crews because we had a lot of late snowplow jobs. So I thought maybe we could motivate somebody. Last winter was kind of ridiculous, some people I talked to said you wouldn’t see the township crews until 11 or 12 p.m. And I think it’s time for a change, some of them have been in there so long they forget they should be representing us.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest assets? If elected, how could you leverage those assets for the betterment of the township?
The village of Bellville and the territory out here. This time of year there’s a lot of sightseers and traffic checking out the scenery. I’ve seen people flying their drones over the valley taking pictures.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest challenges? If elected, how would you work to tackle these challenges during your term as a trustee?
I want to make sure we have a crew on during the night, because there’s no reason why people go to work at 4 and 5 a.m. and we can’t have some of the roads open for them. School buses are our first priority, but if it were up to me we’d be having a midnight shift when we’re expecting bad weather. Also, we keep having these ash trees, and I don’t know why we can’t cut these ash trees away from the road, and that’s one thing I think I might be able to fix. Cut some of these overhanging trees back from the road. The residents end up cutting them most of the time.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I think it’s time we put in some changes and I can’t speak for any of the other ones, but I’ve got an education and I’d like to put it to use in the township to see if we can’t keep the roads maintained a little better.
• Peter Markovic, 65, resides at 266 Markey Street in Bellville
Current occupation: Chiropractor
Educational attainment: Doctor of chiropractic
Any prior experience as an elected official: No
Why are you interested in becoming a Jefferson Township trustee?
I love our township, it’s a great town. I want to make sure the standard we have now, the fiscal conservancy, is balanced with the things we need. We’re responsible for the fire departments and the roads, and keeping a sharp eye on expenditures to keep a good balance in the finances.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest assets? If elected, how could you leverage those assets for the betterment of the township?
I know for sure we have great people in the community, and the people working for the township now are hardworking. I’ve been to meetings, I’ve heard what they do and how they do it, how they respond to issues. I’ve seen the folks that work there do things they weren’t told to do, but knew were important for the township. I’m proud of people like that.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest challenges? If elected, how would you work to tackle these challenges during your term as a trustee?
Financially, the fire department needs a new ambulance, which is important to our town. I’ve heard some of the financial issues and cost of getting another unit, and how long it takes to get another unit. So do you hurry up and spend the money to get it ordered, or do you do the best you can with what you have? When lives are on the line in our community and with the overdose issues that are rampant in our country, we need good functioning equipment for the people who work hard to keep our people alive.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I love Bellville; other than about three years, we’ve lived there since 1988, and we absolutely love it. It’s quaint but modern, a safe place to be and a good place to raise families. It’s a wonderful place to live, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure it stays that way.
• Randy Swank, 66, resides at 153 Bangorville Road in Bellville
Current occupation: Retired from Jefferson Township road department
Educational attainment: Graduated from Clear Fork High School in 1973
Any prior experience as an elected official: No
Any other details you believe are relevant: Roads superintendent for the township for 3 years; road worker for Jefferson Township for more than 16 years
Why are you interested in becoming a Jefferson Township trustee?
I want to be able to help move us into the future and keep the roads in good shape. I also want to help the fire department get the equipment they need and keep them around for a long time if we can. I’m a lifelong resident, and my dad was a trustee for 20 years.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest assets? If elected, how could you leverage those assets for the betterment of the township?
We have one of the better fire departments in the county, with a good chief and assistant chiefs that are young that I’d like to keep here. The roads are in good shape and we need to keep them that way. I want to be part of a trustee board that keeps us moving forward.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest challenges? If elected, how would you work to tackle these challenges during your term as a trustee?
To keep the roads in good shape you need a good roads department, and as costs go up you need to be able to budget and still get a good job done. We need to keep a good budget and spend it wisely. We’ve always had a good budget in our township, so I’d like to keep it going the way we’re going.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’ve been on every mile of these roads for 16 years every day, plus I could help the roads department any way they asked. I just want to be a part of keeping the township in good shape and growing.
Current occupation: “Sort of” retired; left the Mansfield Arts Center in June
Educational attainment: Bachelor of Science from Ashland University in Comprehensive Art Education, attended Ohio Northern, University of Bridgeport, took coursework at Michigan State and University of Georgia
Any prior experience as an elected official: No
Any other details you believe are relevant: I’ve spent my career as a retail executive and marketing and development person. I have a lot of experience in budget management, grant writing, human resources, public relations, operations, and long-term planning
Why are you interested in becoming a Jefferson Township trustee?
I’ve lived in Jefferson Township almost 20 years and loved every minute of it. I felt since I was currently not working, this would be a good time for me to jump in and see what I could do. I believe I could contribute a lot with my experience. I talked to the mayor before I made a decision and I now have the endorsement of the mayor, the village administrator, and the entire Bellville council. That was very encouraging for me. I really have never known how my tax dollars are being spent, so I feel like those are things that as a resident, I’d like to know. I believe I can help make that happen.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest assets? If elected, how could you leverage those assets for the betterment of the township?
Jefferson Township for one thing is beautiful, the people that live in this village and countryside take a lot of pride in their homes, property, and preserving the village and quality of life. The storefronts are filled, we have a lot of traffic coming through, so I feel Bellville is a unique village that is self-contained and able to support itself. Opportunities to help the community would be collaboration between the village administration and the trustees, and communication, transparency, and doing things to help the village and the people here.
What do you believe are Jefferson Township’s greatest challenges? If elected, how would you work to tackle these challenges during your term as a trustee?
The challenges are always to keep people safe because our township does have its own fire department and EMS, so that’s a challenge to make sure the equipment is in good working order and we have the right amount of people to deal with fires and emergencies. Our roads have always been very good, and that’s a challenge to keep up with. And again, letting people know what’s going on is a big challenge. Sometimes people don’t know who the trustees are or when the meetings are, so if they have concerns, it’s very difficult for them to have those concerns addressed.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I think the endorsement is a huge deal for me, to have that many people in the village administration endorse me. I’m the only woman running in the whole county for township trustee, which to me that’s important to have women running for office, but it’s also important that I’m a woman who is very qualified to do the job. I’m trying to be the example I want other women to be, and actually get out there and do things. We need to be more creative in how we’re managing this budget and letting people know about it, and that’s what I believe can be done.
• Heath Maglott, 43, resides at 2340 Kerr Road in Lucas
Current occupation: Field operations manager at Adena
Educational attainment: High school
Any prior experience as an elected official: No
Any other details you believe are relevant: I’ve been working on roads and bridges with ODOT and Richland County and several other counties for the past 23 years, working with Adena the past 4 years, lots of experience managing people
Why are you interested in becoming a Monroe Township trustee?
I’ve grown up in the township, I have a lot of experience with taking care of roads and bridges and working with the counties and ODOT, and I think that could be valuable to the township in that aspect
What do you believe are Monroe Township’s greatest assets? If elected, how could you leverage those assets for the betterment of the township?
The township has a lot of good people. The employees on the township roads crews are good employees; they have a lot of volunteers on fire and rescue. I think they just need a little bit of guidance and management. They have all the pieces in places, but could use a little tweaking here and there to make them more efficient.
What do you believe are Monroe Township’s greatest challenges? If elected, how would you work to tackle these challenges during your term as a trustee?
The greatest challenges also come with the people that are involved, getting those people to all work together and work to improve things. I would use my experience dealing with the manpower I’ve managed for the past several years to help those people work together.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I’ve grown up in Monroe Township, I’ve been familiar with the workings of the township and trustees since I was a child, my dad was a township trustee as well. I’m very familiar with what needs to happen there and I think I could do a good job getting those things done.
• James P. Sweat, 46, resides at 2532 Stout Road in Lucas
Current occupation: Captain with Richland County Sheriff’s Office
Educational attainment: High school diploma from Lucas in 1993, 1995 graduate of NCSC with criminal justice
Any prior experience as an elected official: Currently the sitting township trustee
Any other details you believe are relevant: Coach in Lucas, current assistant high school varsity football coach, assistant basketball coach, duties at the Sheriff’s Office translate back to budgeting and government working, member of Monroe Township volunteer fire department for 24 years, 14 of them as chief. Served in some capacity for Monroe Township my entire adult life
Why are you interested in retaining your seat as Monroe Township trustee?
First and most important to me is family first, and then after family is community. I’m a firm believer that you pay it forward. My entire adult life I’ve paid it forward to my community, be it as a coach, a firefighter, as a deputy sheriff, as a township trustee. If you want your community to succeed you need to take a role in that. I’ve chosen to dedicate most of my life to making my community a great place to live.
What do you believe are Monroe Township’s greatest assets? If re-elected, how could you leverage those assets for the betterment of the township?
First and foremost the greatest assets are the residents. Sense of community and pride is first and foremost, their values and what they believe in are great, and the ability to work together is first and foremost. The second part is the employees, be it the road department or the volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. In today’s society it’s difficult to find those that want to volunteer, that group of folks really help us provide safety to our residents and visitors.
What do you believe are Monroe Township’s greatest challenges? If re-elected, how would you work to tackle these challenges during your term as a trustee?
Most importantly would be maintaining our volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to continue to find folks that are willing and able to volunteer and provide the services we rely on for our safety in our community. And then I think the second challenge is going to be to continue to be efficient with the way that we as township trustees manage our budgets and live within our means. I’ve taken pride in the fact that the current board of trustees and the fiscal officer have a great working relationship, and we’ve been able to provide the services we do provide, update equipment and maintain roads at a high level without increasing taxes.
Anything else you’d like to add?
It’s been a privilege to serve the residents of Monroe Township the last five years, and I’m asking for their support to continue the great history and track record the board of trustees has laid out.
• Wesley Dingus, 44, resides at 142 West Elm Street in Butler
Current occupation: Body shop manager at Moore’s Downtown in Bellville
Educational attainment: 1996 graduate of Clear Fork High School and Knox County Career Center in auto collision program
Any prior experience as an elected official: Village of Butler council member for 7 years
Any other details you believe are relevant: President of Butler area merchants association for the past 3 years, with the goal of creating an environment to attract new businesses and promote current business; while on council, part of obtaining millions of taxpayer dollars coming back to our community; part of receiving half a million dollar grant for Safe Route to School sidewalk construction
Why are you interested in becoming a Worthington Township trustee?
I am a conservative and I believe from dog catcher to president, every election matters – school board, council, township, every election matters. As a trustee, we should work in tandem with the local village and share equipment and piggyback employees. There’s a lot of tax dollars, and we must utilize them the best. My goal would be to get more of our tax dollars back into our community to attract business and see long-term improvements.
What do you believe are Worthington Township’s greatest assets? If elected, how could you leverage those assets for the betterment of the township?
I believe we’re right at the foothills of Mohican, and that’s an asset and a plus for our community. The beginning of Pleasant Hill is in our township. We have a lot to attract people, and the people of the valley are an asset. As a trustee, I want to use those positives to attract more. Maybe it seems like there’s “nothing” in a small town, but there’s a lot to offer. Business is a staple for income tax, so using not only the beauty of our county but the community itself – the people, the friendliness, the talking neighbor-to-neighbor, all of that comes together to make our community an attractive place to set up shop and live.
What do you believe are Worthington Township’s greatest challenges? If elected, how would you work to tackle these challenges during your term as a trustee?
The challenge is we don’t have Walmart or the mall right next door, so it’s making what we already have look attractive. We still are a fairly large farming community with third, fourth and fifth generation farms, but maybe you have a first generation farmer who wants to come in, and what land is available and appealing? That would mean working with the commissioners and the chamber of commerce to advertise what we have to offer. Working with what we have and then adding to it to make it more appealing to move your family or your business to this side of the county.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I work well with others in attracting growth and getting tax dollars. It’s never a one-person team, it takes multiple people to do those things. I’m good with legwork, I’m great with ideas, and I’m equally as great with helping implement those ideas.
• Clint Sellers, 46, resides at 7570 North Liberty Road in Butler
Current occupation: Assistant vice president for Shelly & Sands
Educational attainment: High school graduate, associates degree in business from The Ohio State University
Any prior experience as an elected official: Been a trustee since 2014
Any other details you believe are relevant: In my job at Shelly & Sands, I solve problems on a daily basis, and apply that same work ethic for the township
Why are you interested in retaining your seat as a Worthington Township trustee?
I get along great with the other two trustees and our fiscal officer. It’s a great pleasure to serve the community and the township. A challenge is always good, and there are some challenges with being a trustee, and that keeps me motivated. My priorities are staying within our budget and maintaining fiscal responsibility.
What do you believe are Worthington Township’s greatest assets? If re-elected, how could you leverage those assets for the betterment of the township?
I would say the greatest asset is the people. Obviously there are taxpayer dollars involved with everything we do; between us three trustees and our fiscal officer, we’ve stayed within our budget and haven’t mismanaged any taxpayer dollars.
What do you believe are Worthington Township’s greatest challenges? If re-elected, how would you work to tackle these challenges during your next term as a trustee?
Some of the challenges are with the roads and culverts. Ever since I’ve been in office, in conjunction with the other trustees, we’ve put down 1,200 to 1,400 tons of asphalt trying to maintain the roads. We average about five miles of chip and seal on our roads, which we bid out to contractors. On the fire and rescue side, we’ve more than doubled our manpower over the last couple years; our cardiac and respiratory services have doubled, and our community outreach programs remain strong. We’ve improved the fire department structurally and put a new roof on the fire and rescue department building. There will always be routine equipment maintenance and upgrades to our equipment.
