Sugar Creek Twp.[Derived headline] [Daily Record, The (Wooster, OH)]

Sugar Creek Twp.

(elect two)

Tom Gregory

13321 Arnold Road

Dalton

Did not respond.

Roger J. Kohler II (D)

818 N. Kohler Road

Orrville

Age: 49.

Occupation, qualifications: Self-employed farmer; lifelong resident of Sugar Creek Township.

Response: "We need to maintain the current township programs that are currently in place, the maintenance of roads and equipment; the summer mowing program and the winter snow removal.

"The most pressing issue is the funding of the fire departments and EMT's. The East Wayne Fire District has placed a levy on the ballot asking the voters to support the fire district. If the levy passes, I will move forward with the program as a township trustee. If the levy fails the township trustees and the fire district will need to work with the residents of Sugar Creek Township to find another solution.

"I would sincerely appreciate your vote for Sugar Creek Township trustee on Nov. 5."

Lynn E.

Neuenschwander (R)

2820 S. West Lebanon Road

Dalton

Age: 30.

Occupation, qualifications: Born and raised in Sugar Creek Township/Dalton; lifelong farmer being raised on my parents' dairy farm; currently engaged in my own crop farming operation as well as owner of L&A Hay Enterprises; self-employed auctioneer since 2005.

"Personally, I would like to thank retiring trustee Glen Frantz for his 30-plus years of excellent service he gave us and also his encouragement of my candidacy, and the relationship Glen and I have built in the last 20-plus years of leasing his farm have been great. It would be my goal to continue the level of standards of honesty, integrity and" ... exceeded the word limit.

Response: "I think the most pressing problem is to replace retiree township trustee, Glen Frantz's shoes because of his extreme dedication to the township. Life brings changes and I feel that we need new blood in the township since Glenn Frantz's retirement, but we also need old blood, too. So I am asking Sugar Creek Township voters to vote for my friend, Melvin Wyss, who has been our trustee for many years. It takes the old blood and new blood together to make this kind of change work like it has for the past many years."

Mitch Steiner (R)

4101 Steinwood Road

Dalton

Age: 52.

Occupation, qualifications: "I graduated with honors from Ashland University with a bachelor's degree, where I studied finance and accounting. I have 18 years of international business experience and during these years have worked with many federal and state government offices and agencies throughout the world, on various business projects. I am an associate member of Ohio Township Association, and have already enrolled in Ohio Township Leadership Academy, as well as completed the State of Ohio Sunshine Laws training."

Response: "Having attended Sugar Creek township meetings for several years, I am knowledgeable about current township issues and financial situation. Our township must start functioning more like a business in budgeting and finding less costly solutions.

"Recently our trustees voted to join a Joint Fire District which will send tax dollars out of our township. This increases the taxes to our township residents, and relinquishes local control of our fire and EMS services. My fellow candidate, Scott Widmer and I see a much better option of having fire districts within Sugar Creek Township (not with other political subdivisions) and keeping township control of these safety services. This option will also allow lower taxes and have 100 percent of our tax dollars benefit our local fire departments.

"I pledge to perform due diligence and pay attention to financial details on all township issues, which will benefit the residents of Sugar Creek Township."

Scott E. Widmer (R)

13680 Emerson Road

Dalton

Age: 49.

Occupation, qualifications: "Although my family has farmed since 1851, I started my first business in 1975 and sold it when I was 17. I went on to earn a bachelor's degree in mechanical technology and a master's degree in business administration, both from Purdue University. Since then I have owned several businesses and have been successful professionally as an accountant, controller, engineer and operations manager over the last 30 years. Still, my favorite job has been hauling grain during harvest on the family farm. Today I manage two businesses from my home in Kidron and teach business classes at Ashland University."

Response: "In 2012, Sugar Creek Township trustees voted themselves the maximum salaries allowed and 100 percent paid insurance benefits. This totaled $107,193 in salaries, health insurance, and retirement benefits for three trustees and a fiscal officer. In contrast, the township pays $72,500 per year for fire and EMS protection. This compensation seems inappropriate during a period of declining revenues, especially when trustees have said they may not be able to pay for future fire and EMS protection. My fellow candidate, Mitch Steiner, and I intend to reduce trustee salaries and benefits to a fiscally appropriate amount.

"We would also implement a complete review of cost saving alternatives for providing health insurance, including the possibility of requiring elected officials to pay a percentage of the premiums, which is a standard business practice today.

"I respect our community's values and traditions, but represent fresh perspectives for the challenges on our horizon."

Melvin R. Wyss

13571 Emerson Road

Kidron

Age: 77.

Occupation, qualifications: Retired; numerous years of experience as a township trustee.

Response: "Budget constraints due to reduced funding from state government."

Wayne Twp.

(elect two)

Tom Buchholz

1105 W. Smithville Western Road

Wooster

Did not respond.

Tracey W. Varns

3162 Briarwood Drive

Wooster

Did not respond.

Wooster Twp. trustee

(two seats available)

Michael S. Lindeman

2733 Shreve Road

Wooster

Age: 40.

Occupation, qualifications: Transportation manager for the Ohio Department of Transportation for over 16 years. "During my career at ODOT I have performed, inspected and supervised all aspects of road construction and maintenance. My job duties include budgeting, scheduling, equipment purchasing and maintenance, payroll, employee evaluations, and supervision of 20-30 employees to maintain the 536 lane miles of Interstate, U.S., and state routes in Wayne County. I also respond to emergencies related to weather, auto accidents, fires and spills."

Response: "Funding is the biggest challenge facing government entities. Fiscal responsibility can no longer be used as a catch phrase by those seeking election, but rather as a reality of these trying economic times. All levels of government need to ensure the best use of our available funding. Elected officials should not only have the ability to make educated decisions, but should also be able to explain to their constituents when repairs, maintenance, and construction will take place or why they will not. If elected I will make customer service a priority and will do so by meeting face-to- face with them. It has been my experience that by giving an honest and complete answer to a situation we are able to build and sustain productive relationships. I will also support the WTFD; I have worked with them on numerous incidents and they have always performed in an efficient and professional manner."

Matthew P. Ogden (R)

2671 Shreve Road

Wooster

Age: Did not respond.

Occupation, qualifications: "I am a life resident of Wooster Township and a graduate of Triway High School. I received a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance from Ashland University. I am currently employed at FirstMerit Bank as a financial representative/banker."

Response: "The most pressing issue facing our township will be the continued funding cuts to the township's budget. We continue to see cuts at the federal level all the way to our local level. With the current conditions we will continue to see funding cuts for the foreseeable future. As a trustee I will use my education and professional experience to help the township funds stretch through this continued difficult time. I will strive to control costs while providing the best level of service the residents of Wooster Township expect and deserve."

Tim Tausch (R)

2541 Jane St.

Wooster

Age: 60.

Occupation, qualifications: 17 years as a district manager for Sunbelt Rentals (second largest construction equipment rental company in the U.S.). Responsibilities include management and performance of 14 locations located in four states with over 200 employees; 16 years as a Wooster Township trustee; four-year college degree in business administration and management; 33 years business management experience.

Response: "The most pressing problem is the continued reduction of government funding. The revenue reduction to government agencies and steady cost increases make it difficult to continue providing township residents with the level of service they expect and deserve. Most notably, the rising cost of health care and fire fighting equipment and supplies is far exceeding the increase in revenues we are receiving. The challenge is, and will continue to be, managing every dollar as efficiently as possible to maintain township services, fire, EMS, and township roads, to the expectations of Wooster Township residents.

"I can offer my 16 years experience as a Wooster Township trustee and extensive business management background to aid the difficult decisions needed to give Wooster Township residents the level of services they expect and deserve."