MIFFLIN TOWNSHIP — Two incumbents and one novice are competing for the two available Mifflin Township Trustee seats that will appear on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Dan Atterholt and Eric C. Oswalt already hold two of the three seats, and Mike Stimmel hopes to secure one of their four-year terms.
The race is nonpartisan. Trustees are paid $60 an hour for 200 hours of work for the year, which totals to $12,000 annually.
Dan Atterholt
Atterholt, better known to community members by his nickname “Slim,” was appointed to his position at the beginning of 2022.
But for 33 years he has worked as the lead maintenance technician at Charles Mill Lake Park.
He said his position as trustee allows him to continue to serve the public in a new way.
The 51-year-old has lived in Mifflin Township his whole life. He is a graduate of Hillsdale High School.
Safety is Atterholt’s biggest concern. He said that involves making sure rural roads are clear of any debris, such as fallen trees, and maintaining a good fire department.
“We want to make [firefighters’] jobs easier,” he said.
Atterholt has been involved in the construction of a new fire station, which he said is waiting on plumbing permits.
He always keeps a notepad with him in case any residents see him and have comments or concerns.
“We like to listen to concerns and we try to get out in public a lot,” he said.
For Atterholt, the position is not about the money, it’s about helping people out. Atterholt has not previously served in other elected positions.
Eric C. Oswalt
Oswalt has served as township trustee for 28 years, and he is running again to “keep Mifflin Township moving forward,” he said.
Now that Oswalt is retired from his career as a self-employed truck driver, he can better focus on serving Mifflin residents.
Also a life-long resident of Mifflin Township, the 65-year-old graduated from Hillsdale High School.
He wants to continue to improve the work he started, including improving roads, maintaining road and EMS equipment, overseeing construction of the new fire department building and keeping taxes low.
Oswalt said it’s important to “work within our means,” which means not putting any new levies on the ballot.
But Oswalt said he wants to research grants that could help fund widening Township Road 1215 because the road is “too narrow for its traffic level.”
Oswalt said he’s right for the position because of his communication and “people-person” skills.
“I enjoy working with the people and answering questions, good or bad,” he said.
Mike Stimmell
Stimmell has never held public office, but as a Mifflin Township native, he feels he can serve the needs of Mifflin residents.
The 73-year-old graduated from Hillsdale High School and became a truck driver. He also farms corn, wheat, soy beans and raises cattle, mostly for him and his family.
Now that he is half-retired, Stimmell said he has time to dedicate to being a trustee.
If he is elected, Stimmell’s biggest priority is trimming trees along the roads, which he said are outgrown and scraping the top of his truck. He has heard similar complaints from other residents.
Stimmell said his status as a veteran and ownership of a Class A commercial driver’s license, which is the most versatile license allowing him to operate tractors and large rigs, differentiates him from his opponents.
For more information about the Nov. 4 election, visit the Ashland County Board of Elections website.
