MILTON TOWNSHIP — Three candidates have filed to fill two Milton Township Trustee positions: two incumbent and a newcomer.
The names on the ballot will be incumbent Mitchell W. Bolin, Ronald W. Hershey and Eric Fulk, the 20-plus-years incumbent.
Each of the candidates were asked the same questions about themselves and why they are running for the trustee seat.
The race is non-partisan and the elected candidates will serve four-year terms.
Eric Fulk
Fulk, a life-long resident of Milton Township, graduated from Ashland High School and became a line man for Ohio Edison at 18. He has now worked there for nearly 40 years.
He was first elected as trustee when he was 36; now he is 57 and still asking Milton Township residents for their support.
Fulk said when he started, there were zoning, road and equipment issues. Now, he believes the trustees have done well in improving and updating equipment and buildings.
That included better snow removal because of upgraded equipment, which Fulk said is important for keeping roads clear and residents safe. He also mentioned receiving positive feedback on grass mowing.
“We’ve come a long way,” he said.
But, there is always room for improvement, Fulk said. For him, that means always trying to make the roads smoother and safer.
He also said he wants to continue to make zoning more “business friendly.” He said that helps keep property values up.
Fulk is a dad to two sons and a husband to his wife Jill, who he has been married to for 23 years. He believes his “people person” personality makes him a good candidate for reelection.
Ronald W. Hershey
Hershey is also a lifelong native of Ashland County who graduated from Ashland High School in 1985. He went to Terra Technical College after high school to pursue an associate’s degree in HVAC applied science.
He now works as the president and owner of Excavating LLC while also owning Hershey Store & Lockit storage.
“As a prospective trustee, I desire to bring a fresh voice to our residents, promote a fair and inclusive culture, as well as welcome ideas to facilitate greater dialogue,” Hershey said.
Though he has never held elected office before, Hershey already has issues he wants to address if elected; those include:
- Facilitating communication between the township government and the community.
- Representing interests, pressing concerns and resolutions for the township residents.
- Overseeing the maintenance, repair and improvement of township roads.
“I will address these issues actively by regularly attending Township Hall meetings, as well as soliciting feedback from residents and being supportive to their requests/concerns,” Hershey said.
Hershey said his confidence as a critical thinker, his success as a “business mind,” loyalty to moral integrity, honesty and flexibility differentiate him from his opponents.
“I am ambitious and dedicated to collaborative strategies that can best serve quality township improvements,” he said.
“I pride myself as personable and approachable. I genuinely look forward to long lasting collaborations as we extend our network as Milton Township neighbors,” Hershey said.
Mitchell W. Bolin
Bolin is an Ashland High School graduate who has been working as an owner/operator at Bartley and Bolin Excavating for 41 years.
If reelected, this will be Bolin’s second term in office. He pursues the trustee position after people in Milton Township asked him if he would run for the position.
He said he has enjoyed getting to talk with people about their concerns and helping to remedy them.
“We try to make the right decisions and help when can,” he said.
In his first four years, the trustees upgraded equipment, performed road improvements and installed upgrades to the township house where the trustees, and other groups, hold their meetings.
“We want it to be nice for [those groups] when we all come in and meet,” he said.
As a lifelong resident and owner of a local business, Bolin feels he has the knowledge and skills to continue to serve the township as a trustee.
“It says a lot when you go for a position and you have the support of the community to be asked to go for another four years. You take that with pride,” Bolin said.
For more information about the Nov. 4 election, please visit the Ashland County Board of Elections website.