ORANGE TOWNSHIP — Jeff Ayers, John Gabriel Hadam, Seth Moody and Gregory Vogel are campaigning for a spot on the panel of Orange Township trustees.
The two newly elected trustees will serve four-year terms, replacing David Elson and George Parks and joining Brian Canfield, whose term ends in 2027.
Jeff Ayers
Orange Township native Ayers is a third-generation farmer and Mapleton High School graduate.
He is seeking elected office for the first time as a trustee because he sees it as “an opportunity to help the township,” he said.
“I want to be the voice for the people of Orange Township, not just the voice of the farming community, but the voice of the small business owners, the voice of the retired and senior population and the voice of everyone who calls Orange Township home,” he said.
The 37-year-old said his flexible schedule as a farmer and lifelong residency make him the right candidate for the position.
If elected, Ayers wants to:
- Ensure every dollar spent is accounted for and maximized
- Maintain open communication with residents
- Keep roads safe and maintained year-round
“The decision to seek the office of Orange Township trustee was an easy one. I want to give back to this township and the people. With your help I will do just that,” he said.
John Gabriel Hadam
Hadam is the owner and manager of Granger Tractor and Parts Inc. and the former fire chief of the Granger Township Fire Department in Medina County.
He has not held public office before, but he did previously run for Ashland County Commissioner as a Republican candidate in 2014.
“[I am] seeking office to give back to the community,” he said.
If elected, Hadam plans to:
- Create a Township website with “all important information”
- Maintain roads, township buildings and equipment
- Ensure the needs of the fire department are met
The 77-year-old believes his negotiating skills, teamwork skills, ability to handle stressful situations and his experience attending trustee meetings make him the right fit for the position.
“I have attended over 400 trustee and zoning meetings and worked with county prosecutors and law enforcement,” he said.
“I was not born in Orange Township, but it has been my home for 25 years, and it is a great place to call home,” he said.
Gregory Vogel
Vogel is an Ashland High School graduate who works as the vice president of Ashland Tractor Sales.
“I am seeking this office because I have always looked up to trustees and community members who serve on local government boards,” Vogel said. “Moving to Orange Township from Montgomery Township roughly seven years ago, this township has been very welcoming.
“I would like to give back to the residents of Orange Township and build on what the current Trustees have done.”
He has not held public office before, but he serves on the Fire Board and Youth League Committee.
“I truly believe that being on those positions has helped keep me in the know of what’s going on, as well as meeting some of the great people that reside here,” he said.
His plans if elected are to:
- Make smart financial choices that do not require any unnecessary tax levies.
- Create a timely rotation of roads that require maintenance.
- Be flexible to help with roads, cemetery, snow plowing maintenance.
The 39-year-old said his role managing budgets and decision making, his extensive knowledge in road repair and his involvement in the township make him the right candidate for trustee.
“For roughly eight years out of school, I ran an asphalt paver for a local company,” he said. “I would have to estimate how much asphalt was needed and complete all the excavation and prep for the roads and lots to hold up to specific conditions.
“I feel that experience will be useful with the roads.
“I’ve wanted to run for this position since I moved to Orange Township. I decided to try this term since two Trustees are moving on to different things. I always thought they did a great job and want to continue that forward progress,” he said.
Seth Moody
Moody is a Mapleton High School graduate who works as a service manager for Shakley Mechanical Inc.
He has not run for elected office before, but after his friends and neighbors told him she should, he decided to run for trustee.
Moody said he is ready to do “whatever I can do to help the township.”
If elected, Moody hopes to advocate for stricter zoning regulations, mow ditches more often and listen to residents’ concerns.
“Anything that the residents bring up, I’ll make sure that it’s addressed and try to find timely solution,” he said.
In his job, Moody works with the public every day and solves problems, which he thinks makes him a good fit for the position.
His experience in HVAC and plumbing work also allows him to help maintain township buildings if a problem arises. He also has a background in excavating, which Moody said will help with trustee road maintenance work.
The 53-year-old has lived in Orange Township for 22 years and Ashland County his whole life.
For more information regarding the Nov. 4 election, visit the Ashland County Board of Elections website.