3 candidates vie for 2 Vermillion Township trustee seats

VERMILLION TOWNSHIP — Voters in Vermillion Township will have choices for who represents them on the board of trustees come Nov. 4. 

There are two seats available. Incumbent Grant Conwell is seeking a new term. Challengers Ben Rogers and Ryan Koch are seeking votes.

Each seat’s term runs for four years.

Early voting began Oct. 7. Read below for more information on each candidate.

This is how candidates answered the following questions posed to them via email. Their answers have been organized alphabetically by last name and edited lightly for clarity.

Why are you seeking this particular office?

I am seeking this particular office because I am raising my family in this community and I want to see it prosper. I have some ideas that would benefit everyone in the community.

What are the top 3 issues you will address if elected? How would you address them?

1. If elected, my first priority would be road maintenance. Everybody uses the roads daily and it is important that the roads are safe and passable, especially in the winter months. I would be in favor of spending extra money on snow and ice control because it is our families, teenage drivers, school busses and loved ones using these roads. I want to keep up with maintenance of the roads in some sort of rotation.

There are options to consider within the township’s budget regarding hot mix paving, chip and sealing, and motor paving. All these options could be considered to meet the township’s needs.

2. Another priority of mine would be to give back to the community. I believe the township could be used in an impactful way to help the residents of Vermillion Township. One example is to start trash collection days for large items, tires, etc. throughout the year.

I would like to work with the Ashland County Solid Waste Department to accomplish this. Offering a service like this benefits the community at a very minimal cost to the township. Another priority is to continue with the ballpark, facilities, and park improvements. After talking with people in the community, I’ve realized that the ballfields and buildings are an important gathering place and we need to keep up with maintenance and improvements.

A final example is collaborating with the fire and EMS crews to ensure they have the resources and support that they need to continue aiding our community. The men and women serving in the volunteer departments are putting the community’s needs ahead of their own and we need to make sure they are provided for.

3. Last, I would maintain financial accountability to the public. It is a right of the taxpayers to know where their tax dollars are being spent. I would welcome the residents of Vermillion Township to come to any public meeting and have their voices and opinions heard. I believe that debate and differing opinions only make a community stronger. I would base my decisions on whether this makes our community better and can we do this within budget?

List the top 3 things that differentiate you from your opponents.

1. I believe experience speaks for itself. I have worked for the Ashland County highway department for nearly 13 years and I have learned a lot about road maintenance, snow and ice removal, and valuing the public’s opinions. Public safety is one of my top concerns. 

2. I have been a public servant for almost all of my adult life. At a young age I joined the military and now I work for Ashland County. Having jobs fueled by the public’s tax dollars has helped me realize that it is a duty to the taxpayers to see results.

3. I have lived in this community the longest of the three candidates. I have interacted with the people of this community for many years and I understand what is important to them. I am always open to hearing thoughts and opinions.

Other thoughts you would like to share

If elected, I am truly looking forward to being a servant of the people of Vermillion Township. I want to make this a better place for my family and yours. I want to make an impact for future generations.

Why are you seeking this particular office?

I am running for re-election because I enjoy being part of this community and listening
to what the tax payers have to say and helping to make the township better.

What are the top 3 issues you will address if elected? How would you address them?

1.We will continue to improve the quality of our roads. We are currently widening
some of the roads to make them safer to drive and applying a level coating with
asphalt to smooth out the low spots so the ridges get taken out of the roads. This
is something we plan to do every year because it cost a lot of money and we
can’t afford it all in one year.

2. We will continue to restore and renovate our cemeteries. For the past two years we
have been in the process to level and replace gravestones in our cemeteries. It
will take a few more years to get everything completed but, we owe it to the
loved ones of the community to keep there final resting place as nice as we can.

3. We plan to build a new cemetery. Working with Hillsdale Local Schools, we
were able to acquire the old Hillsdale Elementary property. We are going to use it
for a new cemetery because we are running out of space for people to be laid to
rest. Also at this property, we are going to keep it as a public park for as long as
possible for the community to use the ball field and playground equipment.

List the top 3 things that differentiate you from your opponents

I served on the board of zoning appeals for 2 years prior to being a Trustee.
This gave me the knowledge of our zoning regulations and has helped me
become a better Trustee for Vermillion Twp.

I like to plan for the future, with the upcoming issue on property taxes in
2026, it is important to be financially responsible to plan for any issues that
may rise up due to lessoned property taxes which fund a good amount to our
Township.

It is important to be available to the township. Although I do have a full-time
job, it is important to be able to answer phone calls from the residents and be available to help in any way. There are many times in the middle of the night the Ashland County Sheriffs Office will call about a tree down and we have to be out there to clear the road for traffic.

Other thoughts you would like to share

I would like to thank the residents of Vermillion Township for trusting me with
the responsibility of being a trustee for the past five years.

After marrying my wife, Ashley — who has been a resident of Vermillion Township her whole life — I moved with her 10 years ago to the township and everyone has been very nice and accepted me like I have been here my whole life. I hope to spend my time in this great township for the unforeseeable future.

Why are you seeking this particular office?

I would like to help the residents with concerns they have and build a greater township.

What are the top 3 issues you will address if elected? How would you address them?

Ensure that township roads are properly maintained and safe for all travelers.

Make fiscally responsible decisions that benefit the entire township.

Support residents by addressing their questions and concerns promptly and effectively.

List the top 3 things that differentiate you from your opponents.

I am a hardworking and self-motivated individual with knowledge and experience in construction, farming and equipment operation.

I am dedicated to listening to and assisting township residents with any needs or concerns they may have.

I have lived in Ashland County my entire life and have been a permanent resident of Vermillion Township for the past 15 years.

Other thoughts you would like to share

I’m grateful to God for the gifts and talents He has given me, and I look forward to using them to serve and strengthen Vermillion Township.