My Bio
On Tuesday, November 4th, 2025, Green Township Voters will be asked to choose a candidate for the office of township trustee. I would like to introduce myself and share some thoughts, as one of your candidates.
My wife, Collette and I have been residents of Green Township for approximately sixteen years with our three children, Jennavieve, Julia, and Landon. We have been married for over twenty-five years and feel fortunate to live as residents of Green Township. We have resisted opportunities to move, because we enjoyed the community, schools, and the surrounding landscape.
My wife and I both grew up on family farms and have involved all of our children into 4-H and Junior Fair over the years. We have both made an effort to preserve the land from our ancestors for our children even though it is not local.
I completed a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University, and a Master's in Business Administration from Franklin University. I served in the Armed Forces most recently retiring from the Army Reserve after twenty nine years as a Lieutenant Colonel. I have been employed by the State of Ohio for over twenty seven years in some form of law enforcement capacity. Over the last sixteen years, I have been assigned in a capacity as a Wildlife Officer. I have gained valuable insight into being impartial and handling conflict resolution, as well as how government functions. With your support, I would like the opportunity to serve my township community as your trustee.
My Key Issues
Privacy & Space
I recognize resident's concerns over being able to enjoy more privacy and freedom in personal lifestyle choices. We live or moved to Green Township to enjoy more space and distance from our neighbors, to avoid scrutiny from neighbors and to be able to plant a garden, ride a dirt bike, enjoy a more natural environment or discharge a firearm among other things. We moved here to be able to use the land as we wished, and to avoid restrictive urban bylaws, ordinances, and zoning. • I will conduct a comprehensive review of our zoning laws. The current township philosophy is that zoning protects you. I'm not so sure, because this is often a balance between infringing upon a property owner's freedom to use or sell their property versus protecting against true harm a community may face such as toxic waste dumping or unsafe target shooting for example. • I will restore "Common Sense" to the zoning process to promote a more peaceful, welcoming environment. It should be applied uniformly, not just by complaint. • The second part of this discussion needs to be about green space. Is it a priority for residents, and are we willing to pay for it? I have watched how this has been handled over the last several years, and our elected leaders must present the community with the correct options and the residents vote on the way forward. Although I largely adhere to John Locke's view and a libertarian view on private property, I also recognize the value in what Granville Township (granvilletownship.org ) has done to protect and preserve the township. In this manner, the township/residents have paid for the right to determine the use of select open space instead of politicians just bulldozing landowner's property rights. • Leadership is about seeking solutions and planning for the future, not holding onto the present hoping nothing changes.
Fiscal Responsibility- Taxes-Transparency
• I will provide transparency with where and what your ever-increasing property taxes are spent on. I will ensure that any funding will be spent on the community's priorities through interactive feedback, whether it is the use of the facilities, recreational spaces, zoning, or public safety. The township should be on checkbook.ohio.gov • I will be transparent with meetings, fiscal decisions, and if/when the legislature reforms property taxes. Through all this I will employ responsible fiscal management, fiscal transparency, and budgetary oversight to ensure wise use of taxpayer money. • My priorities with essential services is to provide quality well maintained roads, ensure effective Fire and EMS services, and the best possible Police protection. Green township residents deserve nothing less. Here is an example of the opportunity for improvement with transparency: Were you aware, the trustees are working to add another baseball field at Coy Park? I, much like you have some questions: 1) Was community input sought? 2) Why isn't any information available to the public? 3) the drainage will always be downhill into/on the field. 4) What happens to the sledding hill that so many residents and family use? 5) What about parking if there are four different teams playing at one time which would be the purpose of adding a field? 6) Would this preclude the use/rental of the building with the parking/restrooms/volume of people? Most importantly, times have changed. Baseball is a seasonal activity. We should be listening to residents and installing pickleball courts which are used year around, require less space, less parking, and keep our residents from having to drive outside the township to play. Pickleball is popular with all genders and generations. In addition, the lights for the court could be set on a timer, and be set on a self pay so that there is minimal cost to the township, and minimal to no weekly maintenance for township employees and volunteers (like what would be raking the field). The township can’t afford any more poor decisions.
Citizen Action & Transparency
I believe it is important to encourage citizen involvement in the process of government. Most recently in the last presidential election only about 50.1 of the Mahoning County residents voted, and only about ten percent turnout for the primary elections. The importance of participation cannot be overstated. I will recruit, retain, and reactivate voters in our community even if they do not support my position. We are better together. • Check out the Mahoning County Board of Elections website at https://vote.mahoningcountyoh.gov . Here you can check to make sure you are registered to vote, register if you are not, view a sample ballot, or request an absentee ballot. • Many of our residents feel overlooked and left behind by our policy makers and that our way of life is threatened. I want to welcome residents to get involved in our local government and community. This starts with communication. • If elected, I will revamp and prioritize the Green Township website (https://www.greentownship.us ). In 2025, a government organization’s website should contain a wealth of information if transparency is a priority. At the very least it should contain the dates for the next meeting, photos and phone numbers for the trustees, a mention of law enforcement and/or a phone number, as well as past minutes from meetings (here is an example https://www.ellsworthtownship.us ) I’m not critiquing, just showing possibilities and capabilities. • More importantly community input can be captured by simple surveys so that the township money is being spent supporting the interests and needs of the community. • My goal upon election is to organize and mobilize community action days where citizens can come together using their many talents, ideas, and resources to aid the community with projects, clean-ups, and other community involvement.
Energy & the Economy
I will have open communication, accessibility, and be focused on representing the interests of all residents. I recognize the cost of living and inflation has impacted many households. Here is how I will work to help our residents: • I will work to aid in transmission of utilities, such as more natural gas lines, to aid in heating costs. • Electricity rate information will be provided whenever made available so that residents can take advantage of favorable rates. • Business growth generally follows favorable utility rates, which could provide the township with job opportunities. • I will actively listen to and address the concerns of residents to improve the quality of life in this area for our residents.
Send Me a Message
Have questions or suggestions? I would love to hear from you!