Voters in townships surrounding the Village of Archbold will have choices to make at the voting polls on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in the General Election.
German Township Fiscal Officer
Candidate: Joyce Kinsman
Incumbent: no
Native of: Archbold
Family: husband, Rodney; two children
Education: Archbold High School, 1988 graduate; bachelor’s degree in accountancy and general business, Miami University, 1992
Present employment: chief financial officer and treasurer, Pike-Delta-York Local Schools
Other career experience: Farmers & Merchants State Bank, 1992-2000; Northern Buckeye Education Council, fiscal services specialist, 2000- 2002
Affiliations: PDY School District Foundation; Northwest Ohio Education Council; Ohio Association of School Business Officials; Delta Chamber of Commerce; steering committee, Outback Youth Center; St. John’s Christian Church, past service includes property and budget committees
Other experience: Kinsman said, “With sharing government services being a hot topic in the State of Ohio, my experience as chair of an 11- member property insurance consortium will be valuable in evaluating the long-term financial benefits of working with other governments.”
Comments: “My goal is to be credible and reliable with a high level of professionalism in the office of Fiscal Offi cer for German Township,” said Kinsman.
“I will continue to safeguard the assets for the township and report and track the collection and spending of our local resources. My nine years of experience in public service to a neighboring school district has given me the knowledge to serve my home community as the German Township fiscal officer.”
Candidate: Keith Short
Incumbent: yes
Native of: Archbold
Family: wife, Joann; four children
Education: Archbold High School, 1967 graduate; associate degree, accounting, International Business College, Fort Wayne, Ind., 1970
Present employment: chief financial officer, Granite Industries
Other career experience: controller at Bil-Jax for 15 years
Affiliations: Archbold Area Chamber of Commerce; Archbold Athletic Boosters; Lockport Mennonite Church, past treasurer and elder
Previous political experience: German Township fiscal officer, four years
Comments: Short said his goal is “to continue to maintain the high standards of fiscal responsibility of the fiscal office of German Township, with timely and sound fiscal management of township funds.”
German Township Trustee
Candidate: Kenneth “Skip” Leupp
Incumbent: yes
Native of: German Township
Family: wife, Elizabeth; two children
Education: Archbold High School, 1973 graduate; associate degree, agri-business, Northwest State Community College, 1975
Present employment: transportation coordinator, Triangular Processing
Affiliations: Ohio and Fulton County Township Association; represents German Township at Fulton County Regional Planning meetings and the Archbold Community Improvement Corporation; represents Fulton County Township Association at Four-County Solid Waste District; Rotary; Gideons International; Archbold United Methodist Church
Previous political experience: precinct head for 1 1/2 terms of Clinton Township West in late 1980s; township trustee since 2008
Other experience: Background in agriculture and management of solid waste and recycling company. Also has experience with construction of roads, water and sewer lines, and site preparation
Comments: Leupp said his goals are to “continue to procure available grant funds-(received) approximately $250,000 in first term; continue to promote improvements to the Co. Rd. 24 corridor; continue to outfi t and equip an effective fire department.”
Franklin Township Trustee
Candidate: Mark Ballmer
Incumbent: yes
Native of: Franklin Township
Family: wife, Jackie; one child
Education: Fayette High School, 1973 graduate; one year college
Present employment: self-employed
Affiliations: Fulton County Township Association, past president; Northwest Ohio Township Association; Farm Bureau board member, Ag Power Class II member; Archbold Evangelical Church
Previous political experience: 16 years, Franklin Township Trustee
Other experience: Ballmer said, “As a past Township Association president, Regional Planning Board member, and attending state township meetings, we have talked to other townships about different problems they have had, so we are able to use their experience to make good decisions.
“As a past fireman and emergency medical technician, I have a working knowledge of what they do and how to help them keep our township up to date to provide the best emergency care possible.”
Comments: Ballmer said his goal is “to maintain a good and safe place to travel and live and make good decisions for our community.”
Candidate: Mike Kinsman
Incumbent: no
Native of: Archbold
Family: wife, Rachel; two children
Education: Archbold High School, 1990 graduate
Present employment: Kinsman Propane, Inc.
Affiliations: Relay for Life; St. John’s Christian Church, SYF leader, church property committee
Comments: Kinsman said he will “listen to and serve the residents of Franklin Township the best I can.”
Franklin Township Fiscal Officer
Candidate: Josh Grime
Incumbent: no
Native of: Archbold
Family: wife, Kasey Wyse- Grime; four children
Education: Archbold High School, 1994 graduate
Present employment: D&W Collision & Radiator, Inc.
Affiliations: AHS FFA treasurer, 1994; St. John’s Christian Church; St. John’s Christian Preschool board
Comments: Grime said his objectives are “to keep accurate accounting records and carry out the duties of fiscal officer to the fullest.”
Candidate: John Winzeler
Incumbent: yes
Native of: Franklin Township
Family: wife, Eunice; four children
Education: Archbold High School, 1950 graduate; Bachelor of Science degree, Ohio State University, 1958; Master of Arts degree, OSU, 1963
Present employment: Franklin Township fiscal offi cer
Other career experience: United States Air Force, 1951-55; school teacher and administrator, 39 years
Affiliations: Quadco board, five years; Fulton County Board of Developmental Disabilities, 16 years; Fulton County Habitat for Humanity, seven years; Fulton County Senior Center volunteer driver, 12 years; Lions Club volunteer, 20 years; Fulton County Crime Stopper board, seven years
Previous political experience: Franklin Township fiscal officer, 1975 to present
Comments: Winzeler said his goals are, “to continue honest, conservative service, provide prompt service to citizens’ concerns; prepare for reduced income from state sources; help plan for the best use of funds to maintain safe road conditions.
“I appreciate the cooperation and support of the citizens of Franklin Township for the past 37 years. I have enjoyed working with the trustees to provide a strong grass roots level of government.”
Gorham Township Trustee
Candidate: Randy Merillat
Incumbent: yes
Native of: Gorham Township
Family: wife, Penny; four children
Education: Fayette High School, 1973 graduate; University of Toledo, Ferris State University, Northwest State Community College, teaching degree in vocational education-automotive technology.
Present employment: Fulton County highway superintendent
Other career experience: business owner and farmer; served 10 years as road superintendent prior to becoming a township trustee
Affiliations: Fulton County Township Association, past president; Pleasant View Union Cemetery, past president, Fayette Lions Club; Fayette Methodist Church
Previous political experience: Gorham Township Trustee since 1989
Comments: Merillat said, “I want to maintain the quality of our roadways while staying within our budget and to continue training our emergency medical technicians and firemen to ensure they keep current with regulations and skills.”
Gorham Township Fiscal Officer
Michael Figgins did not return a questionnaire.
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