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UNITY TOWNSHIP -- Three candidates have tossed their hats into the ring for one available trustee seat in Unity Township.
Terry McElroy, who has served as a trustee for seven years, faces opposition from Kris Wischerman and Mary Beth DiCello on the Nov. 7 ballot.
If re-elected, McElroy hopes to remain focused on maintaining and improving roads in the township.
"With my knowledge, I can continue to keep township roads in good condition," he said.
McElroy added that includes "ensuring that the intersections are visible and safe and overseeing winter roads for safe passage." He said his work experience as an operating engineer with Local 18 makes him an ideal trustee. He listed experience with road repairs, culverts, bridge repairs, under drains, sound barrier walls, building sites, underground storm systems and two years of snow removal for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT). He said he has "20 years of hands-on experience with state roads," is "able to assist township employees on any job including snow removal" and is "experienced with budgeting time and finances to bring projects under or within allocated costs."
When asked about his biggest accomplishments to date as a trustee, McElroy put the installation of a stop sign at the corners of Hadley and State Line roads at the top.
"I contacted Columbiana County and along with the other trustees we had this stop sign put in place," he said. "This intersection has had multiple accidents and a fatality."
McElroy also took pride in solving a 25-year-old water problem for one resident. He said after a new culvert was installed on the property, he personally raked, seeded and strawed the resident's yard. He also said he helped a resident solve a standing water problem, calling both ODOT and the railroad until the necessary repairs were completed to solve the issue.
McElroy said he hopes to "improve communications between Unity Township, East Palestine and New Waterford" and to encourage and facilitate cooperation between the communities impacted by the Feb. 3 Norfolk Southern train derailment.
"I am looking forward to working together to establish a round table with the villages of East Palestine and New Waterford to work on concerns, ensure future safety and work towards economic recovery," he said.
McElroy is a member of Mason Lodge 417 East Palestine, the New Waterford Lions Club, East Palestine Sportsmen Club and Columbiana County Wildlife Federation. McElroy is a married father of two daughters and grandfather to seven.
The 59-year-old DiCello is a 1982 East Palestine High School graduate. She has an Associate of Applied Business-Business Management-Eastern Gateway Community College.
Family members include her husband of 49 years, Tony; and children including two daughters, Toni DiCello of New Waterford and Samantha DiCello of East Palestine; two sons, Nicolas DiCello of East Palestine and Jacob DiCello of Columbus; two granddaughters, Jaylin and Avery; and two grandsons, Kameron and Kolten.
Her work history: East Palestine School District, High School Office Administrator, current, full-time, 24 years; Moose Lodge #467, bartender, current, part-time, five years; Associated T.A.D.-part-time bookkeeper/accounting and production, five years; East Palestine China Company, full-time bookkeeper/accounting and office manager, 14 years.
Her current community activities include member of East Palestine Athletic Boosters, 22 years, secretary/treasurer, 15 years; member of East Palestine Moose 467; and, member of East Palestine Fraternal Eagles 1506.
This is her first time running for office and she has never been appointed to a public body.
DiCello listed as qualifications:
Education --Associated of Applied Business Degree in Business Management.
Experience --"Many years of employment in business finances and operations from start to finish has given me excellent experience in budgeting, job-costing and financial accountability."
Diversity --"My decades of work experience include public employment and private business from large manufacturing to mom-and-pop small business which gives me a broad understanding of the local business needs and potential growth opportunities for the area."
Invested --"Lifelong resident and employment in Unity Township. I'm personally invested and committed to the area and the people. I've had the privilege of interacting and building relationships with a wide variety of residents over the years and continue to do so today through my employment and personal life through public service."
DiCello is seeking office because;
"I decided it's time to get off the sidelines and try to be an active participant in the operations and solutions for the Unity Township. I've always followed government, especially local, with an avid interest in getting more involved until a few years ago when the health demands of my parents and COVID happened.
"The train derailment along with a personal health battle of my own this year gave me renewed motivation to take the leap and give it a shot. The township covers Unity, East Palestine and New Waterford as well as their outlaying areas. I think helping residents overcome the misconception that Unity Township only cover Unity is vital to improving relationships among each entity.
"I like the idea that in the position of Unity Township Trustee, I'd have an opportunity to serve a broader scope of people covering these areas. With the recent train derailment event in East Palestine, bringing everyone together gives us all a strong voice in addressing the needs of those residents and the township as a whole. I'd like to help facilitate a closer working relationship between these communities to use current and potential funding and resources towards improving infrastructure, resolving common issues and taking advantage of growth opportunities that would benefit us all. Outside of my employment, I've been involved in public service in various ways over the years, from youth sports to community event and would like to opportunity to continue to do so through the position of Unity Township Trustee."
Why should voters elect me over other candidates?: "I'll be coming in without a personal agenda, ready to listen and work hard for the residents to make Unity Township a great place to live and work. I think the people who know me or have worked with me know that I'm willing to educate myself, take on tough tasks and give whatever it takes to getting things done. If questions need asked, I'll ask. If work needs done, I'll work. Whatever it takes to move forward. You'll know I'm willing to make the effort and represent everyone equally in order to get things done."
The 51-year-old Wischerman is a 1991 East Palestine High School graduate. His work history includes R.W. Grim Welding, 18 years, senior welder; Columbiana County Highway Dept., 16 years, foreman; and, K&C Welding, LLC, five years, sole member and operator.
Family members include his wife of 28 years, Cortney (Wales); and two children, a daughter, Kerrigan Wischerman (EPSH Class of 2016); and a son, Cameron Wischerman (EPHS Class of 2020).
He has never held public office. He has never been appointed to a public body. He lost a bid for East Palestine mayor in 2011.
"Public office in its simplest form is public service," Wischerman said regarding qualifications for office. "Though I may not have direct experience as a public official, I have countless years of experience serving the public. Service can be defined as sacrifice for the betterment of others. I have made many sacrifices to ensure the members of our community experience safety in all aspects of travel across our roadways. These sacrifices include countless nights and holidays spent away from my family plowing so others may safely travel home to their loves ones.
"My years of experience as a welder has allowed me to fix, maintain, and prolong the usefulness of Columbiana County equipment paid for by taxpayers dollars. As a foreman, I work diligently with my crew members to repair roadways and bridges. Though my directive is to work in a fiscally responsible manner, safety of our residents is always my number one priority.
"Outside of my work as a county employee, I have also been committed to growing a small business, K&C Welding, LLC, based in East Palestine. I have provided services to the East Palestine Youth Sports Association, East Palestine School District and the East Palestine Fire Department. Small businesses are a vital part of community growth and development which is why I continue providing affordable services to other small businesses, local organizations and our residents."
Asked why he was seeking office, Wischerman responded: "Over the past 16 years as an employee of the Columbiana County Highway Department, I have responded to countless call-outs and requests for assistance. Oftentimes the residents of Columbiana County, to include United Township, request help from trustees and local representatives who are unable to provide the answers or give direction to those residents in need.
"Accordingly, these representatives reach out the various to county employees to respond to the members of the community. The issue of ineffective leadership has persisted for too long. The disconnect between the residents and the representatives has become a problem which is affecting the health, safety and general welfare of our community. I desire to address these issues head-on by not only answering the call, but going out into the community and providing the assistance needed. I do not intend to sit idly by as our community suffers through hardships and difficulties. Instead, I plan on being an active part of the solution and becoming a trustee whom our residents can trust and rely on.
"Furthermore, I believe our community has missed out on opportunities to receive funding from state and federal grants. Grant funding is a key component to community development. We are a community built upon hard-working individuals who strive each day to earn an honest wage. Our tax dollars cannot and should not be the only funds stimulating community growth. Opportunities for match funding, state grants and federal grants are out there for us to pursue. I intend to apply for any and every grant which can benefit our community because we all work too hard to allow these opportunities to pass us by."
As to why voters should elect him over other candidates, Wischerman responded: "The right to vote is the cornerstone of our country and the rights we all hold so dear. I do not intend to talk poorly about the other candidates in this election. Instead, I prefer to allow my reputation, character, and commitment to our community to evidence why I deserve your vote. Securing your vote and becoming a Unity Township Trustee is not my end goal. Once, I become a trustee, my goal will be to serve our community in such a way as to continue to earning your vote each and every day."