MINERVA — Five residents of West Township will vie in the November general election for two available township trustee seats.

Incumbent Todd Wright is trying to retain his seat against challengers Tiffany Tomer-Horton, Elton Lowmiller, Martin Merrick and Glenn Whiteleather.

Tiffany Tomer-Horton

Tomer-Horton, of Rochester Road in East Rochester, has owned the Mystical Hollow since 2023 and believes that community spirit is the way to improve the West Township community.

Married with one daughter and two stepchildren, Tomer-Horton previously had worked as a certified phlebotomist and medical assistant.

She also belongs to the Minerva Area Chamber of Commerce.

A longtime West Township resident, Tomer-Horton touts her strong communication, leadership, financial management skills as well as knowledge of township laws and policies as assets that she could bring to the position.

Elton Lowmiller

Lowmiller, who operates a farm alongside his family, owns a straight truck hauling aggregate. He hopes that his familiarity with the township and his relationships with other businesses may be utilized to complete residents’ needs.

His skills include a familiarity with heavy equipment and required maintenance, employee management as well as how a board operates and runs.

He resides on Lowmiller Road in Minerva.

A past member of the Columbiana County Soil and Water Board of Supervisors, Lowmiller currently is a member of the Dairy Record Management Systems Advisory Board and the Dairy Herd Improvement Board of Directors.

A Minerva High School graduate, he also served in the U.S. Navy before returning home to attend Stark State College.

He also is a member of the Homeworth Masonic Lodge 499 and Columbiana County Farm Bureau.

“My grandfather and father taught me about (the township’s) workings, and I am ready to serve the residents’ best interests with a particular focus on maintain and improving roads,” he added.

Lowmiller and his wife Mandy have two daughters, ages 8 and 10.

Martin Merrick

Merrick, of Sandy Springs Road in Minerva, is excited about the prospect of serving his community.

A third-generation farmer within West Township, he also believes that township roads need attention. “I travel many township roads on a regular basis, and I believe that helping to maintain and repair the roads is a way I can serve (the community).

A graduate of Minerva High and The Ohio State University, he currently is a member of the Columbiana County Farm Bureau and New Garden Methodist Church.

In addition to running Conser Run Farm, Merrick also runs Conser Run Excavating and is a seasonal employee for Enviroscapes, removing snow.

Through his experience in excavation, he has experience in ditching, snow removal and road maintenance.

“Through the excavation jobs and custom farming, I have experience working with many different people and applying different ideas on the job. This also helped me to become an approachable person who is able to talk and work with many people.”

Merrick and his wife CoraLee have two sons Jameson, 3, and Kolson, 1.

Todd Wright

Incumbent Wright, of Melissa Lane in Minerva, works for the county engineer.

A United Local graduate, he attended Stark State College and has secured various Ohio Department of Transportation certifications in snow and ice control, road maintenance and road drainage issues.

Wright currently volunteers in ministries with the Alliance Friends Church.

Before winning his seat on West Township’s board of trustees, he had a failed run for Knox Township trustee in 2007.

With more than 25 years of experience working on roads, Wright worked his way up to general foreman for the county engineer caring for more than 170 miles of county roads.

He touts his biggest accomplishments as a trustee as the location and acquision of multiple pieces of newer equipment for daily operations as well as also obtaining a $50,000 sign grant through the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Wright, also has represented West Township on the Homeland Security Advisory Committee, also owns T&M Storage in West Township as well as Revive and Spa in Minerva.

Wright and his wife of 21 years Mandi have three sons.

Glenn Whiteleather did not complete a questionnaire for inclusion in this article.