Four vying for Madison Township trustee seat
Three residents ― Clifford "Jack" Collins, Dan Fletcher and Chris Adams ― are vying for the seat on Madison Township Board of Trustees currently held by Cathy Swank, who is seeking re-election.
All four candidates in the Madison Township trustee race in the Nov. 7 election took part in a Candidates Night on Monday at Mansfield Baptist Temple.
Candidates were asked questions about potential levies, increasing manpower in the road department, securing grants, cleaning up neighborhoods, attracting new businesses and constructing a new fire station.
All four candidates said the only way to get new money to make improvements would be to increase revenues with a levy or decrease expenses in the township, and they would be interested in a levy down the road for resurfacing of the township's roads and/or a new fire station.
Swank, a lifelong resident of the Madison Township community and a former Madison trustee (2000-2007), was re-elected in 2019.
She graduated from Madison High School and taught 32 years in the Madison school district, served 22 years as a volunteer paramedic with the Madison Fire Department, and holds a bachelor's of arts degree from the Ohio State University and a master's degree from Ashland University.
"There are many important issues facing Madison Township at the present such as water drainage problems, inefficient and inadequate fire stations, continuing to improve the roads, enticing businesses to the township to improve our tax base, neighborhood safety, and careful budget management. I respond to the citizen’s concerns in a timely and efficient manner," Swank said.
Dan Fletcher, who in the past has served as a Madison Township trustee, said he has 10 years of experience as a trustee and secured over $1.1 million in grants and loans for infrastructure and $1 million for fire equipment.
He said he is experienced in township finances and budgeting. He has 35 years as a self-employed bricklayer with solid management experience and a hands-on approach. He said he "was built to be a public servant."
A newcomer to public office, Clifford "Jack" Collins, a lifelong resident of Madison Township, said he and his wife Stacie have raised three daughters who are all graduates of Madison Comprehensive High school.
"I served my country for six years in the Army National Guard. I recently retired from Taylor Metal as a welding supervisor," he said. Collins said he enjoys being a soccer referee and coach, which he has done for 20 years.
Why would each person be the best candidate?
Collins said, "I will give the township 100% to work in this township the best I can and to do whatever I have to do to make it better."
Swank said she listens to people "and treats them the way I want to be treated. I work toward bettering this township and I have. I love this township. I'm willing to do anything for this township."
Adams, also a newcomer to public office, said he moved to Madison Township from Lorain to work in corrections at Richland Correctional Institution.
Now retired, Adams said, "I am an organizer.... I have been in a position throughout my life to be a supervisor to get things done, one who looks into everything."
Adams also said he would like to see more road patrols by deputies from the Richland County Sheriff's Office throughout the township since there were two recent homicides on Ashland Road.
Fletcher said he believes he can help the township grow. Calling himself a network person, he said he knows how to reach out to county officials to get answers. He is good at budgeting, finances and understands numbers.
Madison Township is split into three districts due to annexation into the city — the east side, the west side around Trimble and Springmill roads, and the south side by Marion Avenue and Home Road. There are only three road department employees.
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This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Teacher, businessman, welder, RiCI CO want to be Madison Twp. trustee
