County, township candidates speak during Chatham Township Candidates Night

CHATHAM TWP. — Medina County residents had the opportunity to hear from several candidates running for positions serving Medina County and Chatham Township in the Nov. 7 election. The event on Thursday, which was sponsored by the Chatham Community Action Group, allowed candidates to introduce themselves and speak about why they are running for the position. Medina Municipal Judge Gary Werner and Medina Municipal Clerk of Courts Joe Salzgeber attended, speaking briefly about their current position and why they are running for re-election. Werner is running for another six-year term as judge against candidate Anne Eisenhower. Before becoming a judge, Werner practiced law for about 20 years in four law firms. As for the role he started in 2018, Werner said that he works to reflect what he likes most about other judges, stating that they work hard, come prepared, are timely and fair to everyone. "I get this chance to put those best practices to work here in Medina County for all of us," Werner said. Salzgeber is running for his first full term as Medina Municipal Clerk of Courts against candidate Mike Kovack. He was appointed to the position by the Medina County Republican Central Committee in early January 2021, filling in the vacant position left by Clerk Nancy Abbott, who retired Dec. 31, 2020. Salzgeber was then elected to the position in November 2021 to finish Abbott's remaining term through the end of this year. After both Werner and Salzgeber spoke, the three candidates for the one open seat for Chatham Township trustee had an opportunity to speak. Candidate Ethan Siman is a lifelong resident of Chatham Township and currently serves on the Chatham Township Fire Department. After graduating from high school, Siman began volunteering with the fire department before joining the U.S. Navy, where he served for six years. Candidate Dave Rice has lived in Chatham Township for the past 15 years and considers the township home. Rice recently earned his law degree from the University of Akron. "I think it's time for me to give back to the community that supported me on that journey and put that knowledge to use," Rice said. "My legal background will help me to serve the township and will be of great value in navigating the administrative and legal aspects of being a trustee." The third candidate for Chatham Township to speak was Bruce Bohner Jr., who was born and raised in Chatham Township. In the 1960s, Bohner's grandparents bought farms within the township, both of which are still maintained. "I would like to think of Chatham as a place that still has that small-town community," Bohner said. "It's a tight-knit community, and I'd like to keep it that way. That's one of the reasons that I am running for trustee." Chatham Township's current Fiscal Officer Sarah Poling also spoke during Thursday's event. She is running unopposed. "Chatham Township's budget has doubled since I started in 2016," Poling said. "When I started, we were at $1.1 million. Today, in 2023, we're at $2.2 million. As our township has grown, so has our budget and so has the responsibility as fiscal officer." After the six candidates introduced themselves, the two local issues on Chatham Township residents' ballots were briefly discussed, Cloverleaf Schools' income tax and property tax and Medina County's human services levy. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.