Three candidates in the race for Chatham Township trustee

Bruce Bohner Jr., 45 Education: He is a 1996 Cloverleaf High School graduate. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Akron in 2003 with a major in political science and criminal justice and minor in American history and pre-law. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from Thomas Cooley Law School in 2012. Family: His parents' families came to Chatham in the 1960s and bought farms, which are still family operated today. His son Oliver, 16, is a sophomore at Cloverleaf High School, and he competes in cross country and track and field. Job history: He has worked in pharmaceutical sales for Carepoint Pharmacy since August 2022. He also has experience as a territory manager for Clearwater Systems, a heavy equipment operator at local excavating companies and a truck driver for local companies and a heavy wrecker operator at both World Truck Towing and Lloyd's Towing. Website: N/A Dave Rice, 33 Education: He attended the Ohio State University's John Glenn School of Public Affairs from 2008 to 2010, and he completed his Bachelor of Arts at John Carroll University. He has a degree in philosophy from John Carroll University's Borromeo Seminary. He obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law. Family: He currently lives with his parents Tom and Mary and his grandmother Diane. He has two sisters, Andrea and Tricia, and is the uncle of Natalie, Nathan, Norah and Amelia. Job history: He has been in school for much of his life but worked through school doing landscaping, retail and DoorDash. He has worked in the field of developmental disabilities as an agency direct care staff member and a program manager. He has also worked as a paralegal and law clerk at a Medina law firm. Website: tinyurl.com/mrybbx36 Ethan Siman, 26 Education: He was in the Cloverleaf High School class of 2015 as well as the Medina County Career Center Public Safety class of 2015. Family: He has a mother and father, as well as three older brothers. Job history: He was a part of the Chatham Volunteer Fire Department from 2015 to 2017 and came back to the department in February. He was in the United States Navy from 2017 until February. Also in February, he began working with Mack Concrete dispatch. Website: N/A CHATHAM TWP. — Bruce Bohner Jr., Dave Rice and Ethan Siman are the three candidates running for Chatham Township trustee in the November election. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Bohner: I am the best candidate for Chatham trustee because I have the most work and life experience of anyone on the ballot for this position. A well-rounded work experience in several different fields, including trucking, towing, excavating, in-home sales and pharmaceutical sales has given me the diverse experience that will advantage me as a trustee. Also contributing to my qualifications as a candidate are my bachelor's and law degrees, which, combined with my work experience, are a thorough preparation for the work trustees must complete. Rice: My education has given me a wealth of knowledge to share. Moreover, my empathetic nature and approachable demeanor allow me to build meaningful relationships and foster a harmonious civic environment. Listening to and serving residents with compassion will promote a sense of unity and collaboration in Chatham. Siman: I believe I am the best candidate because I was born and raised in Chatham, but I also gained an outside perspective when I joined the Navy for six years. Being on the outside of Chatham made me realize that I needed to come home and help Chatham grow as a township while also keeping its traditions that we all love alive for our children to experience. What is the biggest challenge facing the township, and how would you address it? Bohner: There is no one single issue that is known as the largest challenge to the township at this time. While campaigning, I have been informed of several concerns and interests that are held by the residents. Once elected, I will work with the other two trustees on a case-by-case basis to address the issues I have become aware of through speaking with our voters. Most importantly, I will approach each issue with an open mind while keeping in mind the concerns the voters have shared with me. Rice: Chatham must decide what to do with three aging buildings, (which are) Memorial Hall, the community center and the fire station. I would form a committee to research and recommend the best options. Eventually, a new community center and fire station should be built with alternative, non-tax funding sources that reduce or eliminate the need to seek more levy dollars. Siman: I believe the biggest issue that faces our township is the need for a new community center and fire department. I would urge the residents of Chatham to take a tour of both places, so they can see how urgently the township is in need of new facilities. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.