Six candidates running for two Brunswick Hills trustee seats

Thomas DeCastra, 34 Education: He received his bachelor's degree in business from the University of Dayton and a master's degree in legal studies from Cleveland State University. Family: He is a husband to Sabrina and playmate to his deaf American Staffordshire terrier, Sweets. Job history: He works as the Senior Legal Contract Analyst at STERIS Corp. while also serving as chair of the Brunswick Hills Township Zoning Commission. Website: thomasdecastra.com or on Facebook at "Thomas DeCastra for Brunswick Hills Township Trustee" Tony Destro, 43 Education: He is a graduate of Brunswick High School and the Medina County Career Center welding program, in which he earned a two-year vocational welding certificate. Family: He has lived in the Brunswick/Brunswick Hills community for more than four decades. He and his wife, Maryann, live in Brunswick Hills where they maintain a garden and care for chickens, honeybees, four shop cats and a pet goose named Chip. His family has operated businesses in the Brunswick area for more than 40 years. Job history: He is a small-business owner who has operated a welding and fabrication shop in Brunswick Hills. From 2007 to 2010, he managed H&R Block offices in Brunswick and Medina. Website: On Facebook at "Tony Destro Brunswick Hills trustee candidate" Katherine Esber, 69 Education: She has a Bachelor of Arts in business administration from Baldwin Wallace University and a Master of Business Administration from Cleveland State University Family: Her husband, Mike Esber, was the owner of Michael's Mini Mart in Brunswick for 45 years and was a trustee in Brunswick Hills Township for 16 years. She said, "He loved the community and always worked diligently to listen to and resolve the needs of residents." Job history: From 1979 to 2022, she was the vice president in banking, mainly focusing on corporate trust with expertise in complex corporate and municipal bond financing and specialized corporate escrows. She also held the position of fiscal officer in Brunswick Hills Township from from 2016 to 2024, overseeing a budget of over $10 million, and sat on the Board of Zoning Appeals prior to that. She continued with the township, after her term ended, in the capacity of consultant to the new fiscal officer until March. Website: N/A Ryan Kolegar, 32 Education: He is a 2011 graduate of Brunswick High School and the Medina County Career Center business and marketing technology program. He is also from the class of 2019 for the Medina County Law Enforcement Training Academy and was a recipient of the Commander's Choice award for completion of the academy while injured. He then graduated with an associate's degree in criminal justice from the Eastern Gateway Community College as part of the class of 2024 and graduated from the Association of Inspectors General's Inspector General Institute to become a Certified Inspector General Family: His father is William Kolegar, a retired IT professional, and his mother, Carla Kolegar, is a retired social worker. Job history: At the Lorain County Sheriff's Office, he is corrections inspector general and has been since January. It is an independent investigatory authority over the corrections division, tasked with addressing and preventing waste, fraud and abuse. He said he is the first person appointed to a corrections inspector general position in Ohio. From 2016 to 2024, he was a deputy sheriff, corrections officer and corrections sergeant at the Medina County Sheriff's Office, where he was the recipient of the life-saving award and the award of valor for injuries sustained in the line of duty. Previously, he has served as a juvenile corrections officer at the Medina County Juvenile Detention Center, an auxiliary police officer at the Parma Police Department and was part of the American Greetings Corporate Security Team with United American Security. Website: www.electkolegar.com Christina Kusnerak, 65, incumbent Education: She graduated from Valley Forge High School and has some college experience. Family: She is widowed with two adult children. Job history: She has spent 20 years as a Brunswick Hills township trustee and has experience as an activity director for a long-term care facility. Website: "Christina Kusnerak" on Facebook. Patrica Murphy, 56, incumbent Education: She earned both a master's degree in intellectual property law and a law degree from the University of Akron School of Law. Prior to that, she earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering technology from Cleveland State University. Family: She is a wife, who was married for 25 years, daughter, sister, aunt, cat mom, and caretaker of wildlife and a tree farm on a large parcel of land in the township. Job history: Since 2022, she has served the community as a Brunswick Hills Township trustee. She is also a partner and registered patent attorney at an Ohio law firm that focuses on intellectual property like patents, trademarks and copyrights and has been employed there since 2004. Previously, she was an electrical engineer/designer for a local manufacturing company. Her volunteer activities include being a mentor for newly admitted attorneys in Ohio, and she is also an area director and club officer for multiple local Toastmasters International clubs. Website: N/A BRUNSWICK HILLS TWP. — The Brunswick Hills board of trustees has six candidates running for two seats in the November election. What makes you the best candidate for the position? DeCastra: "As current chair of the Brunswick Hills Township Zoning Commission, I have a unique view into the needs of the community and its residents. I've heard their concerns around community development, transparency within the governing bodies of the township and the need for strong leadership. I, too, have felt these grievances, so when I decided to run for trustee, it was very clear what my campaign should be built on. As a trustee, I will bring my wealth of knowledge from work, experiences with the Zoning Commission and education to be the best advocate for the residents of our township." Destro: "I've lived and worked in Brunswick Hills for most of my life and understand the needs of our residents. As a small-business owner, I know the value of hard work, accountability and teamwork. I believe trustees should be open, transparent and willing to seek out residents' concerns directly, not just make decisions from behind a desk. I'll use the Comprehensive Land Use Plan as a guide and focus on serving residents first, listening to their voices and working to make the township government more responsive and connected to the people it serves." Kolegar: "I am (allegedly) the only candidate with experience drafting legislation for the Ohio House of Representatives and helping to shape the Ohio Administrative Code. My background in law enforcement has given me the skills to ensure transparency, accountability and efficiency in township government. As a lifelong Brunswick resident, I understand our community's needs and challenges. I am committed to restoring trust and delivering responsible leadership so Brunswick Hills can be a township that works for every resident." Esber: The best candidate for the position of trustee is someone possessing integrity and honesty and understanding the township dynamics and fiscal responsibility. I believe that because of my role as fiscal officer, a member of the Board of Zoning Appeals and through my husband, Michael, for the past twenty years, I am the best candidate (to) take on this role. Residents and taxpayers are owed the best possible leadership through transparency, the utmost integrity and without any ulterior motives. I believe the board of trustees should be frugal with tax dollars and always look for ways to control spending. Kusnerak: "My 20 (plus) years of (township) government experience." Murphy: "With my knowledge, experience and unwavering dedication, I am fully committed to serving the best interests of our township's residents, businesses and visitors. During my service to the township, I have maintained a perfect attendance record. Every day I work to ensure transparency, responsiveness and focus on the real needs of our community, while ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. I am an independent thinker, unafraid to make tough decisions for the betterment and preservation of our township. I respectfully ask for your vote this November, so I can continue working for the future of our township." What is the biggest challenge facing the city, and how would you address it? DeCastra: "Having accessible and communicative leaders to inform residents of important decisions and allowing them the opportunity to have their voices heard is crucial to a healthy community. As a trustee, I will work to expand digital communication channels to share township business activities and information. I will ensure that any decisions outside of standard business operations are communicated with residents, especially as it relates to finances and township spending. This is important given the updates to property valuations. I believe this is a township of the people, and they should have a chance to express their opinions on such matters." Destro: "For me, the key to moving Brunswick Hills forward is creating a closer connection between residents and township government. Most people don't fully understand how the township operates or what's being discussed at meetings. I want to change that by being open with communication on every decision and working hard to involve residents in the process. When leadership and residents are connected and engaged, our township will be stronger, more effective and better prepared for the future." Esber: "One challenge is to control spending in an honest and fair way. Costs have risen considerably, and I would invite vendors to provide proposals to ensure lower costs to the township without compromising service. Health insurance hasn't been reviewed in the last several years and, as (allegedly) stated by one of the trustees in a meeting, "I'm happy with what we have." As we creep up towards $1 million annually for 29 employees, this is unacceptable when dealing with taxpayer money. Other challenges are lack of openness and honesty, both of which I would fight to control." Kolegar: "Brunswick Hills is at a crossroads. We've seen constant turnover in the fiscal officer position, eroding the township's stability. Our community is also still seeking answers in the tragic murder of a young man. These challenges demand steady leadership, accountability, and transparency. With my background in law enforcement and government oversight, I know how to bring professionalism back to township operations. It's time for experienced, responsible leadership to restore trust and ensure residents get the answers and stability they deserve." Kusnerak: "With rising costs of fuel, health care, vehicle maintenance, etcetera, certainly poses a challenge when budgeting for the future. I have worked very hard to keep costs at a minimum while providing the necessary services to our residents." Murphy: "Zoning is a vital concern for the township, especially with annexation remaining a constant threat. As trustee, I have taken proactive steps for the future of the township by leading the revision of the township's comprehensive land use plan, which has not been updated since 2005. I will continue to fight for appropriate zoning regulations and consistent enforcement, which are crucial in safeguarding against future annexations and promoting smart, sustainable development while addressing concerns about overdevelopment and preserving green spaces." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.