Four candidates running for two York Township trustee seats

Dennis Downey, 50 Education: He is a graduate of Brunswick High School from the class of 1993. He also went through some college and did coursework with the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center. Family: He and his wife, Torey, bought their home in 2020. He has a 16-year-old stepdaughter who attends the Medina County Career Center. Job history: He spent 15 years at Trugreen as a technician and salesperson and many years at his family's trucking company, DMD Trucking. He also spent five years at Unique Home Solutions running its door-to-door marketing in Ohio. He has now spent six years at Renewal by Andersen as its direct marketing manager. He said he runs a $7.2 million business with 15 employees going door-to-door scheduling appointments to get prices on windows and doors to be replaced while he helps develop the many talented people in his peer network as a mentor and coach. Website: Pending Richard Monroe, 67, incumbent Education: He is a graduate of Brunswick High School and Polaris Vocational Center. He is also a state-certified firefighter and EMT who retired after volunteering for 30 years. He also graduated from Ohio Township Leadership Academy. Family: He is married and is a father of five and a grandfather of 10. Job history: He has been a township trustee for 20 years. He is also retired after working for more than 40 years as a maintenance manager. Website: N/A William Pavlick, 72 Education: He graduated from North Royalton High School and completed EMT/firefighter training and the Corrections Academy. Family: His wife is Linda. He also has two adult daughters and three grandchildren. Job history: He was a skilled meat cutter from 1975 to 2005, a firefighter/EMT from 1989 to 2019 and a corrections oﬃcer at Medina County Sheriﬀ's Office from 2005 to 2016. He also worked in Medina police's traﬃc enforcement and evidence room from 2018 to 2024 and is currently a special officer for Medina police. He previously served as a York Township trustee from 2008 to 2023. Website: sites.google.com/view/billpavlick Todd A. Zieja, 51, incumbent Education: He has a master's degree in public administration from the University of Akron. He is also a graduate of the Ohio State University's Public Safety Leadership Academy. Family: He is married, raising three children and sharing their home with three dogs. Job history: He considers himself a public servant with more than 30 years of "dedicated experience in leadership and community service." He was twice elected as a York Township trustee. He has also been an instructor at the Career Center's Law Enforcement Academy, preparing and mentoring future law enforcement professionals. He also served as a public fund grant administrator, ensuring responsible allocation and oversight of community resources. Website: N/A YORK TWP. — In the upcoming general election, four candidates are running for two seats on the York Township board of trustees. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Downey: I have no hidden agenda. I will fight to prevent our township from turning into a never-ending neighborhood. I'll respect a balanced approach to stave off the same issues as experienced in other areas of the county. I want to increase the minimum lot size in R-1 zoning while limiting PUD overlay to keep York Township rural. I believe in freedom, not telling people how to live and working for you. I don't care how many cars you have, how big your shed is, what you grow in your garden, and I certainly don't want your tax dollars spent on unnecessary things. Monroe: I have the most knowledge and experience of the duties of a township trustee. I have accomplished: Securing grants for the park and roads. Open communication and transparency for all residents, providing answers even if it's a county or state issue. For the safety of residents, helped ensure staffing at (the) fire department, seven days a week, 16 hours each day. Vice president of the Medina County Township Association for the past four years, working closely with local and state officials. Farm bureau member and lifetime York Township Historical Society member. Pavlick: I was previously a York Township trustee for 16 years. In that time, I personally implemented many cost-saving measures to make the township more fiscally responsible. These include setting up free grass mowing services through Stanley Black & Decker, for a (alleged) yearly savings of $12,000 and switching to in-house roadside mowing, (allegedly) saving $36,000 a year. I have decided to run again against Rick Monroe to restore honesty and integrity to the township. Zieja: I am honored to seek the position of York Township trustee. With decades of public service and leadership experience, I have developed the skills to make responsible, transparent decisions that benefit our community. I will bring strong fiscal accountability, ensuring taxpayer dollars are managed wisely while maintaining essential services and infrastructure. My focus will be on public safety, road improvements and open communication with residents. I believe my proven leadership, integrity and commitment to service make me the best choice to serve York Township. What is the biggest challenge facing the township, and how would you address it? Downey: We're not feeling like we are heard, our voices matter or like we have any line of sight of how things are getting done. I've seen too much wasteful spending and a deviation from the plan to keep York Township rural; I would course-correct on both. I would also give equal credence to all corners of this wonderful slice of heaven, whether (it's) a subdivision, or agricultural land, old zoning or new. I'm beyond excited about this. The response I have already received campaigning has been phenomenal, and I would be honored to have your vote for York Township trustee. Monroe: I have lived in York Township for over 30 years, (a) lifetime Medina County resident. I am invested in preserving the past, maintaining the present and planning for the future. The biggest challenge as a trustee will be to continue to provide services such as fire and EMS and maintaining the roads without additional taxes due to the lack of state funding. Pavlick: The fire department has outgrown the current facility. It was built in 1991. At that time, the department was all volunteer. The township has grown considerably since then and is now staﬀed 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. If a new station is built, it could have 24-hour capabilities, making our township safer. The current fire station could then be used to store snow-plowing equipment, allowing us to switch to in-house snow plowing. This would result in substantial cost savings and a better quality snow-plowing service. Zieja: The biggest challenge facing York Township is managing growth while preserving the quality of life that residents value. As our community expands, demands on public safety, infrastructure and township services increase, yet we must remain responsible with taxpayer dollars. I would address this by emphasizing fiscal responsibility to ensure resources are used wisely, transparency so residents are informed and involved in decision-making and long-term planning to prepare for future needs. By working collaboratively with community partners, we can strengthen public safety, improve infrastructure and guide growth in a way that protects the township's family-friendly character and values. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.