Incumbents throughout Medina County voted out of township trustee seats

According to unofficial election results, several township trustee seats throughout Medina County were filled by new faces as many incumbents were voted out. Brunswick Hills Township There were two seats up for election on the Brunswick Hills board of trustees, and Tony Destro and Thomas DeCastra received the most votes on Tuesday. Christina Kusnerak and Patrica Murphy were running as incumbents for the position. "I'm truly grateful and honored for the opportunity I had to serve the community as a trustee," Murphy said. "I'm proud of what I was able to accomplish during my term." The following are the unofficial election results for Brunswick Hills: Destro received 621 votes, which was around 20 percent of the vote. DeCastra received 616 votes, which was about 20 percent of the vote. Kusnerak received 571 votes, which was around 19 percent of the vote. Katherine Esber received 495 votes, which was about 16 percent of the vote. Murphy received 384 votes, which was about 13 percent of the vote. Ryan Kolegar received 367 votes, which was approximately 12 percent of the vote. Kolegar said residents may have voted for newly elected people because they do not want the "status quo" anymore. He said people want elected officials who will represent them, be responsive and take their needs seriously. "During my campaign, I heard residents from my township and others were frustrated with their current administration," DeCastra said in a statement. "With the recent tax increases, there has been scrutiny on how taxes have been used, and residents want to know more. I hope to be that answer for my township by bringing transparency to the residents." Hinckley Township In Hinckley, there were two trustee seats up for election. Thomas Schrader had the most votes, which was 946 votes or about 27 percent of the vote. Russ Paintiff had the second most votes, which was 889 votes or approximately 26 percent of the vote. Paintiff thanked everyone who voted and said this election's trend in Medina County to elect new people reflects "a much broader and complex set of circumstances." "In my opinion, we have seen so much negative effects in the aftermath of the pandemic with housing, food, fuel cost rising and the domestic and global supply chain faltering," Paintiff said in a statement. "Families can no longer stand by and wait for the same old tactics to be used in how their local, state and federal government is being run. I think they are looking for fresh eyes and ideas to help us to get back to an affordable and prosperous economy." Incumbent Monique Marzullo Ascherl had around 23 percent of the vote, which was 792 votes, while incumbent Jack Swedyk had about 24 percent of the vote, which was 850 votes. "I want to sincerely thank everyone who supported and encouraged me during this year's campaign," Swedyk said in a statement. "While I was not chosen to return for another term, it has been my honor and privilege to serve and represent the residents of Hinckley Township over the last four years. Please know that I have always worked to do my very best for our community, and I will continue to do so until my final day in office." Montville Township In Montville Township, incumbent Jeff Brandon and candidate Robert Skidmore were elected, defeating incumbent Allen Biehl. Brandon received 1,731 votes, or approximately 39 percent of the vote, and Skidmore received 1,397 votes, or about 31 percent, to Biehl's 1,347 votes, or around 30 percent. Brandon said all three candidates were strong, and he thought it would be a close race. "The final count, decided by a narrow margin of just 50 votes, underscores a powerful truth: every voice and every vote in Montville Township matters," Skidmore said in a written statement. In his new position, Skidmore said he will champion the fiscal conservative values that he shared during his campaign. He noted focusing on essential services, maintaining the township's infrastructure and seeking out innovative ways to deliver maximum value without compromising the quality of life. Biehl will finish his term at the end of December, with Skidmore starting his in January. "I also want to publicly thank trustee Al Biehl for his dedicated service to Montville Township and for his gracious phone call offering congratulations," Skidmore wrote. "I wish him the very best and appreciate his commitment to remaining a continued resource for the township as we transition." Spencer Township In Spencer Township, Mike Clifford and Jon Brietkrenz defeated incumbent Gary Flegel, who has served as township trustee for more than 25 years. Clifford received 339 votes, or around 40 percent of the vote, and Brietkrenz received 268 votes, or approximately 32 percent, to Flegel's 235 votes, or about 28 percent. Brietkrenz is looking forward to serving the Spencer Township community, stating he ran for the position as he felt it was a good opportunity to give back more. Flegel has served as a Spencer Township trustee for 29 years, previously serving as the township's zoning inspector. Overall, he has served the township for about 37 years. Flegel is proud that he was able to serve the township residents for this long. "I'm grateful to each and every one of them," Flegel said. "They wanted to go a different route and I respect that 100 percent." Westfield Township In Westfield Township, Joseph Doty, with 412 votes, or around 25 percent of the vote, and James Likley, with 480 votes, or approximately 29 percent of the vote, were elected to the two trustee seats. Doty and Likley beat incumbents Craig Horner, with 373 votes, or about 23 percent of the vote, and Michael Schmidt, with 371 votes, or approximately 23 percent of the vote. Likley thanked the residents who voted for him to return to office after being away for six years. "I think the message that came out of last night's election is kind of clear," he said. "The residents' concern for the leadership for the biggest issue, which is the funding for our fire department. There is a twofold message there. They voted no again on the fire levy and voted out the incumbents for new leadership." York Township York Township had two seats up for election, and Dennis Downey and incumbent Todd Zieja had the most votes. Downey received 593 votes, which was about 27 percent of the vote, and Zieja received 592 votes, which was around 27 percent of the vote. Downey and Zieja secured more votes than incumbent Richard Monroe, who had 560 votes, or approximately 26 percent of the vote, and former trustee William Pavlick, who had 430 votes, which was about 20 percent of the vote. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com. Contact reporter Patrick Rhonemus at (330) 721–4050 or prhonemus@medina-gazette.com. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.