Martin
SIDNEY — Two candidates are seeking office as the Orange Township Trustee.
Incumbent Kevin Martin, 57, Sidney, is facing off against Rebecca S. John, 68, Sidney.
Martin is a farmer in Orange Township. He has been a trustee for 24 years. He is a graduate of Wright State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree with a Finance major. He and his wife, Raquel, have four daughters, Brianna, Madelaine, Olivia and Meredith.
John has been semiretired for four years and is a substitute employee in dental offices in the Sidney and Troy areas. She and her husband, Gary, have been married for 33 years. He is a retiree from the state of Ohio Highway Department. She has one son and daughter-in-law, Paul Lee and Tina. She has four grandsons, Trevor, Brandon, Joseph and Vincent.
She has been a coordinator for a non profit dental clinic for 12 years, from which she just retired from last year. In this position she was responsible for communicating. with schools and parents, she was also was in charge of ordering and staying on budget.
Why are you running for office?
Martin: “I am running for re-election for trustee because I feel I can continue to serve the residents of Orange Township in a dedicated and professional manner. I am a lifelong resident of Orange Township. My wife, Raquel, and I raised our family here and I want to ensure Orange Township continues to be well maintained, following Township and zoning guidelines, within budget constraints.”
John: “I am running for office to try to make some changes that might be beneficial for our community. I have been speaking to people in our community to see what they have to say about what they would like to see happen. I feel like a new face and ideas could be very beneficial for our township.”
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected?
John: “I would like to see more people at township meetings in the future, our trustee meetings have been hard to find dates and times.”
Martin: “To continue to supervise the maintenance of roads, subdivisions, and township contracts. As a trustee I have overseen and or been a part of several large projects to improve Orange Township: creating safer driving conditions, resurfacing roads, improving drainage issues, re-shaping ditches, requesting proper road signage, and most recently installing safety guardrails on Miami River Road.”
What do you feel needs to be done to make your council/board of education/township be more successful?
Martin: “Continue serving the township in a dedicated and professional manner.”
John: “I know that the last few years have been very difficult for grants and donations.. hopefully we can get more funding in the future for updates on roads and other programs that need attention. I hope that I can be part of making things happen.”
If elected, how will you open the lines of communication between yourself and the people you represent?
Martin: “Orange Township Trustee meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month at the Township building located at 12777 Kirkwood Road, Sidney, Ohio, at 7:30 p.m. These meetings are open to the public. Over the past several years, many Orange Township residents have attended these meetings to ask questions or express a concern. Questions and concerns are promptly answered, following Township and Zoning guidelines, by the board of trustees. In case of emergencies, Township Trustees are available by contacting the County Engineer’s office or the Sheriff’s Office. I personally receive several calls a month regarding Orange Township matters. I respond to all calls in a professional and timely manner and I will continue to do so if I am re-elected.”
What challenges do you feel your township faces today and in the future?
Martin: “The biggest challenge the Township is facing is the funding for road maintenance and improvement.”
Additional comments
Martin: “Due to my experience with many Trustee duties, some of which are: snow plowing, clearing roadways of fallen trees, monitoring flood waters, road supervision, and project coordinator. Also, I have a commercial drivers license (CDL) which allows me to operate the township trucks. I feel I am a qualified candidate and I am able to fulfill the responsibilities of the Orange Township Trustee position.”
