Four fight for two open Elyria Township Trustee spots

Michael Benko Jr. Age: 71 Education: High school graduate Family: Married to Laura Benko for 41 years Job history: Worked 10 years at Stanadyne Moen; working for Deca Pools Service & Supply Inc. 44 years so far, which is wife's family business in Elyria Township. Tom Blaz Age: 42 Education: Bachelor's in construction management, Bowling Green State University Family: Did not respond Job history: Director of leasing and sales for Ray Fogg Corporate Properties; Elyria Township zoning inspector; president of Elyria Township/Lorain Joint Economic Development District Website: Tom Blaz for Elyria Township Trustee on Facebook Jeff Bowers Age: 69 Education: High school graduate Family: Married; four children; eight grandchildren Job history: Elyria Township Road Department superintendent; Elyria Township Road Department employee; state licensed master plumber[ certified backflow tester Dave Fenik Age: 56 Education: Elyria West graduate Family: Father of two Job history: Owner of a machine shop for 28 years. What makes you the best candidate for the position? Benko: I have lived in the township for 33 years and care about the future of the community. I would like to contribute to it being an even better place for families to raise their children. I have seen firsthand the problems we have here and want to be able to get involved in trying to fix them. A lot of residents including me are concerned recently about new development and want the township to stay the township. Blaz: I am endorsed by all three current township trustees. Being a lifelong resident of Elyria Township, I started volunteering my time to the township back in 2008 when I joined the Advisory Committee. Becoming the zoning inspector in 2012, I have an intricate knowledge of the entire township. Being part of the team that was able to secure 400 new jobs in the township with Carvana, I have a proven track record for doing what's best for Elyria Township. Bowers: I have worked for the Elyria Township Road Department for over 13 years, the past eight years as the department superintendent. I have a good understanding of how things work in the township and I will do my best to make myself available to the residents for any concerns they might have. I will work diligently to meet the needs of the township and its residents. Fenik: I feel as a business owner in the township for over 28 years, on the Zoning Board for over 10 years and living in the township for 56 years, all of them on Lake Avenue, I have seen my township grow. I'm very proud of it, and I would like to have a say in how things down the road will go. I would like to see the correct growth and development to help maintain the size and community we have. What is the biggest challenge facing the township, and how would you address it? Benko: Our aging infrastructure and drainage are probably the biggest issues. Finding state and federal grants to fund roads and infrastructure improvements. Blaz: 1) Maintain a highly trained and quick responding Fire Department for all residents. 2) Be fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars. 3) Continue the legacy set by our two retiring trustees by listening to and assisting township residents. Bowers: The township relies on grants offered by the county, state and federal governments. I will also work diligently to research and apply for any and all grants that will benefit the township and its residents. Fenik: The biggest challenge I see is convincing residents that growth, when done correctly, is not a bad thing for the township. Getting people to come together on township issues, through meetings and community involvement, would make the township more unified. Communication with all is another challenge as I would like to see handled better. — Owen MacMillan