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HOWLAND -- The Howland trustee race includes seven candidates looking to replace longtime chairman Rick Clark, and they all have a common goal of working against annexation in the upcoming Tuesday election.
On Sept. 22, Howland, Niles, and Vienna agreed, in a joint statement, that the townships would not object to annexation.
Niles agreed that properties in Vienna and Howland that receive city utilities will not be required to annex into the city, or enter into a development-incentive agreement to continue receiving the utility services from the city, as previously reported by the newspaper. The agreement will last 20 years, with automatic renewals for five-year intervals, unless the city and townships all agree to end the agreement.
Because of Ohio state law constraints, however, Niles is still allowed to attempt annexing any new property owners who want to use utilities and services from the City of Niles.
JULIE ALTAWIL
Julie Altawil has worked in health care for more than 20 years, and currently serves as a co-owner, office manager and nurse for her husband, Dr. Badi Altawil's, practice. She said upon Clark's announcement that he would not run for re-election, "I decided that it was time for me to step up and serve my community."
Although she's against annexation, Altawil believes the township has doen the best it could, given the situation.
"Obviously, I'm very against annexation," she said. "We want to keep Howland, Howland. But under the circumstances, I think the agreement that the communities came to, in this particular case, was the best outcome."
If there is a forced annexation from Niles, moving forward, Altawil said she would work to find remedies for the situation and keep properties in Howland, whether that means meeting with individuals or with the Zoning Board.
"In the end, some situations are just a no-win situation," she said.
GEORGE BAKERIS
George Bakeris, a 60-year resident of Howland, said he feels it's "time to do something different."
Bakeris says he is pro-business and wants to bring more of it to Howland.
"With business comes more money and with more money comes getting things done in the community that need to be done," he said. "I feel that bringing people and other businesses into Howland is something that needs to be done."
Bakeris, part-owner of the Ohio Commerce Center, explained that he doesn't want to see anything annexed into Warren or Niles. He said he has been told that the water is the biggest thing.
"Niles doesn't control the water, Howland doesn't control the water, the county controls the water," he said. "So the county ultimately has the final say so, I think, in what goes on. I can't see the county allowing anything to go from Niles to Howland, or Howland to Niles at all. I just don't see it, I don't know. But that's what I was told."
Bakeris, who lives on the border, and uses Niles power, further said "I'll fight that battle when the time comes, and I don't plan on selling my house."
BRIAN BAXTER
Brian Baxter has worked in maintenance for Howland Local Schools since 1994. He is a lifelong Howland resident and said he believes that community entities should seek opportunities to work better together.
Baxter said he is 100% against annexation and said the township looks completely different than it once did.
"Howland was originally a five-square-mile township and right now, we look like a backwards 'C,' if you look at our annexations, he said. "There's a big chunk missing in the middle, and on the west side. I think what we need to do is find a way to figure out why anybody is interested in annexing, and if they're annexing due to utilities, sewer, or whatever, we need to see if we can bring those to them, and keep them in our community. Every time you lose something from annexation, that's more tax money, more revenue that your community will not receive anymore."
Baxter also said one of his ideas, a community wellness center, would favor the different administrative departments of Howland in working together more often.
"No entity can afford to do that by themselves," Baxter said. "We need to get everybody on the same page, so we can all work together and get some of these bigger projects done, and make things more attractive to the community."
FRANK J. DILLON
Frank J. Dillon, a former police chief, explained that it would be in Howland's best interest to work with the surrounding governments to work out mutually beneficial agreements.
"Even if it results in annexation, at least we can work something out, where there is a sharing of tax money to a certain degree," Dillon said. "In this case, I believe there were numerous residents who were paying a higher amount of money for gas, water, sewer, and the only way they could avoid that was to annex into the city. I believe through this agreement, from my understanding, those people no longer have that threat over their head."
He further added that most residents said they wanted to remain in Howland because it is their intended area of living.
"I think, in this case, it has benefited both jurisdictions. Both the City of Niles, and us," Dillon said. "We've worked in the past, with Niles, on JEDD agreements on 46, so that we share tax money and services for the public and business. And I think that's the way we need to go in the future."
Dillon also added, though he doesn't feel that there is an increase in crime, another focus of his is to continue to provide top-tier emergency services for the township.
"I believe the fire department, police department, and EMS are second to none in the county," he said.
JACK FINCH SR.
Jack Finch Sr., whose family has been in Howland for 94 years, said he wants to see the town continue to grow.
"There's always room for growth in this town," Finch said. "Throughout Trumbull County, we've watched a lot of people move out of the area. I want to see people make this a destination, to come work here. We've got a very good tax space, and the cost of living here is fantastic."
Finch, a Coca Cola Enterprise merchandiser since 2004, said he wants to see business come back to the area. He added he believes he can provide a different perspective for the township because of his profession.
"If you notice most of the candidates, all but two of us are professional people," he said. "I'm a blue collar worker. I'm out with people everyday, and a blue collar worker will give you a different mindset of what people need in this area."
Annexation, which Finch stressed adds to people moving away from Howland, is something he said he doesn't like. He described it as one of the worst things that can happen.
"I'd like to talk to other people and get their thoughts on it," he said. "But why take something that's already been established? I understand tax revenue, but why try to take something that doesn't belong to you? As for good businesses moving into Niles, why can't they encourage other businesses to open up in Niles, for those tax benefits? If people had a reason to move to Niles, they would have already lived there."
DANIEL J.
SFERRA JR.
Daniel J. Sferra, Jr., who is the superintendent of Warren City Water Distribution, denied there will be a conflict of interest with Howland properties receiving Warren water, if he is elected to the trustee seat.
When it comes to annexation, Sferra understands there is state law that gives cities authority to annex, but he still wants to negotiate in the process.
"I don't pretend to be a lawyer, or completely understand every facet of the annexation process, but I think, as a trustee, you should do everything you can to try to stop annexation, where you can, if you can," he said. "Not much can be done. But you can certainly stand up and fight for what you believe in, as much as you can, and as much as you want. I believe Howland residents don't want anymore annexation."
In his candidate questionnaire that he submitted to the paper, Sferra said he would like to slow development in Howland. He wants to put more focus on the Golden Triangle Infrastructure Plan and create manfacturing jobs in a less crowded area.
"I live in Howland," Sferra said. "I have to deal with the nightmare traffic every single day. It's not so much that I want to stop any kind of development of good jobs. But with the sprawling development that's going on, and the continued development on North River Road, it's not a terrible thing, but it is causing all of this massive traffic congestion. I don't think I'm the only one who's not happy with it."
MICHAEL G. VERICH
Michael G. Verich, who previously served as an Ohio state representative said any type of annexation needs to be opposed, unless it was agreed upon earlier in a partnership.
Verich added that when he previously served as a legislator, he co-sponsored the Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) plan, which protected townships by slowing the process of cities being able to annex townships to split revenues.
"It provides an equal forum, to some degree, for sharing benefits and revenues," Verich said. "That was a good first step in protecting townships. Before that, they had no protection."
He added that attempting to set up a similar plan for the local annexation agreements would be beneficial to Howland. As for his goals of other improvement in Howland, Verich explained his experience, production, and delivery of results, sets him apart from other candidates.
"Nobody has my experience and my success record, but I don't want to brag," Verich said. "Some people believe their voices are not heard with how much polarization there is in today's politics. I have no affiliation, I am a public official."
FISCAL OFFICER
RACE
TOM KRISPINSKY
Tom Krispinsky took over as Howland Township Fiscal Officer in April 2022, replacing Robert Costello, who retired from the position.
Krispinsky said he is planning to continue "maintaining" Howland's monetary assignments.
"When I filled this position, I was fortunate to have great department heads that led us," Krispinsky said. "We're getting beat up over the traffic from construction, but that's a state project. My goal is to maintain a strong financial position for the township, so we keep recieving good audits."
As a former school treasurer, Krispinsky said he can relate many things as fiscal officer to his previous experiences in the school district.
"The difficult part is the difference between school and township laws," he added. "But I try to incorporate certain school procedures for township ideas. There are no new levies in our plans, and we're fiscally strong right now."
D.A. PARKER JR.
D.A. Parker said his grandmother was the first female Republican to vote, following the Women's Suffrage movement, which sparked an interest in political office for him. As a lifelong Howland resident, Parker said there needs to be change in the community that "I grew up in and love."
"Howland is the wealthiest epicenter in Trumbull County," he said. "I believe there is needed growth in regard to zoning and new businesses. With the road department, some get paved, some don't. Just because my home is worth $1.5 million and yours is $2.5 million, doesn't mean your road gets paved first."
Parker, who has worked in commissioned sales for most of his life, said there needs to be more conversations. He believes "Howland is Howland" and annexation is continuing to take away from that.
"We're losing tax dollars and benefits, he said. "We keep allowing chiseling, until there is nothing left to chisel. We need to look at Howland like a business."
Meet the Howland Township trustee candidates
Julie Altawil
Age: 47
Three goals or priorities: Township beautification and operations, department relations, and business and residential growth and sustainability.
Previous elected office: Howland Board of Education (2017-present)
George Bakeris
Age: 60
Three goals or priorities: Revenue, community interests and infrastructure issues.
Previous elected office: None
Brian Baxter
Age: 52
Three goals or priorities: Resident attraction, safety and support, and new businesses.
Previous elected office: None
Frank J. Dillon
Age: 64
Three goals or priorities: Safety, economic development, transportation and storm water.
Previous elected office: None
Jack Finch Sr.
Age: 62
Three goals or priorities: Business and industry, collaboration and community well-being.
Previous elected office: None
Daniel J. Sferra Jr.
Age: 44
Three goals or priorities: Stop annexation, adequate budgeting, and slowing development and construction.
Previous elected office: None
Michael G. Verich
Age: 69
Three goals or priorities: Housing opportunity efforts, improving industrial sites and Howland Park improvements
Previous elected office: Environmental Appeals Commission (2013-present), Ohio House of Representatives (1983-1998)