MECCA — The township is having a crowded race for trustee as four people are seeking two four-year term trustee seats, and two others are seeking to fill an unexpired 2027 seat.

One incumbent and three write-in candidates are battling to fill the pair of four-year seats. A current trustee and a new candidate are seeking the unexpired term.

Incumbent Christen Clemson and Darryl Black, Thomas Domes and Randy Lytle have filed to run for the open four-year seat.

DARRYL BLACK

Black, 71, retired from RG steel in 2008 after 30 years. Prior to getting a job with the steel company, he was employed by Mecca Township for four years.

Township politics are not new to Black. He served as a trustee from 1996 to 2000, but was defeated in a re-election bid.

Black is operating his own farm in West Mecca and is the owner / manager of Darryl’s Stuff LLC, which sells Amish-built buildings, carports and steel-frame buildings.

When he previously served as a trustee, Black, working with other trustees, worked to have at least one Mecca road resurfaced each year. “I think doing that is important. If we continue doing that then we’ll have all the township roads resurfaced.”

In an effort for more transparency, Black would like to have all township meetings, minutes, bills and news placed on the internet.

“I would also like to get natural gas to the rest of West Mecca,” he said. “We have roads that do not have gas lines. More than half of the homes in West Mecca are on roads that do not have gas lines.”

Black also would like to find ways to attract more people to serve on the volunteer fire department.

“I would like to get qualified paramedics and EMTs to serve,” he said. “We have to think outside of the box.”

CHRISTEN CLEMSON

Clemson, 41, is an English teacher and coach for the Maplewood Local School District’s varsity volleyball team and an assistant coach for its track and field team.

She was appointed to serve the remainder of Fritz Birkhimer’s seat after he resigned in 2020. She was re-elected in November 2021.

Serving the township is a family tradition. Clemson’s grandfather, Joseph “Joe” Letwen, served as a trustee for 16 years starting in the 1960s.

Clemson has a doctorate in Philosophy in Education Leadership from Pennsylvania State University.

“Mecca Township is more than where I live – it’s home,” Clemson said “I’m running because I believe in protecting the traditions that make our community special, while also making sure we’re prepared for the future.”

She wants to bring access to reliable and faster internet service, water, sewer and road improvements, natural gas and other basic services.

“While as a township, we cannot afford these upgrades without assistance, lobbying those in higher positions, looking for funding opportunities like the Capital Improvement and Ohio Department of Natural Resources grants and looking at plausible alternatives are a high priority for me,” she said.

Clemson wants to create a sense of community in a digital age.

“I want to bring back the small town (where) everyone knows everyone,” she notes. “I’ve done this by partnering with Mecca Community Church and other local businesses to build two events.”

“The 12 Days of Merry Mecca Christmas and Mecca Community Day work to bring residents together for low-cost fun events that build community,” Clemson continued.

She has sought and obtained grant funding for a new town hall that will serve not only as a town hall, but also as a childcare center with daycare and after-school programs. It is hoped the building will be able to host senior citizens’ events on weekends.

“This new building will allow us to improve the quality of life for residents who are parents and our elderly residents,” she said.

THOMAS DOMES

Domes, 46, has been on the township’s volunteer fire department for 29 years and has been its chief for 29 years. He has been a public safety manager for Kent State University for three years, and is running as a write-in candidate for trustee. He has not previously run for public office.

He is vice chair of the Trumbull County Local Emergency Planning Committee, chief of the county’s fire investigation unit, assistant chief of Trumbull County Water Rescue Team and is a county Hazmat technician.

Domes is cofounder and vice president of the Mecca Township Historical Society.

He is proud of what he has helped to accomplish as fire chief, including helping to provide more than $200,000 worth of upgrades in the department at no cost to local taxpayers.

“My goals have always been to keep our fire department equipped with the best equipment and best-trained members as possible,” Domes said. “I have a five-to 10-year plan for the department.”

He believes the township also should have a forward-looking five- to 10-year plan.

“If trustees have this plan, it has not been shared with the citizens of Mecca Township,” he said.

Domes notes his top goals include keeping roads safe, improving parks and cemeteries and protecting the rural environment while supporting local business. He also expressed the importance of spending township funds wisely, while planning for growth, development and upgrading equipment.

“Grants are the best way to accomplish the township’s financial goals,” he said.

RANDY LYTLE

Lytle received the Tribune Chronicle’s questionnaire about his election goals, but has chosen not to respond.

GREG CHOPKO

Two candidates, Greg Chopko and Dan Gladd, are seeking to fill the unexpired term of former trustee James “Buzz” Governor, who died in July 2024. He served as a township trustee for 12 years.

Chopko, 56, was appointed to replace Governor in September 2024. He has worked for 30-plus years doing financial management for several area companies, including Millwood Inc., Liberty Mutual Insurance, Elwood Specialty Steel Group and others.

In addition to serving as a trustee, Chopko has for the last three years worked as a disaster action team associate for the Red Cross.

He has an MBA in operations and logistics management and marketing from The Ohio State University.

“I believe some former trustees have been too focused on day-to-day issues and lacked a long term vision for our community,” Chopko said. “As such, we likely missed out on significant grant funding opportunities for infrastructure improvements.”

To address this issue, the township, earlier this year, partnered with the Trumbull County Planning Commission to refresh and update its comprehensive plan. It will be used to define the community’s future and set priorities. An updated comprehensive plan has not been done since 1993.

Chopko believes it is important to celebrate the township’s natural resource, Mosquito Lake.

“Fishing, hunting, and outdoor recreation are ingrained in our township’s culture and history,” Chopko said. “It is the responsibility of our local leaders to be stewards of the lake so future generations can enjoy and love it too.”

He is encouraging strong collaboration with the entities that own and manage the lake, including the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

“We’ve started discussions with ODNR about expanding recreational amenities here in Mecca Township and not just near the marina and campground,” Chopko said. “A kayak launch would be a great start.”

As a person who has worked in finance for most of his adult life, Chopko believes trustees must provide strong financial oversight.

“It is more important than ever for local governments to operate efficiently,” he notes. “It is easier said than done.”

DAN GLADD

Gladd, 41, works as a consulting manager with the Ashwood Risk Management Service and as the West Farmington Chief of police since 2020. He formerly worked as Greenleaf Therapeutic security manager from 2019 through January 2025. He previously worked as a police officer and police chief in Hartford Township and as a patrolman in Kinsman township.

He served in the U.S. Air Force from 2002 to 2006.

If elected, Gladd said he will work to make sure the township has what he describes as a fair shake of attention and investment.

“For too long, our roads, bridges and public spaces have been overlooked while we shoulder the impact of Mosquito Creek Lake and heavy traffic,” he said. “I’ll work directly with county, state and federal officials to secure fair funding for Mecca’s infrastructure needs.”

Gladd believes good government starts with open communication and trust.

“I’ll ensure that trustee meetings are livestreamed and that minutes, agendas and public documents are posted online for everyone to access,” he said. “When people are informed and involved, the entire township benefits.”

He also wants to put an end to the idea of “East” and “West” Mecca.

“We are one township, one community and we move forward together,” he said. “I will work to ensure every neighborhood has a voice. I’ll always approach the work with one goal: to make Mecca stronger, more connected and united.”