Election preview: Crowded races fill the ballot in Portage County

Development is a major concern for candidates running for trustee in Brimfield Township, while communication is a hot topic in Hiram Village. 

Voters in some parts of Portage County have a lot of options on their ballots. Races are crowded with candidates vying for government seats. Here’s a look at a few of them.

Brimfield Township

In Brimfield Township, seven candidates are vying for two open trustee seats. 

Candidate Robert Zacher said Brimfield needs to return to its “small time, hometown vibe.” Too many residential housing developments have been approved, causing significant increases in traffic, excessive noise and wildlife being pushed out of their natural environments.

His answer? A data-driven 50-year plan that would be re-evaluated each decade. The plan, Zacher said, would assess the impact potential residential developments would have on the township’s schools, utilities, transportation infrastructure, police, fire and other essential services.

He also supports incentive plans that would attract small business owners over what he terms “corporate chains.” Brimfield, he said, needs to support local farmers “so they’re not pressured to sell to developers, and protecting our farmland and open space will help preserve the character of Brimfield, while creating room for responsible small-scale commercial development that benefits all residents.”

Candidate Kevin Scott, owner of Scott Farm Market & Greenhouse on Meloy Road, had had his eye on a tract of land near his farm, but could only watch as a residential developer outbid him. The developer then asked—and in 2020 received—a number of variances that effectively paved the way for a greater density of houses to be built on the property.

That, Scott said, allowed the developer to quickly recoup its investment. It’s an option farmers don’t have: land can only produce what it can produce.

Instead of approving 97% of developers’ requests, as Scott alleges, the Board of Zoning Appeals should respect township residents’ desire that Brimfield’s rural character be retained.

(Jendy Miller, Brimfield’s economic development and zoning secretary, told The Portager that Scott’s numbers aren’t far off. So far In 2025, the BZA has approved 10 of 12 requests for zoning variances, five from residential applicants and five from businesses. An additional request from a business applicant remains tabled, she said, adding that the township frequently attaches conditions to variance approvals.)

Scott also said he would like to keep a close eye on township finances and to see Brimfield’s Zoning Commission and Board of Zoning Appeals meetings videotaped and immortalized online. 

New residential neighborhoods that candidate Daniel Mars said are “popping up all over the place” may outpace the abilities of Brimfield’s police, fire, school and other township services to keep up.

“I think development is getting a little out of hand. I realize development is going to happen. I just think it needs to be planned a little bit better,” he said.

Mars also objects to a raft of zoning regulations and market realities that resulted in a drug store being built on state Route 43, right in front of Brimfield Elementary School. Though he knows proper zoning was in place, and the developer paid more than the township could ever have afforded, he said he would have liked Brimfield to have acquired the land for open space.

Mars also said actively pursuing sponsorships and grants could improve the township’s park system. And, acknowledging that supply costs soared due to the pandemic, he nonetheless alleged that significant cost overages for the new township fire station were rooted in people “feeling free with the checkbook.” He said he’d be more fiscally responsible.

Candidate Charles Prather believes Brimfield’s development is outpacing the township’s ability to handle it.

“We don’t have the roads to handle the traffic we’re seeing,” he said. “There’s a lot of small things that we need to fix before we keep growing, and we do need to preserve the rural atmosphere that Brimfield has.”

Among those small things are traffic signalization in Brimfield’s crowded retail area, and a zoning code that Prather said can be seen as “unclear.”

Pronouncing himself as “old school,” Prather said transparency and integrity prompted him to run for township trustee. In past years, he alleged, Brimfield’s trustees have acted on incomplete or even erroneous financial information. The community’s distrust in township leadership remains even though Brimfield’s current fiscal manager is “showing numbers, facts and figures,” he said.

A frequent speaker at township trustee meetings, candidate James McKey said people move to Brimfield because they want a little land, peace and quiet. McKey said he would rewrite the township’s zoning code to require minimum frontages and acreage sizes for all new builds.

He also believes Brimfield’s leadership is making poor financial decisions, and that a clean sweep of the board of trustees is needed.

“We could probably correct that by being completely informed about a project that we’re about to take on,” he said. “If we aren’t comfortable about, for example, a construction project, there are a lot of experienced Brimfield residents that would be more than happy to consult with us.”

Incumbent trustee Nic Coia said he believes his work in Brimfield remains unfinished.

Coia pointed to infrastructure modernization projects he has overseen, including the new fire station/administration building, and the new library, which also houses parks and recreation programs.

He wants the trustees to update the 2050 land use plan, tighten the township’s zoning code, and reevaluate how zoning board members are appointed. They should represent a faithful cross section of the community, he said.

“It’s also about finishing the work we started on long-term financial stability. That means more transparency behind the finances, providing community easy access through a website—we’ll call it a virtual checkbook—and working toward a 40% carryover balance in each major department fund,” he said.

Alone in not focusing on development, candidate Tom Johnson said change orders that added some $670,000 to Brimfield’s fire station and administration building project alarmed him.

“Once I learned that there wasn’t a project manager assigned to oversee the day-to-day construction of the project, it kind of concerned me and brought to my attention that we just might not be doing things right and we could do better,” he said.

He lays that decision at the trustees’ feet. Their explanation that COVID, inflation and the rising costs of materials accounted for the overages was insufficient, he said.

Johnson also expressed concern at the sudden departure of former Business Manager Holly Woods and the selection process of current Fiscal Officer Jasmine Golden. Outgoing Trustee Mike Kostensky nominated him for the role, but received no support from colleagues Sue Fields and Coia, who opted to embark on an application and interview process.

“There is some question about the selection process,” Johnson said. “The public wasn’t really informed of individuals prior to commencing the interview process. You know, we talk about transparency, but that’s some sort of magical word that kind of deflects any responsibility when you say that. There was no public discussion of who the candidates were and there was no release of the names,” he said.

Hiram Village

Seven candidates, most of them concerned about communication, are seeking four open seats on Hiram Village Council.

Candidate Graham S. Rubin said attracting small businesses to locate in the village’s “pre-built spaces” would create an “economic safety net that would be independent of Hiram College, but complementary to it.” He said he would also protect and build upon Hiram’s “natural draws.”

To make it all happen, Rubin said he would continue working on council’s efforts to communicate clearly internally and with the community and the college. Constituents must understand council’s decisions, opinions and considerations, and council must hear the community’s desires, opinions and needs, he said.

Also concerned about communication is candidate Christopher L. Cobb, who took issue with the administration’s ability to publicize “water issues” and boil alerts.

Cobb also objects to what he terms “overly restrictive zoning rules,” increasing sewer and water rates, billing issues and the lack of autopay options. Brush and leaf pickup is not done in a timely manner, and sometimes not at all, he charged.

Ending free parking on village streets, Cobb proposes “app-based paid parking.” He would also implement “huge village staffing changes.”

Communication and transparency are also top of mind for candidate Sasha Gough, who alleged that she’d had difficulty getting information from village government. She was also alarmed by council’s ultimately unsuccessful proposal to implement paid parking in the village and by its implementation of speed cameras.

“If it were up to me, the speed cams would be gone,” she said. “While I understand they bring a great revenue to the village, I haven’t seen any improvement in the speeds in front of my house through the main drag of Hiram Village.”

To replace the revenue stream, Gough proposes more events like Barks for Hiram Parks to draw visitors to the village. She would also provide what she calls a “layman’s terms” breakdown of meetings “that will be accessible to people, to help them understand some of the larger and more confusing legislation happening.”

Appointed to council Oct. 9, 2024, incumbent Chris Perme said his priorities are updating Hiram’s processes and procedures, exploring the village’s economic options and developing a mutually beneficial relationship with Hiram Township.

“The first village and township that figures out how to work together is going to kill it,” he said. “You have all these resources between the two that if they were brought together…Let’s find out: what are your strengths? What do you guys have that are assets?”

Hiram’s small footprint limits economic choices, but Perme said he would try to fill available industrial property situated within village limits. All growth and development must respect Hiram’s unique character, he said.

Candidate Elena Feather-Faber also cited “the lack of transparency from village officials to the community members” as her reason for running.

“I feel the village of Hiram has lost a lot of what I experienced growing up, and I really want to bring back that sense of community and trust,” she said.

Incumbent council members Chris Szell and Juan Fernandez did not respond to The Portager’s request for comment.

Kent

Cecil Anderson, the only Republican running for Kent’s three open at-large council seats, is technically a Democrat.

He had voted as a Democrat in every primary election since 2012, but pulled a Republican ballot in the March 2024 primary. That single act legitimately put him in the Republican camp when he filed his candidacy petition in February 2025, Portage County Board of Elections Chair Denise Smith said.

Anderson then pulled a Democrat ballot in Kent’s May 2025 primary/special election, “which under Ohio law currently makes him a Democrat,” Smith said.

The Portage County Board of Elections held a hearing to determine if Anderson could run as a Republican, but concluded that there is nothing in state law to prevent him from doing so, Portage County Board of Elections Director Faith Lyon said.

“As I’ve grown, and my perspectives have evolved, I’ve found that my values align more closely with the Republican party,” Anderson told The Portager. He did not respond to questions regarding what those values are and why he returned to the Democratic party in May 2025.

He said his voting history reflects his ability to listen, to work across party lines and to find common ground: all qualities he believes are essential for effective local leadership.

Smart budgeting and continued economic growth is needed to fund clean, safe parks and infrastructure, youth and senior programs and strong police and fire services, he said, pledging to concentrate on practical, common-sense solutions to help keep Kent “strong, vibrant and welcoming.”

Also focusing on fiscal responsibility is non-party candidate John Kuhar, a 17-year veteran of City Council who was unseated in November 2023.

“Without new measures to reduce cost and increase revenue, the only solution is to tax the residents,” he said. “That is a solution I do not like and I believe I can bring some new options to the table that offer better solutions.”

Kuhar said he would like to help “humanize” Kent’s police officers and create community throughout the city’s safety forces.

Losing three of its members leaves council with “some great members” but the body needs experienced legislators, he said.

“All I can hope for now is that the residents will remember the service I have provided and give me a chance to do more,” he said.

Retired Kent police officer Eric Dreger, also a non-party candidate, said watching politics at all levels become so polarized has left the country “in a state of anger and anxiety.” Financial management is as important as compassionate leaders, he said.

“More than ever, we need leadership that will look and listen to all sides and work to broker compromise for the betterment of everyone to have a far-reaching view in the decisions they make,” he said.

Noting that what happens in Kent affects nearby communities, Dreger said he would maintain a healthy budget with a surplus “to meet the challenges and needs of uncertain federal and state policies.”

Dreger also said he would work toward better accessibility, transparency and accountability with the community and the people of Kent.

Communication is top of mind for Democratic candidate Ben Tipton, who said he believes Kent faces important decisions about infrastructure, sustainability, housing and development. He said he wants to help ensure those decisions are made openly with community input.

“Too often, residents feel disconnected from how choices are made that affect their neighborhoods and city,” he said. 

Tipton said he would focus on maintaining and upgrading city roads, water and public spaces. He stated that he would support “responsible development that fits Kent’s character” and would create more ways for residents to be heard before decisions are made.

“I want to strengthen the partnership between council and the people it serves, whether that’s through regular neighborhood meetings, transparent updates on major projects, or opportunities that make it easier for citizens to participate. My goal is a city that listens, plans wisely and grows in ways that benefit everyone—a Kent that builds on its strengths while preparing for the future,” he said.

Candidate Sarah Elizabeth Wesley, also a Democrat, said she was inspired to run for council because it’s important for “younger people,” especially young women, to become involved in government.

An entrepreneur, she said she employs many college students who voice their concerns about “unaffordable rent” and transportation.

A council seat would allow her “to improve the lives of everyone, but especially young people going to college here, so that perhaps when they graduate, they don’t take their degrees and run, but instead want to stay right here in our great city and build a life,” she said.

Democratic candidate Tracy Wallach did not respond to The Portager’s request for comment.