Canfield Township's future requires steady leadership

If annexation of Canfield Township land continues at the current rate, there is a very real danger that the community could lose its township status. This warning from businessman Charles C. Petzinger highlights the difference between him and the other candidates in the Nov. 6 nonpartisan election for township trustee.
As president of Pan Atlas Travel Service, one of the leading travel agencies in the Mahoning Valley, Petzinger has developed a mindset that looks beyond the here and now. In his business, strategic planning is essential. In government, especially on the local level, such planning has been sorely lacking. The leadership abilities that he possesses would serve the residents of Canfield well.
"Annexation is a vital issue for the township," Petzinger wrote on the questionnaire sent to him by The Vindicator. "Currently Canfield Township is in jeopardy of losing status as a township as defined by Ohio laws. Continued annexation could result in the township being totally annexed."
But the businessman, who ran unsuccessfully last year for Mahoning County recorder, isn't just raising a red flag. He offers a solution to the dilemma faced by property owners in the township whose land abuts the city of Canfield: The trustees should aggressively pursue the development of water, sewer and other services so these property owners do not opt for annexation.
Planning: Along with that, Petzinger believes that commercial and residential development must be controlled to ensure that Canfield Township does not become overbuilt and overcrowded. Government must work with builders and developers to create a "true plan that will allow the township to grow and prosper without losing the feeling that makes Canfield such an attractive community," he writes.
The Vindicator endorses Petzinger for a seat on the board of trustees.
Of the two seats up this year, one is open because Trustee William Weaver is not seeking re-election. The second seat is occupied by Judy Bayus, who won four years ago and was appointed in November 1997 to an unexpired term. Bayus' own term began in January 1998.
She has been vocal in her opposition to some of the commercial development taking place in the township and in her contention that the "good old boys" of the community are part of a conspiracy that has favored certain developers.
We recognize that Bayus has a strong base of support in Canfield, but we are reluctant to give her our endorsement given her intent to proceed along what we believe is an unnecessarily divisive path.
There are three other candidates in the race, Bill Reese, Edward Bernart and Joseph Gregory, and while only Bernart and Gregory appeared before The Vindicator's editorial board, neither impressed us as much as Petzinger.
We, therefore, make no recommendation to the voters of Canfield Township on who should occupy the second seat.