Two incumbents among 5 candidates seeking Liberty Township trustee positions

STAFF REPORT

LIBERTY — Five candidates are running for two seats on the board of trustees in the Nov. 3 election.

Two, Gary Litch and Jack Simon, are longtime incumbents. The three challengers are Stan Nudell, Maureen Massaro and Jason Rubin.

For Litch, a trustee for 16 years, continuing his work is why he chose to run again.

“My dream of revitalizing Belmont Avenue from Gypsy Lane to Church Hill-Hubbard Road is being achieved, and I still have a vision of more to get done in the next four years,” he said.

He said his priorities are making sure elected officials are fiscally responsible, especially because of unemployment and people living on fixed incomes.

Simon, 56, a trustee for 12 years, said he sees economic progress in Liberty. He said he is seeking re-election to continue that progress and to continue infrastructure improvements. He also wants to continue the senior watch program, utility aggregation and home-rule regulations.

Nudell, 65, said a priority if elected will be to cooperate with township Administrator Pat Ungaro.

“It is, essentially, through his hard work and visioning that many of our township’s advances have been made,” Nudell said. “He and our township would be more effective with the complete cooperation and professional leadership of the trustees.”

Nudell also said trustees must apply “effective business principles” to township operations. He said the government needs to operate effectively on limited resources, and he wants to assure township services are efficient.

Nudell said he would like to help plan an economic development strategy. He also wants to call for a study on extending the new 711 connector to access the northern part of the township.

Rubin, 39, also said a priority is commercial and residential development.

“We need to keep the infrastructure expanding to all undeveloped areas,” he said. “This will help increase our tax base and help maintain our services. I support controlled growth in our township.”

Massaro, 56, said she wants to improve communication among trustees, the township administrator, employees and residents.

“I can’t stress enough how improvement in communication will help Liberty Township to progress in all areas,” she said. “Trustees need to discuss goals civilly with the administrator.”

“Liberty Township has to progress,” she continued. “This will not happen unless trustees are in place who are willing to set aside negativity and personal differences.”

Five candidates are running for two township trustee seats. An (*) denotes the incumbent.

W. GARY LITCH*

Age: 58

Home: 1162 Trails Edge.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in history from Kent State University, 1973; Liberty High School, 1969.

Employment: Self-employed.

Family: Wife Francoise, son Scott, daughter Christine.

Priority: Fiscal responsibility.

JACK SIMON*

Age: 56

Home: 1317 Keefer Road.

Education: Liberty High School, 1972.

Employment: Frito-Lay Co., sales.

Family: Wife Barbara, daughter Noelle, sons John, Joseph and Michael.

Priority: Keep moving forward, work hard for residents.

STAN NUDELL

Age: 65

Home: 5690 Logan Arms Drive.

Education: Bachelor of science degree in business administration, Youngstown State University; The Rayen High School.

Employment: Edward J. Lewis Inc. Commercial Real Estate Sales and Development.

Family: Wife Jody, son Brad, daughter Connie.

Priority: A long-term plan for the township.

The candidate did not supply a picture.

JASON RUBIN

Age: 39

Home: 5747 Logan Arms Drive.

Education: Five-year IBEW apprentice program; Liberty High School.

Employment: CR Electric Inc., president.

Family: Three children.

Priority: Bringing in more business for the community’s growth.

The candidate did not supply a picture.

MAUREEN MASSARO

Age: 56

Home: 4798 Crewhood Road.

Education: Liberty High School.

Employment: SagePoint Financial Inc., administrative assistant.

Family: Husband Fabian, daughters Sarah and Mary, sons Benjamin and Zachary.

Priority: Uniting trustees, the administration and employees to better serve residents.