Trustee Stoyak has earned re-election in Liberty Twp.

These are trying times for Liber- ty Township — as they are for every community in the Mahoning Valley given the roiling national and state economies — which means that a steady hand on the till of government is required. Trustee Jodi Stoyak, who is seeking a third, four-year term in Tuesday’s general election, has offered that steady hand and, therefore, has earned the unwavering support of the residents. Her re-election will ensure that the township continues on the course she and her colleagues, Stan Nudell and Jason Rubin, have charted to weather the current financial storm.

And while her critics, including the two challengers in the election, former Trustee Jack Simon and Rachel Hill, have tried to portray her as a one-dimensional officeholder, her record in office speaks of an individual who is actively engaged in most aspects of the government and the community.

“I’m not just about flowers,” Stoyak says, referring to the campaign she launched when she first took office to plant flowers along Belmont Avenue. Nonethless, she makes no apologies for her commitment to a beautification program in Liberty.

It was not so long ago that Belmont Avenue was a veritable eyesore. There were no sidewalks, many buildings were in deplorable condition, and it was aesthetically off-putting. Today, the avenue is more inviting than it has been in a long time. There are new businesses opening every day, the sidewalks have added a nice touch and make walking convenient, and the flowers are pleasing.

With limited home rule, township government is going after property owners and landlords who are in violation of building codes. A senior-watch program ensures that elderly residents have someone to watch over them. And, in anticipation of continued tough economic times, Stoyak, Nudell and Rubin, along with Administrator Patrick Ungaro, have taken the ax to the operating budget.

Residents naturally are concerned when staffing in the police department is reduced from 24 to 16, but Police Chief Rich Tisone, Ungaro and the trustees have made sure that there are sufficient officers on the roads. Staff has been reduced through attrition, while there has been a reduction in the ranks.

Stoyak notes that a detective sergeant is retiring, and the trustees are willing to hire another patrolman if that’s what the chief wants.

Stoyak and her colleagues are also pushing Girard to deal with the water-pressure problems in the area served by the adjoining city, while the issue of drilling for natural gas is on government’s radar.

The incumbent has organized citizen gatherings at which information about fracking has been presented.

Criticism

As for Simon’s criticism that there has been no road resurfacing program since he was voted out of office in 2009 after serving 12 years, Stoyak points out that residents defeated an infrastructure levy, which would have included money for road improvement.

The trustees will look seriously at asking residents to pass a levy specifically for roads, she says.

Simon contends the administration lacks experience and leadership, but he acknowledges he cannot point to one thing Stoyak has done wrong.

Hill is a political newcomer who says she’s running because there is an opportunity to make a difference in the township. Liberty needs a face-lift, she adds.

Given the challenges confronting the community and the fact that the three trustees and the administrator, along with department heads, are working well together, we believe stability is necessary.

The Vindicator endorses Jodi Stoyak for a third term.