AUSTINTOWN Township Trustee candidates

Five candidates, including one incumbent and a former trustee, are running for two seats on the Austintown Township Board of Trustees.

Jim Davis*

Age: 36

Home: 6823 Pineridge Court

Education: A graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Received Ohio Peace Officers Training Certificate from MTC Police Academy. Received Ohio Basic Jail Corrections certification.

Employment: Trustee, manager of Aaron’s Sales and Leasing and reserve deputy sheriff for the Mahoning County Sheriff’s Department.

Family: A daughter.

Priority: Make sure safety services are provided with necessary equipment. Continue to enforce land-use policies and nuisance laws. Expand community events and the community parks system. Continue to work with other townships and cities on join projects. Work on writing more grants.

Kenneth Carano

Age: 69

Home: 1906 Countryside Drive

Education: Bachelor of Science in education from Youngstown State University. Took graduate courses of instruction at Youngstown State University.

Employment: Partner and vice president of the Mid/American Resource Co. Former township trustee, former state representative.

Family: Wife, Linda Elaine Carano. Three children.

Priority: Economic development and alternative funding for the township. Transparency in the township budget. Protection of property values.

Bruce Shepas

Age: 40

Home: 1278 Victory Lane

Education: A graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Attended police and correctional academies.

Employment: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons and co-owner of Austintown Bounce Inc.

Family: Wife, Lisa Shepas. Two children.

Priority: Bring in new business. Ensure infrastructure is up to date. Continue to balance the budget. Utilize the parks. Ensure racino monies are managed properly.

Robert Raymond

Age: 53

Home: 2900 Whispering Pines Drive

Education: A graduate of Austintown Fitch High School.

Employment: Troymill Wood Products and Ohio Manufacturers Wholesale Lumber.

Family: Wife, Roberta Raymond. Two children and one grandchild.

Priority: Replace aging infrastructure. Work on road resurfacing. Review and redirect the plan for the parks. Upgrade and repair park equipment. Support of safety forces. Entice new business. Continue grant writing initiatives.

Dave Stryffeler

Age: 53

Home: 3446 Meanderwood Drive

Education: A graduate of Austintown Fitch High School. Received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Youngstown State University.

Employment: FirstEnergy Corp.

Family: Wife, Colleen Stryffeler. Three children.

Priority: Make sure all safety forces are fully funded. Remove any blight. Maintain current zoning laws. Improve the Senior Center and parks. Attract new business.