PERRY TWP. – Voters will choose among four candidates vying to fill two seats on the Perry Township Board of Trustees.
Challengers Rylan Finzer and Mark Kandel are running for spots held by incumbents Matt Miller and Lisa Nelligan in the Nov. 4 general election. Each seat carries a four-year term.
Road resurfacing, improving Perry parks, township health care and personnel are some hot topics that candidates have been talking about with voters.
In 2025, Perry trustees are in line to earn $25,602, according to Township Administrator Gerrie Cotter. The annual salary is set by the township budget and sections of Ohio Revised Code. Township health care is optional for the elected officials.
Perry Township trustee candidate Mark Kandel
Mark Kandel, 58, is a retired Canton police officer who works part time at The Legends of Massillon golf course as a course maintenance specialist. He said maintaining fiscal responsibility and dealing with an apparent decline in township population are on his docket.
If elected, Kandel said, he would decline employee health care. Employee medical insurance was an issue that arose prior to the May primary in Perry.
Building and maintaining quality roads is an issue Kandel said he wants to tackle. Piccadilly Street SW and West Manor are areas he cited as needing significant attention.
“We need to focus more on places (neighborhoods) for roads and not just pockets,” said Kandel, adding that he would advocate for three-year levies rather than the five or 10-year options.
In the May primary election, Perry voters rejected the township’s third road levy within a year. The denial has left Perry in a rough patch for funding road repaving.
“There’s been no asphalting because of these failed levies, and we need to be more specific on what we ask voters for,” Kandel said. “I have a personal feeling and passion to help the township get this (work) done.”
Perry Township Trustee Matt Miller
Miller, 43, is seeking a second term after being first elected in November 2021. He cites new hires for police chief, parks superintendent and township administrator as successful moves.
“I really like that we’ve made a positive impact on our community,” Miller said. “I’m excited to continue to do that work.”
Miller, who works as a student information specialist at the Stark County Educational Service Center, said finding funds to resurface township roads is the main issue in the campaign.
“We’ve got to solve our road paving issue and find a creative solution there,” said Miller, adding that working with residents will be key in the coming years.
Addressing economic development along the state Route 172 corridor, attracting new business and continuing to upgrade parks are other priorities, said Miller, noting that Fasnacht Farm Park is in line for a new entryway, parking lot and grassy walking trail using grant dollars.
“We’re trying to move ahead with development and expect multiple phases (at the park),” he said.
Miller defended his decision to accept Perry’s health plan, saying the current pact with employees, which was approved by the current board, is saving the township at least $100,000 annually.
Perry Township Trustee Lisa Nelligan
Nelligan, 56, works as the executive director at the centralized business office for Aultman Health System.
Seeking grants and other resources to fund parks and buildings upgrades, hiring and retaining “top-notch” employees and finding funding sources for paving roads are priorities over the next few years, Nelligan said.
“I’m seeking re-election because the first four years of my term as a (trustee) was just the start of moving our township forward,” Nelligan said.
Road repaving is the primary issue in the township, said Nelligan.
“We have had (multiple) unsuccessful attempts at options in funding that our residents have voted down with levies the past two years,” she said. “We must find options that will meet the needs of paving and that our residents can afford and value.”
A new Roads Advisory Group is in the works to offer ideas for township street improvements.
“This (committee) will be made up of dedicated residents and local business owners to help provide input and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees on next steps with road levies (and) street paving,” she said.
Attempts to reach Finzer, 31, about his candidacy were unsuccessful.
Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com. On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Perry Twp. trustee candidates talk issues like road repaving & parks | Ohio election 2025
Reporting by Steven M. Grazier, Massillon Independent / The Repository
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