Township residents will see three candidates on the ballot – Raymond Hoon Jr., Chaney Nezbeth and Donald C. Williams.

Raymond Hoon Jr.

An honors graduate of Springfield Local High School Class of 2003, Hoon graduated from Youngstown State University with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and the University of Akron with an Undergraduate Surveying Certificate. He holds certifications of Professional Engineer (PE)-State of Ohio, Surveyor in Training (SIT)-state of Ohio and Project Management Professional (PMP)-Project Management Institute, is a licensed FAA Part 107 SUAS pilot and earned a certified Six Sigma/Lean certification from Management and Strategy Institute.

Hoon currently works as a senior project manager in engineering and design for CNX Resources since 2013 as well as owner of1984 Real Estate and Chamberlin Surveying (part-time). His previous employment has included First Energy and Geo-Solutions.

Nezbeth

Hoon said he has no previous community service and is now attempting to start his service.

He said his qualifications include his experience as a licensed engineer and being a life-long resident of the area.

“As a licensed engineer I’ve designed and upgraded miles of roads in the tri-state area,” he said. “I’m also versed in large scale stormwater management and other civil and environmental engineering specialties. A large part of these projects is coordinating with regulatory and political bodies on the local, state and federal levels. I’ve worked with multiple counties and townships in Ohio and Pennsylvania pertaining to negotiating road use agreements, road upgrades/resurfacing, and best management Emergency Medical Practices. On a state level I’ve coordinated with multiple agencies on projects including the OEPA, ODOT, ODNR, US Corps of Engineers and the US Fish and Wildlife Services. I’ve attended numerous township meetings throughout eastern Ohio and Western PA and gained experienced on how they operate and what practices work best when implemented properly. I’ve accrued over $12 million in total cost savings on engineering projects in the last seven years and plan to use my negotiating and project management skills to effectively make the taxpayers dollar go further.

“While being a life-long area resident I’ve had numerous opportunities to relocate over the course of my life, but I really love the township where I live. The people, businesses and culture of the community make for a wonderful place to raise a family or to just enjoy life without the urbanization that many surrounding townships have. I look forward to helping protect my community by being able to provide the police, fire, EMS and road departments what they need to be able to do quality work without overburdening the taxpayers.”

Hoon said he is running for office by the encouragement of multiple community members due to his experience and level-headedness.

Williams

“I feel I am the best fit for the position since the incumbent is no longer running,” he said. “I have the skills needed to support the community and the departments that keep them safe. This election and position will be a labor of love for my community.”

Hoon said voters should consider him over other candidates because he has experience in government regulations and his purpose for running.

“I’ve worked in government regulation for years and understand how to get things done,” he said. “I’m young, ambitious, energetic and knowledgeable about the community, the people, their needs and their wants. I have no need for the taxpayer funded health insurance or the pay that is included with this position. I’m running solely for the purpose that I feel it is my duty to give back to the community that has given so much to me throughout my life. I’m an advocate for low taxes and small government and want to return taxpayer dollars where they are needed in the community.

Hoon is just recently married Sept. 10.

Chaney Nezbeth

Chaney Nezbeth is the current executive director of Way Station, previously serving as development officer for the Youngstown State University Foundation, manager for Habitat for Humanity and carrier/supervisor for the United States Postal Service. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Organized Communications from Youngstown State University in 1993.

Nezbeth’s current community activities include Job & Family Services Planning Committee Vice Chair, Family & Children First Council member, Transportation Planning Council, Columbiana Christian Ministerial Association Vice President, National Academies of Sciences and Engineering & Medicine planning Committee for East Palestine.

Nezbeth has never been appointed to or lost an election for public office, but said she is seeking office because she and her husband have been involved in the community for almost 30 years.

“My husband and I have raised our five children and have lived in the township for almost 30 years,” she said. “I have been actively involved and volunteered in many school programs and fundraising activities. As the leader of a non-profit I have experience in managing the programs, budget and staff of three locations.”

Nezbeth said she plans to use her experience to increase revenue in township funds.

“I plan to use my experience in grant writing to increase areas of revenue to our safety and road services as well as pursue avenues for broadband service to the entire township without increasing taxes,” she said.

Nezbeth said voters should consider her over other candidates because of her relationships with local and state leaders.

“I have networked and cultivated relationships in multiple counties as well as our state and local political leaders,” she said. “These relationships will be critical when seeking funding and developing new initiatives for the township.”

Nezbeth is married with five adult children. She lives on Unity Road, New Springfield.

Donald C. Williams

Williams worked as a Ford auto mechanic at Ford dealerships from 1977 to 2001, the last 15 years at Welsh Motors in New Springfield; then from 2001 to 2019 at USPS as an auto mechanic before retirement.

Williams graduated from Springfield Local Schools in 1975, as well as the Mahoning County Vocational School in 1975 as a diesel mechanic. He also completed many Ford and mechanical training courses

Williams, who has previously served eight years as a township trustee, has also served 12 years on the Springfield Local school board, which he noted as his experience which has given him the opportunity to learn about ethics, government, diversion and many other topics.

Williams said his qualifications for the office include his experience on the school board, including two years as president; eight years as trustee, including one year as chairman; and being a life-long township resident.

“I have a good understanding and relationship of our community, knowledge of roads, building projects, police, fire, and churches in our area that helps me understand and work on issues that affect our residents,” he said.

Williams noted that he although he is not an incumbent, he has held the trustee office before. He said that his biggest accomplishments during his time on the board included building a new state-of-the-art fire station to house future EMS and fire personnel along with community members during any emergency, along with purchasing a new ambulance, used ladder truck and new police cruisers and equipment; securing several grants including a “very successful” tire recycle grant and all new township road signs grant; and creating a township website, including Zoom coverage of trustees meetings.

Williams said his experience as trustee and school board member makes him the best choice for trustee because of his knowledge about the local government.

Williams and his wife of 43 years Susan live on Metz Road in Middletown. They have three daughters, Becky, Jessica and Cindy, who are all Springfield Local graduates, and two granddaughters, Annabelle and Zoey.