PERRY TOWNSHIP — Another Perry Township resident has announced intentions to run for trustee in November.

Billy Davidson of West State Street, Salem, issued a statement Thursday saying he has filed with the Columbiana County Board of Elections, joining incumbents Jim Armeni and Tony Ieropoli in the race. Voters will have the choice of two of the candidates who eventually end up on the ballot.

Davidson said he is looking to campaign on one simple message — “we can do better.”

“For too long there has been short-sighted bickering, needless public conflict, even law suits between Perry Township and the City of Salem, when these two entities ought to be working together for the betterment of all of the citizens of this community,” he said. “If elected, one of my goals will be to have the township trustees work toward greater cooperation and unity with the city, the county and the state in order to bring about economic development and greater job opportunities and an improved quality of life for Perry Township.”

Davidson resides on a small family farm settled by his great-grandfather in the 1960s. He is a 2020 graduate of Salem High School, where he was elected class president his junior and senior years. Following high school, he enrolled at Kent State Salem where he earned a degree in Applied Business, with a major in Accounting Technology. He is currently employed as a staff accountant at the Church Budget Company in Salem.

Citing the amount of money available to the township in private investments, Davidson said he will seek opportunities to capitalize on those possible funds.

“There are currently millions of dollars in private investment just waiting to come to our township, if we will let it happen,” he said. “This will create new opportunities for our citizens, an expanded tax base with which to support our first responders and maintain our streets, and otherwise pave the way to a brighter and more promising future for those of us that live and work here. On day one, I will be championing this kind of future for our township.”