GREEN TOWNSHIP — Of the four people running for Green Township Trustee in Mahoning County two are currently serving on the board.

The four candidates on the Nov. 4 election ballot are current trustees Mark Stepuk and John Fromel, both of Canfield, and new candidates Thomas Frank and Michael Janik, both of Salem.

Mahoning County residents will select two from the four candidates to serve on the board.

Stepuk, 53, has served on the township board since 2010 and has never lost an election.

He is currently co-owner of Stepuk Tree Farm.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a Major in Finance from Youngstown State University following his graduation from South Range High School in 1990.

He also served in the Ohio Army National Guard from 1990 through 2020.

He and his wife Becky have two children, a son Zach, and daughter, Zoey.

His community involvement includes membership with the Greenford Ruritan Club, which has spanned more than two decades and is ongoing, and serving as current Committee Chairman for Scout Troop 80.

Stepuk said he is seeking reelection because he is committed to serving the residents and doing what is right for the township.

“As a lifelong resident and farmer, I understand the historic and rural character that Green Township residents love, and why it is so important for trustees to make decisions and plan strategically to preserve and protect it,” he said.

His priorities include supporting strong safety services, continuing improvements to township roads, cemeteries, and Coy Park, and maintaining a good working relationship with the current township employees in all departments.

He said that during his time on the board he strongly supported the creation of a 10-year Road Rating/Maintenance Plan, which has seen over seven miles of township roads paved since 2022; he was integral in establishing an equipment modernization plan that used ARPA and Covid funds to purchase two new ambulances for EMS and a mini excavator, trailer, and dump truck for the road department; and he worked with other trustees and the fiscal officer to bring several grants to the township.

Some of the grants included the ODOT Sign Grant in 2024 that will improve traffic safety by replacing road signs throughout the township, the NOPEC NEC Grant for over $13,000, and Community Sponsorship Grant of $1,000, he said.

He went on to say that the Fire and EMS department have also received several grants each year to enhance operations, and the township will be requesting an additional State Cemetery Grant in the spring.

The township also recently applied for a Nature Works Grant to add baseball fields at Coy Park, he said.

He also said he is currently working on a plan to renovate the Recycling Site beside the Fire Station and has secured $15,000 in grant funding for that project.

“Since I have been on the board the Township has won difficult fights against annexation and large-scale wind and solar. I supported the move to daytime staffing for Fire/EMS personnel, and it has resulted in a significant reduction in response time. The Fire Department has also achieved an ISO 4 rating, which will decrease insurance rates for homeowners,” he said.

He also said the township is using General Fund monies to support Fire and EMS, along with Park, Cemeteries, and Zoning.

“The Township’s General Fund is currently stable even with supporting all these departments and we have no plans to ask for additional taxes,” he said.

He added he will continue cooperation with the County Engineer and use the .25 percent county sales tax for road improvements in the future.

“Green Township is an absolute ‘Rural Paradise’ and I want to do my part to ensure it remains a beautiful, clean, and safe place to live for future generations,” Stepuk said.

Candidate Thomas Frank, 49, is seeking office because he feels it is “time for a change in Green Township.”

Frank’s work history includes more than 27 years with the state of Ohio in various law enforcement capacities.

He is a retired Armed Forces Reserve, with more than 29 years served.

He is a Loudonville High School Graduate and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Ohio State University and a Masters in Business Administration from Franklin University.

He ran for Green Township Trustee in a prior election but has not held a public office.

He and his wife Collette Frank have three adult children, Jennavieve, Julia, and Landon.

His community involvement includes membership with the Greenford Christian Church, Farm Bureau, Greenford Ruritan, and 4-H.

“I believe in doing things the right way, in family, and am proud to be a member of this community. I believe in the freedoms we often take for granted, and will strive to involve more community members in their right to vote and exercise their civic duty. It is not lost on me the importance of keeping taxes down without eliminating critical services that so many rely on in the township,” he said.

Frank said that if elected he will conduct a comprehensive review of the zoning laws.

“The current township philosophy is that zoning protects you. I’m not so sure, because this is often a balance between infringing upon a property owner’s freedom to use or sell their property versus protecting against true harm a community may face such as toxic waste dumping or unsafe target shooting for example,” he said.

He wants the zoning process to promote a more peaceful welcoming environment.

He also said that as trustee he will ensure that any funding will be spent on the community’s priorities through interactive feedback, whether it is the use of the facilities, recreational spaces, zoning, or public safety.

He is not in favor of another baseball field at Coy Park.

“Was community input sought? Why isn’t any information available to the public?” He said.

He said the drainage will likely be downhill into or onto the field, and isn’t sure there is sufficient parking for the amount of people another field would attract with potentially four teams playing at a time.

“Would this preclude the use or rental of the building with the parking, restrooms, volume of people? Most importantly, times have changed. Baseball is a seasonal activity. We should be listening to residents and installing pickleball courts which are used year around, require less space, less parking, and keep our residents from having to drive outside the township to play,” he said.

Furthermore, if elected, Frank said he plans to revamp and prioritize the Green Township website to further transparency, seek citizen input through surveys and organize and mobilize community action days where citizens can come together using their many talents, ideas, and resources to aid the community with projects, clean-ups, and other community involvement.

Candidate Michael Janik, 63, said he is seeking office to bring a fresh perspective to the board of trustees.

“I am motivated and want to represent all of the residents of Green Township. I bring strong background in management, finances, organization and people skills. Working with the public and managing several stores I have the skills and experience to continue to make Green Township prosper and grow while maintaining the charm that Green Township has always had,” he said.

Janik’s work history includes Perishable Supervisor for Sparkle Markets, Co-Owner of Zeiglers Trophies and owner of Hickory Pastures Farm.

He is a South Range High School graduate and attended the Ohio State University for Dairy Science.

His current community involvement includes the Mahoning County Dairy Committee, Mahoning County Junior Fair Advisor, and Ohio 4-H Dairy Advisory Committee.

“Being a life long resident of Green Township I bring a unique perspective to the table because I have seen Green Township evolve over the years. I want to continue to help Green Township grow and be there to support the residents, bring new ideas to the table and work to keep the charm of Green Township alive and brighter than ever,” he said.

If elected, he said he will represent all of Green Township and be the voice of the people.

“I am community minded and want to be there to help the residents, our safety forces and businesses,” he said.

Incumbent John Fromel, 64, has served as trustee for six months since being appointed to the board in April and is seeking re-election to expand the use of Coy Park, make cemetery improvements and maintain the township’s rural landscape.

Fromel said he has applied for multiple funding grants to help pay for an additional Little League field at Coy Park after working with the South Range Baseball Association and determining the need for one.

“I have worked with a local Civil Engineer to design a field and laid out a project plan with the associated costs with the goal of having a playable field for the children in the Spring of 2026,” he said.

He has also been working with several organizations and applying for funding grants to remove trees and fix retaining walls at the cemetery and is also collaborating with South Range Schools to possibly digitize cemetery documents and information so it can more accessible for residents.

In addition, he said he was able to negotiate an approximately 40 percent discount on a fireproof cabinet to protect the township’s written historical records. The cabinet was in place in the Township Administration Building in early August 2025.

Currently retired, his work history includes 25 years at Delphi Packard Electric and 15 years as Director of Engineering at Rockwell Automation.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from the Youngstown State University.

His community involvement includes eight years on the South Range School Board from 2006 through 2013, ten years as South Range Baseball and Soccer Association Trustee and Team Manager, four years as South Range schools PTO Treasurer, two years on the South Range schools Continuous Improvement Committee, three years on the South Range Athletic Boosters, and 12 years as a member of the Greenford Ruritans.

He and his wife Susan have four adult children, John, Joshua, Emily, and Nicholas.

“My family and I have been very fortunate to live in Green Township for the past 24 years. I have always strongly believed in getting involved in my community and working to make a positive impact. I have eight-plus years of experience working in public office. My continued priority as a Green Township Trustee will be the continued efficient and effective use of our budget while working collaboratively with the current trustees and the public we serve,” he said.