PERRY TOWNSHIP — Township voters will select two candidates from a field of five for township trustee as incumbents Jim Armeni and Tony Ieropoli face challenge from Austin French, Billy Davidson, and Russ Sinsley in the upcoming general election.

Jim Armeni

Jim Armeni, 65, has served on the township’s board of trustees since 2018 and has been the Columbiana County Recorder since 2021. Armeni is a Salem High School alum and attended Kent State University and has two sons with his wife Lorrie: Jim Jr., and Ross. Armeni is also a former Certified Public Finance Officer, and is a member of the Salem Elks Lodge #305, the Italian American Club, Perry Masonic Lodge no. 185, and the Columbiana and Mahoning County Township Association.

Prior to his current positions Armeni served as Salem City Auditor from 1998-2011, and on Salem City Council from 1986-87, and from 1993-98. Armeni was also appointed to the Auditor of State Regional Advisory Board in 1998 which he served on through 2010 and currently serves in several appointed positions including: the Columbiana County Planning Commission, Township Association Health Advisory Board, and the Ohio Recorder Association’s Legislative Committee. Armeni has twice sought election unsuccessfully in a 1991 city council bid, and in the 2008 Columbiana County Treasurer race.

Armeni said that his 35 years of public service in both appointed and elected positions “at the local, county and state level of government” make him “uniquely qualified to be part of the township’s administration.” He said that he was seeking re-election as trustee because he has “had the privilege of earning the confidence and trust” of township residents over the last eight years and feels that his “knowledge of how local and state government operates along with the relationships [he has] from the courthouse to the statehouse have been an asset in Moving Perry township Forward.”

When asked what he considers his biggest accomplishments as Trustee, Armeni cited the successful identification and procurement of funding for engineering and construction costs for the township’s improvements to Painter Road in 2024, and the Goshen Road storm water project. He also said that his current main goal was to finalize an economic development agreement with the city of Salem by the end of 2025 to “allow planned growth for the city and township, a way for both communities to work together toward economic development, and a way to increase revenue by attracting residential and commercial development.”

Armeni said that should choose him because Perry Township “is in the best financial position it has been in over 10 years.” He also cited the “upgrades to zoning regulations” and state authorization for the township to offer tax abatements to residential, commercial, and industrial properties to promote new construction which he helped to oversee, and increased transparency.

“I would definitely say the township as a government entity is more open and transparent to the public and is being financially managed better than in the past. The township has become a more favorable place to live as residents are pleased with the services provided by the township without increasing any levies to keep resident’s taxes as low as possible,” said Armeni.

Billy Davidson

Billy Davidson, 24, is a 2020 Salem High School Alum and earned his degree in applied business from Kent State University in 2023. Davidson has worked at Church Budget Envelope Company in Salem since 2020 where he became a staff accountant in 2023 following his graduation from Kent State. While Davidson has not held public office, he does serve as a member of the Columbiana County Republican Party’s Finance Committee.

Davidson said that service and his work has given him “a strong background in fiscal management and accountability” and taught him “the importance of responsible budgeting, efficiency, and transparency.” He also said that those roles have taught him “to bring practical, real-world skills to public office.” He said he was running for trustee “to bring fresh ideas and energy to Perry Township and help the township and the City of Salem work together” and capitalize on opportunities for new investment in the township which “will only move forward if the city and township can find common ground.”

Davidson said that residents should vote for him because he brings “professional financial expertise and a new perspective as a young candidate,” and is “committed to transparent budgeting, encouraging growth, and ensuring that township decisions reflect the needs of residents.” He also said that he wanted to “position Perry Township for long-term success” while remaining “accountable and accessible” to township Residents.

“I am proud to call Salem and Perry Township home, and I want to see this community thrive. I believe my combination of fresh ideas, strong work ethic, and financial background make me the right choice to serve as township trustee,” said Davidson.

Austin French

Austin French, 69, is a retired Salem police officer and Sebring McKinley High School alum. He and his wife Tricia have three children, Tiffany Wise, Timothy Fox, and Destiny French. While French has not held an elected position, he has previously been appointed to the Perry Township Zoning Board in 2018 where he served as chairman before stepping down from the position. French has twice sought election as township trustee unsuccessfully in 2017 and 2019.

French cited his 20 years of residence within the township, which he said gives him “a vested interest in the township’s well-being” as what makes him qualified to serve as trustee. He also said that being retired means he “would be available at all times to help anyone who may have a question or need assistance.” He said he was running for trustee because he feels “having members on the board that are directly impacted by its decisions” was important because “It helps ensure the needs of the community are being met and handled with care.”

When asked why voters should support him French said that he had many ideas to potentially benefit residents like broadcasting meetings digitally for residents who cannot attend in person, expanding residents’ access to the trustees, and challenging the legality of the surcharge the Salem Utilities Department charges non-city residents.

“I believe your vote for me would give the township an individual who has been involved in the community and who has an idea of how business is handled. I would have new ideas on helping the people of the township getting better service through the trustee position,” said French.

Tony Ieropoli

Tony Ieropoli, 66, has served as trustee since 2022. A 1977 Salem High School alum, Ieropoli is a veteran of the United States Army and a member of Salem AMVETS Post 45 and is married to his wife Pam and has two children, Isaac and Taeressa. Ieropoli was also appointed to serve as the head of the Emmanual Lutheran Church’s property division, a position he has served in for the last two years and worked for the Perry Township Road Department for 30 years prior to his retirement.

Ieropoli cited his experience from his first term as trustee and with the road department as what makes him qualified for the position, which he said has given him the opportunity to develop “strong relationship with the community [he] serves” and a “detailed view of the township and what is needed for its departments to function efficiently.” He said that he was seeking re-election because he loves the work he does as a trustee and accomplishing tasks that benefit the township.

Ieropoli said that updates to the township’s municipal buildings including the replacement of garage doors at the south station and the construction of a new salt storage building, the township’s improvements to Painter Road and East Pine Lake Road, and working with the city to address annexation disputes were the three biggest accomplishments of his term as trustee. When asked why voters should select him Ieropoli cited his first-hand experience and his “proven track record as a trustee.”

Russ Sinsley

Russ Sinsley, 43, is a 2000 Salem High School alum who has worked in the auto-mechanics, towing and salvage industry for over 25 years. While he has never held public office Sinsley said that operating a business has given him experience in financial budgeting and customer service “along with hands on experience in community support working alongside local emergency services” that he feels qualifies him to serve as trustee.

Sinsley said he was seeking office because he wanted “practical solutions and responsible budgeting in the township,” and increased transparency in the township’s administration. He also said that he feels the township should focus “on ideas that benefit the people of the township” like increased attention to roads and attracting investment in the township, and that he feels he can “bring a fresh set of ideas and practical solutions to the township.” When asked why voters should choose him over the other candidates, he said he would “work together with fellow trustees and the public to obtain township goals in a practical and effective manner.”

“The role of trustee is to be a representative of the people, and I plan to focus on promoting business investments, ensuring the township stays safe, and enhancing the township as a whole,” said Sinsley.