GOSHEN TOWNSHIP- Four candidates with lengthy tenures serving the township will vie for two seats on the Board of Trustees Nov. 3.

Todd Beeson, a 1980 West Branch graduate, is a former member of the police department, starting as part-time officer in November 1986 and serving as chief from November 1990 to May 2001, and spent over 19 years as a firefighter and EMT with the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department. He is currently employed with the City of Canfield's Department of Public Works.

He graduated from the Salem Police Academy in 1986 and possesses an Ohio EPA license in Water Distribution I and Wastewater Management I.

Beeson said he feels that his work experience has prepared him to serve his community well.

"Through my current employment, I have hands-on experience with road resurfacing and maintenance, snow and ice control, experience with water distribution, sewer maintenance, storm sewer maintenance and repair, and also cemetery maintenance, including burials and record keeping," he said. "Combining this knowledge and the experience with my previous work in law enforcement and fire service, as well as my knowledge of township appropriations and finances, I feel I can make intelligent and sensible decisions which will benefit the residents of Goshen Township."

Beeson lives with his wife, Anita, on South Duck Creek Road.

Incumbent Charles (Abe) Bricker, a graduate of Goshen High School, has been a trustee for 12 years. He has also served on the Mahoning County HazMat Board for 24 years and the Mahoning County 911 Board for two, as well as past chief of the Damascus Volunteer Fire Department, a position he held for 17 years.

He noted several accomplishments in which he assisted during his tenure, including obtaining grants of $43,000 for the Bricker Walking Park and over $1 million for the Damascus Sewer Plant, plus raising $123,000 to purchase the former Goshen Center School from the West Branch school board to serve as the new administration building.

As a native of the township, Bricker said his love for the community is evident in his service as trustee.

"I am a lifelong resident of Goshen Township, and with my experience as trustee and with the fire department, I have worked diligently and for the betterment of our community," he said. "I have always tried, to the best of my knowledge, to make myself available to the residents of the township."

Bricker is a life-time member of the Damascus fire department, where he is a retired chief and fire prevention officer; president of the Goshen Alumni Association; and a 40-year member of the Romanian Society 2061, for which he serves on the Board.

He is currently self-employed as the owner and partner of Bricker Farms and Bricker Homestead LLC. He resides with his wife, Betty, on West South Range Road.

Roger Heineman is a West Branch graduate who served as a road worker and foreman for the township road department for over 15 years until 2008, as well as past experience as a mechanic and service manager for a farm equipment dealer. He is currently employed by Sweet Meadow Farm Drainage in Beloit.

Citing his work experience and personal interactions as strengths, Heineman said he hopes to put them to use for township.

"With the employments I've had, I deal with people on a daily basis," he said. "Having worked for Goshen Township for over 15 years, I know the roads and cemeteries very well. I would strive to better our roads and cemeteries and to maintain good fire and police departments."

Heineman is a member of the Mahoning County Farm Bureau and resides on Duck Creek Road.

Incumbent Rob Spencer has been a trustee in the township for the past 16 years. A West Branch graduate, he is a life-time farmer in the township and very active in the community, with membership in the Goshen Center Ruritan Club, West Branch Alumni Association, West Branch Hall of Fame Committee, Mahoning County Farm Bureau and Mahoning County Township Association. He also serves on the Mahoning County 911 Executive Board.

Spencer said his business background and knowledge, in addition to his experience working with state and local governments to secure funds for the township, gives him the perspective for township business decisions.

"I have the knowledge, experience and people skills to keep our township a great place to live and raise a family," he said. "You can always count on me to work for the best interests of the township."

As an incumbent, Spencer cited three significant accomplishments while serving as trustee: completing the Damascus sewer project; acquiring the Goshen Center School for use as the Township Administration Building and Community Center; and consistently keeping the township working in the black, especially during the tough economic times.

Spencer has been employed as a sales transit manager at Myers Equipment Corp. in Canfield for the past 37 years. He resides with is wife Donna on Smith-Goshen Road.

Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net