PERRYSBURG – Two incumbents running on their records and a challenger with his own management priorities
are vying for two seats on the township board of trustees.
Gary Britten, a local farmer and employee of the Wood County Engineer’s Office, will ask voters on Nov. 3
for a second term on the board. Britten describes himself as a life-long public servant, having worked
25 years in the township garage and a total of nearly 10 years for the county. He also served a term on
the Perrysburg Board of Education.
"The community and the people of the township in the area have been absolutely wonderful to me and
my family, and whatever I can do to give back to the community, I think that’s really important,"
he said.
A major priority for Britten is ushering through the completion of the township’s comprehensive plan, for
which the township is currently soliciting input from the community. At the same time, the township is
also working on an update of its zoning rules. Completion of those documents is intended to create an
attractive environment for potential businesses and to make zoning enforcement more effective.
Britten has also been directly involved in the day-to-day operation of the township, particularly the
budget. Because of his former experience in the maintenance department, Britten said, he can help
department heads make difficult cuts.
Under the current board’s stewardship, he said, the township general fund has reached $17 million even
after spending $5 million cash for a new state-of-the-art emergency services building.
"We have really managed the money well," he said. "But, just because our coffers are good,
you (still) have to be very sensitive to what’s around you."
James Neu Jr., a volunteer township firefighter for eight years, is making another run for a board seat
following an unsuccessfully campaign against Craig LaHote two years ago. He currently serves as the
second-shift union steward at the Chrysler Toledo Machining Plant in Perrysburg, where he has worked for
the past 10 years. His responsibilities in that position include protecting the 145 shift workers and
making sure they understand contracts and agreements. He also comes into the race with experience
serving on the board of trustees for the Perrysburg Area Democratic Club .
Neu is running on the campaign slogan: "Let my voice be your voice." Neu said he could offer
his service to the public without any conflicts of interest that would otherwise preclude him from
voting on issues before the board.
"One of the things I’d like to do is resolve the water issue that we have in the township,"
said Neu, who believes current water agreements saddle some residents with unfair fees to providers. He
would like to see the township contract for water exclusively with the Northwestern Water and Sewer
District, enter into a similar contract with neighboring communities or build its own infrastructure to
collect, treat and distribute water.
The board should protect the township from annexation by entering into less binding agreements with other
communities, he said. He suggested that the township form Joint Economic Development Districts with
other municipalities to keep taxes within the county.
He would also like to see the police department increase patrols to create a more visible presence in the
township.
In addition to his service at the fire department, Neu also volunteers for Operation Breadbasket and the
local recycling program.
"I’m very dedicated," he said. "I’d like to serve the township in another capacity as a
trustee."
Bob Mack, current chair of the board of trustees, is seeking a third term on the board. A principal with
the real estate firm Signature Associates, Mack believes his experiences in negotiating the regional
real estate markets inform him with valuable insights in his trustee role.
Despite a flagging economy and the economic hardships experienced in other communities, Mack said, the
township is faring well. He said the township remains debt-free, no property has been lost due to
annexation in the protected area, and the township treasury is once again approaching $20 million
despite a substantial payment for the new EMS facility. "In Northwest Ohio, we have an unparalleled
track record of job creation and capital investment right there in our little subsection of
Perrysburg," he said.
But the township "doesn’t run on auto-pilot," he said. He attributed the township’s successes
to the current board’s collective experience, education and problem-solving skills.
Mack said he decided to run for office eight years ago because he was troubled by the sight of dissolving
boundaries and a depleted treasury. He said the combination of suburban, capitalized and agricultural
areas within the township provided plenty of opportunity for development.
"You couldn’t ask for a more diverse economy, and we ought to be able to make this township
work," he said. "And I think we’ve definitely done that."
