By A. Kevin Corvo

Voters in Madison County’s Paint Township will choose two trustees from among three candidates appearing on the Nov. 4 nonpartisan ballot. At least one new trustee will be elected, as incumbent trustee and board chairman Phil Eades is not seeking re-election.

Incumbent trustee Jeff Kimbler faces challengers Kyle Ball and Benjamin Gaston for the two open seats.

Kimbler, 68, is a farmer and four-term incumbent who said he wants to continue serving the residents of Paint Township. A 1975 graduate of Madison-Plains High School and a 1977 graduate of The Ohio State University, Kimbler and his wife of 41 years, Robin, have two sons and six grandchildren.

Kimbler identified road and bridge maintenance, and ensuring fire and EMS service through fiscal responsibility, as the township’s key priorities.

“In these challenging times, being fiscally responsible and financially prudent with the tax dollars entrusted to the trustees is one of the most important issues we are facing,” Kimbler said.

He added that maintaining the township cemetery and collaborating with Madison County remain ongoing goals.

“I also want to maintain our cemetery so it is a peaceful resting place for our residents’ loved ones,” he said. “As a member of the District Advisory Committee, I want to make sure we have continued services from the Madison County Health District, not only for Paint Township residents but for all Madison County residents.”

Kimbler said his experience positions him well for a fifth term.

“Having served as a trustee for 16 years, I have the experience needed to continue ensuring our roads, bridges, and cemetery are maintained,” he said. “I will continue to be financially responsible and transparent with the tax dollars afforded us by the residents of Paint Township.”

Ball, 42, is an engineer and farmer seeking to unseat Kimbler. A graduate of Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, he said he is running “because I care deeply about our community and want to contribute to its continued success.”

Ball said the township’s greatest challenges include maintaining 14 miles of roadway, along with ditches and culverts.

“My goal is to stay fiscally responsible with the township funds while efficiently maintaining the roadside ditches, the road surfaces, removing snow and maintaining the township cemetery,” Ball said.

He and his wife of 17 years, Emily, have four children.

Gaston, 49, is also seeking to unseat an incumbent. A graduate of Madison-Plains High School, The Ohio State University, and Franklin University, Gaston owns Gaston CPA and Farmland Management Inc. He said his professional background has prepared him for township leadership.

“I feel I have accumulated extensive experiences in my career that would be very beneficial to the trustee position,” Gaston said. “The experiences that I have been involved in over the years include operational management, fiscal management, and running my own businesses.”

Gaston identified future growth as the township’s biggest challenge.

“The elected officials should be very cognizant in how that growth may impact our community in a positive or negative way,” he said. “I think it is very important to recognize changes that may be coming in the future and prepare for them versus being reactive to those changes.”

If elected, Gaston said he hopes to strengthen communication with residents.

“I would like to use my current personal and business relationships to open up communications and foster open dialogue so residents can express their concerns,” he said.

Gaston and his wife, Jennifer, have five children.