7 seek Miami Twp. trustee post vacated by resignation

The resignation of a Miami Twp. trustee has drawn the interest of seven people who are applying to replace him.

Those seeking the seat vacated by Robert Matthews Jr.’s resignation last month include a former trustee, a two-time trustee candidate, a co-founder of a local restaurant chain and an executive with a regional building group.

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Board of trustees President Andrew Papanek said he Trustee Doug Barry will review applicants during an 8 a.m. special meeting today.

“We’re looking for the person that will be best suited to fill the role of Bob Matthews’ unexpired term,” Papanek said.

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He noted that key qualities may include “their community involvement, how much they’ve been involved, what type of different programs they’ve been involved in. That’s the type of things we’re going to look for.”

The seven who applied by Monday’s 5 p.m. deadline, according to the township, include:

- Greg Bell owned and operated Bell Vault and Monument Inc. - a Miamisburg company founded by his family in 1928 - for 28 years before retiring. A former director of Farmers & Merchants Bank, Bell said in his application that he thinks trustees "are on the right track" and he can "grasp the opportunities and face the challenges."

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- Terry Brill is the co-founder of TJ Chumps Family Restaurants, which has four locations is the Dayton area. Brill touts his "experience with several business ventures, which includes assisting in the development of downtown Miamisburg and several other communities," according to his application.

- Donald Culp is a community activist involved in local Republican Party politics since the mid-1990s. "…the township finds itself at transformative crossroads" as the "fastest developing area in the county for the last decade." He would "bring an experienced professionalism" to the board based on "my 20-plus years in both civic and political matters."

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- Eric Flasher ran unsuccessfully for trustee in 2001 and 2005. Flasher is involved a number of community groups, including the Community Foundation of Miami Twp. and the West Carrollton schools strategic planning committee. He also chaired the township's two most recent road levy campaigns.

- Mark Langdon has 30 years in the hospitality industry, including hotel management and owning Emerald Limousine Service. He has served on the South Metro Chamber Board of Directors and a handful township police and fire panels. He touts "an intimate and tenured knowledge" of business in the township.

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- John Morris is president and chief executive officer for the Ohio Valley Associated Builders & Contractors and a former registered state lobbyist in construction. His letter indicates with his "extensive experience in local, state and federal politics – I will hit the ground running as needed to support the administration" and trustees.

- Mike Nolan was elected trustee in 2009 and in 2013 finished third for two seats won by Papanek and Matthews in an election which the three were separated by 51 votes, resulting in a recount. He touts the creation of the Miami Valley Fire District and development of Austin Landing Phase I among key efforts as trustee.

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After today’s session, trustees will decide the next step, Papanek said. They have 30 days from Matthews’ resignation date to pick a replacement or the issue would be decided in probate court, according to the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

According to the elections board, the appointee would face election in November to keep the seat as Matthews resigned roughly seven months before his term expired.

Matthews, the township board’s vice president, resigned March 28 to avoid a potential conflict of interest in his new job. He began a position with Frost Brown Todd, LLC – a firm the township has contracted with - on March 29, documents show.

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