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WINTERSVILLE -- Five candidates are vying for four seats on Wintersville Council in the Nov. 4 general election.
They are incumbent Carmen A. DeStefano of 110 Woodland Park, challenger Rich Gunther of 211 South Avalon Road, incumbent Jason Mattern of 173 Meadow Road, incumbent Bob Merriman of 433 Eisenhower Road and incumbent Randy Spence of 173 Rex Ave.
Carmen DeStefano
A former steelworker with more than 27 years of experience in that field, DeStefano owns and operates three local businesses: Rocco's EZ Storage, DeStefano Real Estate and Steel City Used Cars.
He is a graduate of Eastern Gateway Community College, where he earned a degree in business management and a certificate in real estate.
In his first term on council, he has served on its water and sewer, parks and recreation and finance committees.
DeStefano said if re-elected, he will encourage new businesses to open in Wintersville, push for continued improvements to the village's roads and infrastructure and ensure the village's administration is fiscally accountable.
A Wintersville native, he said he "knows firsthand what is best for our village, where we came from and where we are now."
"My teamwork approach between council and citizens has contributed to continued progress. When a citizen reaches out with a concern, I address it immediately in a professional manner," said DeStefano.
Gunther is founder and chief executive officer of GRITGEAR Patriotic Apparel and the Lock-n-Load Coffee Co., both local businesses; former chief financial officer for the Treasure Hunters Roadshow; and current treasurer for the Warrior Shield Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance and emotional support to veterans and first responders.
He earned business, theology and public relations degrees from Cleveland State University, the Liberty Bell Institute and Baldwin-Wallace College, respectively.
Rich Gunther
A Cleveland native, Gunther served as an ordained deacon at Parma Baptist Church. He has lived in Wintersville for 13 years with his wife, Sharen, a local native, and is a trustee at Wintersville Baptist Temple.
He said if elected, he will work with others to bring new businesses to the village and establish activities for youth and will ensure village administration is financially disciplined and its spending is prudent.
"I would be a new voice, promoting accountability, transparency and open communication with the best interests of our village in any situation," said Gunther.
Jason Mattern
Mattern has served as site manager for 29 years at PVS Chemicals, formerly SAL Chemical, in Weirton. He is a graduate of Ohio State University, where he studied logistics and operations management, and Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he earned a master's degree in business administration.
He has served on council and its finance, water and sewer, recreation, annex and streets and sanitation committees for 20 years and represents council on the Seven Ranges Fire District, which includes Wintersville Fire and Rescue.
Mattern is a member of the American Legion and the Polish Athletic Club.
He said if re-elected, he will support the completion of several waterline and road projects and new recreational facilities and push for the state to disburse to the village more than $1 million in taxes collected from local marijuana dispensaries
"I believe that my 20 years of community service as an elected official is a proven commodity and will be beneficial as we keep Wintersville moving forward," he said.
Bob Merriman
Merriman has served on council and its water and sewer committee for 18 years and on its finance committee for 14 years and was council president for six years.
He has owned and operated the Wintersville Trophy Shop and B&B Screen Printing for 28 years, co-founded the Josh Merriman Foundation and lent his time to the United Way of Jefferson County, Steubenville Catholic Schools board, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus, for which he served as financial secretary.
Merriman said if re-elected, he will push for the village to secure grants and other funds for waterline and road improvements to avoid tax increases for residents, add recreational features for all ages to the park behind the Village Building and continue to boost funding for the local police department to ensure the public's safety.
"I work hard every day to ensure our village remains a prosperous, safe and close-knit community, an ideal place to live, work and raise a family," he said.
In his second term on council, Spence has served as council president for four years and represents the village on the Jefferson County Regional Planning Commission.
He has been employed for 27 years by FedEx, where he serves as a risk and compliance adviser, and served for 10 years previously in e-systems for the U.S. Department of Defense.
Randy Spence
Spence is a graduate of Muskingum College's School of Computer Technology and has undergone online training in contract negotiations, project and people management and other areas.
He said if re-elected, he will push for the completion of the Cadiz Road paving and waterline project, the state's disbursement of taxes collected from the marijuana dispensaries and maintain transparency by council and his own accessibility to residents with concerns.
"The finance committee, of which I am a member, has been closely monitoring the spending of taxpayer dollars on relevant issues. And we, as a council, strive to always maintain transparency to village residents on all issues," said Spence.