5 Compete for 2 Claridon Trustee Seats

October 22, 2025 by Staff Report

Five candidates are running for two Claridon Township trustee seats Nov. 4. They are Eric Brindo, Dewain Hall, Elizabeth Savel, Zackary Sipan and incumbent Jonathan Tiber. Below are their responses to our candidate questionnaire.

Eric Brindo

Age: 38

Current Employer/Occupation: Melzers Fuel Service Inc., fuel sales

Education: Chardon High School

Dewain Hall

Age: 58

Current Occupation/Employer: Manager (PBM Pharmacy), Physician Assistant

Education: Berkshire High School, Cuyahoga Community College, master’s degree (physician assistant studies), A.T. Still University

Elizabeth Savel

Age: 54

Current Occupation/Employer: Education Assistant Chardon Local Schools

Education: High school

Zackary Sipan

Age: 33

Current Occupation/Employer: Self employed/excavation company owner operator

Education: High school

Jonathan Tiber

Age: 55

Current Occupation/Employer: Space planner at Studio 76

Education: Berkshire High School, Class of 1988

1. Why are you seeking this position?

Brindo: I am seeking the Claridon Township trustee position because I am committed to strengthening our community and ensuring that our local resources are managed responsibly and with full transparency. I want to bring solutions and collaboration to ensure the needs of our residents are met.

Hall: It was a privilege to grow up in Claridon Township. Our township is a beautiful place to live, and I’m seeking this position to make a difference in the community. It would be an honor to represent the interests of my neighbors and champion important issues that are important to the community.

Savel: I believe deeply in our community and remain dedicated to serving the needs of our township residents. During my two terms as an Aquilla Village councilwoman, I listened carefully to every concern and treated each issue with the seriousness it deserved. While it was not always possible to fulfill every request, I worked hard to bring council together and find balanced solutions that served the best interests of all our residents.

Sipan: I worked in public service at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office and was the road superintendent at Chardon Township. Over that 14 year period, I learned the ins and outs of township government and learned the pain points that left room for improvement. As a township trustee, I can help resolve those pain points for our residents and support the reasons why our residents chose Claridon over anywhere else.

Tiber: I’m in my seventh year of trusteeship. I love serving Claridon! There are so many good, decent hardworking folks here. The more of my community members I meet, the more of an honor it is to serve them. That’s why I’m seeking to stay in this position.

2. If elected to this position, what would be your top priorities?

Brindo: If elected as Claridon Township trustee, my top priorities are managing the budget, utilizing resources and keeping Claridon a great place to live and raise a family through community engagement.

Hall: My top priority would be to ensure we have wise and effective management of the township’s budget. I would work collaboratively with my fellow trustees to spend money sensibly. Transparent financial dealings and managing our township assets would also be important. I would also ensure road maintenance and public safety continue to be a top priority.

Savel: I am committed to serving our residents and community with honesty, transparency and respect. My approach is simple: to listen first, understand concerns and work toward solutions without unnecessary conflict or unrealistic promises.
As a member of this community, I recognize the importance of working together to make progress. My priority is to collaborate closely with our township trustees, staff, fiscal officers, residents so that every voice is heard and every decision reflects the best interests of our community.
I believe that strong leadership comes from teamwork.

Sipan: As a township trustee I intend to streamline maintenance operations and develop a path forward for improvements, just like I did at Chardon township.

Tiber: The budget is always a priority. The challenge to practice services within the budget without sacrificing quality and integrity. Doing it right doesn’t happen by accident. It takes prayerful, diligent and wise thinking and it takes time to sit down and figure it out with the entire Claridon team and reaching out to our residents for input. The Claridon team’s morale is always a priority. Creating and maintaining a team culture is important. Maintaining a strong sense of community for our community is also top priority.

3. What project(s) would you like to see township government accomplish over the next four years?

Brindo: As a Claridon Township trustee, I would like to see several projects accomplished over the next four years. First, I would like to see greater use of the township park by our community. Second, I’d like to incorporate Lake Aquilla into Claridon’s infrastructure. I’d also have a continued focus on maintaining the budget for road maintenance and emergency services.

Hall: I would focus on ensuring Claridon has a land use plan we could all be proud of. Community input would be crucial. I would also focus on enhancing the services we offer our residents.

Savel: I would work to establish a park and recreation center for our children and residents — a place to gather, share meals, enjoy music and build a true sense of community.

Sipan: I would like to see a month by month, year by year maintenance plan, as well as a 10-year plan for Claridon Township that includes improvements to cemeteries, grounds, the park and roads. Something that can be followed, planned for and budgeted for annually.

Tiber: Resurfacing Ensign Road (and hopefully widening it), Cemetery restoration. Cyber security and initiating plans in Aquilla Village. Aquilla Village merged into Claridon. I think Aquilla Village is wonderfully unique, so I want to do right by them. I look forward to reaching out to residents for their input.

4. A significant amount of your time will be allocated to township board responsibilities, such as planning, zoning, budgeting, re-zonings, land use, economic development, labor negotiations and audit review. What prior experience do you have with the above? Do you feel a trustee can “learn on the job?”

Brindo: Through my current and previous job, I have experience with planning, budgeting, land use and labor negotiations. I can apply those past experiences to the responsibilities that I will have as township trustee. I know I will have some learning to do and will do so by working with the other two trustees, having open discussions, doing my research, and bringing ideas and solutions to the table.

Hall: I currently serve as a benefit manager for a large national firm. I have experience with planning, budgeting and audit reviews. I have also served on various church leadership boards and continue to contribute to regional and national Christian leadership committees. I firmly believe a trustee can “learn on the job.” Continuous learning is very important. Serving as a Claridon trustee would build on that experience.

Savel: I will be perfectly honest, I have done most of these responsibilities, however some have been a challenge as I have taken on some on my own. I will not claim to be educated 100% in any of them, however I love to research and read to make sure I can better understand the process. I am not afraid to seek out and ask questions so that I can better learn and educate myself on all issues to better not only myself but also the residents and township staff.

Sipan: As the past Chardon township road superintendent, I had plenty of experiences with all of these with the exception of zoning. Although there is always room to learn more, I have a familiar background with the responsibilities of a trustee and am ready and eager to fulfill those duties.

Tiber: I absolutely believe trustees can learn on the job. They have to. I’m in my seventh year and I’m still learning. There are plenty of opportunities to learn, not just in real time, but through classes and workshops. The Ohio Township Association offers lots of work classes regarding all aspects of trusteeship. I have seven years of experience in these areas and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn so I can serve more efficiently and smartly.

5. Some entities have adjusted zoning to increase business and development, while others have worked to protect or preserve undeveloped land. What is your vision for zoning and development in your township? Do you feel changes should be made in zoning laws or policies? If yes, how so?

Brindo: The current zoning commission has done a great job in the township. My goal is to keep growth in mind but continue to preserve the land. I would like to promote community growth but continue to keep the small town feel.

Hall: As stated earlier, Claridon is a beautiful place to live. I believe the majority of my neighbors would want to preserve and protect the rural atmosphere we have. We should have targeted discussions regarding the need to change zoning laws or policies. Community involvement would be key when discussing adjusting zoning to increase business and development. We will work together to find the right balance for our community.

Savel: Claridon recently updated their zoning plan to address future development in the township based on resident input. If elected, I will work with fellow trustees and the zoning department to implement that plan to preserve the character of the township.

Sipan: No one moves to Claridon for economic development. People move here because they want to be away from the city and have their own private space and property to roam. “Do I want to change Claridon township zoning policies?” Not if it jeopardizes our way of life; do I want to preserve what we enjoy here in Claridon? Absolutely.

Tiber: We recently sent out a survey to Claridonites. Several questions were about the future of zoning. The question, “What aspect of zoning is most important to you?” resulted in the answer, “To keep Claridon rural”. That’s what zoning does. When it comes to zoning, I personally want to be careful the township doesn’t overreach. Zoning is important, but too much zoning is an infringement. We still haven’t written zoning for Aquilla Village yet because the transfer of records and purse hasn’t yet happened. We will be working on that once it does.

6. Some townships have merged Police and/or Fire/EMS services with neighboring communities or the county, while others remain independent. What do you feel is the best approach? Should changes be made in your township?

Brindo: Currently, the township doesn’t have the resources or infrastructure to have their own police/fire/EMS and needs to rely on neighboring communities and the local sheriff’s (office). The neighboring departments have been a strong, reliable resource to the community and provided safe and quick services to our township. If significant growth in the community occurs, there is potential for the township needing our own emergency services, but I don’t think this is needed at this time.

Hall: I appreciate our relationship with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. I also appreciate our relationship with Burton and Chardon, who provide our fire protection and emergency medical services. We should seek to improve those relationships while ensuring the citizens of Claridon have what they need.

Savel: Claridon is a township, so they should be under the sheriff’s (office). Because of the boundaries, they have to split between Chardon and Burton for fire service. This works for the better of the residents as the fire department has mutual aid contracts so that in the event there is a serious situation, there will always be coverage.

Sipan: That’s not exactly an option here in Claridon. The services we receive and contract for continue to be at the highest level and somehow continue to improve still.

Tiber: Chardon Fire Department, a private department, covers about 60 percent of Claridon. Burton Fire Department, also a private department, covers the rest. They are not a combined department however, they, like most departments, have mutual-aid agreements. Fire/EMS coverage is our greatest expense in Claridon. It’s expensive to operate a GOOD department. Collaboration and/or merging of departments must be considered because of the high cost. I’m not sure what the answer is.

7. There have been movements both on the local and state level for property tax reform and relief. Do you believe property taxes need reform? If so, what would you do, as trustees, to provide property tax relief to residents and/or work with legislators on reform?

Brindo: I think there is room for change to taxes at a local, state and federal level. With that, I also believe this has to come with a solid, supported plan to ensure the changes don’t negatively impact the infrastructures and communities that the taxes are currently supporting.

Hall: Yes, I believe property taxes need reform. Homeowners are seeing taxes increase significantly. Legislators are currently reviewing how to deal with the property tax issue. As trustees, we should be involved with this process to ensure the best outcome for the township. We can address our state officials and encourage residents to contact state representatives. Working together, we can find solutions regarding this issue.

Savel: While tax reform sounds good, it is not in the best interest of township government as it could take away our fire, police, zoning and road department services with no alternate funding to provide these services., i.e. no road plowing, fire or ambulance services.

Sipan: I’m still not 100% sold either way on this yet. I will say that if I needed to pay more taxes so that our veterans could have a lesser property tax burden, I would gladly pay more. I will continue to weigh both sides on this and absorb all the information I can about it before I would need to make an official decision on this.

Tiber: The short answer is ‘Yes’, I think we need property tax reform but it’s not that simple. I don’t believe property tax should be abolished altogether. That would be a disaster for townships because we don’t have income or traditional sales tax. We all pay property tax to the county, your local township and your local school district. Most of this goes to the school district. Townships rely heavily on both inside property tax and levied (voter authorized) property tax for virtually all services. I don’t think reform should happen at the local township level. There are other avenues of reform.