Brindo Edges Out Hall for Claridon Trustee Seat

November 5, 2025 by Ann Wishart

Incumbent Jonathan Tiber retained his seat on the Claridon Township Trustees board with 508 votes, while write-in candidate Eric Brindo grabbed 169 votes to secure the second seat Nov. 4, according to the final unofficial results of the Geauga County Board of Elections.

Write-in candidates Dewain Hall received 141 votes, Zackary Sipan garnered 28 votes and Elizabeth Savel had 21 votes, according to the elections board.

As of 12:30 a.m., Nov. 5, 10 write-in votes had not yet been assigned.

Brindo, 38, is a graduate of Chardon High School, according to his candidate questionnaire.

“My top priorities are managing the budget, utilizing resources and keeping Claridon a great place to live and raise a family through community engagement,” he said in his responses.

Besides wanting to see the township park have more community use, Brindo also said in his questionnaire he would like to incorporate Aquilla into Claridon’s infrastructure and focus on maintaining the budget for road maintenance and emergency services.

His career in fuel sales with Melzers Fuel Service Inc. has given him experience with planning, budgeting, land use and labor negotiations, he said in his questionnaire.

“I can apply those past experiences to the responsibilities that I will have as township trustee,” Brindo said.

He also commended the township zoning commission for its work and said his goal is to keep growth in mind while preserving the land.

“I would like to promote community growth but continue to keep the small town feel,” Brindo said in his questionnaire.

There is room for change to taxes at a local, state and federal level, but with caution, he added.

“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” Brindo said in his questionnaire.

If the township population and tax base grow sufficiently, he said there may be potential for Claridon to establish its own emergency services, but, at this time, neighboring departments remain a strong, reliable resource for Claridon residents.

Brindo acknowledged there is a learning curve to becoming a public official.

“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,” he said in his questionnaire.

Tiber is in his seventh year as trustee and said in his questionnaire he loves serving Claridon.

“There are so many good, decent, hardworking folks here,” he said. “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.”

Tiber said his goals, if reelected, would include resurfacing Ensign Road, 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,” Tiber said in his questionnaire. “I look forward to reaching out to residents for their input.”

Tiber also said in his questionnaire he wants to protect Claridon’s zoning and honor residents’ desire to keep it rural.

“When it comes to zoning, I personally want to be careful the township doesn’t overreach,” he said. “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.”

Neither Tiber nor Brindo were available for further comment prior to press deadline Tuesday.