Incumbent Munson Trustee Faces Challenger

October 29, 2015 by John Karlovec

Munson Township voters will decide a contested race for township trustee and an uncontested race for fiscal officer in the Nov. 3 election.

The trustee race pits incumbent Irene McMullen against challenger Lenore Pikus. They’ll vie for a four-year term as trustee.

Current Fiscal Officer Judith Toth is running unopposed.

A Sherman Road resident, McMullen in an impartial hearing officer. She earned her bachelor’s of science degree, with distinction, from Cornell University, and her law degree from S.U.N.Y. She was first elected a township trustee in 2009 and 2011.

Pikus, who lives on Elk Run Road, is deputy administrative assistant for Burton Village. She received her associates degree from Lakeland Community College.

Why are you running for township office?

MCMULLEN: I am honored to be a public servant. As our bicentennial celebration year is upon us, I will use my skills to ensure that Munson remains a cost-effective, friendly place to live. Building community and making connections among rural neighbors will keep Munson a welcoming place to call home, even as our population grows.

Emergencies and meetings often occur during the workday. I am available and committed to Munson at all hours, including weekends, so I make sure that everything runs smoothly.

I am committed to ensuring fiscal accountability for the township while maintaining the services our residents want.

PIKUS: I want to give back to the community. We have been residents for 25 years; my husband’s family settled in Munson in 1968. Ray and I have raised our three children in this community.

I, as your public servant, am looking forward to working with all you. I will represent you, the residents of Munson, in matters pertaining to our township as well as matters in Geauga County to the best of my ability.

As a trustee, my decisions will be based on the safety and welfare of the residents of Munson Township. I will be your liaison — listen and communicate your concerns and ideas to the board of trustees with an open mind. I will work on a plan for the future with the help of volunteers to include ideas regarding businesses, housing, parks and roads, so that we can pass this beautiful township on to generations to come.

What experience makes you uniquely qualified to serve on the Munson Township Board of Trustees?

MCMULLEN: I’m a 20-plus year community volunteer, effective township trustee, Leadership Geauga graduate and serve on these committees: Geauga-Trumbull Solid Waste District Policy Committee, Chagrin River Watershed Partners, Health District Advisory Committee.

As an impartial hearing officer, I listen to opposing sides in legal disputes involving children and make decisions that uphold law and protect and serve kids. As a trustee, I listen to residents, gather additional necessary information and act in the community’s best interest.

My experience with military, private sector business and not-for-profit organizations, reviewing both legal and business decisions, will also benefit Munson through thoughtful decision- making.

PIKUS: I was employed by the Geauga County Board of Elections, a non-partisan office for 17 years and served all Geauga County residents regarding voter registration and absentee voting. I assisted all candidates and entities with questions concerning levies, candidate petitions and campaign finance.

I am currently the administrative assistant in Burton Village and my duties include serving all residents with their daily concerns. Office duties include budgeting, accounts receivable, water and sewer billing, cemetery sexton, overseeing zoning issues and liaison for the street department and water department.

This wealth of knowledge and experience will be carried on to serving the residents of Munson Township.

What do you see as the most critical issues affecting Munson Township residents, and what is your position on those issues? How would you address those issues?

MCMULLEN: Munson Township faces limited financial support from the state of Ohio, changing tax laws and ongoing challenges to our rural character.

For the past 200 years, Munson has been one of the most desirable communities in Northeast Ohio to raise our families. To thrive in this new environment, Munson needs prudent fiscal management and effective, accountable leadership. We need community-wide support and communication between our citizens and trustees to jointly develop solutions and deliver results. I am the most qualified and capable candidate to provide the leadership and stewardship Munson deserves.

I have been serving Munson as your trustee since 2009 and volunteering in the community for over 20 years. I began my work and service with the U.S. Navy Sea Systems Command, working on the AEGIS weapon system. I have also worked at the U.S. Department of Justice and a local bank. In my free time, I am a leader of my church and volunteer in local schools. I sponsor Munson baseball and Munson Elementary PTO.

I will use my skills to ensure that Munson remains a cost-effective, friendly place to live. Under my leadership, Munson’s limited government has found creative solutions to funding what our community needs without reaching further into the pockets of our residents or relying on the state. For example, we face challenges maintaining our cemeteries. Collaborating with the juvenile court, young offenders have been painting our fencing as community service. This experience instills pride in our community while cutting maintenance costs.

Together, we can insure that Munson Township thrives and prospers and that our next 200 years distinguish Munson as the place where we all want to live. Likewise, Munson’s policies must protect property rights while allowing for growth.

During my tenure, we have improved our township through hard work and no-frills management. We renovated the town hall building, acquired a new fire truck and ordered another following a tragic accident, grew the fire department team to better respond to emergencies and we continue to repave and maintain our roads in a quality, cost-efficient manner.

We developed our parks, adding new playground equipment, paid for in part by corporate donations, and improved our baseball facilities. We also expanded our recycling facilities — paper recycling funds our parks and recycling center maintenance, so keep that cardboard and newspaper coming.

I’m blessed to represent Munson and would be proud to continue to serve.

PIKUS: Streets, roads, zoning and the safety and welfare of our residents I feel are the critical issues. As a trustee, these are the issues I would focus on.

As a Munson Township Zoning Commission board member for eight years, the board has addressed some critical subjects, including setbacks, signage, wind turbines and solar power, just to name a few. These board decisions and/or updates to the resolution have all been based on the safety and welfare of the residents of Munson.

If any residents should have questions or concerns regarding the finances, roads or emergency services in Munson, I will diligently work with our road department, fire department and fiscal officer to resolve the situation. I introduced myself to most of the employees and have worked with a few with an open line of communication throughout the years.

As I become more involved with the community, the residents of Munson can rest assure that I will serve them to the best of my ability with transparency and fiscal responsibility. I will treat every resident, employee, committee member, fellow trustees and volunteers with the highest level of respect and professionalism.

Most important, I will have an open mind and an open line of communication with all residents.

What else do you want voters to know about you?

MCMULLEN: I am an independent public servant. I refuse to accept any money from or affiliate myself with entities, political parties or individuals trying to influence the way Munson is run. My loyalty is to Munson — my community — not a larger political agenda. I love having an open dialogue with my community, so please continue to contact me (call or text 440-796-6825 or message me at www.facebook.com/IreneMcMullenTrustee) with your suggestions and share your views, so I can serve you.

PIKUS: I attended Lake Catholic High School in 1980 and Lakeland Community College. I moved to Geauga County in 1989 after my husband Ray and I were married. Over the years, we were involved in Munson baseball, softball leagues and community days. We are involved in Chardon Schools events are 4-H members and are 27-year members of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chardon.

Our three children, Vanni, RJ and Andrew, are third generation Munson residents. They attended St. Mary’s in Chardon, Chardon Middle School and Chardon High School.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support. Vote Pikus on Nov. 3.