A Closer Look at Township Elections
The election for Fiscal Officer in Concord Township shows that this race wasn't won in the Township
In Ohio, every township is governed by a three member Board of Trustees. In addition, each township is loosely administratively managed by a key figure known as the fiscal officer. This position, formerly titled "Township Clerk," underwent a name change roughly two decades ago to more accurately reflect its responsibilities. The fiscal officer's primary role is twofold: overseeing the township's finances and recording the proceedings of the Board of Trustees' meetings. The Board of Trustees sets the policies for the township and is responsible for delivering a number of services to township residents.
The Concord Township Fiscal Officer Election: A Close Contest
Our focus shifts to the recent Concord Township Fiscal Officer election, a tightly contested race alongside another in Bethel Township. Incumbent Bill Whidden faced off against former fiscal officer Pat Quillen.
An intriguing aspect of this election was its voter base, which included not only Concord Township residents but also those living in the City of Troy. Despite the city's minimal reliance on township services, its residents remain eligible voters in township elections.
The election results in Concord Township were remarkably close. Pat Quillen narrowly won the majority in three out of five precincts in the township, leading to an overall slim victory in this area by a mere 11 votes; 50.3% to 49.7% of the vote. The city vote, however, told a different story, with Quillen achieving significant leads, particularly in the Fifth Ward, where she carried 57% of the vote along with the Second and Third Wards where she earned 56% of the vote in each ward, securing her overall victory by a 54% to 46% margin.
A Historic Election in Bethel Township
In Bethel Township, history was made as Kama Dick won a seat on the Board of Trustees, defeating incumbent Don Black by a close 52% to 48% margin. This victory, alongside Julie Reese and Beth Van Haaren, positions Bethel Township as the first in Miami County with an all-female Board of Trustees—a notable milestone, considering the absence of other female township trustees in the rest of the county.
Additionally, the fiscal officer position saw a change, with Rhonda Ross winning over incumbent Deborah Watson by a 53% to 47% margin, marking another significant shift in township governance.
Your Engagement Matters
We hope this overview of the recent township elections here in Miami County has been informative. Your thoughts, comments, and suggestions are always welcome in the comment section. Sharing this newsletter with friends and neighbors helps spread awareness about local civic matters. If you value this content, consider supporting our efforts by subscribing.
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Again, a good analysis of the voter facts. More interesting would be further commentary on what you think were the reasons for the vote the way it went. I.e. township residents vs. city of Troy residents. Further, an explanation as to why the City of Troy residents get a”say” in Concord Township affairs and why the Concord Township residents not having a”say” in City of Troy leadership would be very educational and informative.
I live in the city, but apparently am also part of Concord Twp. I had no idea about either of those candidates, as I saw nothing pro or con in the news about either. I was not able to attend candidates' night this year, so I do not know if they participated. Same goes for city council. I usually do not vote on unopposed races, as those people will win anyway, so it seems pointless. I nearly wrote in a name for mayor, even though I know there was no write-in candidate, but as a form of silent protest. I did not, because I worried it might invalidate my ballot.