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Trustee split over new road superintendent
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - June 15, 2011)
Trustee split over new road superintendent
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Chardon Township Trustees selected a Geneva resident to serve as the township's next road superintendent.
Trustees voted 2-1 to pick John Washco to lead the township's road crews. Trustees were to meet this week to discuss the financial terms of the position and make a formal offer to Mr. Washco.
Trustee Steven Borawski voted against the hiring, saying he believes another candidate would be the better choice. He had asked the board to consider conducting additional interviews for what he said were other qualified candidates, but fellow trustees said they saw no need.
Trustee Michael Brown said the board had narrowed the field from about nine applicants to three, and there was no need for the additional interviews.
Mr. Brown provided his assessment on the three candidates, saying he could find no negatives with Mr. Washco.
One candidate, Jason Rodges, a Leroy Township assistant road supervisor, lacked the managerial experience the township was looking for, Mr. Brown said.
He said Rudolph Breunig, a Chardon city foreman of streets, parks and cemeteries, had the managerial experience, but not the personality. "I'm not sure he has the personality I was looking for," Mr. Brown said.
He said Mr. Washco, operations manager for Tri-Mor Corp. in Macedonia, offered the best choice with his managerial experience and ability to work with others.
Mr. Brown said he checked with Chester Township Trustee Michael Joyce, who verified his character. A similar report on Mr. Washco was provided by two members of the Geauga County Sheriff Department, who had worked with Mr. Washco when he served as police sergeant with the Chester Police Department from 1990 to 2000.
"I haven't found anything negative on John," Mr. Brown said.
Trustee Charles Strazinsky said Mr. Washco was on the same page as him during interviews. "Mike summed up the same things I would have said myself," Mr. Strazinsky said.
He said Mr. Washco also showed initiative, attending a trustee meeting before interviews began. He said Mr. Washco also took it on himself to get a complete list of township roads and toured every road, making notes on their needs.
"I think that's pretty impressive," Mr. Strazinsky said. "That shows initiative."
He said he was nervous about making the right pick for the township.
Mr. Borawski said he found two of the applicants "acceptable" with managerial experience.
However, he said, he favored Mr. Bruenig, of Montville. He said Mr. Breunig has more than 30 years experience as foreman for the city's road department. "That's exactly what we were looking for," Mr. Borawski said.
Trustees began their search for a new road superintendent in April after Donald Mohney, who had served the township for about 30 years, submitted his letter of intent to retire May 31.
Trustees began interviewing candidates May 5 and narrowed the field to the final three candidates. On May 21, the three candidates were brought in for additional interviews, to familiarize themselves with township operations and show their aptitude in using township equipment.
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