HUBBARD TOWNSHIP — Trustees interviewed six residents who submitted resumes for an open trustee position in city council chambers Friday morning.

The seat became available when Rick Hernandez, who served as a trustee for seven years, was elected as a Trumbull County commissioner in November.

Trustee William Colletta prefaced the questions asked with a full disclosure that they w eren’t trying to trick anyone in the five-hour session interviewing the six residents individually, which was open for public viewing.

Trustees asked questions that indicated their philosophies regarding certain facets of the job, such as their opinions of local government, what skills and expertise they brought to the role, involvement in community activities and examples of recent or expected events officials expect to face and their opinions of them, as well as how they’d handle key issues such as selecting a new police chief and possibly allowing a marijuana dispensary into the township.

Trustee Jason Tedrow asked about their views and feelings of government transparency in relation to records requests and the public’s right to know, explaining to the first interviewee Matthew Cataline that they’ve been “inundated” with thousands of requests, something the township isn’t used to.

Colletta would not comment at the time on which candidates stood out. He said they’d like to review the information gained from the interviews before making a decision.

MATTHEW CATALINE

Cataline, a precinct election official of Brookfield, said that government transparency is the “most important thing” to him.

He admitted that he wasn’t involved with community activities, as his day job at Target makes him work evenings, but he would be able to adjust his schedule to fit the position.

Cataline could not provide examples of recent or expected events in the township, but pointed to potential state legislation that could affect the township, explaining that he pays close attention to what happens at the state level.

If selected, Cataline said he’d prefer to oversee the zoning department.

“I don’t have a lot of experience with police, I think I’d be most comfortable in zoning,” Cataline said. “It’s something I can read, I can study and I can make myself (an) expert in.”

RUSSELL SPEERBRECHER

Russell Speerbrecher, who is mostly self-employed through his two businesses, Hometown Hosting and Design and RwS Trailer Rentals LLC, said he tries to be involved with the schools and sports as a Hubbard graduate and tries to make most of the trustees meetings, only missing three or four, he said.

Speerbrecher pointed to discussions at meetings about garbage disposal as one of the recent events from the past year of meetings that stuck with him, but didn’t know if it could have been handled any differently than it already is, while advocating for public involvement.

If selected, Speerbrecher said he’d initially want to oversee the road department, as he’s a bit more “immersed” in it. However, while he doesn’t know anything about zoning, he said he would still like to take it on because of the challenges that come in learning.

ALBERT ALEXANDER

Albert Alexander, a local business owner and member of the township’s board of zoning appeals, said local government means being able to work with the residents of the community, and they need to be able to know that he’ll always be available 24/7 regardless of any disagreements.

In terms of his expertise, Alexander pointed to his 11 years in banking and his time as a business owner of 35 years, earning nine HBA Housing Award Of Excellence awards and four HBA Remodeler of the Year awards. He also has two community service awards.

Alexander said he’s never had an issue dealing with the public, as for him, it comes with the territory of his job.

If selected by trustees, Alexander said he’d prefer to oversee zoning, as a member of the township’s appeals board. He also said someone with construction knowledge is needed for the position.

DARLA BIZUB

Darla Bizub, a former member of the zoning board who stepped down because of illness, boasts plenty of business experience. She explained that she was a business manager for Sears’ hair salons for eight years and took care of 42 salons, as the regional assistant.

Bizub said she’s also worked for the courts for 25 years, spending 22 years as a probation officer and wrote grants for the clerk of courts. She also knows court laws.

Bizub said she’d like to see growth in the township, looking at the possibility of working with the city to update the township’s sewage system or possibly getting grants.

If selected, Bizub would prefer to oversee zoning or police, as she has experience via her time on the zoning board and they’re already doing a great job with roads. She added she’s flexible, and would like to oversee whatever area Colletta and Tedrow see her fit the best.

MICHAEL WYLIE

Michael Wylie said the role of local government is being fiscally responsible as well as being transparent with residents, but also prioritized sustainability and accountability.

An investigator of 32 years with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction who retired two years ago and worked for the city, Wylie said he’s well-versed in state government and bidding.

Wylie said issues with records could have been mitigated years prior, explaining that as an investigator, he would have gotten in trouble for holding certain records beyond a certain point. He didn’t blame Tedrow or Colletta for it, however.

If selected by trustees, he wouldn’t have a preference for which area he’d like to oversee, as he said his resume reflects some knowledge in any of the department head areas.

MONICA BAKER

Monica Baker said she sees local government as the “front-line entity” to the public and conduit to other levels of government, despite the limited control they might have.

Baker said she applied for the position because she’s always been drawn to leadership roles, as the oldest of four children.

Baker said she was a restaurant manager for a while, but utilizing her skills gained from a physics degree and a near-double major in math, as well as backgrounds in programming languages and database design allowed her to climb into an IT role at Marriott International headquarters.

If selected by trustees, Baker said because of her time with the zoning commission, she probably has the most experience with the role. However, she’d be willing to oversee any of the departments.

Baker said she was prompted to apply because she wanted to run for trustee in past years, but never felt it was the “right time.”