By A. Kevin Corvo
Reporter

Prairie Township voters will choose from among six candidates on the Nov. 4 ballot to fill two seats for Prairie Township trustee.

Both incumbent trustees- Rod Pritchard and Cathy Schmelzer- are seeking re-election.

Four challengers are seeking to unseat one or both of the incumbents whose four-year terms end on Dec. 31.

They are Michelle Bolzenius, Mike Hewlett, Julie Juniper, and Scott Newbury.

Pritchard, who is completing his first term as trustee, is retired from the City of Columbus after working 43 years in the city’s human services, recreation and parks, and development departments.

He is co-owner of Iacovetta Properties, a commercial real estate company.

Pritchard identifies rising water rates as the most concerning issue for Prairie Township residents.

“Franklin County continues to charge more than Columbus for the same water as other communities,” said Pritchard, adding he continues to seek a way for Columbus to provide water service to residents.

Affordable housing is another challenge, according to Pritchard.

“The closure and hopeful redevelopment of Galloway Village will increase the number of units available,” Pritchard said.

Further study of the Big Darby Accord will also identify targets for residential development, according to Pritchard.

Schmelzer is completing her second term on the board of trustees.

She is the owner of Carriage House of Flowers.

Schmelzer identified housing and public safety as the most significant issues in the township.

“I understand the need for housing in Prairie Township. We must strike a balance between green space and development,” Schmelzer said.

“Regarding public safety, during my current term, we have increased the contracted hours for Franklin County deputies to serve our community (and) added a camera system to aid deputies,” Schmelzer said.

If re-elected, Schmelzer said she would work toward adding a sixth park in the township and building a second phase at Prairie Township Sports Complex.

Schmelzer said she would like to see a new park at Dillinger and Hubbard roads as well as increasing recreational opportunities at the sports complex, particularly pickleball courts.

These goals can be realized through successful grant proposals, according to Schmelzer.

Housing is also on the minds of the challengers.

“Addressing the township’s housing shortage, starting in Galloway Village, will be a top priority,” Bolzenius said about her goals if elected.

“I support leveraging opportunities through legislation such as Senate Bill 184 to improve infrastructure and revitalize neighborhoods. I also strongly support property rights, programs that assist residents in need, environmental sustainability, and securing funding for the planned park at Dellinger and Hubbard Roads, a vital space for recreation and community connection,” Bolzenius said.

If elected, Bolzenius said that she will take a community-first approach to representing residents.

“Prairie Township has too often failed to put residents first, wasting taxpayer dollars on replacing vehicles that are still in perfect working order and prioritizing discussions of additional property maintenance codes instead of addressing critical infrastructure or housing needs. I am committed to a community-first approach that values transparency, fiscal responsibility, and decisions backed by data,” Bolzenius said.

Hewlett said if elected, he too would put residents first.

“A trustee is an elected employee, answerable to the residents first and foremost. I fully grasp this concept and will make it a point to consistently conduct myself with the mindset of residents first,” said Hewlett, whose job entails provision goods and services to numerous government entities.

Hewlett identified controlling expenses as the township’s largest challenge.