By Kristin Rover
Sun staff

Incumbent candidate Randy Perry and township resident Charles “Eddie” Miller are facing off for a seat on the board of township trustees in Batavia.

Perry was appointed to the position in January 2012 to fill the seat of Jim Bushman, who passed away as the result of an accident that occurred just weeks after he was elected to the position.

Both Perry and Miller submitted letters of interest to trustees expressing their interest in the position. Trustees appointed Perry and he has served on the board for 18 months.

Miller said he has lived in Batavia Township since he was about 3 years old.

“I like living outside the city, yet we are close enough,” Miller said about the township. “The quality of life here is excellent, and I want to make sure we don’t get down the wrong road.”

Miller said if he is elected he would work to bring better quality jobs to the area as well as keep spending down to avoid having to tax residents.

“You have to go out and look for business,” Miller said about bringing new companies to the area. “They aren’t going to come to you. We have a lot of qualities we can bring to the table.”

Miller said the township has good schools, a location close to state Route 32 and Interstate 275 as well as a hospital and a state park.

Miller said the township needs to also work more with other entities to get things done.

“I think we need to learn to start partnering with some of our other township friends,” Miller said. “The village of Batavia and other government agencies.”

Miller said working with these groups will be positive for residents in the township.

Miller said he has worked in the insurance and bond business since 1978. He said he is also involved with the village planning committee, and the recreation league.

Randy Perry has also lived in the township for much of his life. He graduated from Amelia High School and now is raising his family in the township.

“The schools are good, the crime rate is low and it’s a positive place to raise your family,” Perry said.

He said he has enjoyed his time as trustee and would like to continue to serve residents.

“I’d like to continue serving the community as trustee as I have done the past 18 months and continue to make conservative decisions for the community that I have raised my family in,” Perry said.

Perry said if elected, he would continue make sure that there are excellent services in the township including road maintenance, police, fire and other services.

“I would like to continue to attract businesses, which creates jobs in our township,” Perry said. “I would like to continue to see low crime and a growing, vibrant township.”

Perry said he will personally work hard to try to make the most of every dollar spent in the township.

“That’s what I’d like to see more than anything is continued growth and energy in the township,” Perry said.

Perry said he has more than 26 years of business experience in the plumbing industry. He and his wife, Lisa, also own and operate Rising Star Stables in the township.

He said he is involved with his church, Mt. Carmel Christian Church, different athletic and coaching leagues, and A Caring Place, a pregnancy help center.

Township residents will get to decide whether Miller or Perry will serve as trustee on Nov. 5.

For more information about the election, or to view a list of candidates, visit www.clermontelections.org.