Trustee

Edward D. Diebold

Phone: (330) 687-0073
Email: [email protected]
Edward Diebold was re-elected Township Trustee to serve his third term beginning January, 1, 2022 through December 31, 2025. Mr. Diebold served on The Zoning Commission from 2009 through 2013 and served as Chairman 2012 and 2013. Mr. Diebold has a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Hazardous Materials Management (emphasis in Industrial Hygiene) from The University of Findlay. Mr. Diebold has been a resident of The Portage Lakes for over 36 years. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Julie and three step-daughters Kayla, Kacie, and Makenzie.

Trustee

George T. Beckham

Phone: (330) 644-0785
Email: [email protected]
George Beckham was elected Township Trustee to serve from January 1, 2024 – December 31, 2027.

Trustee

Jeffrey P. Houck

Phone: (330) 644-0785, ext. 690
Email: [email protected]
Jeffrey P. Houck was elected to his second term as Township Trustee beginning January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2025.

Jeff has a Bachelor of Science degree from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business degree from the University of Akron.  His career led him through many local healthcare related organizations.  In his activities he grew several specialty hospitals, hospice programs, and home care programs.  He has started several local businesses and is currently an owner of Lala’s in the Lakes, a well-liked and successful restaurant in the area.

His family includes three adult children and two in-laws, as well as four perfect grandchildren.

 

Fiscal Officer

David Gissinger

Phone: (330) 644-0785, ext. 691
Email: [email protected]
David Gissinger was appointed to the position of Fiscal Officer by the Board of Trustees at their regular meeting of December 9, 2021 to fill the unexpired term, vacated by the retirement of Lori Seeman. He was then elected to the position at the November 2023 General election to fill the term beginning April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2028. A resident of the area his whole life, David is a Coventry High School graduate and has a bachelor’s degree in financial management from The Ohio State University.

Democracy In Action

What is a Township?

The township form of government is the oldest and most efficient in the United States. Townships are even older than the state form of government. Nowhere else do residents have such direct access to those who manage the services and finances of a community.

The three Township Trustees and the Township Fiscal Officer are elected to four-year terms in nonpartisan elections. Trustees are responsible for the overall administration of township services including fire and police protection, zoning, roads, and parks. The Township Fiscal Officer handles all financial matters and is the keeper of all township records.

For more information on Townships in Ohio, please follow this link to the Ohio Township Association’s website. Townships 101 – Ohio Township Association (ohiotownships.org)

All Meetings are Open

You are invited to attend!  Trustees meet the second Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at the Coventry Community Center located at 335 E. Willowview Drive (off of S. Turkeyfoot Road).  All meetings are open to the public.  A portion of each meeting is allotted for questions and comments from the public.  Guidelines for speaking at a Trustees meeting can be found here, under our Public Comment Policy.