ETNA TOWNSHIP — Four candidates are vying for three available seats on the Etna Township advisory board. Republican candidates include incumbent Joe Mooney, Steven Sechrist and incumbent Tony Tribalski. The Democratic incumbent candidate is Patrick Morr. 

Republican incumbent Gary Sponseller is running unopposed for the position of Etna Township trustee. 

Joe Mooney

Mooney has served on the Etna Township advisory board since the early 90s. He and his wife live outside Etna Green. 

He has worked in law enforcement for 34 years and during that time has served on several boards and committees. Currently employed at the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department, Mooney plans to retire in the near future. 

Mooney stated that, if elected, he would like to make sure the Etna Volunteer Fire Department has the equipment they need. 

“That has to be one of the top priorities,” said Mooney. 

Tony Tribalski 

Tribalski has served on the Etna Township advisory board for approximately 16 years. He currently resides outside of Etna Green and has lived in that area for 68 years. Tribalski worked at Boardman Chevrolet for 18 years and at Zimmer for 24 years but is now retired. 

Tribalski describes himself as a team player who is not afraid to speak up for what he believes in. If elected, he would like to focus on the drive at the Etna Green Cemetery and keeping the correct equipment for the fire department. 

Steven Sechrist

Sechrist is running for a position on the Etna Township advisory board in order to serve the community. He currently serves as chairman on his local church board. Sechrist was also on the Triton school board for over 10 years and on the Board of Lakeland Child Evangelism Ministries for 21 years.

He resides in rural Etna Green and has lived in the vicinity for 73 years, in a house he built next to his parents’ home. Sechrist currently works as the director for Lakeland Child Evangelism Ministries, a position he has held for over 20 years.  

He and his wife, Joyce, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary next month. They have six children: Mark, Erik, Kristi, Chris, Matt and Braxton. 

Sechrist said his time spent on the school board was a valuable experience and believes it would help him serve responsibly on the Etna Township advisory board.

“Since I have not served in that capacity before I am not privy to the needs or any problems that might exist, but I intend to have an open mind and do what I can to see that the township is best served,” Sechrist stated “I do not have an agenda coming in and believe my strengths lie in the areas of impartiality and problem solving.”

Patrick Morr and Gary Sponseller did not provide information for publication.