2023 Election Notice
The Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission will cause an election of Supervisors of the Stark Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) to be held in accordance with Chapter 940 of the Ohio Revised Code. Individuals who own or occupy land within the Stark Soil & Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote for Supervisors.
There are three ways an eligible voter can cast a ballot:
1.) At the SWCD office, 2650 Richville Dr. SE, Suite, 100, Massillon, OH, from 8/14/2023 until 9/12/2023 during normal business hours; or
2.) At the SWCD Annual Meeting, which will take place at Paradise United Church of Christ, 619 E Main St., Louisville, OH 44641 on 9/12/2023 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM ; or
3.) Voting absentee from 8/14/2023 until 9/12/2023, by requesting the ballot application and election ballot from the SWCD office at the following address: 2650 Richville Dr. SE, Suite 100, Massillon, OH 44646, by calling 330-451-7645, or emailing infosw@starkswcd.org. Absentee ballots must be received by the SWCD office by 9/12/2023 by 4:30 PM.
Two Supervisors will be elected to a three‐year term commencing January 1, 2024 and ending December 31, 2026.
2023 Candidates
Natalie Hammer
Natalie Hammer lives in Canal Fulton with her husband, Andrew, and her three children: Joshua, Noelle, and Julianne. Natalie and her husband breed and raise beefalo, chickens, and pigs on their 39 acre farm. She has over 15 years in the cattle business as well as 25 years in land management.
Natalie has served on the Stark Soil & Water Board of Supervisors since 2017. She is active in her children’s schools.
Natalie is a firm believer that the key to conservation is being good stewards of our resources and keeping a balance between need and resource. She believes that the Board and the District staff have an incredible opportunity to provide both the urban and the rural areas of Stark County with the opportunities to learn and grow as experienced stewards of our resources.
Mark Martin
Mark resides in Jackson Township with his wife, Joyce. Mark moved to Stark County in 2009. He has had a long and distinguished public service career, having served as a Summit County Deputy Sheriff and firemedic for Green Township and Coventry Township. He also served as firemedic, captain, and division chief with the City of Stow Fire Department and finished his career as Fire Chief for Perry Township. He is currently a part time instructor for the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Malone College and a master’s degree in public administration from University of Akron.
He is past president of the Perry Township Rotary Club and board member of the Patriot Ball Committee.
Mark strongly believes in the importance of public service and giving back to the community. He wants to work on the soil & water board of supervisors to strengthen the district’s role in helping homeowners be better prepared for the more frequent and intense rainfalls we are experiencing. He also wants work with townships and municipalities to better handle drainage issues in their communities.
Andy Wentling
Andy resides in Sugar Creek Township with his wife, Tera, and their two children, Hannah and Alivia. He has lived in Stark County his entire life. He is the Director of North East Ohio with Leppo Rents and with his brother grows soybeans, corn, wheat, and hay on over 1,000 acres as well as five acres of pumpkins and gourds. The family practices a mix of conventional tillage and no-till and has incorporated contour strips and waterways to prevent soil erosion.
He holds two associates degrees from OSU-ATI (hydraulics and diesel mechanic).
He has held the position of president and public policy chair with Stark County Farm Bureau and chair of Young Ag Professionals with Ohio Farm Bureau.
Andy is running for supervisor to represent county residents that are engaged in production agriculture. He is interested in learning more about soil & water services and programs and bringing that knowledge to his fellow producers.