Candidates, Community Leaders Share Visions for Ashland’s Future at Chamber Forum
ASHLAND — The Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a very informative candidate forum this week featuring those seeking election to the Ashland City School Board, Ashland City Council, and key local levy campaigns — with each speaker emphasizing service, stewardship, and a shared commitment to Ashland’s future.
Ashland City School Board Candidates Share Passion and Experience
Four candidates — Gina Deppert, Noah Gangi, Pam Mowry, and John Teevan — took the stage to share their perspectives on leadership, education, and community.
Ashland City School Board Candidates Share Vision for Local Education
Gina Deppert:
Incumbent board member Gina Deppert a current Ohio Public School Treasurer for over 23 years opened her remarks with humor and heart, emphasizing her deep roots in Ashland and her lifelong passion for public education. Now in her fifth year on the board, Deppert also serves as president of the Heartland Technical Education Center Board (formerly Ashland-West Holmes JVS), where over a $40-million renovation project nears completion.
A mother of six Ashland graduates—including one with special needs—Deppert said her experience as both a parent and longtime public treasurer gives her a unique understanding of school finance and family perspectives. She served eight years as Ashland City Schools treasurer, helping oversee construction of Archer Auditorium, Reagan Elementary, and the new middle school.
“I serve with my heart and my profession,” she said, noting her ongoing work as treasurer for Northmor Local Schools. Deppert praised Superintendent Steve Paramore’s leadership and said she hopes to continue serving a district that has grown stronger thanks to community support and investment.
Noah Gangi:
First-time candidate Noah Gangi described himself as part of the next generation ready to step up in local leadership. With 20 years of experience in healthcare—including 15 years at Samaritan Hospital and current service at Hospice of the Western Reserve—Gangi said his perspective as a parent of three, including two children with special needs, drives his commitment to ensuring every student receives the support they need.
Gangi serves on several local boards that advocate for individuals with disabilities, including Ashland County Residential Services and D.R. Services, where he serves as board president.
He said he initially hesitated to run due to family obligations, but realized the importance of setting an example for his children. “If I tell my son to take that step when he knows something is right,” Gangi said, “then I have to live that myself.” He emphasized continuing the “momentum and positivity” surrounding Ashland City Schools and the need for younger community members to engage in service.
Pam Mowry:
Board vice president Pam Mowry reflected on her long history of public service, civic involvement, and advocacy for education. A 40-year Ashland resident, she previously served nine years on the North Central State College Board of Trustees, including as president, and has volunteered extensively through United Way, Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Mental Health & Recovery Board, retiring in 2023 from Ashland Park District as a Fiscal Officer.
Mowry said her experience navigating challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of collaboration between administration and the board. “The school board is not a rubber-stamp club,” she said, “but a partner.”
She praised the hiring of Superintendent Steve Paramore and Treasurer Kyle Klingler, stressing that sound governance and financial stability are vital to maintaining quality education. Mowry also noted that roughly 4,000 people—including students, staff, and administrators—are part of the district’s daily operations, adding, “That’s 4,000 people a day to pray for.”
A proud Ashland parent and grandmother, Mowry said her decades of community involvement reflect her belief that “this work truly matters.”
John Teevan:
Board president John Teevan, a former teacher and administrator, described himself as “an educator, not a politician.” Having served 11 years in public education—and even earning Walmart’s Teacher of the Year Award two decades ago—Teevan said his goal is to build a positive culture of visibility, communication, and teamwork throughout the district.
He recalled organizing volunteers to distribute food to families during the pandemic, an experience that inspired him to pursue a greater role in service. “When those little girls said, ‘Thank you, Mr. Brody,’ I realized they meant, ‘Thank you, school,’” Teevan said.
As board president, he’s made a point to visit every school regularly and maintain open lines of communication with teachers and staff. He also represented the district before the Ohio House Finance Committee earlier this year, advocating for fair school funding.
Teevan said his approach is guided by faith and action: “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also,” he told the audience. “Invest in your schools—and your heart will follow.”
Superintendent Steve Paramore Explains Renewal Levy
Ashland City Schools Superintendent Steve Paramore followed the candidates with an update on the district’s upcoming permanent improvement levy renewal, which funds critical facility and infrastructure projects without paying salaries.
“This levy has allowed us to maintain our buildings, HVAC systems, and parking lots without dipping into the general fund,” Paramore said. “It costs about $46 a year for a $200,000 home — that’s a small investment for a big return.”
He noted visible improvements such as the new north stadium entrance, cafeteria renovations, and updated HVAC systems across multiple schools.
“When you go to Community Stadium on a Friday night, you can see those dollars at work,” Paramore said. “It’s all part of the public investment Ashland continues to make in its future.”
Retired Educator Rick Brindley Seeks Unexpired Ashland City School Board Term
Recently retired after 37 years in education, Rick Brindley told the audience he hopes to continue serving students and families by filling the unexpired term on the Ashland City School Board.
Brindley moved to Ashland in 1987 and said he and his wife chose to stay because they “loved the community.” Married 40 years, he credited his wife—an oncology nurse of more than four decades—for her dedication and compassion. Their two children, both Ashland High School graduates, have followed paths of service and education: their daughter, a registered nurse turned educator, is joining Ashland City Schools this month as the district wellness administrator and assistant principal; their son, an Ashland High valedictorian, now teaches economics at Purdue University. Brindley also spoke proudly of his two grandchildren—one studying nursing at North Central State College and the other an Ashland High School freshman athlete.
Reflecting on his long career, Brindley noted he spent 14 years as a special-education teacher, 16 years as an assistant principal and athletic director at Ashland High School, and later served as principal of Heartland Technical Education Center (formerly the Ashland West Career Center). Even after a brief retirement in 2015, he was called back in 2018 to lead Heartland Tech, where he remained seven years.
Brindley emphasized his broad experience in teacher evaluations, budgeting, student discipline, and negotiations, as well as his involvement in major district projects—from the acquisition of land that became the current middle-school site to improvements in athletic facilities such as turf, track, and scoreboards. He also highlighted his focus on school safety and security planning, stressing the need for ongoing drills and continuous improvement.
“I’m not a politician,” Brindley said. “But my experience speaks for itself.”
He closed by highlighting his belief that career-technical education is vital to student success. “Not every student is headed to college,” he said, pointing out that about 65 percent of today’s U.S. jobs are career-tech related, up from 59 percent a decade ago. Brindley said he wants to help every student—whether pursuing college, a trade, or direct employment—find their path through strong programs both in Ashland City Schools and at Heartland Tech.
“I look forward to working with Mr. Paramore and the rest of the board,” he added, “to continue the growth of Ashland City Schools and Heartland Tech.”
Mental Health & Recovery Board Seeks Replacement Levy
Ashland County Mental Health and Recovery Board Executive Director David Ross spoke passionately about the importance of renewing the county’s mental health levy—describing it as more than a funding issue, but a reflection of Ashland County’s shared values.
“For over two decades, our community has shown that we take care of our own,” Ross said, noting that the original levy passed in 2001 laid the foundation for a strong, locally based system of care. Today, the Mental Health and Recovery Board coordinates more than 200 professionals across three partner agencies—Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, ACCADA (Ashland county council on alcoholism and drug abuse), and Catholic Charities—providing critical support for residents of all ages.
Last year alone, Ross said, more than 2,000 residents received outpatient services, while the county’s 24/7 crisis helpline fielded nearly 1,700 calls, two-thirds involving people in immediate crisis. Through school liaison programs, more than 2,300 students received help addressing mental health challenges that interfered with learning—resulting in improved attendance, behavior, and academics for more than 80% of those served.
Ross highlighted programs that often go unseen but make a daily difference: seniors finding companionship through Golden Center gatherings, veterans and first responders coping with trauma, families rebuilding after addiction, and even intergenerational pen-pal programs connecting youth with local elders.
“It’s been 15 years since our last funding update,” Ross said, explaining that while inflation has risen by nearly 47%, local resources have remained flat. The board, he added, has “stretched every dollar,” secured grants, and even tapped reserves to ensure no one is turned away—but the growing need for services is clear.
Currently, the mental health levy provides about 28% of the board’s annual budget—roughly $1.3 million that supports crisis services, school prevention programs, and outreach to veterans and seniors. Ross stressed that every levy dollar stays in Ashland County and that local control allows flexible, rapid response to emerging needs—something that proved vital during the COVID-19 pandemic when agencies shifted almost overnight to virtual care.
Ross also pointed to the success of community-wide suicide-prevention training, with more than 2,500 residents completing the QPR (“Question, Persuade, Refer”) model. “That’s ordinary people learning how to save lives,” he said.
If approved, the replacement levy would cost the owner of a $100,000 home about $35 a year—roughly four cents a day, Ross noted. “Four cents more a day to make sure that when someone in Ashland County says, ‘I need help,’ someone is there to answer.”
He closed by urging residents to see the levy not as a budget item but as an investment in Ashland County’s spirit of compassion. “We’ve built something very good here,” Ross said. “Let’s not step back from it. Let’s continue to make sure that when a child, a parent, a veteran, or a senior reaches out for help—someone is there to take their hand.”
Ward 4 City Council Candidates Discuss Vision for Growth
First-time candidate Zachery Casler said he entered the Ward 4 race after attending multiple council meetings and observing what he feels is an imbalance between Ashland’s growth and its traditional values.
“Ashland is a great city,” Casler said, “but we’re losing some of our old small-town beliefs that made us who we are.” He said the city’s expansion, while positive in some ways, has moved too quickly, leading to ordinances and development decisions that, in his view, don’t always align with residents’ needs.
He pointed to the redevelopment of the former Landolls/Pumphouse area as an example, suggesting it would have been better suited for Section 8 or income-based housing given its central location. Casler also criticized what he viewed as wasteful spending related to the city’s pumphouse project and called for more fiscal accountability.
Casler said he has spoken with many residents who share his concerns—particularly regarding housing affordability, fathers’ rights, and what he considers excessive beautification efforts that have changed parts of the city. He referenced Jefferson Street, where roadway changes have made travel more difficult. “They did away with an entire street, pretty much just for a parking lot,” he said, adding that as Ashland University expanded, “hundreds of houses were lost. At some point, enough is enough.”
While acknowledging his inexperience in politics, Casler said he believes that’s part of his appeal. “I’m new to this, but I care about this city,” he said. “I’ve talked with people who feel the same way I do. We just want common-sense leadership.”
His remarks prompted discussion about Ashland University’s impact on the community, with officials noting its economic benefit exceeds $40 million annually. Casler said he appreciated the clarification but maintained his focus on ensuring development remains balanced and community-driven.
Angela Woodward, who has represented Ward 4 for six years, used her time to reflect on progress made during her tenure and to outline a forward-looking plan rooted in infrastructure, balanced housing, and civic pride.
A lifelong Ashland County resident, Woodward and her husband Hutch have lived in Ward 4 for more than 30 years, raising four children and now welcoming a new generation of grandchildren into the same community.
“I love our city—it’s where I grew up, where we raised our family, and where I’ve chosen to serve,” Woodward said.
In addition to her role on council, she serves as Director of the Ashland County Cancer Association, where she’s worked for 11 years. She said her professional and personal experiences with cancer have shaped her compassionate approach to public service.
Woodward highlighted numerous development and infrastructure projects she has supported, including business expansions at Return Polymers, Lippert, Harris Welding, and Champion Pumps, and the Wells Road extension, which improved access to the city’s industrial park and helped make the Amazon facility, now employing more than 100 local residents, possible.
She emphasized the need for balanced housing options—from affordable to executive-level homes—and pointed to ongoing projects like Montgomery Crossings, the Pump House District redevelopment, and the Baney Road housing development.
Woodward also detailed Ashland’s infrastructure improvements, noting that since 2019, the city has paved more than 300 streets and alleys, supported waterline upgrades, and completed bridge repairs at sites including Claremont Avenue. She urged voters to support the renewal of the city’s street levy to maintain that progress.
Looking ahead, she said 2026 will bring further growth with the Mifflin-to-Middle-Rowsburg trunk line project, and Well #15 which will double the city’s water capacity, and the construction of a sidewalk system along U.S. 250, connecting people to major shopping areas like Walmart and Aldi.
“What sets me apart,” Woodward said, “is not just how I feel—but how I serve. I’m a hardworking, approachable woman who loves this community deeply.” She said she wants her children and grandchildren to continue calling Ashland home “for generations to come.”
Park District Director Eric Schneider Promotes Levy Renewal with Modest Increase
Ashland County Park District Director Eric Schneider spoke passionately about the district’s upcoming park levy renewal and modest increase, calling it “essential to protecting what we’ve already built for our community.”
Schneider told attendees that Ashland County’s 20-park system has seen record use and unprecedented growth in the last few years. “Parks are more than land,” he said. “They’re part of our quality of life—where families gather, kids play, and people connect with nature.”
Since 2020, park visits have surged from 148,000 to nearly 246,000 in 2024, a 66-percent increase that Schneider credits to major community investments such as the new Davy McClure Outdoor Education Center and paved trails at Tom Kruse Wildlife Conservation Park.
The current 0.5-mill levy, which brings in about $700,000 per year, is set for renewal this November. The district is seeking a 0.3-mill increase, which would generate about $1.3 million annually—roughly $500,000 more to maintain and enhance facilities. For the average homeowner with a $100,000 property, that equates to about $10.50 more per year, or less than a dollar a month.
If approved, Schneider said, the additional funding would support expanded programming, such as school field trips, guided hikes, and community events; infrastructure improvements like paved trails, restrooms, and playground resurfacing; and accessibility upgrades across the county’s growing park system. “We’re not growing for growth’s sake,” he added. “We’re maintaining and enhancing what’s already been built.”
Schneider emphasized that parks bring measurable value to the county—boosting property values, attracting families, and promoting health and wellness. While the district will continue pursuing grants and partnerships, he noted that “grants can’t fund daily maintenance.” The levy, he said, ensures “stable, predictable funding so we can plan responsibly and remain transparent with every dollar.”
As costs rise and usage increases, Schneider warned that waiting too long could make repairs more expensive and threaten hard-won progress. “Renewing the levy now keeps the momentum going,” he said. “Ashland County has invested so much—through the Davy Center, new trails, and community events like the Candy Cane Trail. This levy protects that investment and builds a better future.”
He closed his remarks with a call to action: “Please vote yes to renew and strengthen our levy. Together, we’ll keep our parks clean, safe, and accessible for everyone.”
A Call for Informed Voters
As the forum concluded, Chamber organizers thanked all speakers for their dedication to public service.
“What’s the best kind of voter?” President Amy Daubenspeck asked the crowd.
“An informed voter!” came the reply — a fitting close to a day focused on education, engagement, and Ashland’s shared future.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 4.
