2-13-2025 9:10pm

Franklin Township Has New Trustee

Beth Callahan Editor

Photo courtesy of Franklin Township of Charlene Newman, the new township trustee

FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, WARREN COUNTY, OH -- Residents in Franklin Township have a new township trustee, Charlene Newman. Newman was appointed as the new township trustee at Tuesday night's meeting by township trustees Matt Jennings and Rob Rose to fill the seat left open due to the resignation of Shane Centers.

Jennings and Rose followed the Ohio Revised Code to fill the empty sear. According to the ORC Section 503.24 Vacancy in township office..."If there is a vacancy by reason of the nonacceptance, death, or removal of a person chosen to an office in any township at the regular election, or if there is a vacancy from any other cause, the board of township trustees shall appoint a person having the qualifications of an elector to fill such vacancy for the unexpired term or until a successor is elected.

If a township is without a board or if no appointment is made within thirty days after the occurrence of a vacancy, a majority of the persons designated as the committee of five on the last-filed nominating petition of the township officer whose vacancy is to be filled who are residents of the township shall appoint a person having the qualifications of an elector to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term or until a successor is elected..."

Centers, brother of Franklin's mayor Brent Centers and son of Franklin Councilman Denny Centers, resigned in January to pursue a career change.

Newman, whose name may sound familiar, is the Director of the Deardoff Center, who has worked closely with the township administration for several years, as the township helps support the Deardoff Center through the money it receives from its senior levy.

Brian Morris, who held the position of Franklin Township Trustee for two terms and held a very tight race as the incumbent against new trustee Rob Rose was not asked to return.

"This month, I just relocated to Washington Township. Up until this month I was still a resident of Franklin Township. No one ever reached out to me, but there is no hard feelings as while it might have changed my decision to relocate, the intention was known to the board that I was considering doing so," Morri said, adding, "This is the first I’ve been made aware of the situation. I have no doubt they made a good decision though with who they chose. There is a great core group of people in that office."

Tony Workman, who has also ran twice for a trustee position in the township, was also not asked if he would be interested.

Newman's position will expire at the end of this year, along with Matt Jennings. Both will need to run for election to keep their current seats.