The decision is in ? Jerry Dywasuk, Jr. will challenge incumbent Bill Dunn in the Aug. 3 Republican primary for the position of Oxford Township supervisor.
Dywasuk, who’s currently serving as a township trustee and is the son of Orion Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk, Sr., had filed nominating petitions May 10 for both trustee and supervisor.
He had until 4 p.m. Friday, May 14 to withdraw one of the filings.
Dywasuk, 43, said he wanted check out the field in both the supervisor and trustee races before making his final decision.
‘I didn’t want to run (for supervisor) if three people were running,? said Dywasuk, explaining that such a race usually favors the incumbent.
The trustee said he had heard rumors there was going to be another challenger to Dunn, but no one else filed.
Despite the initial caution about tossing his hat in the supervisor’s race, Dywasuk said it’s what he ‘really wanted to do.?
‘I was set on running for supervisor,? he said.
In last week’s issue, Dywasuk explained he believes he can do a lot more to affect change in township government as a full-time supervisor than as a part-time trustee.
The biggest change Dywasuk wishes to make, if elected, is to increase the township’s fiscal responsibility by cutting what he views as wasteful spending. The trustee said someone needs ‘take control of the budget,? so officials won’t have to ‘continually go back to the taxpayers? asking for more money.
Dywasuk said he doesn’t plan on waging a negative campaign against Dunn.
‘I’m going to put my name forward, let the people know who I am. My qualities, my qualifications. And then let the voters make the decision,? the trustee said. Dywasuk said he plans to campaign door-to-door, just as he did when he ran for trustee in 2000.
Incumbent Dunn took Dywasuk’s announcement in stride. ‘I don’t mind the competition,? Dunn said. ‘That’s what our system is supposed to be about ? voters getting to choose who they want.?
Dunn, 56, promised he would fight fair and stick to issues during the campaign.
‘I’m not going to run a negative campaign against Jerry. No mud-slinging,? he said. ‘I plan to stand on my record. I’ll tell people why I should be re-elected and hope they agree with me.?