This article is part of the 2025 General Election Voters' Guide produced in partnership with the League of Women Voters of the Akron Area.
Robert Campbell
Nonpartisan
Training/experience: 38+ years as a firefighter/paramedic. Last 6 years I have served as Fire Chief for Bath Township
Campaign phone: 3308195444
Education: AAS Fire Protection Technology, University of Akron (1992), Graduate of Ohio Fire Executive Program (2019)
Campaign email address: campbell2128@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580598226599
Why are you the best candidate for the office?
I have worked in local government as a first responder for over 38 years. In that time, I have worked for a wide variety of governmental entities from large cities to rural townships. I have served as the fire chief in Bath Township since 2019. In that time, I have gained a thorough understanding of the essential functions of township government and the importance of providing needed services in the most fiscally responsible ways possible.
What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?
My top priority is to continue to foster and improve relationships with our neighboring community. In my current role as fire chief, I see first-hand how vital it is for our communities to work together during emergencies or significant events. These situations are more easily managed if the relationships are cultivated on a regular basis.
I also would like to keep Copley Township an affordable place to live for both new residents and long time residents while still providing high quality services
What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?
I will continue to build on relationships I already have with community leaders and administrative officials. Working together where possible will not only improve overall services, but can reduce costs for everyone.
In order to keep Copley affordable, I would like to move cautiously on further development to ensure our community remains the suburban / semi-rural community so many have enjoyed over the years. I would also continue to be a fiscally responsible leader who is always looking at ways to provide quality services at the lowest cost possible.
Bruce Koellner
Nonpartisan
Training/Experience: 34+ years as a Lt. Copley Fire Department Fire/Medic
Campaign phone: 330-607-7398
Education: Graduate Degree – Master of Science in Leadership
Previous public office: Copley Township Trustee past 8 years
Why are you the best candidate for the office?
I am a lifelong resident of Copley Township, and I have spent my entire career serving the community as a firefighter – paramedic. I graduated from Copley High School on June 6, 1983, and was hired on the fire department on June 9th of the same year. After spending the first decade in the fire service being trained in all the specialty operations, I furthered my education by achieving a graduate degree in public safety and public safety management. I am also a graduate of the National Fire Academy’s Executive Fire Officer program, a four-year program to promote public safety management.
As most career firefighters, I have a second career in finance. I am the owner and operator of a Copley based financial advisory firm. The two careers have given mw the unique experience, training and education needed to efficiently govern the needs of our wonderful community.
I will continue to devote myself the betterment of Copley Township.
What are the top priorities you seek to address once in office?
Safety has always been my top priority. Throughout my time in office, I have consistently voted for and supported initiatives that enhance the safety of our residents and provide critical support for our first responders. As a retired career fire/medic for Copley Township, I have firsthand knowledge of our community’s needs and the operational requirements of our safety forces.
With the closure or revitalization of crime-ridden hotels, the construction of a new safety center, the installation of sanitary sewer systems — with additional expansion underway along Copley Road — and the near completion of our new community center, we have made tremendous progress. My next focus is revitalizing the Copley Circle district. Key goals moving forward include improving pedestrian safety in the district and relocating overhead utilities underground to create a safer, more welcoming, and vibrant community space.
What strategies will you use to accomplish those priorities?
The key strategy is to listen to the residents and property owners within the community and work together to obtain the community improvements they prioritize. I will continue to work with and gain support of Summit County and State of Ohio officials to procure the resources needed to support our projects. The past projects that benefited from our outside relationships include the safety center, the new community center, the sanitary sewer extension on Copley Rd., and the Ridgewood Rd. trail project. A project for the future will be the revitalization of the Copley Circle district with construction of safer pedestrian walkways, open air sitting areas and mixed-use occupancy.
Scott David Dressler
Nonpartisan
(Editor’s note: The candidate did not respond to requests for information.)