By Rachel Scofield

Voters in Madison Township, Franklin County, will choose two trustees in the Nov. 4 general election. Trustees serve four-year terms, overseeing township operations, public safety, and community services. This election gives residents the chance to shape the township’s leadership for the coming term.

Chris Andrews

Andrews has served as the Madison Township Police Department chaplain for two years.

Andrews has lived in Blacklick Estates for five years and has served as a pastor in the community for ten years. He and his wife, Trisha, have three children: Brock, Lana, and Graham. He currently serves as Associate Pastor at Fellowship Baptist Church, leading in finance and community outreach.

He praised the township’s police and fire departments and the community’s family-oriented activities.

He wants to highlight areas for improvement, include transparency and communication, infrastructure, and public safety staffing.

To address these issues, he plans to act swiftly on residents’ concerns, embrace creative solutions, and collaborate closely with other Trustees.

Katherine M. Chipps

Katherine Chipps is currently serving her first term as Madison Township Trustee and has extensive experience in government and public service.

Chipps has spent her efforts addressing traffic concerns in Blacklick Estates.

She also wants to address challenges caused by rapid growth and the need for emergency services funding. Saying that trustees must maintain strong relations with leaders of Canal Winchester and Groveport.

Chipps praises the township’s financial management and transparency.

Chips and her boyfriend, Jason, reside in Canal Winchester with their three rescue dogs: JoJo, Ted, and Sawyer.

Valerie Swanson

Appointed in September 2024 to fill a vacant trustee seat, Valerie Swanson says she has focused on safety in the community.

Swanson has a career as an attorney and public servant.

She notes her efforts with fellow trustees to prioritize installing traffic calming devices in the Blacklick Estates areas near schools.

She wants to emphasize first responder safety.

Swanson outlined challenges including rising crime, housing development pressures, and infrastructure needs, and said she plans to proactively address them.

She is married with two children.

Andrew Nimely

Andrew Nimely has not held a formal position in local government. He reports that he brings extensive leadership and financial management experience from both the international nonprofit and corporate sectors.

Nimely was a staff member of Catholic Relief Services in Liberia, where he was responsible for navigating complex logistical and financial challenges.

Nimely said this combination of nonprofit and corporate experience has equipped him with the skills needed to manage public resources responsibly, build strategic partnerships, and make data-driven decisions.

As an entrepreneur and business owner, Nimely said he brings ‘real-world’ leadership and employment-growing strategies.

Nimely said one of Madison Township’s biggest struggles is effective community engagement and communication.

As Trustee, Nimely said he would prioritize improving communication, increasing public awareness of township services, and creating more opportunities for residents to be heard and involved.

Nimely said Madison Township already excels in the work of its first responders.

In his free time, Nimely enjoys spending time with family, attending church, watching movies, and cheering for Ohio State football.

Gary York

Gary York brings 37 years of public service in law enforcement, including serving as Police Chief of Madison Township until his retirement in December 2024.

He said his roots began in the township in 1972 when his family built their home.

York highlights the township’s challenges, particularly infrastructure and rapid growth.

As a trustee he says he will be a strong advocate for smart, forward-thinking development that puts our residents first. That means prioritizing infrastructure investment, demanding accountability from developers and partnering municipalities, and ensuring that growth enhances the area.

He shares that the township has exceptional customer service to the residents, businesses, and schools. The first responders set the gold standard for community engagement and service. The Public Works Department maintains and improves the roads year-round, often under challenging conditions. The civilian office staff are the backbone of Township operations.

York is married to his wife, Jen, with whom he shares four children and three grandchildren.