Election 2026 Interview Series: Candidate for Howard Township Trustee Zenas Bowling

As the 2026 general election approaches, The Washington County Times is publishing written interviews with candidates in contested races affecting Washington County.

The Times reached out to all candidates for whom we were able to obtain contact information and invited them to participate. If you are a candidate in a contested race and have not received an invitation, please contact us so we can make sure you have an opportunity to participate.

Candidates were provided with questions tailored to their campaign, personal history, and the office they are seeking. We encouraged candidates to answer the questions in their own words and to refrain from using ChatGPT or other artificial intelligence tools when preparing their responses.

All candidate responses have been published as submitted, without editing or alteration by The Washington County Times.

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Why are you running for Township Trustee, and what do you believe the township needs from its next trustee?

I’m running for Howard Township Trustee because I want to serve the community I live in. I believe Howard Township needs a servant leader who is there for the people, treats everyone fairly and does not discriminate against anyone who comes to the office for help. People should have a trustee they can actually get ahold of, talk to and get a straight answer from. I want to be fair with everyone, be careful with taxpayer money and make sure peple understand what the township is doing and why.

What do you see as the most important responsibility of a township trustee?

To me, the most important responsibility is simply serving the people of the township the right way. That means being available when someone needs help, treating people fairly and making responsible decisions with township money. People should feel like they can come to their trustee with a question or problem and at least know they’ll be heard. 

Township trustees are responsible for providing assistance to residents who are unable to meet basic necessities. How would you approach determining who qualifies for assistance and what help they receive?

I would follow the township’s guidelines and make sure the same rules are being applied to everyone. Every situation is different so I believe you have to look at the whole situation and what the person actually needs.

I will try my hardest to get people the help they need, whether that assistance comes directly through the township or by helping connect them with other programs and resources that may be available.

We have to remember that people asking for help may be going through a really hard time. They deserve to be treated with respect while we also make sure taxpayer money is being used properly.

What do you believe is the biggest unmet need among residents in your township?

I think one thing we can always do better is communication. A lot of people may not know what the trustee’s office does, what help is available or even who to call when they need something. I want to make the office easier to reach and make sure people know what resources are available. I also think it’s important to listen before assuming I already know every issue people in the township are facing.

How would you balance providing assistance to residents with being responsible stewards of taxpayer money?

I believe you can do both. If someone truly needs help and qualifies for it, that’s what township assistance is there for. But we also have a responsibility to make sure the money is being spent where it is actually needed. I would follow the rules, look at each situation and make sure we aren’t wasting money. Every dollar belongs to the taxpayers, and I think it should be treated that way.

What should the public be able to see or know about how township funds are spent?

I think the public should be able to understand where their money is going. Obviously, there are things involving people receiving assistance that need to stay private, but the township’s overall spending should not be a mystery. If someone asks why money was spent on something, I want to be able to explain it.

What role should the township play in responding to emergencies or helping residents during times of crisis?

The trustee should be someone residents know they can contact when they’re going through a difficult situation. The township may not be able to solve every problem, but the trustee should know what help is available and help point people in the right direction. Sometimes just knowing who to call or where to go can make a big difference when someone is in a crisis.

Are there township services, programs or expenses you believe should be changed, expanded or reduced?

I don’t want to sit here before taking office and say I’m going to cut or expand anything without first seeing everything for myself. I would want to look closely at the budget, and how things are currently being handled. If I find unneceseary spending, I want to address it. If there is something that could better serve the residents without wasting money, I’m willing to look into that too. I think you have to understand what you’re dealing with before you start making changes.

What do you believe is the biggest misconception about the township trustee's job?

A lot of people hear “township trustee” and mainly think about township assistance. That is definitely an important part of the job, but there is more responsibility behind the scenes than most people probably realize. You’re dealing with township money, records, property and other responsibilities that come with the office. It’s a small local office, but the decisions still matter.

If elected, what would be your top priority during your first year in office?

My biggest priority would be getting into the office, learning everything I can and making sure the people of Howard township know I’m available to them. I want to make sure my township has easy access to my phone number, email and office address. They should know I am available to them always.

I want to take a close look at the finances and see how things are being done now before making any major changes. From there I want to keep what is working and improve what isn’t. I want to make communication with residents a big part of how I run the office in the first year.