Lang stays locked in to serve

PERKINS TWP. — No matter as a military member, police officer or township trustee, he really appreciates the opportunity to serve people. A lifelong public servant, Jim Lang hopes to continue in his current role, overseeing the government where he calls home today. Lang, a Perkins Township trustee, seeks to keep his seat in November's election. He represents one of three candidates vying to join and/or stay on Perkins Township's trustees board heading into 2026. In preparation for the upcoming election, the Register has reached out to all township trustee candidates so they can share information about themselves and their reasons for running. Here's what Lang said: Q: Who are you? What is your professional background/qualifications for this position? JL: I was born and raised in Sandusky and moved to Perkins Township. I have been a Perkins Township resident for 53 years. I have been married to my wife, Nancy, for 51 years. We have four adult children and seven grandchildren. I'm a U.S. Navy veteran, and I retired from the Perkins Police Department after 23 years. I was chief of police of Put-in-Bay, chief of police for the city of Sandusky and have been a Perkins Township trustee for 12 years. Q: What is one issue or challenge within your government and, if elected, how do you plan to address it? JL: We are trying to build a new fire station, and we are going to try to do that without raising any taxes with no levies. We have been saving up for this for the last five years, and we have made a substantial down payment. We have a $600,000 grant from the state of Ohio. We are going to sell the two properties: Station No. 2 and Station No. 3. We believe, between the two, we should be able to get $3 million. That will cover the majority of the new building. This is something that is long overdue. The other two fire stations are over 50 and 60 years old, and this is something, this new fire station, that will give us, at least 50 years in that new building if not more. We are just trying to do more for the taxpayers and do more for their money. Q: What are the main reasons you've decided to run? JL: We have a lot of positive momentum going on right now. We have the Aligned Data Centers building going up, which is going to give us a lot more tax dollars. Some people don't think that it was a good idea, but the numbers from the Erie County auditor, Perkins Schools and EHOVE think it's a good idea. It's giving us a lot more tax dollars not just right now but in the future as well. I also want to keep helping people in the township and to keep serving our community. I have been in public service the majority of my life, and I like helping people. Q: Why should the community vote for you? JL: I have done a good job in the last 12 years, and I am dedicated, accountable, and I'm available. On my business cards, I have my personal cellphone number on there. Anytime anyone needs anything, I'm a call away. I try to help people as much as possible and as much as I can. Township trustee roundup In Perkins Township's race, three people are competing for two seats: • Two incumbents are seeking re-election: Tim Coleman and Jim Lang. • They're up against one challenger: Lisa Crescimano. The top two vote-getters win four-year terms starting in January. There's one more trustee, James Ommert, whose seat is not up for election this term. He will continue his duties on the board until his term expires in 2027. In-schools debate To learn more about each candidate and the issues important to them and the student body, watch the return of this year's in-schools debate series. Perkins High School will host the Perkins Township trustees debate on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The public cannot attend this specific debate. Viewers, however, can watch the debate in its entirety at sanduskyregister.com and the Register's YouTube channel shortly after the event concludes. Students representing Perkins High School will pose questions to the candidates. The in-schools debate series is sponsored by the Greater Sandusky Partnership. Confirmed dates for this year's series: • Edison school board — Sunday, Oct. 12 • Perkins Township trustee — Tuesday, Oct. 14 • Sandusky school board — Wednesday, Oct. 15 • Sandusky city commission — Wednesday, Oct. 22