Two men who grew up on Jefferson Township family farms will contend for one spot on the Republican ticket for supervisor in November.

Incumbent Braden Beblo and Bill Broman, who was appointed to serve one year as a supervisor to fill a resignee’s term, will appear on the May 16 primary election ballot for Jefferson Township supervisor.

The winning candidate will be uncontested in the November general election.

Beblo, who is in his seventh year as township supervisor, said growing up on his parents’ farm taught him to fix problems through common-sense problem-solving and hard work.

Beblo said he started his excavation company 10 years ago and has successfully grown the business since then.

He said managing a business and employees renders him qualified for the position of township supervisor because municipalities face many of the same problems as small businesses, such as problem-solving, financial management decisions and planning.

Among his accomplishments as supervisor, Beblo listed maintaining high standards in the public works department by keeping equipment updated and maintained, finding grants for township projects and maintaining low taxes for residents.

He said he ran for supervisor because he is a lifelong resident and plans to raise his young son in the township alongside his wife.

“I want to keep core values the same as the way it was growing up for me and (my) fellow residents,” Beblo said.

His goals are to continue good road maintenance and low taxes, plus solving issues with the community in mind.

Regarding the most-pressing issues in the rural township, Beblo listed population growth, taxes and keeping up with state and federal legislation affecting the municipality.

Broman also said in his response to the Eagle’s election questions that he learned values and work ethic while growing up on a farm in the township.

He graduated from Slippery Rock University with elementary and secondary education teaching certificates before entering the technology field.

After graduating from the computer technology program at Community College of Allegheny County, Broman served as an intern in the data center at Westinghouse Electric before being hired by the company and serving in several positions.

Broman said he served on the township parks and recreation board and on the boards of the baseball and softball associations that use Laura J. Doerr Memorial Park as their home fields.

Asked what prompted him to run for supervisor, Broman replied with the duties of supervisors listed in state code, which includes ensuring sound fiscal management and the health, safety and welfare of residents.

“These responsibilities are now given to a manager by Ordinance 433 passed by current board supervisors,” Broman said.

He also said he believes new fee structures and regulations are not in the best interest of residents.

Regarding goals, Broman said his are the benefit of the residents and using flex scheduling between the township’s two office employees to expand office hours for residents.

Broman said contracts for projects costing more than $5,000 should be advertised for bid, with township residents who submit a bid getting preference when the bid is awarded.

He said monthly supervisors meetings should be “open for discussion and resolution by the supervisors when possible.”

Broman said the welfare of the community should be considered at all times, and pointed to a recent storm system that “closed roads for days when the township has the resources and equipment.”