A newcomer and a current supervisor are vying for a single seat on the Brady Township board of supervisors in the May 16 primary election.

Darlene J. Covert, supervisor since May 2022, is seeking reelection, and Richard Hutchison is running for the first time.

Covert, who is retired, said her experience in budgeting qualifies her to serve the township.

“We need to watch our money so our taxes don’t go up,” she said.

During her time in office, Covert said she contributed to the decision of having engineers draw plans for the new township building.

“I think someone needs to be in there to get things done,” she said.

Her goals, if reelected, are to fix roads and focus on the building’s completion.

“We need to see what we can do about the building so we don’t have to raise taxes. We need to get our equipment so it’ll last,” she said. “I want to make the residents realize the supervisors are willing to talk to you and listen.”

Hutchison, who owned a fire protection business in Butler, said he wants the township to run like a “well-oiled machine” if he is elected.

Regarding the new building, he feels his expertise could help complete the project.

“I would be bringing the experience and knowledge to get this project on the right track,” he said.

He added that he feels the township should be run as a business, with the opinions of the residents at the forefront, and that elected officials should be held accountable.

“Supervisors need to listen and do the tasks of the residents desires and wishes,” he said. “Too many issues are in one ear and out the other. The supervisors are appointed to carry out the will and desires of the residents, not the agenda of just the supervisors and a chosen few.”

The winner will serve a six-year term. The township has three elected supervisors.