Stickers are pictured during the primary election at the Orchard Hill Church.

Four Republican candidates are competing for three open spots on Prospect borough council on the May 16 ballot.

All the candidates will appear on the Republican ballot, with none on the Democratic side.

The winners advance to the November ballot.

Newcomer Timothy Lutz will face incumbents William P. Katz, Eric Hilliard and Sam Wagner.

Candidates Hilliard and Wagner did not respond to calls and emails for comment via contact information provided by the Butler County Bureau of Elections.

Lutz is originally from Zelienople. He moved to Prospect seven years ago with his wife and family.

He is the son of a dairy farmer, and grew up working on the farm. He then attended the University of Northwestern Ohio and earned his degree as a diesel technician. Lutz is currently a diesel mechanic and truck driver at a local business.

As a Prospect resident, he was prompted to run by his desire to help better his community, aided by the encouragement of friends and neighbors. He attends council meetings monthly to stay up-to-date on the happenings in the borough.

If elected, he is confident in his ability to work alongside the other council members and with residents to help make positive changes to benefit their community now and for future generations.

His goals include addressing road and sidewalk maintenance, borough expenses and spending.

William P. Katz

Katz currently owns and operates a few businesses, having been self-employed for over 50 years. Throughout his business career, he has been able to meet and communicate with a worldwide, diverse group of customers.

He currently serves as the Prospect council president, a position he’s held for over 5 years. He has been on the borough council for over 6 years.

His concentration while on the council has been on improving the wastewater management system. The borough’s police department, office, garage and equipment have all been updated during his tenure. The borough also has been approved for a number of grants that have benefited the community.

He was encouraged to run for a position by former council member Robert Boice, who served on the council for many years and believed that Katz had “a good head for business,” he said. Katz has always believed the borough should be run on a business model.

If elected, he wants to continue the work on wastewater management. Additionally, he wishes to continue to improve roads throughout the borough as well as continue work toward the borough’s 200th anniversary.

In addition to wastewater management and road improvements, his goals include securing more grant funding to benefit Prospect and its citizens.