SWANTON TOWNSHIP – Two candidates are vying for the unexpired term of fiscal officer in Swanton Township: Mindy Curry and Sandy Speiker. Below are their profiles in alphabetical order.
Mindy Curry
Curry is running alongside two trustee candidates – Bill Anderson and Matt Beil – with the slogan ABC (Anderson, Beil and Curry).
“We’re united by a shared commitment to kindness, honesty, integrity and community-focused service,” Curry said.
Curry has 32 years of accounting experience, including 26 years as an office manager. She is skilled in payroll, taxes, financial reporting and benefits administration, as well as the accurate and transparent management of public funds. Her status as a certified notary public reflects her attention to detail and commitment to accountability, Curry said.
Before moving to Swanton Township, Curry served eight years on Whitehouse Village Council.
“I bring a solid track record of ethical leadership, collaboration and responsive service – values that I will bring to the fiscal officer role to benefit all residents,” she said. “I’m passionate about bringing accuracy, transparency, professionalism and kindness to this vital role. Every dollar matters, and every resident deserves to know how it’s spent.”
In addition to responsible stewardship of public funds, Curry’s priorities as fiscal officer include: providing clear agendas and detailed meeting minutes; timely responses to public records requests; a friendly, respectful environment; encouraging collaboration that reflects residents’ needs; supporting community well-being and local services; reducing outside legal costs; and welcoming resident involvement and open communication.
“Swanton Township stands at an important crossroads. Residents are calling for greater transparency, prudent fiscal management and increased collaboration with neighboring communities. There is also a clear demand for more open and accessible township meetings, including the possibility of live streaming to increase participation,” she said. “Today, some residents feel marginalized for simply wanting to engage with local government, and it is crucial to foster a culture where everyone feels welcome and heard. Meeting these challenges is an opportunity to restore public trust, update our practices, and create a township government that is truly responsive, inclusive and accountable.”
Every resident deserves a government that listens and responds with respect and kindness, she said.
“If elected, my priority will be to maintain open lines of communication—ensuring that residents not only receive timely updates but have meaningful opportunities to share their views and participate in decision-making,” she said.
Curry said she supports access to public records and the adoption of Ohio Checkbook, a free and easy-to-use state-run website where residents can view township spending 24/7. She also plans to implement having meetings live streamed to make the township accessible to all. Prompt responses to calls and emails will be standard practice, and all concerns will be met with respect and genuine consideration, she said.
“The voices, questions and opinions of our residents belong at the center of our township,” Curry said.
An Anthony Wayne High School graduate, Curry spent most of her life in Whitehouse and is committed to the region. She moved to Swanton Township to be with her partner, Darrin, and their blended family.
Sandy Speiker
As the Swanton Township fiscal officer, Speiker is busy working with state auditors on the 2023-24 audit, streamlining electronic reporting and payment functions, and keeping the website up to date with minutes and special announcements.
“I act as a fiduciary, being responsible for managing public funds in the best interest of township residents and keeping accurate, timely records,” said Speiker, who was appointed July 22 to fill a vacancy created after the unexpected death of longtime fiscal officer Peggy Michael. “If elected, I will continue to make sure expenses align with the township’s goals and the expenditures are in compliance with applicable laws.”
Speiker describes herself as tech-savvy, with the background needed to keep tasks such as accounting, purchasing, reporting, budget allocation, payables and payroll flowing smoothly and accurately. She also plans to revamp the township website to make it more attractive and user friendly.
This isn’t Speiker’s first involvement in township fiscal responsibilities. From 2006-2008, she served as fiscal officer Bill Cook’s assistant until he retired.
“I was in charge of recording and preparing meeting minutes, preparing the agenda and running the meetings for Swanton Township,” she said.
While she has a degree in medical transcription, her career has included advertising administrator and co-op coordinator for Bostwick-Braun Company, where she earned the Innovator Award for an advertising program she created. In that role, she handled co-op advertising dollars and designed fliers and newsletters.
In the early 2000s, Speiker served as administrative assistant to the fiscal officer and co-cemetery sexton for Springfield Township. She organized and created a database of the graves in Springfield Township Cemetery, identifying 44 Civil War graves and ordering plaques and tombstones through the Veteran’s Administration at no charge to the township. She also created a quarterly newsletter, created and maintained the township’s first website and was in charge of accounts receivable, hall rentals and customer service to township residents.
In 2017, after 13 years, she retired Rossford Exempted Village School District, where she served as high school clerk/cashier and purchasing agent for the high school and junior high school.
“I was in charge of preparing yearly budgets for the high school and maintaining them throughout the school year as well as collecting, accounting and recording all monies brought into the high school through student fees, athletics, club fundraisers, etc.,” she said. “I coordinated graduation – preparing diplomas, renting our venue, preparing the graduation program. I also was freshman class advisor and sophomore class co-advisor.”
A 46-year resident of the township, Speiker said she thinks the issue of the village of Swanton annexing township properties is a concern. Currently, Lucas County is considering an annexation petition by AGS LLC to annex two Scott Road parcels totaling 133 acres into the village. Another concern is Metroparks buying up land in the township, she said.
“However, these concerns would fall to the trustees to deal with, not the fiscal officer,” she noted.
