Hewlett looks to put residents first if elected as Prairie Township trustee
A candidate for the Prairie Township Board of Trustees in Franklin County says he will put residents first if he’s elected.
Mike Hewlett says he identifies controlling expenses as the township’s largest challenge, calling for a greater emphasis on fiscal responsibility and cost control.
The election is November 4, but early voting began October 7 and continues through November 2. For more information, click here.
Two incumbents are seeking re-election. Four challengers, including Hewlett, are seeking to unseat one or both of the incumbents whose four-year terms end December 31.
“A trustee is an elected employee, answerable to the residents first and foremost,” Hewlett recently told The West Side Messenger. “I fully grasp this concept and will make it a point to consistently conduct myself with the mindset of residents first.”
For the past 12 years, Hewlett says he has dedicated his time to supporting frontline health workers and first responders at home and across the nation.
“Through these experiences, I have learned what it truly means to put others first,” he says. “As your trustee, my commitment is simple: I will serve every resident of Prairie Township with dedication, transparency, and accountability. Together, we can build a stronger community—one rooted in unity, service, and trust.”
Hewlett has more than 20 years of experience supplying goods and services to government agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, VA hospitals and municipal departments such as fire, EMS, police, and transit agencies.
His work has focused primarily on government contracting, procurement and cost reduction. He says that has given him extensive knowledge of bidding processes and budget management.
Hewlett is opposed to overregulation and housing codes, citing instances where he says the current board does not govern with a “people first” mindset. He also strongly opposed the rising costs of water.
He views the trustee role as one fundamentally accountable to the entire community, not just small segments, and intends to work closely with fellow board members to keep the focus on serving the people.
“I also understand that property taxes are at an all-time high and people work hard to support their homes and family,” Hewlett said. “I will support their property rights 100 percent.
“There are enough zoning ordinances residents have to contend with, I will not add to those. Residents should not be looked upon by zoning as a revenue stream.”
Hewlett says he is family-oriented and wants to help all township residents.
“I support an aesthetically pleasing property, and at the same time, I am very pro resident,” he said. “I am running to represent you, the residents, with the understanding that it is the tax-paying residents who are ultimately the arm of accountability to which the Board of Trustees report.”