2 vie for Lancaster Township supervisor seat
One of three seats on the Lancaster Township Board of Supervisors will be up for grabs in the general election in November after Vice Chairman Tim Zinkham decided to forego a possible reelection bid.
Two longtime township residents, John Kovacic and Mike Doban, are seeking a six-year term on the board.
Both candidates have filed as a Republican and have not cross-filed, meaning they will likely be unopposed come November. No Democratic candidates are running for the vacant seat.
Meet the candidates
John Kovacic
While John Kovacic has not held public office before, he has several ties to the community with more than 20 years of experience as a local volunteer firefighter and the current Harmony Fire District Board director.
He also serves on the Lancaster Township Zoning Board and is a former emergency coordinator.
In his professional life, Kovacic manages industrial safety and human performance at the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Station. He has also served 18 years as a master sergeant in the Air Force as a chief officer in the Fire and Emergency Services Division.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety management from Slippery Rock and an associate degree in fire science from the Community College of the Air Force.
Kovacic lives in the township with his wife and two children.
Mike Doban
While Doban has not held public office before, he has been a resident for more than 30 years and has served the township in other capacities.
He previously served on the township’s planning commission, including two years as chairman, and currently serves on the Lancaster Township Board of Auditors.
Doban, who is a retired IT consultant, has three children and has been married to his wife Michele for 40 years. They are regular attendees of the Grace Church of Harmony.
What prompted you to run for a seat on the Lancaster Township Board of Supervisors?
Kovacic: “I have been very active in my community my entire adult life. I feel this is a great opportunity to step into a new chapter during a time of potential change coming to the area.”
Doban: “I am running for the office of township supervisor to give the residents a stronger voice in township matters. My platform will be one of honesty, common sense, transparency, efficiency and clear communication.”
How would you handle residents' concerns regarding the expanding population and overall growth of the township?
Kovacic: “The residents need to be involved in the process. We need to hear the concerns and provide solutions and answers. Growth and expansion requires the community involvement.”
Doban: “Lancaster Township is standing at a crossroads. We can’t stop progress but we can manage growth. We love the rural atmosphere of Lancaster Township and desire that growth is stringently and reasonably managed.”
What are the biggest challenges facing the township right now, and what would you do to tackle those issues?
Kovacic: “Sustainable growth, emergency services in the community and communication between local government and the community.
Growth: Township growth is coming and this can be a very emotional topic. I feel it is important to monitor how we grow to ensure we do not alienate our farming community and we build our roadways appropriately to accommodate any new increases in population.
Emergency services: We are currently facing a massive increase in call volume. It is imperative to work with fire, police, and EMS to ensure we are providing the necessary support they need to be ready and equipped to respond. With my background this is an area of strength.
Communication: In today’s world communication is essential, with multiple methods to deliver your message. We need open lines of communication such as community social media outlets, news and information regularly updated on the township’s webpage, community apps, etc. I want to ensure the residents know how to stay connected to their government.”
Doban: “I’d like controlled, limited growth within reason. You can’t stop growth. We have ordinances that need to be followed. There’s a comprehensive plan that needs to be stuck to.
“If elected, I would not be able to do this alone. Your active involvement via online communication or meeting attendance would be welcomed.”
