By Rachel Scofield

Seven candidates are vying for four seats on Canal Winchester City Council in the Nov. 4 election. The field includes incumbents Laurie Amick and Patrick Shea, along with challengers Hannah Detwiler, Shane Finkle, James Holter, Chuck Milliken, and David Payne.

The Messenger was unsuccessful in reaching Amick and Shea for comment.

Hannah Detwiler

Detwiler is a first-time runner and praised Canal Winchester for its strong community engagement.

She said she want to work to improve walkability by proposing an informed plan that would create recommendations to increase safety, provide new recreational routes and identify key through-ways that can be improved by the addition of sidewalks.

Shane Finkle

Finkle has lived in Canal Winchester for more than 20 years and is running to build upong the positive progress CW has seen.

He is also a first-time candidate and praised the city for managing growth.

On improvement, he says it begins by listening to the residents followed by great communication back to them.

Finkle has served in Boy Scouts, coached and refereed youth basketball, and served two terms as a deacon at Grace Bible Church.

He said he looks forward to being a servant leader.

James Holter

Holter said he decided to run after a friend on council voiced an appeal to residents.

Holter praises Canal Winchester for its quality of life and infrastructure improvements.

He emphasized planning and growth management.

Holter wants to be proactive in planning for school capacities, road improvements, water and sewer systems, and public safety resources.

Professionally, Holter serves as chief operating officer for a national membership and advocacy organization. He said he would donate any council compensation he receives to Canal Winchester-based charities.

Chuck Milliken

Milliken shares that he hs more than 20 years experience in leadership roles and loves CW.

His platform highlights fiscal responsibility.

Milliken said he wants to make downtown more active, including weekly downtown activities.

He has served on council previously, chaired the 2025 Charter Review Commission, and is active at C3 Church.

David Payne

Payne said he decided to run because he wants to ensure residents are being heard in every decision.

He applauds the city’s community events while maintaining the small-town fee.

On improvement, Payne wants to focus on proactive planning for school capacities, road improvements, water and sewer systems and public safety resources before growth strains them.

He is active in VFW Post 10523, speaks with students on Veterans Day, participates in community service at X-Church, and loves being a dad.