Meet the Candidates Running For Antwerp Village Council

Derek Demongeot Announces Candidacy for Antwerp Village Council

My name is Derek Demongeot. I am a native son of Antwerp. I have had the great pleasure of working in the community since I was 16 at H2O Water Stores downtown, graduated from Antwerp Local Schools in 2010, and have been a village resident since 2013. 

I would like to ask for the support of  my community this election season as I run for a seat on the Antwerp Village council. As it has been said “it takes a village” and no one person or group can truly bring forth change without representation and support from the ones who put them there. As someone who works and lives in the village, I feel I can bring a unique perspective. 

With a nod to our past and knowing it is important to keep our vision on the future of what’s next. The responsibility of our leaders today are not just to the village but also leaving something better for the next generation. I would appreciate your vote, but no matter who you vote for, please vote this November 4th.

John Ganger III Announces Candidacy for Antwerp Village Council

John Ganger III has officially announced his candidacy for Antwerp Village Council in the upcoming November 4 election. A lifelong resident of the village and 2005 graduate of Antwerp Local Schools, Ganger is seeking to bring his professional expertise and hometown commitment to the local government.

Ganger earned his degree in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Indiana Tech and currently works as a Corporate Quality Engineer. He and his wife, Kendra, are raising their two young children, Perry (6) and Lennie (2), in the Antwerp community.

In his campaign, Ganger emphasizes the need for experienced and skilled leadership to address the village’s challenges and plan for future growth. “Antwerp needs leaders with the experience and skillset to fix what’s broken and plan for what’s next,” he stated.

If elected, Ganger plans to focus on infrastructure improvements, particularly the village’s water lines and road maintenance. He also intends to closely review the village budget to identify and eliminate waste, improve operational efficiency, and ensure that public funds are used effectively.

Transparency and communication are key pillars of Ganger’s platform. He pledges to foster open, two-way communication between council and residents, offering explanations and justifications for council decisions and encouraging public engagement.

As the election approaches, Ganger hopes voters will consider his qualifications and vision for Antwerp’s future.

Joel V Steiner Announces Candidacy for Antwerp Village Council

My name is Joel Virgil Steiner and I am running for Antwerp Town Council. My position is this: NO new taxes until the budget has been managed. I want the local government to work for the people of the town and stop the current leadership from running the town like their own personal HOA. For too long have our roads been left dilapidated – Shaffer Road. For too long have our tax policies forced so many local businesses to close. For too long have we let certain non-local businesses benefit from tax incentives while the residents of the town foot the bill. These are my positions.

My family moved to Antwerp when I was four years old. Almost all of my first memories are from growing up in Leinard’s Mobile Home Park. I remember going to the A&W (now the Root Beer Stand) and excitedly reciting the Bible verse of the week to get a free ice cream cone. I remember my first day of Kindergarten like it was yesterday. I loved to draw in class all throughout school and I still do a little drawing to this day. I remember freshman English class and making my poetry packet, the dreaded rite of passage for all freshmen. I remember running the courses in the park for Cross Country. Most fondly of all, I remember the chilly Friday night football games. I think it is fair to say that I had a similar childhood to what a lot of Antwerpians had.

Then something changed after high school. I moved just across the state line to Grabill for work, but I still visited the town often. Slowly, however, things just were not the same. It seemed every other town was improving: the downtowns were revivified, new houses were being built, and it just felt these other towns had life to them. Antwerp, however, felt like it was clinging to life. KD’s Kitchen closed, the grocery store burned down and never reopened, the Subway closed, the upholsterers closed, the Hometown Pantry closed, then the pharmacy and hardware closed, and it seemed nothing new was coming. I only really started realizing this when I came back home from my time in the Navy and started working in town. The bitter atmosphere became even more apparent after I moved into my house in town. If things do not improve soon, I am going to move out of town to a place that is growing and not dying. I believe a lot of people in Antwerp are considering this too. As I have just gotten married, I am worried about raising a family here. I think this town is the result of a dying spirit: we have lost our identity. The few businesses that seem to be prospering really show the moral decay of our town.

When I was serving in the Navy, I began to deeply study religion and philosophy. A book I recommend all people should read, especially those interested in politics, is ‘The One and the Many’ by Rousas John Rushdoony. It really opened my eyes to how society as a whole functions. All political systems stem from philosophical systems and philosophy is merely trying to understand the world in the ‘realest’ way or, in other words, a system for coming to the truth through logical reasoning. Many people hand wave philosophy and those people are the same who would throw a tantrum the moment their core philosophical beliefs are tested because they cannot answer the questions that tear down their dogma. 

Why am I saying all this? I would like to show that I have given serious study to the proper function of government, and now that I have truly found the soundest philosophy, I would like to apply it to help rebuild what we lost as Antwerp. There is no dilemma that I cannot find a moral and productive solution too. I believe, by the manifest actions of the current council, most of the town’s leadership are moral relativists, meaning they will do what they believe is right, even when they cannot coherently justify what they are doing: pragmatists.

Having rigid principles does have some off-putting qualities in this day and age of post-enlightenment and libertarian thinking. A lot of people have witnessed my staunch positions and call me mean or bigoted. I am not mean (mean is me screaming every curse word in the book at you during a casualty in shaft alley because you forgot to circle slash the procedure). What I am is unwavering on what I know to be true and moral. That is why I promise transparency and absolute honesty if I am elected to council. I do not speak political jargon. I am going to tell you bluntly and plainly what I think and my solution to the problem. If you do not want that as a candidate then I am not your guy.

Jeff G. Rhonehouse announces candidacy for Antwerp Village Council

I am a lifelong resident of Village of Antwerp and a 1979 Graduate of Antwerp Local School, running for a Seat on the Antwerp Village Council in the upcoming November 4th General Election.   

My wife, Cheryl (Celebrating 40 years Married on November 16th) have a daughter – Brittany Riley (Husband – Spencer & Granddaughters – Emilia & Lennon) in Mansfield, Texas

My hobbies include Golfing / Ohio State Football & Cleveland Browns football / yard work.

I have worked in Antwerp & Paulding County for the Majority of my career:  18 Years @ Tempered Glass Specialist (Now Paragon Tempered Glass) in various roles in a growing company, 9 Years @ Paulding County Hospital as Director of Materials & Sterile Processing.  In addition, during my time at PCH, I was a member of the Antwerp Rotary Club and served as Club President for a 1 Year term.

I am looking forward to the opportunity to serve the citizens & community that I have called home for the last 50+ years and if elected look forward to working with the other members of the Council to give back & support the Village and its residents through our actions.  If elected my focus would be getting some traction for infrastructure issues within the village such as:  water line repair / replacement, street maintenance / repair & adding additional services for the residents. 

As Election Day approaches, I would appreciate your vote on November 4th…

Sincerely,

—Jeff G. Rhonehouse,Candidate for Village Council

JOHN L. DEVORE III announces candidacy FOR VILLAGE COUNCIL

My name is JOHN L. DEVORE III, and I’m proud to announce my candidacy for Village Council in the upcoming election.

I’m a 1998 graduate of Antwerp High School and a lifelong resident of our village, except for a few years spent living in Fort Wayne. This community has always been home, and I’m committed to working hard to protect and improve it for all of us.

By trade, I’m a toolmaker, and I currently serve as President of USW Local 7-0304. These roles have shaped my belief in hard work, accountability, and standing up for others.

Since being appointed to Village Council this past summer, I’ve worked to bring transparency and integrity to local government. I’m running to continue that work as your elected representative and to be a strong voice for the people of this village.

If elected, I will continue to prioritize open communication, community involvement, and decisions that reflect the will and needs of our residents.

I would be honored to earn your support and your vote.

Sincerely,

—JOHN L. DEVORE III

Bryce Steiner Announces Reelection Bid for Antwerp Village Council

Bryce Steiner has announced his bid for reelection to the Antwerp Village Council. Over the past four years, Bryce has worked to promote transparency, question unnecessary spending, and protect the community’s heritage—including standing against the sale of the historic Norfolk & Western depot to help preserve Antwerp’s history.

From the beginning of his term, Bryce recorded council meetings to ensure the public had access to what was happening—even when facing opposition. He has consistently pushed for official village meeting recordings, a goal that was realized in early 2025 when the village began recording meetings for public access.

Bryce is also focused on making utility payments fairer. He advocates for households with lower water usage to see fair billing, and for high-usage businesses to be treated equitably, without special contracts—especially when those businesses contribute the most wear and tear on the water plant and well system. In addition, Bryce supports a long-term infrastructure plan that would see at least two village-maintained roads paved each year.

Bryce and his wife, Angel, live on Main Street and understand how council decisions affect residents personally. He knows the importance of standing up for what is right and for those without a voice. He has been the people’s representative on council from the beginning. 

A resident of Antwerp for over 20 years, Bryce is also the only current council member who is a local job creator through his ownership of a small business. He doesn’t believe in ‘playing the game’ to get along, but stands for the betterment of the community through equal treatment. He appreciates you talking with him and being your voice on council. He would like your vote of support on November 4th.

Editors’ Note: Some candidates did not respond by WBN press time – Jason Franks, Dan Lehman and Dean Rister are also running for Antwerp Village Council on November 4th.