NILES Three city residents seek MVSD board spot

The utilities committee chairman hopes to interview the candidates this week.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Three residents have applied to represent the city on the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District board of directors.
Monday was the deadline for applications. C. William Burgess of Hogarth Avenue, appointed to the slot in 1998; James Sylvester of Bonnie Brae; and Nick Bernard Sr. of Brentwood Avenue, applied. Burgess's term expired Monday.
The seat is for a three-year term. Seven people applied for the slot in 1998.
The board consists of four members -- one appointed each by the mayor and city councils of Niles and Youngstown, the member cities. The district supplies water from the Meander Reservoir to about 300,000 customers in Mahoning and Trumbull counties.
Interviews: Councilman Frank Fuda, D-1st, chairman of city council's utilities committee, said he plans to call a special council meeting this week to interview the applicants. Fuda said he's shooting for a Wednesday meeting, but it depends on the schedules of other council members.
Burgess, who served as superintendent of utilities from 1953 to 1988, told council members he was seeking reappointment because he had the time and the experience to do the job.
Sylvester is a retired interior design technologies teacher from the Trumbull County Joint Vocational School.
"I'm a lifelong citizen of the city of Niles, and I have an interest in the Valley as a whole and an interest in the citizens of Niles in particular," Sylvester said of his reasons for seeking the position.
Bernard, a member of the school board and former city councilman, also sought the MVSD position in 1998. He also is a retired Niles school principal.
"I think I can offer a lot. I have a good background with water, sewer and electrical pumps," said Bernard of his experience as a former teacher at the county vocational school.
dick@vindy.com