YOUNGSTOWN New faces in several council positions
There are races in Youngstown for council president and five ward seats.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- There will be at least three new faces on Youngstown City Council next year, and even more if a few incumbents are unable to fend off challenges.
Incumbents Ron Sefcik, D-4th, and James E. Fortune Sr., D-6th, were prohibited from running for re-election this year because of the city's term limits law, and John A. Nittoli, D-7th, lost the Democratic primary.
Fortune defeated council President John R. Swierz in a close Democratic primary in May, and faces Republican Tracey Winbush, a Youngstown school board member, in the Nov. 4 primary.
While not a new face, Fortune, a 22-year veteran on council, would hold a different position on the body should he win in November. With so many new members joining council next year, Fortune says it's important to have someone with his years of experience serving as president.
Fortune said he wants to develop a comprehensive approach to economic development that includes the convocation center project, working to attract companies to the city, and create a feasibility committee to review the use of the water purchased by the city from the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District for economic purposes. He also wants to concentrate on neighborhood redevelopment.
Winbush says the city needs to change its approach to governing. The position of council president has been largely ceremonial, but Winbush said if she held the post, she would speak out about issues and ask questions that now go unasked.
"I'm running because [I think] Youngstown can do better," she said.
Winbush specifically pointed to the city's purchase of land for the proposed convocation center saying more thought should have been put into the deal before the city bought the property.
If elected, Winbush says she will not hire a family member or friend to serve as her administrative aide. Council president earns $800 annually, but the position's aide makes $26,219 a year. Youngstown council members usually hire relatives as their aides.
Council seats
Also, city voters will cast ballots for council members on Nov. 4. Two councilmen -- Rufus G. Hudson, D-2nd, and Richard W. Atkinson, R-3rd -- are running unopposed. There is competition for the five other seats.
In the 1st Ward, Councilman Artis Gillam, a Democrat, is being challenged by Donald E. Willis, a nonparty candidate.
Gillam wants to focus on bringing more business into the city, having a zero tolerance against drug dealers, and to encourage people to clean up their communities. Willis wants to focus on attracting businesses to the city, and making sure the city doesn't run the proposed convocation center.
In the 4th Ward, Democrat Carol Rimedio-Righetti is running against Sandra L. Holowatuk, a nonparty candidate.
Rimedio-Righetti and Holowatuk both want to make the 4th Ward a safe area, promote economic development, improve Youngstown's image, and put party politics aside and work together for the good of the city.
Councilman Michael R. Rapovy, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Tyrone Peakes for the 5th Ward seat.
Rapovy wants to put together a storm sewer plan for the ward, and address quality of life issues such as housing code enforcement, neighborhood cleanups and reducing noise pollution. Peakes wants to make the city more business-friendly, as well as improving the appearance of the city and its drainage system.
Democrat Clarence Boles is facing off with Republican JoAnn Collier for the 6th Ward seat.
Boles' priorities include increasing the police presence in the ward, demolishing vacant buildings, and hiring a full-time marketing director for the city. Collier wants to advocate for safer neighborhoods and improve the quality of life in the city.
Democrat Mark S. Memmer squares off against Republican David J. Venerose Jr. in the 7th Ward race. Memmer wants to focus on reducing crime while Venerose wants to be the voice of the people and work toward making the city a better place.
skolnick@vindy.com