On the SidE. . .

ON THE SIDE. . .
This and that from the world of Valley politics.
TAKING THE FIRST STEPS: A few familiar names have filed "designation of treasurer" forms with the Mahoning County Board of Elections to run for Youngstown City Council seats. Candidates can't raise money for campaigns without first filing out the one-page form.
John R. Swierz, a former council president and 7th Ward councilman, filed a form for the 7th Ward post. He would face incumbent Councilman Mark Memmer in the May Democratic primary.
Also, Jamael Tito Brown, a Youngstown school board member, filed a form for the 3rd Ward seat as a Democrat. Incumbent Councilman Richard Atkinson, a Republican, can't run for re-election because of the city's term-limits law.
Brown currently serves as executive director of the city's Human Relations Commission through a contract Youngstown has with the Greater Warren-Youngstown Urban League. Brown was Mayor Jay Williams' campaign manager in that successful 2005 campaign.
skolnick@vindy.com