Independents file for fall

By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
Mayors running unopposed in Warren, Niles and Leetonia in today's Democratic primary won't face challengers in the November general election either.
The winner of the Struthers mayoral Democratic primary between incumbent Daniel C. Mamula and Councilman Terry P. Stocker won't have an opponent in November.
Also, the winner of the three-man Democratic primary for McDonald mayor won't face a general election opponent.
Monday was the filing deadline for candidates running as independents in partisan races on the Nov. 6 ballot.
There is a contested mayoral race in Lisbon between incumbent Mike Lewis, a Republican, and Democrat Stevie Halverstadt. But no one filed as an independent to join that race.
Independents filed by the deadline to run in mayoral races in Poland, Girard, Hubbard, Lordstown, Salem, East Liverpool and Wellsville.
Running in Poland as independents are Ralph Mentzer, the former executive director of the Mahoning County Planning Commission, and Timothy D. Sicafuse, president of a local insurance company.
They will meet Republican John H. Yerian III in the general election. Mayor Ruth Wilkes isn't seeking re-election.
Fall challenges
There's a three-way Democratic primary for Girard mayor including the incumbent and two councilmen. The winner will face Myron Esposito, a city school board member, who filed Monday as an independent for the job.
Hubbard Mayor Arthur U. Magee, Lordstown Mayor Michael A. Chaffee, East Liverpool Mayor James P. Swoger, and Wellsville Mayor Joseph J. Surace are all running unopposed in today's Democratic primaries. But they will face independent opponents in the general election.
Also, whoever emerges as the victor in today's four-person Democratic primary for Salem mayor will face Republican Jerry L. Wolford and Casey L. Christofaris, an independent, in the November election.
Youngstown City Council
Plenty of candidates filed to run for Youngstown City Council seats. Of the city's seven wards, there are independents running for six of the spots. The winner of today's four-person Democratic primary for the 2nd Ward faces no general election opposition.
Of the 13 independents who filed to run for Youngstown council seats, four of them have been on the ballot before.
Maggy Lorenzi in the 6th Ward and Robert C. Korchnak in the 7th Ward unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2005.
Michael J. Latessa in the 7th Ward was a failed Ohio House candidate last year, and Tyrone Peakes in the 5th Ward failed to capture that same seat four years ago.
Councilman David Wilkerson in Niles, D-1st, was disqualified by the Trumbull County Board of Elections from running in today's primary because of problems with his nominating petitions. He filed as an independent and is the only candidate for his council seat.
skolnick@vindy.com