Salem councilman says he won't run in November

The councilman said he will serve out his term.
By D.A. WILKINSON
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- David Johnson, chairman of the Columbiana County Republican Party, vowed Tuesday to find a replacement on the ballot for Greg Oesch.
Oesch, the city's Republican 3rd Ward councilman, has withdrawn his candidacy for a third term.
Oesch said, "I'm tired of the whole situation."
His decision came after voters defeated incumbents in last week's primary.
He was unopposed but had faced a Democratic newcomer in the fall.
Oesch said he will serve out his term that ends at the end of the year.
Johnson, a Salem resident, has until Aug. 23 to find a replacement for Oesch. He said the replacement would go on the ballot as a Republican.
Johnson said he also hoped to find write-in candidates for the three Democrats who were defeated in last week's primary.
Mary Lou Popa, 1st Ward, Steven Andres, 2nd Ward, and Walt Bezeredi, 4th Ward, were all defeated in the Democratic primary.
All have served multiple terms on council, and Johnson called it a waste of experience.
Fire district controversy
The three at-large councilmen and president of council were swept out of office in 2005 over the Quaker Community Fire District.
Council and the Perry Township trustees agreed to create the district to save money by eliminating their departments and using the district.
But the State Employment Relations Board ruled that council improperly created the district in the middle of a contract with the fire department. Council is now trying to eliminate the fire district.
Oesch said the primary's low turnout helped to defeat the incumbents.
The councilman said the incoming council will face a problem that the now-defeated council members were trying to deal with.
"There's no money to spend," Oesch said.
The councilman and Johnson pointed out that street repaving and other city programs have been cut due to the city's tight budget.
Council has been working on legislation that would rebate city income taxes to new employees. Council members have agreed it is not a large financial incentive, however.
Johnson said that council's attitude would help drive away businesses that might come to the city.
Both men said that they had nothing against the fire department, but its 17-member roster was costly.
Johnson said that Canfield's fire department was handled by eight full-time firefighters and some part-time workers.
wilkinson@vindy.com