3 seek post as Poland mayor

POLAND — A retired Mahoning County Planning Commission director, an insurance company president and an employee of a trust company all want to be the village’s next mayor.

Ruth Wilkes, mayor for 18 years, resigned from the seat earlier this year and didn’t seek re-election.

That left the race without an incumbent, and three political newcomers entered the contest.

The village functions as a weak-mayor form of government. The mayor runs council meetings but votes only when there is a tie among council members.

Ralph Mentzer, 67, retired in 1992 after 10 years as director of Mahoning County Economic and Community Development, where he applied for all of the grants for the county. Before that, he worked for 23 years at the Mahoning County Planning Commission, the last several years as executive director.

Tim Sicafuse, 40, started and is president of Valley Insurance Group.

John Yerian, 37, works in business development at Butler Wick Trust Company, Youngstown.

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com