Alli off ballot for Mahoning sheriff; Aey’s eligibility to be determined next week

Alli off ballot for Mahoning sheriff; Aey’s eligibility to be determined next week

YOUNGSTOWN — One Mahoning County sheriff candidate won’t be on the March 4 ballot while the board of elections will determine the eligibility of another next week.

The board today disqualified the candidacy of Rick Alli, an ex-Youngstown police sergeant, as a Democratic candidate for sheriff ruling he wasn’t eligible because he failed to file paperwork required of sheriff candidates by last Friday’s filing deadline.

Alli said he wasn’t aware he had to file the paperwork and election employees didn’t inform his campaign of the requirements.

Also today, the board scheduled a hearing for Jan. 18 to hear a protest from Sheriff Randall A. Wellington against David P. Aey, a former sheriff’s deputy and the only other candidate on the Democratic March 4 primary ballot.

Wellington contends Aey isn’t qualified under state law to run for the job.

Among the requirements to run for sheriff, a candidate needs to have at least two years of post-secondary education from an accredited college or university and at least two years of supervisory experience.

Wellington contends Aey has neither; something disputed by the former deputy sheriff.

Aey received an associate degree in criminal justice administration last year from Belford University, an online school that advertises on its Web site that a person can “add bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate degrees to your résumé in just 7 days and open avenues to promotion and better jobs.”

Aey said he spent about six to eight months working toward his associate degree with Belford and was then notified by the school that his “life skills” made him immediately eligible for an associate degree. Aey said he spent about $400 to $500 to get the degree after passing an exam.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.