Former Niles councilman reclaims 1st Ward seat

By Jordan Cohen

The former councilman was chosen over three rival candidates.

NILES — David Wilkerson, the former councilman who was unable to run for a full term because of a petition filing error last year, has been selected by city council to fill the 1st Ward seat he previously held and sworn into office.

Council unanimously voted for Wilkerson, 45, over three other candidates for the position, which became vacant when Councilman Lee A. Smith resigned in April after four months in office.

Wilkerson and the other candidates — Thomas Connelly, 66, John DeFalco, 37 and Brenda Claypool, 48 — were permitted to give statements in support of their candidacy and were briefly questioned by several council members Wednesday. Claypool was the sole Republican candidate.

Each offered varied responses when asked by Thomas Scarnecchia, council-at large, why they wanted the position.

“There is no better way to get involved to help the city of Niles,” Claypool said.

Connelly, an unsuccessful write-in candidate for the 1st Ward seat last year, said his goal is “to help the city,” while DeFalco, a political newcomer, said he felt Niles needs “more youth in city government.”

“My simple mistake caused this ruckus,” Wilkerson said to council during his interview. He said he wants to complete projects he initiated during his previous short term in council.

Council members did not explain the reasons for their decision during their voice vote, but several thanked the candidates afterward for applying. Scarnecchia encouraged them to keep trying.

“There may be openings sooner than we think,” the councilman said. He offered no explanation later concerning that remark.

In committee meetings before the interviews, council received a study showing Niles families paying an average of $288 per year in sewer bills as of 2006, which is well below comparable Ohio communities. The city is considering increasing rates for the first time in 18 years.