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West Side man files as independent candidate for Youngstown mayor

Monday, May 4, 2009

YOUNGSTOWN — If Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams wins Tuesday’s Democratic primary, he’ll have to defeat an independent candidate in the Nov. 3 general election to capture another four-year term.

The winner of the Democratic primary between Williams and Frank Bellamy will face Cecil B. Monroe of Highlawn Avenue, who filed by today’s deadline to be an independent candidate for mayor.

Monroe only needs 25 valid signatures on nominating petitions to be a mayoral candidate.

That’s apparently easier said than done for Monroe.

He needed only 25 signatures when he filed in 2007 to be an independent candidate for the 4th Ward council seat.

His petitions in 2007 had 27 signatures. The Mahoning County Board of Elections determined only 24 were valid, and disqualified him as a candidate.

This time Monroe apparently learned his lesson.

The petitions he filed today had 72 signatures on them.

Also, Joe Louis Teague, who’s failed in recent bids for Youngstown mayor and Congress, filed petitions to run for Youngstown council president.

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