Challenge to candidate’s residency fails

By D.a. Wilkinson

LISBON — Lisbon Mayor Michael Lewis lost his bid that challenged whether a council candidate lived in the village.

The Columbiana County Board of Elections ruled Tuesday that the mayor had not made his case.

Lewis filed the challenge Friday at the elections board against Susan Mowery, who is running for council.

She’s a member of the Lisbon Area Chamber of Commerce’s board and its former executive director.

Lewis stated that Mowery does not and has not lived at 431 W. Lincoln Way, but lives at 13336 state Route 164 in Wayne Township.

Mowery previously voted once using the Lincoln Way address.

Challenging Mowery’s right to vote could have resulted in her being taken off the ballot.

According to the challenge, committing election falsification is a fifth-degree felony.

But Tad Harold, the assistant county prosecutor who represented the elections board, said that Lewis did not prove his case by a preponderance of evidence.

Lewis could not be reached to comment.

Mowery, whose business is just a few steps from the board of election, said, “I’m just happy the board saw the facts as they are, and we’re looking forward to the coming elections.”

The mayor also brought up the residency issue earlier this year but took no action.

Seven years ago, she said, when she became involved in the chamber, there was little activity and talk of merging with the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce.

Now the Libson chamber has its own office and an executive director.

“I want to help Lisbon any way I can,” Mowery said. “I think it’s a good place to work, and there is a lot of work to be done.”

wilkinson@vindy.com