3 file as write-ins to face Williams in Nov. 3 election

One of the hopefuls is a retired employee of the sanitation department.

By David Skolnick

YOUNGSTOWN — Incumbent Jay Williams’ name is the only one that will appear under candidates for Youngstown mayor, but he is facing opposition.

Three candidates filed by Thursday’s deadline to be write-in candidates for Youngstown mayor for the Nov. 3 general election.

Candidates running as write-ins don’t get their names on the ballot. But there will be a line for voters to write in the names of eligible write-in candidates.

Only those who officially file as write-ins — except in municipalities with charters that specifically address this issue, such as Campbell — can have their votes counted. To be a write-in, candidates fill out a simple form and pay a $30 fee.

The three write-in candidates challenging Williams, of Castle Court, a Democrat, for Youngstown mayor are:

UCecil B. Monroe of Highlawn Avenue. Relying on incorrect information from the Mahoning County Board of Elections, Monroe didn’t obtain enough valid signatures on nominating petitions to run as an independent candidate for mayor. He withdrew his independent effort before being disqualified for lack of signatures and filed to run as a write-in.

UCalvin Hill Sr. of Lilburn Drive, a retired city sanitation department employee.

UScott F. Chittock of Milton Avenue. Attempts Wednesday by the newspaper to contact Chittock were unsuccessful.

Why so many write-in challengers? Williams doesn’t know.

“It is their legal right to do so,” he said. “I don’t know any of them. People pursue their passion for politics and public service in different ways.”

Also, Jack Novicky of Meadow Brook, an outgoing New Middletown village councilman, filed to run as a write-in for another term.

Only the other three incumbent council members — Cheryl Wilson-Hawkins of Maplewood Drive, Dan Santangelo of East Middletown Road and Richard DeBucci of Foster Drive — had filed by last month’s deadline to have their names appear on the ballot for the nonpartisan positions.

That means as long as Novicky gets one vote, he’ll be re-elected.

In Newton Falls, the controversy over who is mayor may spill over to the November election. But Pat Layshock, who filed Wednesday as an independent for Newton Falls mayor, said that is uncertain.

Layshock, who filed legal action asking to be restored as mayor after resigning the job July 6 and rescinding the resignation July 8, said filing as a write-in gives him the possibility of being elected back into his old position — in case the court rules against him.

Layshock is the only candidate listed for Newton Falls mayor. The council president, Thomas Moorehead, is acting mayor, and the Trumbull County Board of Elections lists Moorehead’s term as mayor continuing through 2011.

In the Newton Falls 1st Ward, Darrell E. Stec of Ridge Road has filed to oppose Richard Frank Zamecnik. Phillip M. Beer of Ravenna Road has filed to run against James G. Luonuansuu in the 4th Ward.

Four write-in candidates have filed to run for two open positions on the Girard school board.

They are Jamie R. Devore of Oak Street, Philip C. Fisher of Beechwood Drive, Sharon E. Spence of Abbey Street and Mark P. Zuppo of Hazel Street.

There are also three write-in candidates for three open seats on the Newton Falls school board. Edwin C. Buchanan of Woodlawn Avenue, Brenda Koontz of Ravenna Road and Diane L. Shiley of Rambler Road have filed to be write-ins. They will challenge Edwin M. Ballas and David Rapczak, whose names will appear on the ballot.

William N. Bryant of East Center Street and David J. Mahan of Mahoning Avenue Northwest have filed to run as write-ins for the Champion school board to fill three seats. Larry Durch and Maureen Seafert will appear on the ballot.

Michael T. Murphy of Superior Street has filed as a write-in, one of seven people vying for three seats on the Brookfield school board.

Four people have filed as write-ins for the three open positions on the Mathews school board: Tarin L. Brown of Ridge Road, Brian M. Cassagrande of Youngstown-Kingsville Road, D. Jean Cramer of Warner Road Northeast and Roberta C. Shields of Warner Road Northeast. Brian W. Stidham and Terry C. Woodyard will appear on the ballot.

skolnick@vindy.com

runyan@vindy.com