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Several to run as write-in candidates
By Ed Runyan
and David Skolnick
No one filed to run as a write-in candidate against Doug Franklin for Warren mayor, which means Franklin will run unopposed in the general election Nov. 8 and will be in line to become mayor Jan. 1, 2012.
He will replace his current boss, Mayor Michael O’Brien. Franklin defeated union leader Jim Graham to win the Democratic Party’s nomination in the May primary 57 percent to 43 percent. Franklin will be Warren’s first black mayor.
Monday was the deadline for those wanting to run in the November general election as a write-in candidate.
Only candidates who filed to run as write-ins will have votes counted for them.
That means votes for Mickey Mouse and others, real and fictitious, who didn’t fill out the write-in form by Monday aren’t counted.
In Newton Falls, the current mayor, Lyle Waddell, will be challenged by write-in Gideon A. Fetterolf in November.
Waddell assumed office in November after a successful recall election for former Mayor Pat Layshock. Incumbent 2nd-Ward council member Nancy H. Hoffman will be challenged by write-in candidate Mary S. Lane.
In Cortland, where former councilman John Caparanis was denied the opportunity to get on the ballot in November because his petitions were ruled invalid earlier this month, two people have filed to run as write-ins.
Caparanis was not eligible to file as a write-in, said Kelly Pallante, Trumbull County Board of Elections director.
Dr. Thomas Montgomery and G. Scott Rowley filed to run as write-ins. They will be among four candidates hoping to secure one of three open seats on council.
Mahoning County had only two candidates file as write-ins.
Erik J. Tabor is a write-in candidate for Beaver Township trustee. There are two candidates — incumbent Ron Kappler and Douglas Crumbacher — who’ll have their names on the November ballot for that seat.
Carol J. Crowther filed as a write-in candidate for Ellsworth fiscal officer. There are three candidates — Karen L. Grittle, Rita Baum and Paula L. Hendricks — who will have their names on the ballot for the position. Mooneam F. West, the incumbent, is not seeking re-election.