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Campbell mayor faces experienced opposition
YOUNGSTOWN
William J. VanSuch, Campbell’s council president appointed mayor earlier this year, faces opposition from two experienced political opponents in his bid for a full two-year term as mayor.
VanSuch’s opponents are:
Lew Jackson, 4th Ward councilman since January. Before that, he spent six years as city administrator and was 4th Ward councilman from 1999 to 2004.
When VanSuch became mayor in January, he replaced Jackson with ex-Mayor John Dill as city administrator.
Nick Opencar, the city’s treasurer from 1966 to 1972. He also spent two years as council vice president and six years as council president during the 1970s, and unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 1999.
VanSuch’s political career in Campbell is also lengthy, serving as a legislator or administrator since 1974, including four years as city administrator and six years as council president.
When George Krinos resigned as mayor on Jan. 4, VanSuch, council president, replaced him, in accordance with the city’s charter.
As per the city’s charter, the three mayoral candidates will meet in a Sept. 27 runoff primary with the top two finishers moving to the Nov. 8 general election.
It is the only race in the Sept. 27 runoff in Campbell and Sebring.
Candidates in those two communities had to file nominating petitions by Tuesday with the Mahoning County Board of Elections.
If there are one or two candidates seeking an elected position there is no need for a runoff primary to whittle the field down to two candidates.
Incumbent Campbell Law Director Mark J. Kolmacic is being challenged by Brian J. Macala, the former law director.
Juanita Rich, appointed council president when VanSuch replaced Krinos as mayor, is facing a challenge from George J. Levendis.
The incumbent councilmen in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Wards are running unopposed.
With Jackson running for mayor, the 4th Ward seat is open. The candidates are Robert Yankle, a former council president, and Anthony P. Matash.
In Sebring, Mayor John W. Smith isn’t seeking re-election.
That decision has created political musical chairs in the village.
Councilman J. Michael Pinkerton is running for mayor.
Councilman David Wright, appointed to an unexpired term, is running for one of the two full four-year terms on council. Longtime Councilman Andrew A. Safkow filed for one of the two unexpired two-year terms.
Raymond E. Yeager, appointed to one of the unexpired two-year terms, is running to finish that term.
Jan Muert Weingart is seeking one of the two full four-year terms.
None face opposition.
The charters of Campbell and Sebring require nonpartisan primary runoffs on the sixth Tuesday before the general election. That date this year is Sept. 27. The filing deadline was Tuesday. The top two finishers in a runoff move to the Nov. 8 general election. There are no primaries in races for a seat if no more than two candidates file. The only position that will be on the Sept. 27 runoff is Campbell mayor. The top two finishers in the runoff will be on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. An (*) denotes an incumbent.
CAMPBELL
Mayor: William J. VanSuch*, 160 Camvet Drive; Lew Jackson, 10 Homestead Place, Nick Opencar, 845 Almasy Drive.
Law Director: Mark J. Kolmacic*, 470 Neoka Drive; Brian J. Macala, 63 16th St.
Council President: George J. Levendis, 840 Carlton Drive; Juanita Rich*, 680 12th St.
Council
1st Ward: Michael D. Tsikouris*, 651 Robinson Road.
2nd Ward: Bryan Tedesco*, 765 Whipple Ave.
3rd Ward: Joseph Mazzocca Jr.*, 475 Peters Drive.
4th Ward: Anthony P. Matash, 477 Elizabeth Lane; Robert Yankle, 457 Elizabeth Lane.
SEBRING
Mayor: J. Michael Pinkerton, 645 S. 15th St.
Council [2 to elect]: David L. Wright, 515 W. Georgia Ave.; Jan Muert Weingart, 196 E. Ohio Ave., Apt. 3.
Council [2 to elect to unexpired term till Jan. 1, 2014]: Raymond E. Yeager*, 656 N. 12th St.; Andrew A. Safkow, 596 E. Maryland Ave.