Thursday, January 29, 2015
YOUNGSTOWN
Wednesday is the filing deadline for those wanting to run in the May 5 primary, but only a few candidates have filed nominating petitions for the various elected offices on the ballot.
Traditionally in local races in the Mahoning Valley, several candidates wait until the filing deadline or just before it to submit nominating petitions. That seems to be the case this year.
All seven city-council seats in Youngstown are up for grabs with three incumbents — T.J. Rodgers, D-2nd; Nate Pinkard, D-3rd; and Mike Ray, D-4th — planning to run for re-election. The other four incumbents can’t run this year because of the city’s term-limits law.
Numerous others are either going to run for a council seat or are giving it strong consideration. However, the only candidate to file so far for council is Christine Silvestri in the 6th Ward.
In Struthers, Mayor Terry Stocker isn’t seeking re-election.
Ronald A. Carcelli filed for the Democratic primary, while Danny Thomas Jr., a former council president and 1st Ward councilman, said he plans to challenge him.
Also in Struthers, law director, auditor, council president and all seven council seats are on the ballot.
Councilmen Joseph Rudzik, D-at large, and Robert D. Burnside, D-3rd, are the only two to file for re-election as of Wednesday.
Also filing for the Democratic primary in Struthers are John M. Pontikos as an at-large council candidate and Rick Bayus for the 4th Ward.
There are numerous races in Trumbull County such as in Warren, Niles, Girard, Hubbard, McDonald, Lordstown and Newton Falls.
Warren Mayor Doug Franklin, a Democrat, recently announced he would seek re-election. Though Franklin hasn’t filed yet, Ian Folmar Sr. turned in nominating petitions to get on the Democratic ballot for mayor.
In Niles, Mayor Ralph A. Infante Jr., a Democrat, hasn’t filed for another four-year term. But Thomas A. Scarnecchia, a former councilman-at-large and safety director, submitted nominating petitions for the Democratic primary for mayor.
Newton Falls Mayor Lyle A. Waddell, a Republican, has filed for re-election.
No one had filed to run for mayor elsewhere in Trumbull County as of Wednesday.