Stredney's Facebook page said he's dropped out of mayor's race

NILES — The Facebook page for Niles Councilman Ed Stredney says he has dropped out of the race for Niles mayor because of the possibility that his job as a U.S. mail carrier makes him ineligible.

Stredey submitted petitions to the Trumbull County Board of Elections seeking to run as a write-in for Niles, mayor, but the board scheduled a hearing for 3 p.m. Tuesday to consider a protest to Stredney’s candidacy for mayor on the grounds that the Hatch Act prohibits it.

The post says Stredney was initially “elated” when he received word from his employer that he could run for Niles mayor while working as a postal employee.

The post says Stredney received word from another entity on Friday, however, indicating that running for mayor would violate the Hatch Act, which limits the activities of most executive branch employees of the federal government from engaging in political activity while on duty or in the federal workplace.

The act also prohibits such employees from soliciting or receiving political contributions, according to the web site of the United States Office of Government Ethics.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is the agency responsible for enforcing the Hatch Act.

Stephanie Penrose, elections board director, said Monday she has not received anything from Stredney indicating he has withdrawn from the mayor’s race.

Stredney’s current term on council expires at the end of the year, and he did not submit petitions to run for re-election.

Other candidates for Niles mayor are Thomas Scarnecchia, the winner of the Democratic primary; and Barry Profato, another write-in.