Who will finish the term for one of the seats on Ironton City Council is just one of the decisions voters will make when they head to the polls Nov.

Wednesday, August 23, 2000

Who will finish the term for one of the seats on Ironton City Council is just one of the decisions voters will make when they head to the polls Nov. 7.

In addition to the presidential race, voters will choose from among candidates in 14 races covering local, state and national seats.

Nine of those decisions will be easy, however, with a little more than a day left before the final filing deadline at the Lawrence County Board of Elections. Those races are uncontested.

One of the contests that, as yet, has few candidates is the Ironton City Council seat left vacant by the resignation of Councilman Joe Black.

Council appointed Councilman Richard Price in June to fill the vacancy until the election, but now Price, and whomever chooses to challenge him, will compete to keep the seat until the end of the term.

Candidates for the seat must have their paperwork to the Lawrence County Board of Elections by Aug. 24 and at least one individual is seeking the seat, said Mary (Sis) Wipert, director of the Board of Elections.

"City council normally runs for election in odd years by state charter," she said. "City charter says that if there is a vacancy, the seat will run during the next General Election. This situation is a bit rare."

She said Richard Price is the only candidate who has filed a petition for the council seat.

"We have had several others pick up the petition forms, but as of right now, we don’t have anyone else who has officially filed for the position," she said.

The Aug. 24 deadline also applies to any taxing authority to file for possible tax levies, she added.

"Symmes Valley has filed for an extension of the half mill tax levy they currently have," Mrs. Wipert said. "They passed the half mill in 1990 and it was to run out in 2012. They are asking for a 10-year extension on that tax levy. So far, they are the only taxing authority that has filed for anything pertaining to taxes."

Local options, like whether a precinct will remain wet or dry, also have to be filed by the Thursday deadline, she added.

"Those that have filed are not officially on the ballot until after the Board of Elections approves the filings," she said.

Other candidates on the ballot for the November General Election include:

For the Sixth District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives:

– Democrat incumbent Ted Strickland of Lucasville.

– Republican challenger Mike Azinger of Marietta.

For the 92nd District seat in the Ohio House of Representatives:

– Democrat incumbent Bill Ogg of Sciotoville.

For the 94th District seat in the Ohio House:

– Republican incumbent John Carey of Wellston.

For the Lawrence County Commission term beginning Jan. 2:

– Democrat challenger Ronald H. James of Proctorville.

– Republican challenger Jason Stephens of South Point.

(Incumbent Bruce Trent not running.)

For the Lawrence County Commission term beginning Jan. 3:

– Democrat incumbent George Patterson of Kitts Hill.

– Republican challenger Leslie Boggs of Coal Grove.

For Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney:

– Republican incumbent J.B. Collier Jr. of Ironton.

For Lawrence County Clerk of Courts:

– Democrat incumbent Dale Burcham of Proctorville.

For Lawrence County Sheriff:

– Democrat incumbent Roy Smith of South Point.

– Republican challenger Timothy Sexton of Coal Grove.

For Lawrence County Recorder:

– Republican incumbent Sue Ann Deeds of Ironton.

For Lawrence County Treasurer:

– Republican incumbent Kenneth Howell of Ironton.

For Lawrence County Engineer:

– Republican incumbent David Lynd of Kitts Hill.

For Lawrence County Coroner:

– Republican incumbent A. Burton Payne of Ironton.

For Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas judge:

– Republican incumbent W. Richard Walton of Ironton.

Mrs. Wipert added that local races are not the only reason to get out and vote this November.

"This year is also the year for voters to decide on the next President of the United States," she said. "People need to keep in mind also, if they wish to have their name as a right-in on the ballot, they have until Sept. 18 to file. That us usually a difficult way to be elected to an office but it has happened at least once in the county."