Council Seats up for election in Portsmouth
Council Seats up for election in Portsmouth
Former Mayor Kalb takes out petitions to run
By Derrick C. Parker
Scioto Voice Writer
The May primaries are right around the corner (even if the winter weather would make one think otherwise). Three council seats are up for election this year, including the Second, Fourth, and Sixth Wards.
To run for city council, one must have resided in the City of Portsmouth for no less than three years, and in the ward they are running for no less than six months. The deadline to file a candidacy petition is Wednesday, February 6that 4:30PM- exactly 90 days before the primary election is to be held on May 7th.
The Second Ward geographically stretches eastward from Chillicothe Street and covers sections of the downtown, east end, and the north end. The seat is currently held by incumbent Jo Anne Aeh. Aeh is a long serving councilwoman, and prior to that, had worked as the City Clerk for many years. Both she and Thomas Lamar Bailey have taken out petitions to run for the seat thus far.
The Fourth Ward covers a majority of the east end and stretches north past highway 52 to the Mound Park area. The seat is currently held by Jerrold Albrecht, but Albrecht has yet to take out petitions. Thus far, former councilman and mayor Jim Kalb is the only individual that has taken petitions to run for the seat.
The Sixth Ward encompasses all of Sciotoville, Riggrish edition, Eden Park, and a small section on Highway 52 entering Portsmouth. The seat is currently held by Thomas Lowe. Lowe has taken out petitions for the seat, as has Dan Strahle and Jeff Brant, owner of Brant Funeral Home in Sciotoville.
The elected positions of City Auditor and City Solicitor are both up for election this year as well. Thus far, incumbent Auditor Trent Williams has taken out petitions. And current Fifth Ward Councilman and local attorney Gene Meadows has taken out petitions for City Solicitor (which is currently filled by incumbent John Haas).
With almost a week to go before the February 6thdeadline, others may throw their names into the hat. Stay tuned to the Scioto Voice next week for an update on who will be on the May ballot.
