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MINGO JUNCTION -- Voters are being asked to choose four people from the five candidates who are running for Mingo Junction Village Council in the Nov. 7 general election.
Only the four highest-voted of the five candidates will fill the six-member council's open seats. The race is contested among newcomers Patti Mannarino and Douglas E. Smith, as well as incumbents John "Jack" Brettell, Jodilynn Fitzgerald and Patricia Cramblett.
Mannarino has worked as a licensed physical therapy assistant, most recently in the home health setting. A former dance instructor, Mannarino graduated from Allegheny Community College and Kent State University and is a member of the Women in Action Against Cancer Coalition of Jefferson County.
Smith is a sales manager at Village Auto and Truck Sales and has experience in the chemical industry. While running his father's construction company for five years, he worked as a dispatcher at Franciscan University of Steubenville.
Brettell is a retired fire chief and paramedic for the village, as well as a former fire safety inspector and police officer. Chair of the water and sewer board and chairman for the parks, recreation and cemetery board, Brettell is a member of First United Presbyterian Church of Mingo Junction and the Jefferson County Sportsman Club.
Fitzgerald is a sales representative for SAL Chemical. She has served on council's veterans banner committee and as communication chair for the Mingo Junction Revitalization Committee. Also, Fitzgerald trained youth for firefighting careers and performed other volunteer work as the village fire department's explorer adviser.
Cramblett is the committee chair for the Mingo Junction Senior Center and served six years as president of Union Local 4527, covering the village's water and garage departments. She is the former president of the St. Agnes Catholic Women's Club and former member of the Jefferson County Township Association.
In addition to background inquiries, candidates were asked the following questions:
Patti Mannarino
Patti Mannarino
415 Edward St.
Q: What are three things you'd like to accomplish or three issues you'd like to address if elected?
A: "I want to accomplish changes in infrastructure, both physical and economic. I also plan to achieve more grant writing, improve public safety (and) review, update and enforce ordinances and zoning regulations. I want a yearly schedule for road improvement throughout the village. Also, Aracoma Park and pool development -- I feel there is a need to showcase the village treasure."
Q: Any other information for voters?
A: "I have witnessed the decline of the village, acknowledging time and change have happened and Mingo will not be what it once was. That is now for our memories. If elected, I want the community to build and grow and become a new Mingo Junction village for the future of our families to make more memories."
Douglas E. Smith
Douglas E. Smith,
266 Union Ave.
Q: What are three things you'd like to accomplish or three issues you'd like to address if elected?
A: "I would like to see the village services expanded and get some overdue streets and roads repaired. I would like to expand senior and youth activities in the community.
"I will be available to the residents of Mingo Junction for any problem or concern they may have. I may not agree with them, but I will work my hardest to find a resolution that everyone concerned can agree with. I have lived in our village for the majority of my life and want it to be a great place to live, retire to and raise children in a healthy and safe environment."
Q: Any other information for voters?
A: "I belonged to the Mingo Junction Knights of Pythias Junction Lodge 414. My family has been in Mingo Junction since the 1930s."
Jack Brettell
John "Jack" Brettell
705 Western Ave.
Q: What are three things you'd like to accomplish or three issues you'd like to address if re-elected?
A: "A few of the important things in the future is to keep our swimming pool updated, as well as our shelter houses. We installed new restrooms at the larger shelter this past year and are going to fix the cement around the pool this winter. Also, we are looking into having a possible gas station and small store in the south end of Mingo."
Q: Any other information for voters?
A: "To me one of the most important things about being on council or any public office is to be accountable to the citizens. If you call me about a complaint or problem you are having, I will try my best to get you an answer and call you back as soon as possible. I can't promise you all the answers you get back may satisfy you, but I'll do my best to help you."
Jodilynn Fitzgerald
Jodilynn Fitzgerald
2466 Wilson Ave.
Q: What are three things you'd like to accomplish or three issues you'd like to address if re-elected?
A: "I would like to continue working with the landbank to address the condemned and dilapidated buildings downtown and residential eyesores throughout the village.
"I would like to continue to work with resources that are available to us: Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association, Jefferson County Port Authority, Brooke Hancock Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission and Jefferson County Regional Planning.
"I would like us to consider exploring having mayor's court again. I think property maintenance codes and traffic violations should be handled that way."
Q: Any other information for voters?
A: "I am the co-administrator of the Facebook Mingo Junction Ohio Positive page, MingoPride YouTube channel and Mingopride Facebook accounts."
Patricia Cramblett
Patricia Cramblett
701 St. Clair Ave.
Q: What are three things you'd like to accomplish or three issues you'd like to address if re-elected?
A: "Continue to work with Jefferson County Port Authority and the Brooke-Hancock-Jefferson Metropolitan Planning Commission in getting funding to tear down dilapidated buildings in Mingo. To have a good working relationship with the new mayor and administrator. To make downtown more presentable in order to bring in new businesses."
Q: Any other information for voters?
A: "I represent the village of Mingo Junction at the port authority and BHJ meetings."