Multiple candidates to vie in Follansbee elections
Voters in Follansbee will be asked to choose from candidates for mayor and three council seats, while Wellsburg voters will need to choose from candidates for two council seats when they enter polling places this year.
The nonpartisan general elections in the cities are set for June 10.
It’s unclear if they will hold primary elections. In the past, the two city councils have voted not to hold a primary election if there are few candidates on the ballots.
In Follansbee, challenger Scott McMahaon of 137 Sharon Blvd. and incumbent David A. Velegol Jr. of 400 Heather Moor will compete for mayor.
Vying for a council seat representing the city’s 1st Ward will be challengers Anthony D’Ulisse of 814 Virginia Ave., Paul Boniey of 214 Main St. and incumbent Tammy Johnson of 521 Main St.
Current 4th Ward Councilman Frank Pedersen has chosen not to seek re-election, leaving the field open to Rudolph “Rudy” Cipriani of 114 Scenic Drive and Stephen Varlas of 811 Terika Drive.
And running for a council’s 5th Ward seat are incumbent Wendy DeAngelis of 218 Highland Hills Drive and challenger Joseph Kafton of 104 Piper Place.
Second Ward Councilman Charles McCoy has chosen not to seek re-election, while current Councilman at large John Casinelli has declared his candidacy for that seat.
John Schwertfeger, a former city police chief, is the sole candidate to file for the council at large seat.
Also unopposed in the election are: City Police Chief Larry Rea, City Attorney Michael Gaudio, City Clerk David Kurcina and 3rd Ward Councilman Nick Cekinovich.
Voters in two of Wellsburg’s four wards will choose from two or three candidates to represent them.
Competing for a council seat representing the 3rd Ward are incumbent Tom M. Gaudio of 1913 Main St. and challengers Jeff Hawkins of 1911 Charles St. and Hunter Hamlin of 1700 Pleasant Ave.
Seeking a seat representing the 4th Ward are incumbent Charles Harris of 2501 Charles St. and challenger Larry Swanson of 104 24th St.
Unopposed candidates are Mayor Dan Dudley, Police Chief Mike Allman, 1st Ward Councilman Jack Kins and 2nd Ward Councilman Geno Capp.
Wellsburg Council is made up of two representatives from each ward and because their terms are staggered, four other council seats aren’t up for election this year.