Brooke County Cities to Hold Elections Tuesday

Elections of city officials in Brooke County are set for Tuesday, June 13. Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m-7:30 p.m.
In Wellsburg, voters will elect one of two representatives from each of the city’s four wards.
The only uncontested race is in the Fourth Ward where incumbent Alfred (Fred) Marino faced no challenges.
Incumbents Jerry Nichols faces a challenge from Eric M. Smith in the First Ward and in the Second Ward Paul Billiard is facing incumbent Scott Caldwell, while Randy Fletcher is facing Matt Cox for the Third Ward council seat.
The ballots also include two proposed amendments to the city’s charter.
One would make the city clerk appointed by the city manager with the approval of a majority of the eight-member city council, while the other proposed amendment would make the city collector and treasurer also appointed.
Both positions are currently elected by the voters.
The current city clerk, Amanda Dudley, did not file for a new term in the position, and neither did anyone else.
Mary Ann Habit, the current city collector and treasurer, is the only candidate on the ballot for that position.
If the voters approve the amendments, the change to appointed positions would start with the expiration of the term of the current office holder.
In Follansbee, mayor David A. Velegol Jr. faces a challenge from Alexis Russell, the current Fourth Ward council representatives.
In council races, that Fourth Ward seat is contested by Bill Chiodo and Frank J. Pedersen to replace Russell.
Incumbent Tammy L. Johnson is facing Paul Boniey in First Ward, incumbent Charles W. McCoy III is facing Stephen Anthony Varlas in Second Ward, incumbent Nicholas Cekinovich is unopposed in the Third Ward, and incumbent Wendy Deangelis is facing Joe Kafton for the Fifth Ward council seat.
Incumbent John Anthony Casinelli Sr. is facing Natalie Rocchio for the at-large council seat.
Police chief Larry Rea, city clerk David Kurcina and city attorney Michael E. Gaudio are unopposed for re-election.
All the positions will be elected for two-year terms.
In addition to electing city leaders, voters will be asked to participate in a survey to indicate whether they favor continue having the police chief elected every two years or whether he should be appointed.
Early voting is continuing Friday during regular office hours and Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in council chambers.
On election day, ballots will be cast at the city building for First and Second wards and at the community house for Third, Fourth and Fifth wards.
In Bethany, incumbent Shirley Kemp is the lone candidate for mayor.
Five candidates – incumbents Patrick Sutherland, Paul Miller and Jan Forsty and newcomers Kevin Clancy and Thomas Furbee – are seeking the five council seats.
Current council members Sydma Hatzopoulos and Helen Moren are no seeking re-election.
No candidates filed for the recorder’s post.
All terms are for two years.