Democrats delay vote on Bula council decision

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

July 10, 2008 09:52 pm

— ASHTABULA — Hot fun in the summertime won’t come to Ashtabula until sometime in early August.
That’s when members of the city’s Democratic precinct committee will meet to decide who will replace Robert Beacom.
“Right now, too many people are on vacation and everybody wants to be here to vote,” said Duane Feher, chair of the Democratic Party. “It will be sometime in the week of Aug. 9.”
Beacom resigned from his post of city council president, effective July 6. He cited increased demands from work and home for the decision.
Feher said it will be up to the precinct committee to “exercise its best judgment.” The committee will follow the Ohio Revised Code, which states the decision can not be made until five days after the official resignation, and no later than 45 days. That means the committee could meet today, but it won’t because committee members are away on vacation, Feher said.
“Anyone interested in the position should contact Don Tredent or myself,” Feher said.
City Solicitor Michael Franklin has said the committee will go behind closed doors and choose one person. This most recently happened when Democrat Betty Kist won the vice president seat on council, vacating the ward 3 seat. The Democratic precinct committee met and chose Democrat Ericka Severino.
“A few people have shown interest (in Beacom’s slot),” Feher said.
Of course, everyone is “mum” on who those people might be, but Feher did say whoever wants to be considered will have the opportunity to address the committee.
The appointed person will serve on council, but must run for office in the May 2009 primary, and then if he or she wins, run in the November 2009 election. The candidate must win in the November 2009 election to be seated from Dec. 1, 2009 through Nov. 30, 2011.