CANFIELD — Four out of the five candidates appearing on the Nov. 7 election ballot will be selected to fill seats on Canfield City Council. Because of changes approved to the city charter, the two candidates with the highest vote counts will receive four-year terms. The two candidates with the lowest vote totals will be rewarded with two-year terms.

The unusual vote has its roots back in 2012 when voters approved a change to two-year terms and a maximum of three terms. That meant council seats had a limit of six consecutive years. It also brought on the possibility of having the entire council changed in one election as all seats, including the mayor’s post, would have come up for election.

In 2018, the matter was again put before voters to return to four-year, four-term council seats and although it passed, it was this year that council seats would return to the staggered positions. To rectify that situation the staggered length of terms was established for this year’s election.

Candidates competing for the council posts are:

MARK GRAHAM

A challenger for the seat is Mark Graham, 68.

Graham’s three main goals are to be open and accessible to residents, ensure responsible budgeting to enhance quality of life and maintain Canfield as a “best place” to live and work.

“Canfield has given me so much,” Graham said. “I owe Canfield and would be committed to serving that together we can make Canfield an even stronger, more vibrant community for all.”

BRUCE NEFF

Incumbent Bruce Neff, 74, is seeking to retain his seat.

Neff is finishing his second term and may run for two more terms under term-limit rules. His main goals are hiring a professional city manager and finding a replacement for the city’s retiring zoning department head. He also wants to establish a Canfield Community Center committee which would use the middle school as its home. Lastly, he wants to engage a Red Gate developer for the city’s farm land.

“I am running for office as an incumbent with six years’ experience to continue to serve our community, to provide transparency in city operations and ensure smart forward-thinking policies and programs are championed in our city,” Neff said.

CHRISTINE OLIVER

A challenger who brings experience to the race is Christine Oliver, 55.

She served one term on council in 2018-19. If elected, Oliver’s main goals will be to build infrastructure to enable residents’ children to work and live in the area. She’ll also look for additional resources to maintain quality of services the city provides, and to keep Canfield in Canfield.

“Canfield is my home and I would be honored to serve our community once again,” she said.

CHARLES TIECHE

Running as one of the two incumbents is Charles Tieche, 78.

Tieche is finishing his third term on council and is eligible for one more term,. Tieche’s main goals are continuing to provide excellent city services, attract and maintain and grow existing businesses, and maintain fiscal responsibility.

“I have 50-plus years of local government experience in finance, water, sewer, zoning, safety services and municipal management that can be used as a resource to the city I love,” Tieche said.

DENNIS WINGARD

Dennis Wingard, 71, who moved to Canfield over 36 years ago, is a challenger for the seat as well.

His main goals are to hire a city manager, study the impact of a proposed fire district merger, and pursue business and economic development throughout the city.

“I appreciate the work and efforts of the many men and women who have served on the city council and wish to carry on a tradition of caring for our small town,” Wingard said.