YOUNGSTOWN — Four people applied to seek city council’s appointment to the vacant 6th Ward seat with the legislative body planning to select someone by its March 4 meeting.

The person selected, which requires a vote of at least four of the six sitting council members, would succeed Democrat Anita Davis, who stepped down from the ward seat on Jan. 1 to serve as council president. The seat, which represents most of the city’s South Side, has been vacant since then.

Those who submitted to be considered by the deadline were Janet Tarpley, a former two-term 6th Ward councilwoman; Cynthia L. McWilson, a registered nurse who lost three Democratic primaries for the 5th Ward council seat; Catrina Donald, president of the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District board of directors and Davis’ niece; and Ryan Gilchrist, owner and operator of Ryan’s Chair Barber & Beauty Salon and husband to Stephanie Gilchrist, the city’s economic development director.

City council today will discuss how it wants to proceed with the appointment, including whether it will conduct interviews, if possible interviews will be public or in executive session and how it will take nominations to fill the vacancy, said Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th Ward and president pro tempore.

“March 4 is the tentative goal,” Ray said of when an appointment would be made. “If necessary, we’d have a special meeting. I feel as though council has a desire to get this done next week.”

The responsibility of filling the seat fell to city council because the Mahoning County Democratic Party was unable to have a quorum of central committee members from the ward meet to find a successor to Davis, a Democrat.

The person selected would fill the ward seat until Dec. 31, 2027, with a November 2027 election for a full four-year term.

State law requires the county party to have up to 45 days to appoint. After that, council has 30 days, which started Feb. 15. That deadline is March 17.

If council cannot come to a decision, the appointment is made by the mayor, Derrick McDowell, an independent who has served less than two months in the position.

Law Director Adam Buente said at a Feb. 11 meeting to discuss the process that at least four members of council would have to approve the selection of Davis’ replacement.

Buente wrote in his legal opinion: “This must be accomplished by motion and a simple majority vote by March 17.”

Also, Buente said if council deadlocks 3-3 on two candidates, McDowell wouldn’t serve as a tiebreaker. The mayor could choose anyone he wants for the position if council cannot decide by its deadline.

At that Feb. 11 meeting, council gave candidates until 11:59 p.m. Friday to submit letters of interest and resumes. The information was provided Monday to The Vindicator through a records request.

When the Mahoning Democrats started their search, Tarpley and McWilson formally applied for the appointment, filling out a lengthy questionnaire, while Donald planned to seek it. Gilchrist is a registered Republican who voted in the 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024 GOP primaries. He didn’t apply for the Democratic appointment.

Among the six sitting council members, five are Democrats and Amber White, who represents the 7th Ward, is an independent.

APPLICANTS

Tarpley represented the 6th Ward for eight years, elected in 2007 and 2011. She couldn’t seek reelection in the 2015 election because of the city’s term-limits law. Tarpley unsuccessfully ran for an Ohio House seat in the 2014 Democratic primary and lost the Youngstown mayoral race in 2017 as an independent.

Tarpley ran in the 2023 Democratic primary for the 6th Ward seat, finishing in a 273-273 tie with Davis, who won the primary on a coin flip. Tarpley retired in 2018 after working 30 years at Mahoning County Juvenile Court.

In her letter to council, Tarpley wrote: “I believe I am the most qualified and have been vetted by the 6th Ward community” by being elected twice and nearly winning in 2023. “I plan to run if I’m not appointed, but it would be better to get a good start in (meshing) with my fellow council members. I don’t need to learn the job; I already know it. The 6th Ward has always been very challenging, and we need someone who is already familiar with the issues and, more importantly, the process of getting things done.”

Tarpley added: “My goal is to continue developing the ward to its full potential by improving the business district, working with neighbors, and meeting with current council members and the administration to advance my ward and the city.”

A registered nurse for 35 years and a member of the county Democratic central committee for 29 years, McWilson wrote in her letter to council that she has “deep roots in our community and a steadfast belief in its potential. My mission as a council member would be to strengthen our neighborhoods, advocate for thoughtful and inclusive policies, and ensure that every voice in our ward is heard and respected.”

McWilson lost Democratic primaries in 1999, 2003 and 2015 for the 5th Ward council seat. After the 2022 citywide redistricting, her residence was moved into the 6th Ward.

She wrote: “I have remained actively engaged in civic life, local boards, precinct member, district leader and a committed community advocate even during times when I was not elected to public office. I have consistently supported and encouraged community-minded candidates, volunteered on political campaigns and stayed involved in city affairs because I care deeply about the future of Youngstown and its residents.”

Donald wrote that serving as MVSD board president, “I have gained valuable experience in public service, collaboration and responsible stewardship of resources that directly impact our community. In addition to my professional service, I remain actively present in the 6th Ward through volunteering efforts, including neighborhood cleanup initiatives, attending ward meetings and supporting community activities that strengthen connections among residents.”

Donald wrote her “goal is to serve as a strong advocate for the residents of the 6th Ward by addressing neighborhood concerns, supporting economic development, improving public safety and ensuring that city resources are used responsibly and equitably.”

Gilchrist wrote that operating a small business for nearly 30 years in the city has given him “first-hand experience with the challenges and opportunities facing residents, small businesses and neighborhoods in the 6th Ward.”

He added: “I am committed to listening to residents, working to collaborate with fellow council members and city leadership, and supporting policies that promote economic development, neighborhood stability and opportunity for all.”

City council members last got to fill a vacancy on the body in April 1998 when Herman Hill was removed as the 3rd Ward council member.

Because Hill was an independent, the replacement wasn’t done by a political party, but by the council members.

City council – all six members were Democrats – in 1998 appointed Republican Richard Atkinson to replace Hill by a 4-1 vote with one abstention. Atkinson won the 1999 and the 2003 elections for the 3rd Ward position.