PDT Staff Writer

Former Portsmouth City Councilman Tim Loper will run as a write-in candidate for the 6th Ward in the May 8 primary election, according to the Scioto County Board of Elections.

As a write-in, Loper's name will not appear on the ballot with Wilton Mault and Richard Noel. The top two will face each other in the November general election.

Incumbment Marty Mohr is not seeking re-election.

Loper, 43, who works at Ace Hardware and the South Shore (Ky.) Oil Company, said a neck injury prevented him from passing petitions to get his name on the ballot.

He previously served in the 1st Ward, but resigned after he moved out of the ward.

“I don't think I accomplished what I set out to do,” he said on Monday. “What I wanted to do was to help with change and not get involved with the chaos and confusion. I thought everyone I was working with was on the same page.”

Loper took office in 2004 after former Councilwoman Ann Sydnor was recalled and he ran unopposed in November 2005.

But in 2006, the Board of Elections ruled Loper was not a resident of the ward. He said he was temporarily staying in the 6th Ward while renovating a 1st Ward apartment.

Solicitor David Kuhn advised Loper throughout the controversy and testified on his behalf at an elections board hearing.

City Council appointed Mike Mearan to fill Loper's unexpired term.

However, some 1st Ward residents called for a special election to find Loper's replacement.

If elected, Loper said it would take time to get things done.

“Nothing gets done over-night,” he said.

But Loper said he wanted the mayor, solicitor, auditor and one Council member to sit on the Southern Ohio Growth Partnership's board of directors.

Only the mayor sits on the board now. Loper said city ordinance mandates that all positions are represented on the board.

“I would also like to see a progress report from SOGP to City Council every six months or so, too,” Loper said. “I know they say they are private, but they should submit a report. I want to see that things are run within the law.”

City Council would appear to be divided, with members arguing with each other and an investigation of 3rd Ward member Bob Mollette under way. That fact is not lost on Loper.

“If City Councilmen have got any disagreements with themselves, they ought to be kept private,” he said. “The public is viewing them all as foolish men. It's all about me, me, me. No one on Council wants to listen to each other anymore.”