By FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Writer

Four people filed petitions to seek public office on the day of the deadline, Thursday at the Scioto County Board of Elections.

Filing at the last minute were Douglas Jason Whisman and David Malone for Mayor, and Bob Mollette and Nicholas Basham for the 3rd Ward City Council seat. Mollette is the incumbent in that ward.

In addition to Whisman and Malone, five other people are seeking victory in the mayoral race. Incumbent Mayor James Kalb is also being opposed by Jeff Book, Troy Jackson, Jane Murray, and Chris Neff.

However, the only races that will be on the May Primary Ballot are those of Mayor and Municipal Court Judge.

All council races will be on the November General Election ballot.

In the 1st Ward, incumbent Councilman Mike Mearan is challenged by Kevin Johnson, while John Haas, named recently to fill the 5th Ward vacancy, is opposed by Tom Rodriguez.

Three people are seeking council seats in the village of New Boston. Among those are incumbent Councilman Terry Salyers, Brian Holbrook and Ralph Imes, Jr.

Since the announcement by long-time Portsmouth Municipal Court Judge Richard Schisler that he is retiring because of a state law which does not allow anyone who will be 70 years of age to serve, four people have filed to replace him. Democratic Party candidates are Jerry L. Buckler and Steve Mowery, while Rebecca Bennett and James Scott Smith are running under the banner of the Republican Party.

Portsmouth voters will also consider a six-tenths percent increase in the city income tax. According to Portsmouth City Auditor Trent Williams the increase would produce approximately $2.7 million in additional revenue.

According to the general breakdowns received by city council, 45 percent would be for municipal operations, 33 percent for capital improvements, 15 percent would be used for recreation, and 7 percent earmarked for retirement pension and insurance reserves.

Other issues on the ballot include an emergency additional 7.9 mills for Green Local Schools; an additional one mill for police protection in Porter Township; and a one-mill renewal for the Scioto County Career Technical Center.

After years of renewals the Scioto County Career Technical Center operating levy failed in the last election, which school officials attribute to people not knowing SCCTC is the former Scioto County Joint Vocational School.

“That’s what we’ve been told,” said Marquita Riepenhoff, Human Resources Manager\Public Relations Coordinator for SCCTC. “People in the community said, ‘I didn’t realize that was the JVS.’”

Riepenhoff said it will appear in parentheses on the ballot this time as “formerly Scioto County JVS.”

Frank Lewis may be reached at (740) 353-3101 Ext. 232.