By Frank Lewis
William “Junior” Williams, whom has been serving as acting mayor of New Boston since Mayor Jim Warren became ill several months ago, will be sworn in as the village’s mayor Monday at 9:15 a.m. at the New Boston Community Building.
Williams will replace Warren, who passed away earlier in the week from that extended illness. He was named acting mayor since, as a member of village council, he had been president of that body. Williams will be sworn in by Village Solicitor Justin Bloom after he does one last thing as a member of council.
“I will hand in my resignation,” Williams said. “Then I will be sworn in.”
Village Councilman Jon Mills said council will announce at this Tuesday night’s regular meeting the plan to accept applications from members of the community to fill Williams’ unexpired term.
“We have 30 days to go over applications,” Mills said. “It will most likely be at the Aug. 4 meeting that we will name a replacement.”
Williams’ term ends Dec. 31 of 2015.
According to the Scioto County Board of Elections, there are four candidates for New Boston Council on the November ballot, and four open seats. Running for election is Johnnie Steele, and incumbent councilmen Dan Fetty, Jon Mills, and Mike Payton. Vonald Patrick had also filed to run for village council but withdrew his name when he was named earlier this year to fill the unexpired term of Councilman Terry Salyers, who resigned his seat and then passed away. With four openings and an equal four candidates, council could simply choose to appoint Steele to finish Williams’ unexpired term, with the expectation that he will take the seat after the election — barring any write-in opposition.
The Scioto County Board of Elections said anyone wishing to be a write-in candidate for either a council position or mayor has until 4 p.m. Aug. 24 to file. If there is no write-in candidate for mayor, Williams will begin his first full-term in January of 2016.
A celebration of life for Warren was scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at New Boston Glenwood High School gym. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday with the actual service to begin at 11. The event is open to the public.
Reach Frank Lewis at 740-353-3101, ext. 1928, or on Twitter @franklewis.
