5 file petitions to enter race for District 4 council seat

4/2/2002

Five candidates met yesterday's deadline and filed nominating petitions with the Lucas County Board of Elections to run in the May 7 election for Toledo's District 4 City Council seat. The five are:

  • Mansour Bey, an independent who directs men's ministries at the Cherry Street Mission.

  • Perlean Griffin, a Democrat and former Toledo city administrator.

  • Michael Ashford, a Democrat who is executive director of the Wayman Palmer YMCA on 14th Street.

  • Dennis Lange, a Republican and restaurateur.

  • Rick VanLandingham, an independent and environmental activist.

    Mr. Ashford had been appointed to the seat on a temporary basis, pending the outcome of the election.

    The candidate filing deadline, originally set for last Thursday under the city charter, was extended by the Ohio Supreme Court that morning to give more prospective candidates a chance to enter the race. The election had been up in the air after the county board of elections voted not to hold it, citing apparent conflicts with the state constitution.

    The Supreme Court overruled the four-member elections board, ordering that the election proceed.

    The candidates are running to serve out the remaining 21 months of Edna Brown's term. She left council to take the seat in the Ohio House of Representatives once occupied by Democrat Jack Ford. Mr. Ford left his post in the General Assembly after winning the race for Toledo mayor in November.

    The district includes 59 precincts in Toledo's central city.