New councilwoman’s residency questioned
Can serve as member of Warren City Council
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Editor’s Note: This story has been corrected to indicate that Tiffany Stanford’s eligibility to serve as 5th Ward Councilwoman remains in question. The original story and headline were incorrect.
WARREN -- New City Councilwoman Tiffany Stanford no longer lives at the 5th Ward residence where she resided while running for office, the Trumbull County Board of Elections determined Wednesday.
That means her eligibility to claim her new 5th Ward council seat is in question.
A hearing on the matter was held at the board offices after the son of Stanford's opponent, incumbent Councilwoman Ashley Miner-McBride, challenged Stanford's 5th Ward residency and her right to vote.
The board decided by unanimous decision to accept the challenge to remove Stanford from the voter registration list from 1561 Francis Ave., Warren, and cancel Stanford's registration forms.
"This is to establish her residency, what it is now, currently," Alberini explained.
"Under her own testimony, she doesn't live at 1561 (Francis Avenue). She said it twice. She didn't say she intends to go back or anything like that, so we had to base our decision somewhat on that."
Based on testimony and evidence provided by Stanford, the elections board heard arguments that Stanford lived at 1561 Francis Ave. during the recent election.
Trumbull County Board of Elections chairman Mark Alberini said it is not the board of elections’ role to determine whether she should forfeit her seat on council. He added, however, "What City Council decides to do from here on forward is entirely up to City Council."
Following the board's decision, Stanford issued a press release expressing gratitude at the outcome and stating she was ready to move forward as 5th Ward councilwoman.
"I'm grateful for the Trumbull County Board of Elections' decision today that affirmed my voter registration status at the time of the Nov. 7 general election and allows me to continue serving the citizens of the 5th Ward as their duly elected councilperson," she stated.
"I pray that my opponent and her son accept the results of the election and the will of the people and ceases from the harassment and intimidation tactics of me, my family, and my friends."
After the board unanimously denied a request for a hearing in December to challenge Stanford's 5th Ward residency, it accepted a complaint from Jason Miner, 17, son of outgoing 5th Ward Councilwoman Ashley Miner-McBride.
Due to Stanford and her husband, Jeffrey, buying a home at 1186 Lynn Drive, Bazetta, Miner was challenging Stanford's right to vote in the 5th Ward. During the hearing, Stanford testified that she lived at 1561 Francis Avenue during the election, but is relocating. The home is owned by Progressive Baptist Church, where Stanford's husband was a pastor.
Jeffrey Stanford left the church and testified Wednesday he now serves as pastor in Steubenville and lives in their Bazetta home. He told Miner the family has not discussed their future plans to reside.
Tiffany Stanford said, however, "I have secured residency in my ward" and she will be leasing an apartment at 707 Belvedere Ave.
Discussions became heated during Wednesday's hearing. Miner challenged the validity of Stanford's Belvedere Avenue lease, saying, "this lease is invalid, for all we know, she could be subleasing it to someone."
Alberini summarized the testimony, however.
"She is in the process of moving out, and also is in the process of moving to 707 Belvedere, which is not her current 1561 Francis Ave., voting registration address," Alberini said. "I think we can agree that those are the facts."