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WARREN -- After the Trumbull County Board of Elections determined this week that new city Councilwoman Tiffany Stanford no longer lives in the city's 5th Ward, her eligibility to serve on city council now is up to Warren officials.
A hearing regarding voter registration address was held at the board of elections offices Wednesday after the son of Stanford's opponent, incumbent Councilwoman Ashley Miner-McBride, challenged Stanford's 5th Ward residency and whether she is a qualified elector.
At Wednesday's hearing, the board voted unanimously to rescind Stanford's voter registration for a 5th Ward home.
The purpose of the hearing was specifically to determine whether the address Stanford listed on her voter registration was accurate. The board did not consider Stanford's eligibility to serve as a councilwoman, as was incorrectly reported on the Tribune Chronicle front page Thursday.
The board of elections challenge of Stanford's residency stemmed largely from a mortgage agreement indicating that Stanford and her husband Jeffery are co-borrowers on a house at 1186 Lynn Drive in Bazetta according to the Trumbull County Recorder website. The agreement, through Novus Home Mortgage of Brookfield, Wisconsin, is signed by Tiffany and Jeffery for a $284,747 mortgage.
According to the mortgage agreement, the "Borrower shall occupy, establish, and use the Property as Borrower's principal residence within 60 days after the execution of this Security Instrument and shall continue to occupy the Property as Borrower's principal residence for at least one year after the date of occupancy, unless Lender determines that this requirement shall cause undue hardship for the Borrower or unless extenuating circumstances exist which are beyond Borrower's control."
The agreement was signed Oct. 13, 2023, by both Stanfords.
UP TO COUNCIL
Stanford's ability to serve as 5th Ward Councilwoman will be determined by City Council. Stanford was present at a special meeting held Wednesday afternoon for council organizational purposes after the board of elections hearing.
Council President John Brown said the topic of Stanford's eligibility to serve could not be discussed at the Wednesday special meeting as it was not listed on the meeting's notice or agenda, a requirement under Ohio sunshine laws.
Brown said the topic can be broached at another special meeting which can be scheduled by council members at any time.
"What would happen for a special call is three members of council would have to go down and sign for it," he said.
Council Clerk Brenda Smith said she had not heard from any council members asking to schedule a special meeting regarding the Stanford situation as of Thursday afternoon.
Brown suggested that the matter could be raised during council's next regular meeting on Jan. 10.
"I wouldn't be surprised, and it wouldn't be out of order, for someone to ask that question at council," Brown said.
Messages were left for Warren Law Director Enzo Cantalamessa regarding how city council can approach the matter. Cantalamessa did not respond to those messages as of Thursday afternoon.
A VAGABOND
After the board of elections unanimously denied a request for a hearing in December to challenge Stanford's 5th Ward residency, it accepted a complaint from Jason Miner, 17, who is the son of the outgoing McBride.
Due to the Stanfords buying the 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.
Jeffery 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.
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.
Stanford referred to herself as a "vagabond" without a home during the board of elections hearing.
Stanford said she will be leasing an apartment at 707 Belvedere Ave, still within the 5th Ward.
Whether or not Stanford registered under a new address after the board of elections hearing is unknown as of Thursday afternoon as the board office was closed Jan. 4 for electrical repairs.