NILES — Four candidates are vying in the May 6 primary for the Democratic nomination for three Niles council at-large seats.

Incumbents Jimmy Julian and Michael Lastic are being challenged by Edward Stredney and Mindy Devorich, who is now the 4th Ward councilwoman. Current Councilman-at-Large Doug Sollitto is running for council president.

No Republicans filed in the race, so the winners of the May primary will become the candidates in November unless someone files as an independent.

MINDY DEVORICH

Devorich, who has served as Niles 4th Ward councilwoman since 2022, said safety forces must always be a priority.

“It is council’s and the administration’s responsibility to keep our community as safe as possible. In order to do this, both departments must be fully staffed — as they currently are — and we need to continue to provide the best equipment possible from tools, protective wear, such as Kevlar and fire retardant suits, to a full fleet of vehicles that are reliably maintained,” Devorich said.

She said making it safer for the safety forces makes the community safer and results in businesses and families wanting to locate here, which in turn increases the influx of tax dollars. Devorich said the city’s infrastructure in many places is more than 80 years old and consequently the city experiences far too many breaks that the sanitary and storm sewer lines cannot handle.

“The amount of water pouring in during any heavy rain event becomes a disaster. These waters back up into residents’ homes as well as businesses. We cannot ask Niles residents to continue to accept this as status quo,” Devorich said.

She said work is being done to alleviate breaks, overflow and backups; however, there is much more that needs to be done in all three lines — water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer.

“It’s a huge undertaking and incredibly expensive. We need to be looking and applying for as many grants as we are qualified for or entitled to,” Devorich said.

She said Niles has approximately 100 miles of roads, with many still in need of resurfacing. Devorich said the city will do what it can and perhaps roads can get done faster with grant money.

Devorich said the city is fortunate to have several parks, noting $4.5 million is being invested in Waddell Park, with $2.5 million funded by grants. Some major improvements include a splash pad, newer ball fields, resurfacing and new playground equipment.

She said there are plans for big upgrades to Stevens Park with disc golf, and upgrades to tennis and pickleball courts.

Devorich said she is proud to be part of the resurrection of Iowa Park, noting some work has been done with a new basketball court and swings. She said there are plans to add a playground, parking and benches, and some other finishing touches.

“It is imperative to provide services to our residents and parks are one of those ways — not just used for entertainment, but wellness, too. I believe our job is not done and searching for grants would allow us to upgrade and update our smaller parks, too,” Devorich said.

JIMMY JULIAN

Julian, who has served as councilman at large since 2021, said he believes his platform and the things he has advocated for since taking office as a councilman-at-large have been implemented and continuously practiced.

“I have been a staunch supporter of improving our infrastructure throughout the community. Since then, we have invested $6 million and counting in our city-wide street surfacing program and over $19 million in needed utility line projects while aggressively seeking matching grant dollars for such projects,” Julian said.

He said he will be a strong advocate for fighting blight throughout the community. Julian said since being a councilman, 40 blighted and dilapidated structures (commercial and residential) have been demolished throughout the city, which protects property values.

“I have also pledged to be a consensus builder with the administration along with my constituents on council. I believe, as a whole, we have made great strides in moving our city forward. I believe it is an exciting and progressive time for the city of Niles,” Julian said.

He said he will be open-minded and change his opinion on certain topics when it’s for the betterment of his community.

Julian said in 2019, he was in favor of bringing back the city tax department as opposed to RITA. However, after seeing the numbers and resources RITA was able to use to collect delinquent taxes throughout Niles, he said he changed his stance that it was the better choice moving forward.

“I still take great pride in serving my hometown, and as one of the youngest elected officials in this area, I hope and am excited to serve this great community for another term,” Julian said.

MICHAEL LASTIC

Lastic, who now serves as a councilman at-large and was a 2nd Ward councilman starting in 1999, said his goal is to do what is best for the city.

“Keeping the city financially sound is the key to the success for the city. The city has been through some rough times, but has been able to turn things around,” Lastic said.

He said he will focus on economic growth and developing the downtown area. He said the key will be to attract business to the community.

“We have the space and the buildings in the downtown that can be used for new businesses,” Lastic said.

He said he was surprised when Sparkle Market closed earlier this year.

He said work has been done to get boat launches at Kennedy Park and many improvements at Waddell Park with a splash pad, new playground equipment and new ball field turf.

Lastic said addressing flooding issues in the city is a priority.

“The city administration and council are working together to address the flooding problems. By working together and having council and the administration on the same page is the key to findings ways and funding to correct such issues,” Lastic said.

Lastic said the city is planning for a park in the downtown area where the former Reisman’s Furniture Store once was located.

He said the population of the area is changing, with families leaving the area for jobs, which he said he would like to see changed and bring people back or have them stay.

“We need to focus on ways to bring job opportunities here,” Lastic said, noting tax abatements can be looked at for businesses wanting to locate here.

He said having a Community Improvement Corporation is one way to focus on economic development and attracting business to Niles.

Lastic said many communities are facing the possible loss of revenue from the marijuana dispensaries, including Niles, which has one located on U.S. Route 422.

“The money not coming to the cities from the dispensaries is a problem,” he said.

EDWARD STREDNEY

Stredney, who has served five terms as a 3rd Ward councilman, said he will focus on utility planning, noting that Niles infrastructure is getting older as each year passes.

He said there needs to be long-term planning on how to address and maintain waterline replacements, both storm and sanitary sewer replacements and upgrades, and maintaining and upgrading the electrical grid within the city.

“Planning these out over time gives the city time to get grants and doesn’t cost as much when you plan to spread the projects out over 5,10,15, 20, and even 25 years. At some point, we need to get ahead of the curve and not keep chasing issues,” Stredney said.

Stredney said he will focus on road resurfacing planning. He said years ago, Niles council gave the city a dedicated stream of funding to use strictly for road resurfacing.

He said as the years passed, the mayor and the administration was able to take that dedicated stream and secure grants for the city, giving Niles the robust road resurfacing program it has today.

“We need to look at duplicating that success with water, sewer, and electrical infrastructure,” Stredney said.

Stredney said he will work with city council to continue the revitalization of the downtown.

“Council has the ability to offer a wide range of support / advantages to potential new and existing business expansion within city limits,” Stredney said.

He said what Niles has to help businesses is CIC funding and support, tax incentives, utility incentives and legislation if needed, such as zoning changes.

Stredney said Niles has lost some of its economic identity since joining the Youngstown / Warren Regional Chamber.

“Although being a member of the chamber has its benefits, and I support continuing to be a member, I also believe the city needs its own efforts in pursuing growth outside, but in consort with, the chamber. This effort could be the pursuit of an existing business in the Valley to expand another location to Niles. Not relocate, but expand,” Stredney said.

He said this could be the creation of a city position to help run business and economic activities, and coordinate city events.

“I am not locked in on any one plan but could support a variety of options. But if Niles is going to take downtown revitalization and city-wide economic development seriously, we need to get strong council support and give the administration the tools to make a vision a reality,” Stredney said.

Stredney said Niles has undergone some monumental changes under the most recent administrations.

He said one in particular was the recreation of the park board.

“I said then, it would take 15 to 20 years for our parks to start getting back up to where the city expects them. This is everything from how they decide which projects, grants, and activities to move forward. We have always been a proud city, and our parks are a way to help restore Dragon Pride, citywide,” Stredney said.

He said Niles has recently invested a good amount of time and money in the parks and he wants to push for even more.

“The next phase of planning for what is to come, and the long-range planning and funding needs to happen now, and I want to be a part of that process again,” Stredney said.