NILES — Four candidates are running to fill the Niles 2nd and 4th ward council seats in the May 6 primary election.

In the 2nd Ward, incumbent Aaron Johnstone is being challenged by former councilman Reggie Giancola.

In the 4th Ward race, two political newcomers, Frank Leskovec and Stan McCauley, are seeking to replace 4th Ward Councilwoman Mindy Devorich, who is leaving the seat at the end of the year, and running for a council at-large seat in the May primary.

2ND WARD

Giancola, who served 20 years on city council, said he will focus on infrastructure projects. He noted that projects have been able to get done with grants and matching city funds.

“Our infrastructure is old, and we have to stay on top of it,” Giancola said.

He said maintaining streets is an ongoing situation with state and city funds needed to keep streets in good shape.

Giancola said he will focus on continuing the work already in progress at Waddell Park and Stevens Park.

Giancola said he wants to maintain a good relationship with the residents not only of the 2nd Ward but the whole city,

“It’s very important to always communicate with your residents who I work for.” Giancola said.

Johnstone, who has served as 2nd Ward councilman since 2024, said as chairman of the Community Development and Neighborhood Stabilization committee, he assumed an automatic position as vice president of the CIC.

Johnstone said along with others on the CIC he has worked hard to revamp the city’s business grant program, which he said makes it easier for small-business owners to apply as well as increasing the amounts provided.

“This led to a sparked interest in 2024, where we gave out several grants.These grants I believe show Niles business owners we are here to help and partner in their growth in the city,” Johnstone said.

Johnstone said that last year the city made major investments into the city parks and said he is eager to continue to be a champion for future investments as well.

He said Waddell Park is in the process of a major multimillion dollar overhaul with a new splash pad and the playground and fields receiving artificial turf. The city worked to secure a federal grant covering half of the planned renovations with council making a decision to seek a bond to cover the rest of the renovations.

Johnstone said Iowa Park was overdue for an investment with council voting to install a new swing set along with a new basketball court.

“This year we have included in the budget to move a large playset from Waddell Park that will no longer be used after the new playground is finished to Iowa to continue to add to the overhaul,” he said.

Johnstone said council also has added employees to the parks department for 2025 to help maintain the investments.

“I believe all these investments show the residents that we are committed to providing them a city park they can be proud of,” he said.

Johnstone said last year he championed the charge to put a moratorium on small box / dollar stores in the city as well as storage facilities.

“These two types of businesses had begun to overpopulate our commercial real estate. Having the needs of the residents met, in my opinion, I felt it was necessary to put a stop on these types of businesses. I look forward to working with city council to revisit this moratorium later this year to see where we would like the direction to go,” Johnstone said.

4TH WARD

Leskovec said he will support the safety forces to ensure budgets are balanced to fund staffing, resources and equipment for their departments.

Leskovec said he will focus on continuing with capital improvements to update infrastructure including roads and waterlines. He said he also will advocate for stormwater improvements in the 4th Ward to alleviate neighborhood flooding.

Leskovec said another priority will be to maintain a strong fiscal status with conservative spending and protecting taxpayer dollars.

Leskovec, who has been a 40-year licensed Realtor, said his area of expertise is knowledge of the housing market in Trumbull and Mahoning counties, specifically the Niles 4th Ward.

He said he has skills for negotiating real estate contracts, appraising home properties and vast knowledge of the construction world.

McCauley said he wants to continue what the council currently serving has been able to get done in the city. He said he wants to be part and help where he can with improvements citywide.

McCauley said he will look at improvements to sidewalks and curbing, maintaining Mahoning River and Mosquito Creek, and continuing with upgrades to the city parks.

He said at Waddell Park he wants to see dead trees removed and new ones planted.

McCauley said he wants to see continued improvements to Iowa Park and also seek funding for boarding up abandoned houses that need to be addressed.

He said there also is the concern of large trucks in small alleyways noting this is an issue with an alleyway near Dunkin.

McCauley said he wants to address with problems of feral cats in parts of the city, which he said in some places has gotten bad.

He said it is important the council and the administration continue to work together to continue the city moving in the right direction.

“Council and the administration working together to address issues and projects is so important for the future of the city,” McCauley said.