St. C. interviews hopefuls for council seat
By KIM LOCCISANO, For The Times LeaderST. CLAIRSVILLE - "Who will replace her?"
The question has been in front of the citizens of the city of St. Clairsville since it became clear that the outcome of the recent elections meant longtime city council member Ginny Favede would be resigning the at-large seat on council in order to take up duties as a newly elected member of the Belmont County Board of Commissioners.
City leaders said a number of individuals have expressed interest in filling Favede's vacant seat for the unexpired term on council. Interviews with six candidates were held Tuesday evening. The interviews were conducted by city council members in a closed-door meeting at the municipal building.
Candidates for the at-large council seat are: Cindi Clarke, John R. Estadt, George Gabel, Michael Kasper, David Terry Pugh and David Trouten.
Clarke has been a resident of St. Clairsville since 2004 when she moved to the area to accept a teaching position. She is a professor of English and marketing at Belmont Technical College. She resides at 134 Walnut Ave., with her husband and son.
Clarke holds a master's degree in English from William Patterson University in Wayne, N.J., and an undergraduate degree in marketing from Pace University in Pleasantville, N.J. Her professional background includes having held various executive positions with several national and regional retail corporations.
Estadt has been a resident of St. Clairsville since 1974. He is a practicing attorney and is president of the local law firm of Hanlon, Estadt, McCormick and Schramm Co., LPA. He resides at 133 East Lawn with his wife and daughter.
Estadt holds an undergraduate degree from Kent State University, a masters degree from The Ohio State University and a juris degree from the Case Western University School of Law.
George Gabel is a resident of 101 Locust Lane. His employment history includes having worked for the city of St. Clairsville from 1986 through 2006 in various areas of responsibility, including project supervision.
Kasper has been a St. Clairsville resident for 22 years. He resides at 107 Glenn Ave., with his wife and children. His employment history includes 31 years as a union millwright, the position from which he is retired.
Pugh, a St. Clairsville native, is also a graduate of St. Clairsville High School. He has been serving as president of St. Clair Lawn Care Inc. since 1982. He was president of D.T. Pugh & Associates, a security consulting firm, from 1982 until 2000.
Pugh holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and has worked as a security and investigations executive with various regional and national corporations. He resides with his wife and children at 50 Pecks Lane.
Trouten has been a lifelong resident of the city and has established his law practice in St. Clairsville. Trouten makes his home in St. Clairsville with his wife and children.
His professional history includes 12 years of service as village solicitor for Holloway and Mt. Pleasant.
All candidates have served the community through various organizations.
Should council be unable to reach a decision on who should fill the now vacant seat, Mayor Robert Vincenzo would be required to reach a decision on behalf of the city.
The next regular meeting of the St. Clairsville City Council will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, in council chambers at the municipal building.
