Vacancy in Fairlawn Finance Office Could be Filled at November Election

There is still time to run for finance director in Fairlawn, but not much time.

Candidates have only until Aug. 7 to file petitions to run for the office vacated by Jerry Apple, who died last week.

If no one files by the deadline, Tax Administrator Patricia Bertsch will fill the office until the 2014 election.

Fairlawn's charter says this about succession to the office: “In the event of the death, resignation, recall or removal of the Director of Finance, the Assistant Director of Finance shall accede to the office of Director of Finance and serve until a successor is elected or qualified. There shall be an election to fill the office of Director of Finance at the next general election to be held in November following the vacancy in said office, provided said election occurs more than ninety (90) days subsequent to the vacancy of said office. The successor Director of Finance shall assume his or her duties on January 1 following his or her election.”

City officials said that in order to qualify for the November 2013 election, eligible candidates must obtain petitions from the Summit County Board of Elections, 470 Grant Street, Akron, Ohio  44311.  

The petitions must be completed and filed with the Board of Elections no later than Aug. 7, 2013 and must contain supporting signatures of at least 50 and no more than 150 qualified electors from the city of Fairlawn.

According to the charter, here are the qualifications for the office: “The Finance Director shall be a qualified elector and resident in the Municipality for the last two (2) consecutive years immediately prior to the date of his election and shall continue to be a qualified elector and resident therein during his term of office.”