Election Nears for Mahoning Soil & Water Board of Supervisors

The Mahoning Soil & Water Conservation District recently announced details for its upcoming election for a board of supervisors member.

Votes can be cast in-person from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from now through Nov. 7, at the SWCD office, 850 Industrial Road, Youngstown. Individuals at least 18 years old who live or own land in Mahoning County can vote.

An absentee ballot can be requested through the district office at (330) 740-7995 or askswcd@mahoningcountyoh.gov. Absentee ballots must be received at the district office by 12 noon on Nov. 7.

Two candidates are running for one position on the district’s volunteer board of supervisors, the five-member body that governs the agency. They are:

• Richard S. Scarsella of Boardman (left photo, above). He is an incumbent SWCD board member, a former board chairman and former associate supervisor. Scarsella is a career counselor at Choffin Career and Technical Center in Youngstown and serves on the boards of the Educational Service Center of Eastern Ohio, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center and Mahoning Valley Regional Council of Governments. More information is available in Scarsella’s bio.

• Jarid Watson of Poland. He is a co-founder of Calliope Media, a video production company. Watson is a former U.S. Air Force combat correspondent with extensive experience in public affairs, video and audio production, and storytelling. He is currently studying counseling psychology at Chatham University. More information is available in Watson’s bio.

The elected member will serve a three-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

The board of supervisors creates and enforces policies and determines the strategic planning and goals of the district. Supervisors also act as ambassadors for the district in their communities.

The Mahoning County Soil & Water Conservation District advances best management practices for conserving land and water resources by providing education, technical assistance and stewardship. Established in 1950, the District is staffed by a small but effective team of environmental professionals who lead efforts in community and school outreach, stormwater control, watershed protection, pond management and more. The District is governed by a five-member volunteer board of supervisors and maintains offices at 850 Industrial Road in Youngstown.