SALEM — Salem voters will select three candidates from a field of four for three at-large city council seats on Nov. 4, as appointed incumbent Jim Harrington faces a challenge from Democrat George Begalla and fellow Republicans Trent Tice and Michael Weir.

Two of the contested seats are currently held by At-large City Councilmen Jake Gano and Andrew Null, who both chose not to seek re-election, while the third seat is currently held by Harrington, who was appointed to the position on Aug. 13 after City Council President Evan Newman resigned his seat to seek appointment to the then-vacant city council president seat.

George Begalla IV

George Begalla IV, 40, is a Salem native and 2003 Salem High School alum and holds an associate of science degree from the Bryman School of Arizona where he graduated as a member of the Alpha Beta Kappa honors society. Begalla currently works as a territory manager for Webb Supply, overseeing the Youngstown and East Akron areas, and has previously worked in several position from his first job as a Bagger at Giant Eagle in Salem through his time working for UPS and FedEx, and later as a regional sales manager for Air Scrubber.

Begalla is married to his wife Katy with whom he has a son, George “Sonny” Begalla V, and dedicates much of his time to supporting his nearby family members including his grandmother. Begalla is also a member of Salem Elks Lodge #305.

Begalla said that throughout his professional career has been “relied upon to improve processes for efficiency, address customer service challenges, and resolve conflicts effectively” and those experiences have taught him to “see all sides of a disagreement and find common ground” and that his “diverse background, dedication to finding solutions, and commitment to this community make me a strong advocate for the hardworking people of Salem.” Begalla said that he was seeking election “to help foster a community where [his] son, Sonny, can grow up with the same sense of pride and connection that [he has] always felt.”

Jim Harrington

Jim Harrington, 60, is a Salem native and 1982 Salem High School alum and earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the Ohio State University before moving to Chicago, Illinois where he earned his MBA in finance and economics from the University of Illinois at Chicago prior to moving back to Salem in January of 2021. While in Chicago Harrington held several positions including a Teamster and Dock Supervisor at Roadway Express; a stockbroker; a Clerk in the bond room of the Chicago Board of Trade; an analyst at Ibbotson Associates in Chicago; an Analyst, and ultimately director of valuation research in Morningstar’s Financial Communications Business in Chicago; and a Director in Kroll.

Harrington lives in one of Salem’s historic homes on South Lincoln which he has been restoring with his father Paul and his dog Henry and is a member of the Salem Rotary Club. Harrington also assisted with campaigning for the passage of the Salem School Levy to fund the construction of a new K-8 school building “by actively campaigning door-to-door.”

Harrington said that his decades of experience as a financial analyst and particular expertise in financial modeling and negotiation, and his “record of visualizing what needs to be done and then getting it done” make him well-qualified to serve as city councilman. He said he was inspired to run for city council by his experience campaigning for the Salem School Levy.

“I had a wonderful experience going door to door to help get the new Salem K-8 school levy passed. That was a win for Salem. Salem needs more wins. I am running to help in any way I can to get Salem more wins,” said Harrington.

Harrington said that residents should vote for him because if retained as councilman economic development would be “job number one,” meaning that he wants “to help create a business-friendly environment that will attract businesses and good-paying jobs to the Salem area.” He also said that while he won’t claim to have all the answers, but that he will “treat it as a full-time job.”

“More businesses mean more jobs. More businesses mean more opportunities for families to earn. More businesses mean the city’s tax base increases and more public works can be completed great roads, great parks, great schools, great public facilities. Great public facilities mean more people will be attracted to the Salem area to raise their families,” said Harrington.

Trent Tice

Trent Tice, 47, is a Salem native and a Salem High School alum and holds a bachelor’s degree in history education from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in sports management and leadership from Lasell College. Tice worked in Tampa, Florida as a high school history teacher, coaching high school basketball and football during that time, and now works as an Inside Salesman for his family company Tri-State Tool & Hoist Inc. In addition to his professional career Tice serves as a Petty Officer 1st class in the United States Coast Guard Reserves at Station Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Tice is married to his wife Kristen, with whom he has three children, Taven, Taryn, and Tory and said that he has been “blessed with the opportunity to volunteer time for a variety of youth sports programs including as a volunteer coach for Salem Basketball and Salem youth basketball, along with helping the Salem XTra Mile Club.” Tice said that he is also proud to assist his daughter Taryn and the Salem Junior High Environmental Club clean up trash in Salem’s public spaces.

Tice said he feels the broad range of experience he has developed through coaching, his professional career and serving as a Coast Guard reservist has equipped him to “make good decisions for the city of Salem.” He also said that since he had chosen to raise his family in Salem he has “a desire to serve and give back to my community in any way that [he] can.” Tice said that he was seeking election because he wanted to “continue to grow and be attractive to businesses,” and to “see an increase in quality housing options to attract new businesses and new families” to Salem.

“When I first moved back to Salem, my wife and I felt the strain that a lot of families feel when they are trying to find a house to accommodate their growing family, and I want to work to make this more achievable for those looking to call Salem their home,” said Tice.

Tice said residents should vote for him because he “will never claim to be an expert in any topic, but I will listen, gather information, and try and make wise decisions for our city,” and he is willing to ask the big questions on Salem’s behalf.

Michael Weir

Michael Weir, 47, served in the United States Army for 27 years, retiring in 2023 as a Chief Warrant Officer 3, and currently works as a supervisor at Ergon West Virginia Inc. Weir is married to lifelong Salem resident Kimberly Weir, and has two adult children, Haile, and Drew.

Weir holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Columbia Southern University and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in organizational management. Weir said that he was active in coaching while his children were in school, and that now he has more time following his retirement from the military he intends to become more active within the community.

Weir said that he was qualified for council due to his “extensive experience in leadership, budget and cost management as well as a grounded vision in solving problems while mitigating risk.” He also said that he was seeking election because “now that [his] federal service is completed, [he] wants to serve in a local manner and be an advocate for policies that will promote a safe and prosperous city.”

When asked why voters should support him Weir said that his military and professional careers have prepared him to represent the people of Salem, and that if elected he “will communicate and listen directly to the residents of Salem to hear concerns regarding safety, community actions, and the betterment of Salem as a whole,” and that he “is not afraid to question issues that do not pass the “common sense” test.”

“I have a proven track record in military service and leadership that will feed into this city council position. I have held numerous assignments and appointments across various states and foreign countries that involved operations that promoted safety, security and the well-being of dozens of personnel at one time,” said Weir. “I am an active listener and will work with everyone in a respectful and humble manner. Respect for everyone is a huge priority for me and my character and moral compass will be shown in my service to Salem.”