Youngstown Council receives letters of interest for vacant sixth ward seat
The Youngstown City Council has received and chosen four letters of interest from applicants vying for the vacant sixth ward seat on the city council.
The four applicants are as follows:
- Catrina Donald
- Ryan Gilchrist
- Cynthia McWilson
- Janet Tarpley
Each of the applicants have been invited to the Youngstown City Council's next regular meeting on March 4 at 5:30 p.m.
There, the applicants will each present their reasoning as to why they believe they should fill the vacant seat.
To be appointed, the candidate would need a majority vote of four votes to succeed. If no candidate receives four votes, than council will have to call for a special meeting before a set deadline to make an appointment.
The Youngstown Law Department issued its legal guidance as to how the city council could go about appointing a member to the vacant seat.
As of January 1, 2026, Youngstown City Council President Anita Davis transitioned to council president from the sixth ward seat, which has remained empty since.
As per the Youngstown Law Department's guidance on February 11, the council has 30 days to appoint a replacement, making the deadline March 16.
After that date, if council cannot come to a majority vote, the decision moves solely to Mayor Derrick McDowell.
Donald's letter of interest outlines that she currently serves as the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District President, where she says that she has gained "valuable experience in public service, collaboration and responsible stewardship."
Additionally, Donald states that she is involved in volunteering efforts throughout the city's sixth ward.
Gilcrest, who is the owner of "Ryan's Chair", a barbershop in Youngstown, states in his letter of interest that he has operated a small business in the city for nearly 30 years.
In doing so, he says that he has "gained firsthand experience with the challenges and opportunities facing residents, small businesses and neighborhoods" in the city.
McWilson states in her letter of interest that her background and involvement as a community member bring "a compassionate and grounded perspective to public service, along with a willingness to listen and a sincere desire to build bridges" in the community.
Lastly, Tarpley outlines in her letter of interest that she, having been a previously-sitting member of Youngstown City Council in the sixth ward seat, has already been involved in the inner workings of council.
During her time, Tarpley states that she aided in creating programs such as the Community Initiative to Reduce Violence (CIRV) and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC).
Additionally, she further states that she helped bring council bring "more than $1.1 billion in expansion of economic development to our area, and over $20 million in downtown business funding for growth and expansion."
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