Candidates File for April 2011 Election

*Editor's note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the process by which members of the School District of Clayton's Board of Education are chosen for positions such as president. Board members are responsible for making those decisions following an election.

The race for a Ward III seat on the Clayton Board of Aldermen will be contested, and the two candidates who had filed paperwork for that position shortly after 8 a.m. Dec. 14 said they would be active campaigners.

Mark Winings, a business lawyer who has lived in Clayton for six years, said he would try to knock on every door in the ward. He said he arrived at City Hall at about 6:30 a.m., even though he couldn't begin filing until 8 a.m.

"I'm going to focus on neighborhoods, parks and business development," he said.

Winings already serves on the city's parks and recreation commission. He said he wants to get involved in government.

Alex Berger, who holds the seat now, will not be refiling because of term limits.

Steve Singer also filed for the Ward III seat and arrived before 8 a.m. He serves as a director of the School District of Clayton's Board of Education and is a principal at Business Owners International, according to his biography on the district's Web site. He is not seeking another term on the school board.

"I've got local government sort of in my blood," said Singer, who has been on the school board for nine years. "I want to continue my involvement."

Singer, who said he anticipated a contested race, said he has formed a committee and already has sent out a letter letting people know about his candidacy. He also plans to knock on doors.

Ward II Alderman Cynthia Garnholz also had arrived before 8 a.m. and refiled for her seat on the board. If re-elected, she would serve her second full term. Garnholz served out the remainder of Linda Goldstein's board term after her election as mayor.

"I'm excited about the prospect of serving another term," Garnholz said.

She said she hopes the economy improves so that the board will be able to look at some development issues.

Richmond Heights will not have another municipal election until April 2012, city public relations coordinator Irene Johnson stated in an e-mail.

Three people had filed in the race for Clayton Board of Education as of 9:30 a.m. Dec. 14.

President Sonny Buttar and board director Omri Praiss have refiled, said Christina Perrino, communications coordinator for the school district.

Kristin Redington, who is not presently on the board, also filed.

The top three vote-getters in the school board race will win the open seats, and then it will be up to board members* to decide who will serve in positions such as president, Perrino said. 

The filing period ends at 5 p.m. Jan. 18, Clayton City Clerk June Waters said.