DISCUSSION: IS KATHY CATAZARO-PERRY RUNNING FOR MAYOR OF MASSILLON?

A friend of the STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) has suggested to The Report that Massillon Ward 3 Councilperson and Democrat Kathy Catazaro-Perry is already running for mayor of Massllion.

Problem? Yes, the office is already occupied by fellow-Democrat Mayor Francis Cicchinelli.

Other than the suggestion, The Report believes that there are other signs that Catazaro-Perry is gearing up for a run.

First, Catazaro-Perry says that Cicchinelli went out and personally recruited an opponent to run against her in her last race for Massillon City Council.

Second, Catazaro-Perry and Cicchinelli and have had a stormy relationship in city council proceedings. Catazaro-Perry is a leading force on council to help Rite Aid Drug stores get necessary approvals to set up in Ward 3. Cicchinelli and a group of citizen-activists have opposed her move.

Third, Catazaro-Perry chief political sponsor is Stark County Democratic Party chair Johnnie A. Maier, Jr. The Report is not sure that Mayor Cicchinelli is aware of it, but Maier has had many negative remarks to make about Cicchinelli over the years The Report has known Maier.

The Report invites readers to read Massillon City Council minutes. They are quite entertaining. The te-te-a-tes between Catazaro-Perry and Cicchinelli.

The Catazaro-Perry possibility is a part of the larger Maier plan to staff the leadership of the Stark County Democratic Party with folks who are personally loyal to him.

Question: Is it good for Stark County to have party (a la Johnnie A. Maier, Jr.) boss who controls who runs for what office in Stark County?