Staying Put: Crestwood Board Candidate Says He Won't Withdraw

A Ward II candidate in the upcoming Crestwood Boad of Aldermen election said he doesn't plan to withdraw from the race, though according to city charter, a previous felony conviction prohibits him from running, South County Times reports.

Bill Schelinski was convicted of aggravated assault in Illinois in 1996, according to South County Times. He is slated against Mary Stadter in the April 2 election.

"Schelinski acknowledges he was given a copy of the city's charter, but said the copy he was given, along with other materials he received from the city regarding qualifications for candidates, made no mention that convicted felons could not run for office," according to the report. 

Schelinski told South County Times he "certainly would not have attempted to put [his] name into the hat" if the copy of the charter had any mention of felony convictions.

The city will consult their attorney and the St. Louis County Board of Elections "if this does become an issue," according to the report.

Read the full story on South County Times.

Call Newspapers named Schelinski among their April 2 election endorsements. 

Two forums for Crestwood candidates are scheduled within the next week. All Crestwood candidates have been invited to a forum Saturday morning at St. Elizabeth of Hungary, 10 a.m.-noon. Ward I and II candidates are expected to participate in a Gravois Township forum, along with Sunset Hill board and Mehlville Fire District candidates, on March 27.