Ouzounian runs for county commissioner

YOUNGSTOWN -- Richard Ouzounian, best known for urging Hollywood producers to use Mahoning Valley sites as the backdrop for their movies, now wants a different role.
He filed before the Mahoning County Board of Elections' deadline Wednesday as a Democrat write-in candidate for Mahoning County commissioner.
Ouzounian, 44, has lived in Boardman four years and said that is plenty of time for him to understand county government and the problems facing county officials.
He said he has been pleased and surprised at the response to his announcement, with many supporters asking about campaign fundraisers and other details.
Originally from Illinois, Ouzounian said his work in the Illinois attorney general's office and in film and television communications at the White House gives him a unique outsider's perspective. He said he decided to run for a lot of reasons, chiefly because the county is in chaos.
"The county's problems are not insurmountable, but we can't keep playing political games," he said.