YOUNGSTOWN Deputy warden hired to combat stray dogs

The city and county will split the cost of the new officer's salary and benefits.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Help is on the way in the fight to catch stray dogs.
Mahoning County commissioners approved hiring Sean Toohey of Campbell as a deputy dog warden. He starts Monday and will be paid $11.50 per hour.
Toohey will spend time riding and training with other animal control officers before beginning solo duties, said Carol Markovich, county dog warden.
Last month, the county agreed to hire another deputy dog warden and split the cost with the city. Authorities were in the middle of a rash of dog attacks on city residents.
Details of a written agreement for the cost-sharing are still being worked out, but the county did not want to wait to hire the additional officer, said J. Kevin Sellards, human resources director.
"The dogs are out there running loose, and we need help now," Sellards added.
He and Markovich said Toohey will eventually work a flexible schedule, meaning he will patrol some nights and weekends as well as during daylight hours.
Recycling work: Commissioners tabled a request to hire Farris & amp; Associates of Youngstown to do marketing work for the county recycling division for $95,065. The firm did the same work last year for $110,000.
Commissioner David Ludt said he wants the job to be bid, even though Ohio law does not require bids for such services. He said bidding "looks better to the public."
Timothy Berlekamp, recycling division executive director, said he sought bids last year before hiring Farris. He opted against it this year since it's not required and because he did not want to interrupt the continuity of the marketing campaign.
"I've been as above-board with this as I can be," he said later.
Commissioner Ed Reese said he is not opposed to the contract but would like to have Farris make a presentation to the board about its services before voting. Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock did not attend the meeting because of illness.