NILES Six vie for treasurer's position; incumbent Hogan has challenge
The 4th Ward race is a rematch from the 1999 primary election.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- Candidates for Niles treasurer say qualifications are the main issue in the race.
Six candidates -- Richard L. Bullock, Mary Lou Campana-Davies, John LaBuda, John C. Maiorca, Edrea K. Mientkiewicz and Bob Swauger -- are vying for the Democratic nomination for the $7,590-per-year, part-time post. Vickie Flynn-Putnam, who has occupied the position since 1986, isn't seeking re-election. No Republican candidates have filed for the post.
Round two: The 4th Ward race, the only other contested race in the primary, is a rematch from the 1999 race. Incumbent Paul Hogan faces a challenge from Anthony Vigorito. Both men are Democrats and no Republicans have filed.
LaBuda, who recently retired from his position as the co-owner and founder of JDS Energy Corp., Brecksville, says he's pursuing the treasurer's position to give something back to the community.
"I think the treasurer's job should be held by an accountant," said LaBuda who has an accounting degree.
He'll set his goals for the office if elected after he gets into the office and gauges what if any improvements should be made.
Maiorca, who served as an at-large city councilman for 12 years before being defeated in 1999, pointed to his math experience as well as his knowledge of city government as the items that set him apart from the field.
Promise time: He has been a math teacher at Joseph Badger Schools for 22 years and says his position will enable him to devote sufficient time to the job.
Bullock, who recently retired as a guidance counselor from Weathersfield schools, said he's seeking office for the first time because he now has the time to give to the position.
He also pointed to his math background. He worked as a math teacher and guidance counselor at Niles schools for more than 30 years before working at Weathersfield.
"I'll be to give it my full-time attention although it's a part-time job," Bullock said.
Campana-Davies, a homemaker, also believes her availability sets her apart from her opponents.
"I have the time to really devote to working in the treasurer's job," she said. "I've always been the kind of person who when I'm given a task to really roll up my sleeves and go at it 110 percent to accomplish that goal."
Swauger, the branch manager at Firstar Bank's Niles office, says he wants to use his education and work experience to work for the city. Because the bank is open seven days a week, he says he'll be able to devote the required time to the treasurer's office. He ran and was defeated two years ago in the race for at-large council.
"I want to make sure the collection of delinquent taxes is vigorously pursued," Swauger said. "There was $100,000 in delinquent taxes at the end of 2000; $100,000 may not sound like a lot of money for a city, but it's still the people's money."
Mientkiewicz, a precinct committeewoman for 10 years, said she's always been interested in politics but waited until her children were grown before seeking office. She says her experience as a self-employed business woman at Sussman Sports as well as her work in collections for six years with the Cafaro Co. qualifies her for the position.
"With my business experience, I feel I could be an asset to the position," she said.
Similar backgrounds: Both 4th Ward council candidates are retired city firefighters.
Hogan lists completion of a new water line from the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District and the sale of water by the city to parts of Brookfield, Howland, Liberty and Vienna as issues in the race. He also would like to see a park on Iowa Street on the city's South Side refurbished and a first responder program started for city firefighters.
He pointed out endorsements he's received over his opponent including the UAW Cap Council and the Trumbull County Federation of Labor.
Vigorito believes he's more personable and better able to negotiate than his opponent.
"I'm an optimist and can see the good side of things, not just the bad," he said. "I think I could get along better with the administration than he has in the time he's been there."
Vigorito, who says he's always been interested in public service, says he supports the city's housing maintenance code ordinance.
"But there's no leeway for the people who can't afford to fix their homes," he said.
He would pursue state and federal grants to help people who can't afford to maintain their property, he said.