Two strong candidates vie for Girard council president
These are interesting times in the city of Girard.
Just in recent weeks, it's become apparent that the city is facing a major budget deficit. City Auditor Sam Zirafi, who has held the post for two months, says the city's general fund is facing a 2001 deficit of about $800,000. Former Auditor Sam Lamancusa estimates that figure could grow to $1 million.
Unrelated to the budget, city council is considering a proposal to pool the buying power of area electric and natural gas customers to reduce rates for homeowners and businesses.
And, too, the city is still working on plans to develop Girard and Liberty lakes as a commercial water source. The city bought the lakes in 1995. And let's not forget the matter of cleaning up the site of the old Ohio Leather Co. works.
Two men are eager to serve as president of Girard City Council in these most interesting of times.
The race: The incumbent, Leo Grimes, is being challenged in the May 8 primary by former Councilman Louis J. Adovasio.
Grimes, 45, is executive director of a nursing home company, Windsor House Inc., and was appointed last fall to complete the term of Jerome Lambert, who was named service director. Grimes had served two terms as First Ward councilman in the mid-1990s
Adovasio, 39, served six years as a councilman at large until 1999, when he lost a mayoral bid. He is a tool and die maker.
Both men have experience in city government and during an interview with Vindicator editors demonstrated a thorough understanding of government in general and the specific challenges facing the city of Girard.
We give the edge to Grimes, who has a degree in business administration and experience as chairman of council's finance committee, which will serve the city especially well in attacking its most immediate problem, the looming budget deficit.
The Vindicator endorses Grimes for the Democratic nomination for city council president.