Valley Republicans, Democrats recall politician who put Ohio first

The former governor helped with numerous Valley projects, including expanding YSU and getting General Motors to build a car plant in Lordstown.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- To former Gov. James A. Rhodes, it didn't matter if you were a Republican or a Democrat.
Sure, he was a partisan Republican, but after the campaigning was done, he was more than willing to work with those on either side of the political fence, according to those in the Mahoning Valley who knew him.
"He was the most outstanding governor Ohio ever had," said Don L. Hanni Jr., former longtime Mahoning County Democratic chairman. "He had common sense, he wasn't a media freak, he was a guy who got things done."
Harry Meshel, a former state senator and state Democratic Party chairman, who served as Senate president under Rhodes, said the former governor was "one of the better public servants in the history of this state. He was very progressive. The Rhodes years were epic, in my opinion."
Rhodes, the state's only four-term governor, died Sunday in Columbus at 91 of complications from an infection and heart failure.
He was known for bringing industry, building roads and airports and improving education.
Valley accomplishments: Rhodes was instrumental in getting General Motors to build a car plant in Lordstown, transformed Youngstown College into Youngstown State University and helped with its expansion, including the construction of Stambaugh Stadium.
He was involved in getting a Kent State University regional campus in Champion Township, got state funds for the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and helped obtain $2.8 million for CASTLO Improvement Corp. to buy the Sheet & amp; Tube Struthers Works property.
"He was a colorful figure, a colorful character," said William Binning, chairman of YSU's political science department and a former Mahoning County GOP chairman. "He had a style of politics you don't see anymore."
Binning said he cut his political teeth in 1974 as Rhodes' campaign chairman for the Valley. Rhodes first served as governor from 1963 to 1971.
Prevented by state law from serving a third consecutive term, he sat out four years, then, even though many people thought he was through politically, was elected again in 1974 and re-elected four years later.
"It was a very exciting election and a great opportunity for me to learn about Ohio politics," said Binning, who was close to Rhodes after that campaign. "He was a legend in Ohio politics. That campaign was how I got attracted to politics."
Popular figure: Rhodes often visited the Mahoning Valley while governor and was a popular figure here despite being a Republican in a heavily Democratic area. Rhodes last visited the Valley in November to be honored for his work assisting CASTLO.
On hand were several of his longtime friends including Binning, Meshel and former state Rep. George Tablack, a Democrat who was chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee during Rhodes' tenure as governor and father of the Mahoning County auditor.
"When he gave you his word, he kept it," Tablack said. "He wasn't like a lot of the other governors. The man was really a terrific governor. In fact, I wish he was a Democrat. He was interested in the state of Ohio. He didn't care as much about politics as he did about the state."
Visionary: Meshel called Rhodes a visionary. "If you worked with him, he'd help you. He was open and friendly. He played Republican politics, no question about that, but he was accessible to everyone."
William Wade, who was Mahoning County Republican chairman from 1976 to 1978, said Rhodes was a rare politician who made everyone around him feel comfortable.
"He was just a good old boy," Wade said.
Wade said that one time during the mid-'70s, Rhodes told him that Youngstown should work to build an arena between Market Street and South Avenue at the former Republic Steel site.
"I thought he was crazy, but he was about 20 years ahead of his time," Wade said.
Thomas Gilmartin, a former state representative and senator, said Rhodes would do anything to attract jobs to Ohio.
"He didn't care what type of jobs they were, he wanted them here in Ohio," Gilmartin said. "He also cared about this area. If we needed something for YSU and the State Controlling Board would hold it up, we'd bring it to his attention and he'd say he would look into it. He usually helped us out."
Driver's recollections: Sgt. Harry Pasku, who heads the investigations department at the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Warren post, drove Rhodes around northeast Ohio when the governor came to town.
"He was my first governor and he was probably the most down-to-earth person you'd ever meet in your life," Pasku said. "He always told you what he thought and his word was his bond. When he went to a community and he said we can build this project, stand back because it was coming."
Pasku said he never had any interest in politics until he worked for Rhodes.
"He would have stories to no end," he said. "It was a thrill to be with him."
Shortly after Ronald Reagan won the Republican endorsement for president in 1980, he came to the Mahoning Valley.
Pasku said Reagan's people told Rhodes that the presidential candidate was running late that day and probably would not be able to meet the governor for their planned breakfast.
Pasku said Rhodes told Reagan's people: "Tell the gentleman that he's unemployed right now and I'm the president of Ohio."
The two ended up meeting over breakfast.
Politicians like Rhodes no longer exist, according to those in the Valley who knew him.
"He had no handlers, he didn't worry about TV and money," Binning said.
"It's not as much fun as it used to be. He was just so real. He loved politics."