GIRARD Mayor Melfi defends use of city equipment

The Girard Chamber of Commerce approved the ad.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Mayor James Melfi says he wasn't playing favorites when he authorized the use of city equipment to erect a private advertising banner.
"We're trying to promote business in Girard," the mayor said Monday.
Melfi said he authorized the use of firefighting equipment to erect the banner over State Street because it was approved by the Girard Chamber of Commerce.
"We're Back ... Girard Hardware," the banner reads, promoting the return of the hardware business from Boardman.
Dan Camuso and George Thomas, store co-owners, had moved to Boardman after it was in business here for 96 years. It reopened this month. The banner is still up and may remain up for another week.
Complaints from some: There have been complaints from businessmen and some citizens that Melfi should not have allowed the use of city equipment to put up the sign. The complaints say the mayor is playing favorites because he's friendly with the owners.
Melfi said Girard Hardware's owners approached him about the banner and he directed them to the chamber.
Robert Griffith, chamber president, explained that the chamber approved the banner and will give the OK for similar ones under "special circumstances," which does not include business sales.
The return of a business to the city warranted the sign, he added.
Explanation of others: Melfi said he ordered some signs announcing a sale at a local store to be taken down because they were on both public and private property.
Some of the signs presented safety concerns and property owners didn't give permission to erect the signs, the mayor explained.
"We have to keep the town as neat as possible," Melfi argued, noting businesses and political signs put up illegally have been previously taken down.
"We're trying to promote business in Girard," the mayor said. "We're very happy to have them [Girard Hardware] back in Girard."