BOARDMAN Blackwell explains decision on Altiere

The secretary of state said the sheriff's campaign finance report controversy is 'an integrity issue.'
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell refused to certify Trumbull County Sheriff Thomas Altiere's re-election because Blackwell believes Altiere's reports were in "flagrant violation of the campaign finance laws."
Blackwell, a Republican, said there was "nothing personal, nothing political" about his refusal to certify results of the November re-election of Altiere, a Democrat. He did it simply because Altiere's campaign finance reports were riddled with problems.
"It's an integrity issue," Blackwell said. "The integrity of our law enforcement system resides in the public's ability to believe that they have equal protection under the law and that no one is above the law. The rules apply to everybody."
When questions arose: Questions about Altiere's campaign contributions and expenses first surfaced during the March 2000 Democratic primary raised by William Jobe of Warren, who supported the sheriff's opponent. A review by the county board of elections of Altiere's campaign expense reports from 1993 to 200 raised even more questions.
The elections board voted 2-2 along party lines in December on the certification of Altiere's re-election. Blackwell broke the tie ruling against Altiere in February.
But Altiere, who insists he did nothing improper with his campaign finance report, filed an appeal. A decision has not yet been made by the 5th District Court of Appeals in Canton, and Altiere remains sheriff.
There are "rules that we all must live by in terms of campaign finance and those rules and regulations have been violated," Blackwell said. "What is at stake, in my view, is the integrity of the law and our law enforcement officials."
Spoke at event: Blackwell was speaker at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber's annual business meeting Friday at Mr. Anthony's.
After the speech, Blackwell told the local press that he turned down a job in the Bush administration because "the right thing to do was to finish the job the people elected me to do. I can close my eyes and easily imagine that Washington will still be there in two years."
Blackwell, the state's top elections official, said he is a supporter of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform bill. He called it a "more rational approach to governing. ... Campaign finance reform is needed. We are trying to address some state issues as we speak."
During his speech, Blackwell said the Mahoning Valley may be struggling but has a bright future.
"The brightness of that future turns on each and every one of you to light candles instead of sitting on the sidelines complaining about the darkness."
At the meeting, the chamber gave its Donald Cagigas Spirit of the Chamber Award to Robert L. Faulkner Sr., a retired Delphi Packard Electric Systems executive and member of the Warren school board, and its William G. Lyden Jr. Spirit of the Valley Award to Jim Tressel, head football coach of The Ohio State University and former Youngstown State University coach. Tressel's wife, Ellen, accepted the honor on his behalf.