HUBBARD COUNCIL Unopposed candidate looks to take seat before election

The death of Councilman Robert DeJulio leaves an unexpired term.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- Lisha Pompili-Baumiller will become a city councilwoman sooner than later.
Pompili-Baumiller of Center Street is the only candidate for the 3rd Ward seat on next Tuesday's general election ballot.
The 37-year-old defeated the incumbent and veteran councilman Robert DeJulio in the May Democrat primary election.
With Pompili-Baumiller being unopposed Tuesday, she would take the oath of office Jan. 1.
However, DeJulio, 73, died Wednesday in the Cleveland Clinic. His term would have expired Dec. 31.
As a result, the three Precinct 3C Democrat committeemen will have to meet within 45 days to fill the unexpired term.
Decision: Nick Melfi, chairman of the Trumbull County Democratic Party, said he recommends the three committeemen vote for Pompili-Baumiller to fill the seat until the end of the year.
Melfi said he recommends the precinct leaders select Pompili-Baumiller to fill the vacant spot because she will, barring something unforeseen, be elected to the post Tuesday.
But she can hardly lose.
One of the committeemen is Mayor George Praznik, who said he is throwing his support to Pompili-Baumiller.
The mayor said that the large Pompili family has supported him in politics over the years.
Another committeeman is her father, Edward G. This should certainly give her two of three votes.
Asked if she had her father's support, Pompili-Baumiller responded: "I would hope so."
The third committeeman is Jack Wilson, who could not be reached Monday to comment.
Her brother, Edward A., is the Democrat Precinct 4C committeeman.
Melfi said he will call for a meeting of the three during the week of Nov. 14 to vote to fill the vacant seat.
Biographical: Pompili-Baumiller, who was an unsuccessful candidate for an at-large council seat in 1996, is a 1982 graduate of Hubbard High School, worked from 1986 to 1998 as an account officer at Bank One and has been a senior account officer at Landmark Mortgage Services Inc., a debt collection business, since 1998.
She termed DeJulio's death as unfortunate, but added she is eager to take office.
In response to a Vindicator questionnaire, Pompili-Baumiller said her priority, if elected, is to have residents' concerns and ideas heard.
"I want to be a public servant and speak for the people," she wrote, noting that community safety is important to her.
yovich@vindy.com