MAHONING COUNTY 3rd candidate seeks judgeship

The latest judicial candidate said she would strive to operate the court fairly and efficiently.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A third candidate has filed nominating petitions seeking a seat on the Mahoning County Court bench.
Diane Vettori of Canfield, an attorney since 1993, joins Judge Loren Popio of Canfield and Michael B. Dockry, Austintown Township administrator, as candidates for county court judge.
Vettori, who has been campaigning for the past four months, made it official Tuesday when she filed her nominating petitions with the county board of elections. The filing deadline is Thursday.
Vettori, who operates a private law practice in Austintown, has served as an assistant county prosecutor, Sebring law director and administrative hearing officer for the child support enforcement agency.
"This is the one court that the average person truly is going to have be part of their lives, whether it's a speeding ticket or if they have a claim against a vendor," she said. "It truly is the people's court. I want to make sure there is justice for people who use the court. I want the court to run smoothly and effectively."
Length of term
Judge Popio was appointed by Gov. Bob Taft in July 2001 to fill a portion of Judge Theresa Dellick's unexpired term. Judge Dellick left the county court after the governor appointed her county juvenile court judge. Judge Popio's appointment expires Jan. 2, 2003, and whoever wins the Nov. 5 general election will serve until Jan. 2, 2007, the remainder of Judge Dellick's unexpired six-year term.
County area courts are in Canfield, Boardman, Austintown and Sebring. The four county court judges earn $50,000 annually for the part-time, nonpartisan positions. The judges are responsible for handling criminal misdemeanors and initial and preliminary hearings on felonies.
skolnick@vindy.com