QUOTABLE Judge Pike

Judge C. Ashley Pike of Columbiana County Common Pleas Court recently criticized county commissioners' decisions and leadership ability and commented on the county's fiscal crisis in a sworn statement given in connection with a court case. Here are some of the judge's remarks:
On commissioners' refusal to cut funds to some county offices: "There would be a political price to pay, and none of them have the courage to face up to that."
Regarding commissioners' allocations to county departments: "You can't give somebody a dollar when they need five and then blame them when the results don't come out the way the general public would like. I don't like to be so contentious. But ... the commissioners can get me more excited than my wife's relatives."
On commissioners' removing 2 mills of property tax in exchange for passage of the 1-percent sales tax in November 2000: "The commissioners were foolish in doing that to begin with, and they hesitate now to admit that they were wrong."
Regarding the condition of the county courthouse: "This is not a luxurious place to work. It's rather embarrassing."
Source: Judge C. Ashley Pike July 24 deposition