WASHINGTONVILLE Countersuit filed against militia group's leader

LISBON -- Washingtonville officials are countersuing the leader of an unorganized militia group, saying his lawsuit over not being appointed to village government is frivolous.
The countersuit, filed in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court, seeks $100,000 in damages and attorney fees from Don Vos of 190 Washington St., Washingtonville.
Also sought in the countersuit is a dismissal of Vos' $32 million lawsuit, which was filed in September.
The village contends in the countersuit that Vos wrongly filed his lawsuit to defame village officials.
Because of Vos' improper actions, the village must incur attorney fees to defend itself, the countersuit states.
In seeking the dismissal of Vos' case, the village is arguing, in part, that his claim that he was defamed by village officials is without merit.
Vos was unavailable Wednesday to comment.
Vos is suing council members and other village officials for denying his bid to become a member of village government.
Vos asked village council in fall 2001 to be appointed to the mayor's position, which was being vacated by then-Mayor Charles Morrow, who was resigning. Council refused Vos' request. He then asked council to appoint him to one of three vacant seats on the panel, but he was not appointed.
In his lawsuit, Vos accuses village officials of conspiring to defame him and keep him from being named to one of the government positions.