MAHONING COUNTY Commissioner appoints self to recycling panel

Officials also approved a marketing contract for the Green Team.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- There was a minor ripple Thursday in the normally routine process of making annual committee assignments among Mahoning County commissioners.
Commissioner Ed Reese was on the list to serve as delegate to the county recycling division's policy committee, with Commissioner David Ludt as the alternate. Reese is commission chairman this year and Ludt is vice chairman. Those who hold those positions have traditionally been appointed to the recycling division spots.
Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock, who was chairwoman last year, said she stepped aside from the recycling committee and let Reese have that spot at his request. She wanted him to return the favor this year, but he refused.
Reese said under Ohio law, the commissioner chairman serves on the recycling committee unless someone else is designated.
"I'm going to go with the discretion of the chair and appoint myself," Reese said.
Sherlock said it was not a big deal, she simply wanted a chance to serve since she'd never served on that committee since being elected. She voted in favor of the appointments with no further comment.
Marketing bill: Commissioners approved payment of $100,000 to Farris & amp; Associates of Youngstown to do marketing for the recycling division, which is known as the Green Team.
It's the third year of a three-year contract, said Timothy Berlekamp, recycling division executive director. The first year cost $110,000 and the second year cost $95,065.
Berlekamp said it costs the county about the same to pay Farris as it did for the department to do all its own marketing and mailings. The agency has developed an aggressive television and billboard advertising campaign to boost recycling awareness, he said.
The marketing program will be revisited after this year.
bjackson@vindy.com