COLUMBIANA COUNTY Recorder considers seeking GOP nod for commissioner

The county Republican Party would appoint a successor if an officeholder runs for a different post and wins.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- As expected, Columbiana County Commissioner Dave Cranmer is seeking re-election, but he may have competition from within the courthouse.
County Recorder Gary Williams said Tuesday he is considering seeking the Republican nomination for county commissioner.
"There's a good chance I'm going to run," said Williams, 58, of Madison Township.
Williams added that he has been circulating nominating petitions and could file them with the elections board today or Thursday, which is the filing deadline.
He was elected in November 2000 to a four-year term as recorder.
But Williams said he thinks he could better serve county residents from the commissioner's office.
Before being elected recorder, Williams served for nearly 19 years as a Madison Township trustee. He also served four years as township clerk.
In addition, he was president of the county township trustees association.
Should Williams be elected commissioner, the Republican Party would appoint someone to finish his recorder term.
Seeking second term: Cranmer, 57, a Democrat, is making a bid for his second four-year term.
Cranmer said that if re-elected, he will continue being frugal with tax dollars.
He said he also will keep supporting budget hearings for county departments when they seek their annual allocations.
Another project he said he will push is establishment of a countywide 911 emergency telephone answering system.
Cranmer noted that, working with fellow commissioners, he has successfully pursued three county waterline expansion projects.
Those undertakings include providing water to Beaver schools in Madison Township, which previously were served by wells.