MAHONING COUNTY Former chairmen advise new Dem leader

One former chairman told the new leader not to get involved in economic development; another gave opposite advice.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Three former Mahoning County Democratic Party chairmen, who have differing political philosophies, agree that new party Chairwoman Lisa Antonini will do a good job revitalizing the organization.
"I think she will become one of the better, if not the best, party chairs that the community has ever had," said Michael Morley, Mahoning Democratic chairman from 1994 to 1999. Antonini worked as the party's operations director under Morley for four years.
Morley; Don L. Hanni Jr., who served as chairman for 16 years before Morley; and David Ditzler, who succeeded Morley in 1999, said Antonini has the energy, commitment and desire to excel as the party's leader.
"She seems to me to be a highly energetic person," Hanni said. "The job demands a lot of energy. In the 16 years I had that job, I realized that position demands a full-time commitment. It's not a job for someone who wants to sit around and do nothing."
Antonini, the party's first chairwoman, easily defeated Mark Belinky 195-48 for the post during a Tuesday meeting of the party's precinct committee members. Antonini spent the past 14 months working to obtain the support of the precinct committee members, who vote for the leader.
Responsibility
Antonini, who works in the Mahoning County Treasurer's Office, said it will be a challenge to juggle her job and running the party, but she will do it.
"She's got more flexibility to do the things that need to be done," Ditzler said.
But the man whom Antonini succeeded warned her not to take on too much responsibility.
One platform of Antonini's candidacy was more party involvement in economic development projects in the Mahoning Valley. Ditzler said that is probably not the best idea.
"The only thing I can caution her on is she wants to do all the things Mike Morley wanted to do that led to Mike being overwhelmed and leaving the post," Ditzler said. "The party chair's position is to get Democrats elected. When you turn it into a vocation instead of the position it is, it overwhelms you. Mike tried to be everything to everybody, and it took its toll on him. I came in with the same thought, but you don't have the ability, time, staff and resources to do everything."
Morley said he was not overwhelmed by the position when he resigned three years ago. Morley also said it is a good idea for Antonini to get involved in local economic development.
Full-time commitment
But Morley did agree with Ditzler that to do the chairman's job properly, a person has to make it all-consuming.
"I think it's a job that's impossible to do if you want to maintain any type of personal life," Morley said. "It's all-encompassing of your time. You have to make a full-time commitment to it."
Morley sees Antonini as a person capable of returning the local party to prominence.
Morley met Antonini at the time his Democrats for Change organization was preparing to wrest control of the Mahoning Democratic Party from Hanni. When Morley won the chairmanship in 1994, he was looking for a recent college graduate to serve as his operations director.
"The job didn't pay well, but I wanted someone who cared a lot and she was the obvious choice," Morley said. "She emerged as an extraordinarily hard worker and someone passionate about her community and party. She just stood out."
Morley sees Antonini becoming a player on the state and national Democratic fronts.
"Her work ethic and intelligence will separate her," he said.
Party unity
Hanni said his word of advice to Antonini is to bring together the party's factions and unify them.
"There has to be a peace accord," he said. "She has to reach out to some of the dissidents and bring them to the table. Democrats are a party of continuous internal strife. You're always putting out fires."
Morley says Antonini should continue to keep in close contact with the precinct committee members.
"She completely gets it," he said. "She understands the importance of that."
Also, Morley said he would resign his seat on the county board of elections if Antonini wants the post, even though he does not want to vacate it. Ditzler had previously said Morley should step down so the new chair could take that post. Antonini said she doesn't want Morley to resign his seat.
skolnick@vindy.com