MAHONING COUNTY Renewal, elections kindle optimism

Renewal of a county sales tax and election of two new congressmen have brightened the county's outlook.
By BOB JACKSON
VINDICATOR COURTHOUSE REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- When the state Legislature unveiled new congressional districts 11 months ago, they included a line through Mahoning County instead of around it.
Long known as one of Ohio's bastions of Democratic strength and wooed by Democratic leaders, the county was suddenly split among two congressional districts.
Commissioner Ed Reese said the move was a show of disrespect by lawmakers, which left the area politically neutered and left county leaders feeling kicked in the teeth.
"Our identity was gone," said Reese, who briefly considered filing a lawsuit against the government over what he believed was haphazard creation of congressional districts.
Reese and Commissioner David Ludt also toyed with the idea of pulling out of the Western Reserve Port Authority and either forging a new economic development alliance with partners to the south, or simply going it alone.
Things got worse in May when voters rejected the renewal of a county sales tax, effectively cutting the commissioners' financial legs from under them.
At that point, the county's political and financial futures seemed uncertain. But the future got brighter Election Day.
What happened
The sales tax, which was set to expire Dec. 31, was renewed for five more years. Its $12.5 million provides about a quarter of the county's yearly operating budget.
And commissioners now have faces to associate with the county's two congressional districts. Ted Strickland was elected to represent the 6th District, and Tim Ryan will lead the 17th District. Both are Democrats.
Commissioners are looking ahead with a brighter outlook than they had before Tuesday's election.
"Our identity is still to be formed because of the split," Reese said. "It's a work in progress. I think time will tell."
He's especially concerned about the county's link to the 6th District, a sprawling region that starts at Jackson and Milton townships and meanders some 300 miles southward along the Ohio River through all or parts of 12 counties.
That district contains the bulk of the county's territory and about half its population, including Boardman.
"With the gerrymandering effect down there in the 6th District, Ted Strickland has got to please a lot of people. That's going to be a challenge for him," Reese said, wondering where Mahoning County will fall among Strickland's priorities.
Ludt said he's encouraged by the fact that Strickland, who is from Lucasville, chose to spend election night in the Mahoning Valley, at his campaign headquarters in Boardman Plaza.
Two is better than one
He sees the dual-district situation as a potential good thing for the county. Instead of having one voice in Washington, D.C., the county will have two.
That's important when it comes to replacing longtime congressman James A. Traficant Jr., who is serving eight years in prison for racketeering, bribery and tax evasion.
"Neither of them will be as strong as Traficant was, but having two of them in office together could make a difference," Ludt said.
He said commissioners will keep in close contact with both Strickland and Ryan, whose district will include Youngstown and most of the county's northeastern parts, as well as Warren, Niles and Lordstown in Trumbull County.
And while commissioners will look in all directions for economic development partners, Reese said having the sales tax in place will give the county the means to go solo on some projects.
Sales tax
"I think the main thing we learned from the redistricting is that Mahoning County is going to have to look out for itself and take care of itself first," Reese said. "The sales tax will help us do that."
Having the sales tax revenue locked up for the next five years gives the county some breathing room, but officials warn it isn't a cure-all.
"From our perspective, it brings some stability, which cannot be overrated," said Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock. "But we're not out of the woods yet."
The sales tax, she said, is driven by the economy, which has been sluggish.
The county's interest earnings from investments has dropped $3 million in the past year, also because of the economic downturn, Reese said.
Counties all over Ohio are faced with the prospect of losing local government fund revenue from the state, beginning in 2004. For Mahoning County, it would be a $6 million loss.
All those factors will force commissioners to keep a tight fist on the purse strings next year. All departments will have to watch their spending. Some could have to make cuts to stay within the money they are allocated.
Sherlock said it's all an important part of commissioners' building credibility with the public.
"I think it's important for people to see that there is a plan, that it's not just going to be status quo," Sherlock said. "We're going to have to make sure that we manage correctly."
bjackson@vindy.com