MAHONING VALLEY State rep won't resign to go to Iraq

The state representative plans to run for re-election next year.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- State Rep. John Boccieri, an Air Force reservist, is about to find out what it's like to represent his constituents while living in another country.
Boccieri of New Middletown, D-61st, said today that he has been called to active duty. While the pilot, who is a member of the Air Force Reserve 910th Airlift Wing, doesn't know where he will be assigned, Boccieri said his tour of duty is for one year.
No plans to resign
Boccieri, a captain and C-130 commander, said he has no plans to resign as a state representative, and plans to run for re-election next year, even though it is quite likely he won't be in the district during either the March primary or the November general election. Randy Pope, an Alliance Republican who lost to Boccieri in 2002 for the seat, is planning to challenge Boccieri again next year.
Boccieri said there is a possibility that he'll have to resign his House leadership position as assistant minority whip.
"I haven't made any decisions yet, but the Democrats want the leadership team to stay focused on winning seats in the House and the presidential election," Boccieri said. "It will be hard for me to do that if I'm in Iraq."
Boccieri will not be permitted to vote on any bills in the Ohio House if he is out of the country. He co-sponsored a bill earlier this year to allow Ohio military reservists called to active duty to vote if they hold a political office. The bill is still in committee.
Boccieri said he plans to correspond with his constituents and fellow lawmakers through e-mail, telephone and the mail. He is hopeful the military and the state Legislature will set up a closed-circuit television system so he can participate in committee meetings and communicate with other House members.
Boccieri said there is no requirement that he resign his House seat because he will be on active military duty for a year. E.J. Thomas, a former state representative from Columbus, continued serving in the House while he was a pilot during the Gulf War more than a decade ago, Boccieri said.
Leadership school
Boccieri is at a leadership school in Alabama, and will return to the Mahoning Valley on Dec. 10. He will report to the air base in Vienna the following day.
Boccieri's district includes Beaver, Smith, Springfield, Goshen and Green townships as well as New Middletown, Sebring, Beloit and Washingtonville. He also represents all of Carroll County and portions of Tuscarawas and Stark counties.
skolnick@vindy.com