Dems will cover Boccieri's district

The 61st District rep won't have to resign when he goes on military duty.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Constituents in the Ohio House's 61st District won't lose their voice in Columbus just because their state representative is being called to active military duty, said House Minority Leader Chris Redfern.
Redfern of Catawba Island, D-80th, said he will meet next week with Ohio House Democrats, and is inviting House Republicans to discuss strategy for providing representation and constituent services to residents of the 61st District.
State Rep. John Boccieri of New Middletown, who's represented the 61st District since 2001, is being called to active duty and will serve for the next year. He will also attend the meeting.
"There will be a seamless transition," Redfern said. "The 36 other House Democrats [besides Boccieri] will help with constituent services and outreach in his district. Republicans are invited to join in a bipartisan position to help the district. I expect they will help."
Boccieri, a captain and C-130 commander with the Air Force Reserve 910th Airlift Wing in Vienna, recently found out that he has been called to active duty. Boccieri, D-61st, is in an Air Force leadership training school in Alabama, and will return to the Mahoning Valley on Wednesday. He is to report to Vienna air base the following day. He doesn't know where he will be assigned.
Won't have to resign
Redfern said Boccieri, whom he described as a hero, will not be required to resign his House seat because he will be on active duty for a year. Boccieri and Redfern said 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.
"There is a precedent," Redfern said.
Also, Dwight Crum, spokesman for Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, said Boccieri doesn't have to resign.
Ohio House rules forbid Boccieri to vote on any bills while he's on active duty. He plans to correspond with his constituents and fellow lawmakers through e-mail, telephone and the mail.
Boccieri said there is a possibility that he'll have to resign his House leadership position as assistant minority whip.
Boccieri plans to run for re-election next year although it is likely he won't be in the district during either the March primary or the November general election.
Boccieri's district includes the southern portion of Mahoning County, as well as portions of Tuscarawas and Stark counties, and all of Carroll County.
skolnick@vindy.com