WARREN Polivka favored for post on board

Five others are seeking the appointment.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- City councilman-at-large Dan Polivka could soon be appointed Trumbull County commissioner, if his wishes and the predictions of many Democratic precinct committeemen come true.
Tuesday, Polivka formally announced that he was seeking appointment to the seat on the board vacated by Michael O'Brien, who was elected Warren's mayor in November and takes office Thursday.
In front of a crowd of about 100 supporters -- most of whom were Democratic committee members -- Polivka promised to foster economic development in Trumbull County, and to market the area to companies.
"I really believe Trumbull County needs to become the small business capital of America, and we must identify ourselves as the growth corridor between Cleveland and Pittsburgh," he said.
Predictions
Many committee members at the event, held Tuesday at Alberini's Restaurant, predicted Polivka could win appointment to the commissioner's seat on the first ballot when Democratic committeemen vote at a meeting Jan. 15.
"There are good candidates in this race, but I think Dan is going to get it," said Fred Smith, committeeman for Bristol Precinct C.
There are 274 precincts in Trumbull County. Committee members representing perhaps 75 precincts came to Polivka's event.
"I can't see how he can lose," said Ralph Cheuy, Democratic committeeman for Girard Precinct 2.
Other hopefuls
Five other Democrats are seeking the appointment, including John McClosky, county commissioner from 1970-1975; Johnston Township Trustee Donald J. Barzak; James Herrholtz Sr., an office manager for the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters; Gwen Logan, briefly a commissioner candidate in 1998 and wife of Judge Andrew Logan of county Common Pleas Court; and David Cook, who lost a close race to Commissioner James Tsagaris in last year's Democratic primary.
To keep the seat beyond the 12 months remaining in O'Brien's term, whomever is appointed will have to run in the primary in March.
The filing deadline is Friday. As of Tuesday, only Logan had filed petitions to run in the primary. Polivka said he also intends to run.
siff@vindy.com