Sunday, October 19, 2003
A budget commission meeting scheduled for Thursday was canceled.
By BOB JACKSON
and DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITERS
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County officials were to find out today whether there's more money available in the general fund this year.
The county budget commission was to hold an emergency meeting today to certify that the county's fund balance has increased by $375,000, and that money could go toward a settlement with the juvenile court. The commissioners were to hold an emergency meeting after that to reconsider the settlement.
The budget commission was to meet Thursday to certify the additional $375,000, but Auditor George Tablack, who chairs the commission, canceled the meeting without explanation. The emergency meeting that was to be held today was called by county Prosecutor Paul J. Gains, a commission member.
Criticized by auditor
Tablack criticized commissioners for failing to reach agreement Thursday on a possible settlement with Judge Theresa Dellick of juvenile court. The Ohio Supreme Court ruled recently that commissioners must come up with an additional $2.3 million in funding for the court this year.
Tablack said he and Commissioner David Ludt have met with the judge and reached an agreement for a $925,000 increase. Ludt was the only commissioner to vote Thursday in favor of settling the case with the judge for $925,000. Commissioner Ed Reese, who proposed a $600,000 settlement, would not go along with Ludt's proposal, and pointed out that there was not enough money available to pay her $925,000 without the additional revenue that was to have been certified Thursday.
Also, county Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini echoed critical comments made by Commissioner Vicki Allen Sherlock about a local political organization -- saying its only purpose is to divide local Democrats and to create chaos and controversy in county government.
Press release issued
Antonini, who serves as the county treasurer's administrative assistant, issued a press release Thursday criticizing the Democrats of the 17th and 6th Districts. The local political organization has called for Sherlock's resignation because of her refusal to comply with an Ohio Supreme Court ruling to provide an additional $2.3 million to the county's juvenile court system.
Sherlock fired back, saying the organization's Internet message board is equivalent to a hate group's Web site.
Antonini said she commends any Democratic officeholder who fights against Juvenile Court Judge Theresa Dellick's additional funding request, and says the judge is displaying "Republican arrogance."
"I don't know what she's talking about," said Mark Belinky, the group's president. "If she's going to suggest that Vicki Sherlock hasn't engaged in disreputable behavior, then she's flat-out wrong, and she's in denial."
bjackson@vindy.comslkolnick@vindy.com