TRUMBULL COUNTY Five remain to vie for financial position

By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Finalists for a $52,000 Trumbull County job include the son of a former state lawmaker who works at the family business and the brother of a man expected to run for county engineer.
Last week, county commissioners concluded interviewing candidates for the job of controller of the sanitary engineer's office, a position which has not been filled in 10 years.
Both Sanitary Engineer Gary Newbrough and his immediate predecessor, Tom Holloway, asked commissioners to fill the position, which carries responsibility for overseeing the department's $20 million annual budget and tracking grants from several sources.
"The accounting burden has increased dramatically over the last three to four years," Newbrough said.
He said he hoped the controller could be in place to assist in preparing the department's budget for next year.
"The job needs to be filled," said Jim Keating, human resources director.
Almost 30 people applied for the job. Officials then selected seven finalists. Two dropped out after learning more about the position, county officials said.
Who they are
The pay starts at $52,000, but it could be higher for a candidate with government experience. Finalists include:
UTod M. Latell of Girard, son of former state senator Anthony Latell and manager of the family business, Creekside Golf Dome & amp; Sports Bar in Girard. Latell was awarded a bachelor's degree from the University of Akron in 2001. Other professional experience listed on his r & eacute;sum & eacute; includes teaching golf, modeling men's clothes and serving as operations manager at AVI FoodSystems lnc.
URobert A. DeChristofaro of Niles, brother to Niles city engineer and expected county engineer candidate David DeChristofaro. He is controller for Nanicola Inc. in Youngstown and was owner of two companies involved in oil and gas well development. He has worked in financial jobs at a number of companies since earning a bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University in 1979. His references include Anthony Cafaro Sr. and Ray Travaglini.
UHerbert W. Laukhart of Warren, who will likely lose his job as chief deputy Trumbull County clerk of courts when a new clerk of courts takes office in January. Laukhart worked at Wally Armour Ford in Alliance and Wean United in Youngstown before coming to the clerk's office in 1989. He earned a bachelor's degree from Kent State University in 1979.
U Joseph R. Havasi of Niles, who has a master's degree in business administration from YSU and works as a project manager for URS Corp. of Cleveland. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Denison University in 1993.
UMark D. Lozzi of Warren, a vice president of Second National Bank who has a master's degree in business administration from YSU. He also was an accountant at Trumbull Memorial Hospital and assistant controller and treasurer at Trumbull Savings and Loan Co. His references include William Watson, former president of Trumbull Savings and Loan and campaign treasurer for Commissioner James Tsagaris, and Henry J. Angelo, former Warren mayor and brother to Commissioner Joseph Angelo Jr.
The finalists who withdrew were a certified public accountant who has worked as controller of several area manufacturers and an auditor for the state auditor's office.