MAHONING COUNTY McNally, Traficanti ready to go to work

The new commissioners begin their duties in January.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Now that the hugs, claps and well-wishing are over, the hard work begins for new Mahoning County Commissioners John A. McNally IV and Anthony Traficanti.
McNally and Traficanti were sworn in at a ceremony Wednesday in the rotunda area of the county courthouse. More than 230 people attended.
The two men, both in their 30s, will join incumbent Commissioner Dave Ludt to chart a new course for the county with dwindling revenues.
Both have been meeting with county department heads to discuss their financial and staffing needs. Traficanti officially takes office Jan. 2, and McNally, Jan. 3. Since Jan. 2 is Sunday, both men actually begin their duties Monday.
Later today, they will know if they will have $34 million to $38 million to work with for 2005, or $47 million.
Sales tax
Commissioners Ed Reese and Vicki Allen Sherlock, who chose not to run for re-election, and Ludt will decide whether to impose the half-percent sales tax voters rejected at the polls in March and November.
The sales tax, which brings in between $13 million and $14 million a year, ends Friday, although the county will continue collecting sales tax revenue because of a lag as to when those receipts come in.
Traficanti, of Poland, said the people have spoken twice on the sales tax this year, and the time has come to start living within the finances the county has.
"People want us to be fiscally responsible, but we still must provide the necessary services," Traficanti said.
He said with new leadership comes new ideas. He said he will work hard to serve county residents, and will keep an open mind to new ways of doing things to make county government more efficient.
McNally, who has served as Youngstown's law director, said he is prepared to deal with the loss of sales tax revenue in a straightforward manner.
He said he, Ludt and Traficanti must find a way to do a better job of educating the public as to why the sales tax money is needed.
He said with the help of his colleagues, commissioners will do all they can to keep the county out of state fiscal watch.
All Ohio counties may take an additional financial blow if the state decides to end the local government fund program, which send millions of dollars back to counties, cities, libraries and other political subdivisions. Mahoning County would lose about $6 million if the LGF program ends.
Introductions
Common Pleas Judge Maureen Sweeney, who crossed paths with McNally and Traficanti on the campaign trail, introduced the two men during the brief swearing-in ceremonies.
Judge James C. Evans administered the oath of office to Traficanti, and Judge Jack Durkin administered the oath to McNally.
Both new commissioners thanked their families and friends for their support.
McNally particularly singled out Mayor George McKelvey, Finance Director David Bozanich and the city's law department staff for the governmental and financial experience he gained while working with them.
Traficanti thanked his campaign manager and other staffers for keeping him going doing the campaign when he often felt like "just staying home in bed."
McNally, of Youngstown, is an Ursuline High School graduate. He earned his law degree from the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. He and his wife, Virginia, have an infant daughter, Cara.
Traficanti is a landlord, works in his family's trucking business, and is a part-time instructor at Youngstown State University. The Poland Seminary High School graduate earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from YSU. He is single.