MAHONING COUNTY COMMISSIONER Renewed credibility, development are top issues

The three differ on imposing a county sales tax.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The three candidates running in the Democratic primary to succeed Mahoning County Commissioner Ed Reese say they bring the credibility and experience needed to turn around the county's economic condition and reputation.
Seeking the Democratic nomination in the March 2 primary for a four-year term as commissioner that begins Jan. 3, 2005, are Youngstown Law Director John A. McNally IV; Mark Belinky, a Boardman attorney; and Beth Stanko, a retired business owner. None have held elected office except as Democratic precinct committee members.
"I simply want a leadership position in government to move our community forward," Belinky said. "The failed political leadership and political corruption has created a poor image for Mahoning County, and hampered development and growth as a result."
Stanko said she is running "to restore honor and dignity to the Mahoning Valley."
McNally said he isn't focused on the current commissioner or the candidates who criticize the officeholders. Instead, McNally wants to improve communications between the commissioners office and other elected officials and county residents.
Sales tax renewal
All three candidates support the 0.5 percent sales tax renewal that will also appear on the March 2 ballot, saying its approval next month is imperative to the fiscal stability of the county. But the three differ sharply on imposing the sales tax should it fail.
Stanko said she would try not to impose the tax if it fails.
McNally said it wouldn't be prudent for him to say if he would impose it without having had a chance to examine the budget issues that exist. But without the sales tax, McNally said the only option is mass layoffs and reductions in services.
"If the taxpayers do not believe in county government as it currently exists, the taxpayers will then receive a reduced level of services," he said.
Belinky said the sales tax has been a "political football" because of voters' lack of trust in commissioners and the failure of the commissioners to convince the public that they have implemented every option to "tighten the belt and cut wasteful spending."
Belinky would support imposing the tax, despite the political fallout, if he is convinced everything has been done to streamline spending and the need for the sales tax was evident.
Economic development
The three candidates say the county's focus should be on economic development.
McNally said the county should partner with various entities such as the other political subdivisions, Youngstown State University and private businesses. Also, the county should develop and promote business parks and trade zones, and use economic tools such as enterprise zone agreements and tax abatements, when necessary, to support economic development.
Belinky said the county needs to create a better climate for businesses, and should conduct an economic development study.
Stanko wants to focus on meeting with business owners to attract them to the county through tax breaks and loans.
Candidates' priorities
Among Belinky's other priorities are establishing a council of governments of elected officials to develop plans to reduce the cost of government, implementing major changes to the criminal justice system, freezing employment levels, making changes to the employee health care plans to at least make them uniform, eliminating nonmandated and nonessential spending, and eliminating all capital improvement programs funded by the general fund.
McNally's priorities include reviewing county staffing needs and services, discussing the consolidation of services, getting more involved in the collective bargaining process, conducting a comprehensive review of the county budget, and looking for ways to increase the general fund's revenue.
Stanko's priorities include evaluating all department heads and their spending, and working to secure and create jobs.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Patrick Strange of Campbell in the November general election. Reese is not running for re-election.
skolnick@vindy.com