TRUMBULL CO. CORONER Candidates' ideas differ on availability, money

The incumbent said returning the coroner job to part-time status would be regressing.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Challengers for the position of Trumbull County coroner say they can do the job just as well in less time, which would mean lower costs for the taxpayers.
Dr. Phillip P. Malvasi and Dr. Gina Reghetti, who are challenging Coroner Ted Soboslay in the March Democratic primary each say, if elected, they would work part time, which would mean a savings of $50,000 a year.
Dr. Soboslay -- who worked the job part time from 1989 until he retired from private practice in 2001 -- insists taxpayers are getting their money's worth from his full-time salary of $102,000 since he pays many office expenses out of his own pocket.
Plans
Dr. Soboslay, 73, said he covers annual employee bonuses, and he pays utility and heating bills for the office, which operates rent-free in a building he owns on East Market Street.
He also notes that only being available part time to be coroner would be a bad choice.
"In my opinion, and many others' including law enforcement, prosecutors, fire departments, etc., being available part time would be regressing instead of progressing," he told The Vindicator.
Both Dr. Malvasi, 36, of Warren, and Dr. Reghetti, 43, of Warren, say that they could move the office into buildings they each own. Both also plan to continue their private practices if elected.
slshaulis@vindy.com