TRUMBULL COMMISSIONERS Some Dems tout experience, some criticize incumbent

Some candidates used harsh language to describe commissioners.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- A half-dozen Democratic candidates -- some touting their own experience, others pointing at county problems and one calling the current officeholder "corrupt" -- are seeking to unseat Trumbull County Commissioner Joseph Angelo Jr.
Whoever wins the seven-way Democratic primary in March will face the winner of that most unusual Trumbull County political event: a contested Republican primary.
The Democratic primary features former assistant prosecutor Paul Heltzel, the party's nominee for the seat; Kent State University administrator Dr. John Robertson; former Cortland Mayor Melissa Long; Niles Councilman Reginald Giancola Jr.; and former commissioner John F. McCloskey.
McCloskey declined to submit a questionnaire or meet with Vindicator editorial board members. Commissioner Angelo and candidate David Cook submitted questionnaires but did not meet with editors.
Both Heltzel and Robertson claim to be the most experienced candidates running for the seat, and both are restrained in their criticism of Angelo.
Heltzel, who holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia as well as a law degree, said that 14 years representing commissioners as an assistant county prosecutor prepares him well for the job.
Piggyback tax
If necessary, he said he would consider imposing a piggyback county sales tax to maintain minimal government services.
"This is what you are elected to do, to make the call," he said.
Robertson, whose doctorate is in education, says he would never impose an piggyback sales tax, because voters rejected the tax at the polls last year. To impose it under these circumstances would be a violation of democratic principals, he said.
He said his election would restore "accountability" to the commissioners' office.
"I'm sure there is a lack of accountability by the way the commissioner's office is run," he said. "I think it is obvious there is not a clear understanding of what management is and what it can be."
He criticized the commissioners for clandestinely promoting Tony Carson from purchasing director to county administrator.
"They did it behind closed doors," he said. "That is not good government."
Criticism
Melissa Long goes much further in her criticism of the incumbent.
"Mr. Angelo, over the years, has shown to me he is not a person of integrity, he is not a person I would want as a leader in the county community," she said.
Long mentioned Angelo's 2000 conviction for attempted gambling, a misdemeanor, and the reported disappearance of $4,000 in campaign funds from his pants pocket last year. Angelo reported the money stolen.
"I don't think he is corrupt regarding purchasing," Long said. "I think there was corruption when there was money missing from his campaign fund and he made a lame excuse."
However, she said that Angelo bears responsibility for allowing the county to pay exorbitant amounts for cleaning supplies.
"He was just as responsible as everyone else for leaving the barn door open and letting the cows run out," she said.
Budget experience
Reginald Giancola Jr., a seven-term Niles councilman said his experience working with Niles' $54 million budget leaves him in a good position to deal with the county's financial problems.
"The county is just not being run efficiently," he said.
Giancola said his priority is to restore sheriff's department service to rural townships, examine leases and consider eliminating management positions in the county. He said that if he determines the county needs it, he would consider imposing a piggyback sales tax and educating citizens of its importance.
He said his experience as a forklift operator at Trinity Industries, where he has worked since 1974, also qualifies him to be commissioner.
"There are only so many attorneys and so many judges in this town, but there are 100,000 working people," Giancola said.
In the Republican primary, Mecca Trustee Michael Colello faces former Lordstown Mayor Arno Hill.
Hill promises to provide leadership, honesty and credibility to county government, while Colello says he is dissatisfied with current county leadership.
If elected, Colello said he will trim departmental budgets and oppose any additional sales tax.
"If they were doing what they are supposed to be doing, I think the sales tax could come down," he said.
Hill said he would consider putting a sales-tax increase on the ballot, but only after investigating if it is needed. He agreed with the other Republican's assessment of current commissioners.
"I don't think they have been doing a good job in quite a while," he said.
siff@vindy.com