Mahoning County: Ditzler, McNally for commissioner

With the decision by two Mahoning County commissioners, Vicki Allen Sherlock and Edward Reese, not to seek re-election this year, the makeup of the board will change dramatically in January.
Reese and Sherlock have been the targets of unrelenting criticism -- some of it warranted, much of it unfair -- from adversaries who believe that they alone know what's best for Mahoning County.
But the two commissioners have refused to bow to such pressure tactics and have maintained their independence. Not so the third commissioner, David Ludt, who has become a captive of Mahoning County Auditor George Tablack. Tablack is the hero of the self-acclaimed watchdogs of government.
And so the question: Given the many challenges confronting Mahoning County, foremost of which is the budget crisis brought on by the economic collapse on the state and national levels, should the new commissioners be independent thinkers, or does government need overseers who are marching in lock step?
We believe a little bit of independence goes a long way toward good government.
In the March 2 Democratic primary, there are three contenders for the seat being vacated by Sherlock: David Ditzler, an Austintown Township trustee; Anthony Traficanti, who was on the staff of former Congressman James A. Traficant Jr.; and William Flickinger, a steel worker.
For Reese's seat, the contenders are Atty. Mark Belinky, a founder of the Democrats of the 17th and 6th Districts political organization; Atty. John A. McNally, law director for Youngstown; and Beth Stanko, a retired business owner.
Term beginning Jan. 2
In the Ditzler-Traficanti-Flickinger race, the choice is obvious: Ditzler. Why? The answer becomes clear when you compare his r & eacute;sum & eacute; with Traficanti's.
With 10 years as a trustee of the fifth-largest township in Ohio and one of the fastest growing communities in the Mahoning Valley, he has the background, the experience and the know-how to take a seat on the board without needing on-the-job training.
Ditzler has worked closely with commissioners and other elected officials in the region and has a deep understanding of how to operate government at a time of tight budgets.
On the singularly important issue of job creation, Ditzler has been there and done that. During his tenure as trustee, Austintown created an enterprise zone that has spurred nearly $250 million in industrial, commercial and residential growth. The result has been the creation and retention of hundreds of good-paying jobs.
He is no political newcomer, having served as chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party. And, his position of sales manager for Thomas Steel Strip has given him a private sector perspective of the economy that many professional officeholders lack.
Traficanti worked for Traficant from 1991 to July 2002 when the congressman was expelled from the House of Representatives. Traficant is serving an eight-year sentence in federal prison on charges that can be summed up thus: He used his public position for personal gain.
Traficanti, who was named by the Clerk of the House of Representatives as administrator of the 17th Congressional District office after Traficant was ousted, insists that he knew nothing about the illegal activities federal prosecutors proved were taking place in the office.
On the one hand, he claims to have seen no evil; on the other he boasts about being the regional director for the congressional office and talks about the "privilege" of working in Washington as congressional liaison for three years under Traficant (and living on Traficant's infamous houseboat).
Flickinger, it seems, is running because it gives him a soapbox from which he can rant about his views of the rich, the powerful and the political class.
After interviewing each of the candidates and studying their r & eacute;sum & eacute;s and the questionnaires they submitted, The Vindicator believes that Ditzler has earned the support of the Democratic voters in Mahoning County on March 2.
Term beginning Jan. 3
In the Belinky-McNally-Stanko race, the choice is not as clear-cut. Belinky, who parted ways with the Democratic Party after the Democrats for Change led by Michael Morley replaced the Don L. Hanni Jr. political machine, has been a harsh critic of county government.
There is no doubt that he has done his homework and has a solid grasp of the issues, but his days as a Hanni factotum are difficult to discount.
McNally has served admirably in Youngstown government and has honed his skills as a facilitator of dialogue among the various departments and the three branches of government.
Like Belinky, he has a grasp of the issues confronting Mahoning County and understands the way government at that level works.
We endorse McNally's bid for the Democratic nomination March 2.
Stanko is well-intentioned but did not make a persuasive case for her candidacy.
The winner of the Ditzler-Traficanti-Flickinger race will face Republican Sam Moffie in the November general election.
The winner of the Belinky-McNally-Stanko contest will confront Republican Patrick Strange.