Wednesday, February 25, 2004
The board changed its rules so it could better defend the appointments in court.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- The Trumbull County Convention and Visitors Bureau board has appointed two new members, against the wishes of the county administrator and the legal advice of an assistant county prosecutor.
The number of board members for the nonprofit agency dwindled to three in January, in the wake of Trumbull County Commissioner James Tsagaris' call for members of the board to resign.
With the board's appointment Tuesday of former member Nick Perod and Warren CPA James Nuzzi to fill their ranks, county commissioners can no longer simply create a new majority on the board by appointing allies to vacant seats.
"I think in the spirit of unity this is going down the wrong path," said county Commissioner James Polivka, who stayed for the first few minutes of the convention board meeting. "This may muddy the waters worse."
Seven members of the bureau's board are appointed by county commissioners. Whether the board itself can appoint an additional two members to join them is a matter of contention between the board and the county prosecutor.
Conflict
The board attorney, James Kurz, says the board's 1997 code of regulations allows the appointments. Lawyers for the county say the appointments are not allowed under the bureau's 1983 contract with the county.
"Any attempt by the bureau to fill vacancies is in direct conflict with the terms of the contract," first assistant prosecutor James Misocky said in a letter handed to board members by county Administrator Tony Carson moments before the vote.
The board also voted to revise its bylaws to strengthen its case if the appointments are challenged in court, Kurz said. The change makes it clear that only a majority of sitting board members, rather than a majority of the full board, is needed to make the appointment.
The meeting was attended by five candidates for commissioner, several of whom were vocal in blaming a hands-off management style by current commissioners for tensions with the board.
"You are not having a problem that is different from the problems had by any other department in Trumbull County," said Melissa Long, who is running for the commissioner's seat held by Joseph Angelo Jr. "They never come, or warrants are not paid."
Carson told the board that he was there on the commissioners' behalf.
Money dispute
Commissioners halted monthly bed tax checks to the bureau in November, shortly before complaints that the board had saved more than $200,000 over the last several years became public.
Those savings have shrunk to $167,000 as the board has continued paying regular bills, said board member Paul Petrich.
The board is also considering grant applications for several local organizations and events, including a $27,500 grant for the LPGA Tour, that could bring the surplus down to about $100,000.
Petrich said he did not know how long the board could continue before running out of money.