TRUMBULL COUNTY Polivka wins seat on board

Polivka promises to pursue economic development and open government.
By STEPHEN SIFF
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Propelled by a long career in politics and a campaign that included fruit baskets for all 268 Democratic precinct committee members, Dan Polivka easily won the party's appointment to a seat on the Trumbull County Board of Commissioners.
Polivka, a Warren councilman at large, was the candidate of choice for 164 of the 230 committee members who voted at a party meeting Thursday. Gwen Logan received 49 votes, Donald Barzak, 14, and John MacKenzie, one. There were three votes for others.
The appointment means Polivka will fill the year remaining in the county commissioners' post held by Michael O'Brien, who stepped down to become mayor of Warren this month.
To keep the seat beyond 2004, Polivka will run against the same three opponents in the March Democratic primary.
"I think this shows I've got support to retain the seat," he said. "We are going to open up the government and make it for the people."
Campaign vows
Polivka pledged to bring commissioners' meetings to locations beyond Warren and to work for economic development in the area.
"I believe Trumbull County is a diamond in the rough," he said. "I want to use my experience to bring companies here."
Committee members said they were not surprised by Polivka's first-ballot victory. He is well known in the county after 19 years on Warren City Council and has been active in party politics.
"He has been in the political arena more than the other candidates," said Barbara Vingle, a precinct committeewoman from Warren.
Polivka also pursued the appointment aggressively, reaching out to precinct committee members with mass mailings and, at least in some cases, multiple personal visits. He announced his candidacy with a catered breakfast at Alberini's Restaurant, to which all committee members were invited, and later sent them all fruit baskets.
"Dan knew what it took to get the appointment," said Rokey Suleman, a Bazetta committeeman. "He really went out and pressed the flesh."
Democratic committee members from Warren will determine who will fill the remainder of Polivka's term on Warren council. He was re-elected to council in November.