Tablack can silence critics by staying clear of politics

George J. Tablack is expected to begin his duties as director of the Mahoning County Office of Management & amp; Budget on Monday -- just four months after he resigned as county auditor to take a job in Palm Beach County, Fla. Thus, there is nothing to be gained by belaboring the point of Tablack's hiring other than to say that, as auditor, he would have screamed bloody murder had commissioners Anthony Traficanti and David Ludt pulled the kind of stunt that they did in bringing him on board.
Long-time observers of county government will recall that it was Tablack who made much of the fact that there was no formal hiring procedure in county government and that it was he who pushed for independent screening committees to review applications for important positions. And yet, when it came to his being appointed OMB director, not only was there no independent screening, but commissioners Traficanti and Ludt have been accused by their colleague, John McNally IV, of keeping him out of the loop.
Indeed, it is curious that when the commissioners met Tuesday and came to the agenda item dealing with Tablack's hiring -- McNally voted no -- the issue of salary could not be discussed because Traficanti and Ludt were still negotiating the terms of employment.
But as we said, the former county auditor is on board -- again -- and there isn't going to be a reversal of the decision. So, what should taxpayers expect from him?
The answer is quite straightforward: He should keep his word about steering clear of politics.
Tablack told The Vindicator that he will not be a candidate for auditor next year.
"I left political life to take a position in government," he said. "I was quite satisfied doing professional work, as I was as auditor."
Other offices
But it isn't just 2006 that concerns us. There will be other elective offices that might inspire him, which is why we believe he and the commissioners should be candid with the taxpayers as to his future.
McNally, a lawyer with a lot of experience in government contracts stemming from his tenure as the city of Youngstown's law director, should insist on a provision in Tablack's agreement that says that termination will be automatic if the OMB director decides to run for any elective office. The director serves at the pleasure of the commissioners and they have the power to set the terms and conditions of employment.
The county's budget director establishes general fund spending priorities in conjunction with the commissioners and, therefore, has a great deal of power when it comes to the operations of various departments and agencies.
It certainly would be unfair for Tablack to use his position as a political stepping stone. It is an administrative position and, therefore, should be devoid of politics.
In explaining his reason for taking the job, he alluded to Mahoning County's projected $9 million budget deficit next year by saying, "Somebody's got to get in there and get under the hood."
If that's his priority, we wish him well. But if he strays from the assignment, the commissioners should be willing and able to cut him loose.