Auditor to step down, but he'll keep options open

Hines said he'd like his chief deputy to succeed him as auditor.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- David Hines, who has held elective office for 27 years as Howland Township trustee, Trumbull County treasurer and county auditor, will step down at the end of the month, part way through his current term as auditor.
"I'm just stepping down. I'm not going home and retiring. What's going to happen down the road, I don't know," he said. "Would I pursue another office? Right now, I don't know."
Hines said the reason he is stepping down is to attend to "personal business." He would not specify what kind.
In his last election, Hines, 64, was elected to serve as auditor until March 2007. He has been auditor 11 years. Before that, he was county treasurer 11 years. Before that he was Howland trustee for six years. He also worked in the Trumbull County Sheriff's Department one year.
Hines said those positions give him 28 years of service for purposes of the Public Employee Retirement System, which gives him enough time to qualify for retirement.
The Howland resident said he did not make the decision for health reasons. "When you retire, it seems like you're going to do nothing. I'm just resigning my position as auditor," he said.
Listing accomplishments
Hines cited some of the accomplishments of his office over the 11 years he has been auditor, such as being one of the first Ohio auditor's offices with a Web site, first in Northeast Ohio to include photographs of properties on the Web site and numerous awards from the Ohio Auditor and national organizations.
For the past 10 years, his office has earned United States Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. He also has received the Auditor's Award from the Ohio Auditor's Office.
Hines said he hoped his chief deputy auditor, Adrian Biviano, would be appointed to fill his remaining term.
"I would hope Adrian Biviano would take over and continue the progress we've made for the last 11 years," Hines said.
Christ Michelakis, Trumbull County Democratic Party chairman, said the procedure for filling the remaining term is for the 268 precinct committee members to meet between five and 45 days after a resignation to appoint someone.
Hines has not officially submitted his resignation. Michelakis, who is also county treasurer, said county commissioners would fill the position until the party makes its choice.