Interim director appointed

Vross also has accounting experience in the private sector.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning County's new interim auditor was praised Thursday as a knowledgeable and honest choice for the position.
Commissioners approved the appointment of Anne Marie Vross, the county's longtime director of taxation, to replace auditor George Tablack.
Tablack, who served as county auditor for 181/2 years, will start a new job Monday as the chief financial officer for the clerk's office of Palm Beach County, Fla.
The 48-year-old Campbell native's current term expires in March 2007. Vross will serve until the county Democratic Party can appoint a replacement to fill out that term. A meeting of precinct committee members must be held between five and 45 days after Tablack's resignation date of July 31 to select a successor.
Vross has 28 years of experience working with the county, the last 26 in the auditor's office as the director of taxation. She oversees billing and collections in an office that handles about $150 million in county tax revenue each year. The Canfield resident also has experience in accounting work in the private sector.
Vross praised her former boss in describing her reaction to being appointed to the interim position.
"I know I have a boss that's going to be a hard person to replace," he said. "He's put into operation some systems that many larger counties have come to Mahoning County to look at. I'm grateful to him and the people I work with."
Passing the torch
Tablack said Vross was a big part of the successful operation of the auditor's office.
"The public should feel comfortable with her in the position of interim auditor," he said. "It's well-deserved. Her understanding of the functions of this office has been indispensable, and one of the most honest people in Mahoning County has been selected to sit in the auditor's seat."
Commissioners praised both Tablack and Vross in unanimously approving the appointment.
"You made sure our office always got answers, and you don't always get that in government," commissioners chairman Anthony Traficanti said.
Commissioner John McNally said one of his first encounters with Tablack was a result of some published comments made by McNally about an issue that he didn't specify.
"Even when you had differences, you were willing to explain the reasons why," McNally said.
Traficanti, McNally and Commissioner Dave Ludt all expressed confidence in Vross' ability to keep the auditor's office functioning.
In other business, the commissioners recognized the retirement effective July 30 of Cathy Petraglia, staff attorney for the county's Child Support Enforcement Agency since 1994.
They also approved an agreement to extend a $20,800 recycling agreement with the city of Campbell through Oct. 31.