Strickland could use help from the Valley

With more than 8,000 individuals trying to snag a state job, some undesirables are bound to fall through the cracks. We need to make sure none is from the Mahoning Valley.
Gov.-elect Ted Strickland has his hands full as he prepares to become the first Democrat in 16 years to occupy the highest office in state government. And, as that first Democrat in almost two decades, he is being inundated with requests for jobs from party faithful -- jobs for themselves or for their friends or relatives.
To be sure, the political victors have a right to the spoils. But the goal should be to attract the best and the brightest, especially for the top positions.
Given that Strickland, four individuals on various transition teams and Attorney General-elect Marc Dann are all from the Mahoning Valley, public scrutiny, especially from reporters in Columbus, will be intense. They will be looking for any excuse to dig up stories about the Valley's sordid political history.
That is why it is in all our interests to make sure that Strickland knows what he is getting when he hires someone from this region. Even though he is the hometown favorite by virtue of his residence in Lisbon, he has only been around for a short time. Before moving to Columbiana County, he lived way down in southern Ohio.
Newcomer
Thus, as a relative newcomer, Strickland may not know all the details about individuals who are hoping to get on the state's payroll. He certainly would benefit from a helping hand.
So, here's an idea: All the r & eacute;sum & eacute;s submitted by Valley residents should first be reviewed by a screening committee made up of representatives of labor, management, the clergy, community organizations and both political parties from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
Leading this effort should be Youngstown businessman Bruce Zoldan, who has established himself as the leading political player in the Valley. Zoldan hosted several very important fund-raising events for Democratic candidates and played a major role in the financial aspects of Strickland's campaign.
As a result of his involvement, Zoldan, owner of the B.J. Alan Fireworks Company in Youngstown, has a direct line to the governor-elect and members of his inner circle.
He should welcome the screening committee system because it would not only let him off the hook, but would silence critics who say Democrats are no better than Republicans when it comes to pay-to-play politics.
It is foolhardy to believe that hiring can be done on a purely apolitical basis. After all, few major contributors to politicians do so for altruistic reasons. They believe they are buying influence -- or at the very least, access.
The Mahoning Valley has long been a political bazaar, where people with money have had undue access to and influence in government. Public payrolls are a commentary on the theory, "If you can't make it in the private sector, get a government job."
Idiot sons, daughters
That might work on the local level, where idiot sons and daughters abound. But when it comes to state government, standards do matter.
Strickland should welcome the r & eacute;sum & eacute; screening committee because it protects him from unsavory characters who might have sponsors that the governor-elect respects.
Indeed, the committee could also serve the purpose of developing a list of individuals who would be ideal for cabinet and subcabinet positions.
For instance, the Mahoning Valley should have an individual in a position of power in the Ohio Department of Development.
Lt. Gov.-elect Lee Fisher, a former state attorney general, has been tapped by Strickland to also serve as director of the department of development. However, it would be foolhardy to think that he will pay more attention to this area than other regions of the state -- just because the governor is a Lisbon resident.
The idea is to have someone of stature -- and proper professional pedigree -- to occupy the No. 2 spot, so the administration is constantly reminded of the needs of the tri-county area.
The screening committee would not have to concern itself with the lowest level positions that have traditionally been filled with political party hacks. The public doesn't expect much from them.
But a job like the Ohio Department of Transportation's District 4 directorship is one that deserves close scrutiny.
The Mahoning Valley should submit its best and its brightest to Strickland.