Marchese joins commissioner race

Four Democrats are seeking the county commissioner seat.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
WARREN -- Honest and wise stewardship of public money, regional cooperation, job and population retention, and business growth are among Robert A. Marchese's campaign themes as he runs for Trumbull County commissioner.
"First and foremost is fiscal responsibility. We cannot continue to spend money we don't have," said Marchese, who vowed to be "the taxpayers' advocate" as he announced his candidacy Monday.
Marchese, who is city council president, joins three other candidates in the May 2 Democratic primary for the commissioner's seat being vacated by Jim Tsagaris, who is not seeking re-relection. The filing deadline is 4 p.m. Thursday.
The other Democratic primary candidates for the $73,627-a-year job are Niles City Councilman Frank Fuda, Girard Mayor James Melfi and Mauro Cantalamessa, owner of Enzo's Restaurant on Elm Road.
The Republican Party is expected to have one candidate, Niki Frenchko, who does community development and grant-writing work in the Austintown office of CT Consultants Inc.
Marchese has been on city council for all but two of the past 14 years. First elected in 1991 to represent the 3rd Ward, he was elected councilman-at-large in 1995, serving in that capacity until 2004, with the exception of the 1998-99 term, for which he was defeated.
Other details
Early in 2004, the Democratic Party appointed Marchese council president to replace William D. Franklin, who became safety-service director. Marchese was elected last November to a two-year term as council president.
Marchese, who holds a bachelor's degree in education from Youngstown State University, said he'd quit his job as executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown if he's elected commissioner.
As Marchese declared his candidacy in city council chambers Monday, he was flanked by five city councilmen, all wearing large red, white and blue campaign buttons bearing his name.
"I suggest that we stabilize our base population here and that we increase jobs by seeking out employers," Marchese said.
Emphasizing a regional approach, he called for more collaboration among local governments and for extension of water and sewer lines to Southington, Mecca and Braceville.
Marchese also said he will not forget the needs of the county's farmers, including the need for sheriff's patrols in rural areas.
For the county, "The best days lie in the future, and I want to be a part of that," Marchese said.