GOP offers county a pact

Republican candidates promise accountability.
By PETER H. MILLIKEN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Republican candidates for Trumbull County commissioner and auditor have promised to offer voters an alternative to the status quo in county government.
"We intend to act to restore accountability to Trumbull County, to end its cycle of scandal and disgrace and to make us all proud of the county we call home," said Nicki Frenchko, commissioner candidate, and Elizabeth MacPherson, auditor candidate, in a "Contract with Trumbull County" they signed at a Wednesday news conference.
In the document, which alluded to the county purchasing scandal, they pledged to require full oversight of taxpayer monies, limit taxes and hire employees based on credentials and merits, not family relations.
With today being the filing deadline, neither candidate is expected to have opposition in the May 2 GOP primary, said Craig Bonar, Trumbull County GOP chairman.
"Trumbull County voters will have a qualified, competent and honest choice this fall. I'm the alternative to the good old boys," said Frenchko, who does community development and grant-writing work in the Austintown office of CT Consultants Inc. and formerly worked for the Trumbull County Planning Commission.
Frenchko, who holds a masters degree in public administration from Kent State University, ran unsuccessfully in 2001 and 2005 for an at-large Warren City Council seat.
She'll face the winner of a four-candidate Democratic primary for the seat being vacated by Jim Tsagaris, who is not seeking re-election.
Democrats
The Democratic candidates are Niles Councilman Frank Fuda, Girard Mayor James Melfi, Warren Council President Robert A. Marchese and Mauro Cantalamessa, owner of Enzo's Restaurant on Elm Road.
MacPherson of Howland, who holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Youngstown State University, is a financial analyst for TC Quality Homes in Canfield.
MacPherson, who has 30 years' experience in corporate accounting, said she'd bring "integrity, professionalism and experience and instill more auditing standards,'' if she's elected auditor. She'll be opposing Democratic County Auditor Adrian Biviano in November.
After the news conference, Arno Hill, former Lordstown mayor and current Lordstown Village councilman, announced he was going to the county board of elections to file his petitions for the Republican nomination for the 65th Ohio House seat held by Democrat Sandra Stabile Harwood. Hill said he expects to be unopposed in the primary.
milliken@vindy.com