Auditor's leaving angers residents

The auditor said it isn't likely he'd stay in Hubbard at this point.
By JEANNE STARMACK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
HUBBARD -- Unhappy that Auditor Mike Villano is leaving, several people took council to task for not offering him a pay raise.
Villano, who was auditor for eight years, has accepted a position as township administrator in Boardman. He is replacing Curt Seditz, who was fired March 31. Villano begins his new position July 17.
Mary Jane Pettola of Pine Grove Drive, who also owns Progressive Printing Services on West Liberty Street, told council at its meeting Monday that Villano has done a good job for the city. She said that in July 2005, Villano asked for a 3 percent raise, which would amount to $1,200 a year. He did not receive one. "How embarrassing that council didn't recognize his value," she said.
She cited some of Villano's accomplishments, including his negotiations on a dump cleanup project that she said saved the city $250,000 in fines. She said he secured grants for repairs after flooding in 2003.
She said his CPA certification is an added asset.
Salary difference
Villano made $41,524 a year in Hubbard. Pettola said some college graduates starting out are making $44,000. In Boardman, Villano will make $68,000.
Joyce Schiraldi, who works as a clerk in the auditor's office, said she never worked with anyone more knowledgeable, thorough and caring. She said that 300 business owners and individuals signed a petition in support of negotiating with Villano.
"If you don't, you aren't serving the city the way you should be," she said.
Council President John Darko said council would not consider the residents' request. "That would have to be in the form of an ordinance, and that was not done tonight," he said.
Villano said that he has already accepted the position in Boardman and likely would not change his mind if council were to offer him a pay raise.
He said council has known for two weeks he intends to leave. He said he had nothing to do with the group that came before council. "They organized themselves," he said.
Numerous requests for raise
Villano said he not only issued a letter in July 2005 requesting a 3 percent raise but did so again in September. He said he verbally asked again in November and again in January.
He said the last council would not take any action and that after January the new council said there would be no raises for administrators. Union employees, however, were given 3.5 percent raises.
Darko said he's unsure why Villano was not given a raise.
Others who spoke before council were concerned about flooding in the Meadowland subdivision.
Last month's heavy rainstorm caused street and yard flooding. Some people had water in their basements, and some had sewage backup.
"For years and years, we've come and asked if something can be done," said Alan George of 604 Meadowland Drive. "What's in the works?"
Al Patrick, the city service director, said the Trumbull County Soil and Water Conservation District is sending a consultant to visit the area Thursday.