Democrat wants Taft nod for judgeship

The election for a Newton Falls judgeship will be in 2007.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NEWTON FALLS -- Atty. Philip Vigorito, a Democrat, will ask Republican Gov. Bob Taft to appoint him to the municipal court bench here.
The judgeship becomes vacant Sept. 1 because of the early retirement of Judge Thomas L. Old, also a Democrat, who is in the first year of a four-year term. He's been the municipal judge since 1988.
Vigorito said Thursday that he'll seek the appointment because Craig Bonar, the Trumbull County Republican Party chairman, won't submit his name to the governor to sit on the bench until an election.
He said the chance of Taft selecting him to temporarily replace Judge Old is highly unlikely.
"This type of strict party line attitude is not good for this community or the Valley as a whole. We have seen members of both parties working together in a bipartisan effort to overcome the problems we have had in this Valley," Vigorito said.
Even if he doesn't receive a gubernatorial appointment, Vigorito said he will run for the seat when an election is held.
Rokey Suleman II, county board of elections deputy director, said the Ohio secretary of state's office has ruled that the election will not be held this year. Rather, Suleman said, the election will be conducted in 2007.
Bonar has decided a Republican selection committee will interview Attys. Larry Turner, Tracey Leslo and Scott Bowman. They submitted applications. According to the Supreme Court of Ohio, this year a full-time Ohio municipal judge is paid $109,150.
Residency questions
Vigorito pointed out that he and his family live in Lordstown, which is part of the court's jurisdiction. Also, he pointed out that he has served as acting judge in the Newton Falls court for more than five years.
He said Turner lives in Warren, Leslo in Alliance outside the jurisdiction, and Bowman in Atlanta.
Turner countered Thursday that he resides at 1150 Salt Springs Road, Lordstown, and that Vigorito is mistaken.
"I'm here to say that it isn't necessary to look elsewhere," Vigorito said.
The court's jurisdiction covers Newton Falls and Lordstown and the townships of Newton, Braceville, Southington, Bristol, Farmington, Bloomfield and Mesopotamia.
Vigorito appears to have the support of the United Auto Workers at General Motors Lordstown complex. Attending the press conference were Jim Graham, president of UAW Local 1112, and Jim Kaster, president of UAW Local 1714.
yovich@vindy.com