Committee to select MVSD board nominee

This would be the second time council appointed an MVSD representative.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
CITY HALL REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- City council's public utilities committee will interview eight candidates Thursday and recommend one to the full council to serve as the legislative body's representative on the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District board.
Councilwoman Carol Rimedio-Righetti, committee chairwoman, had asked council members in January to ask constituents if they were interested in serving on the MVSD board of directors. Three people applied. Wanting a larger pool, the committee decided in March to expand the search and advertise in local publications.
"This is a very important appointment by council," Rimedio-Righetti said.
The committee will recommend a candidate Thursday to council following the interviews. To be eligible for the appointment, the person must only be a Youngstown resident.
The MVSD provides water to Youngstown and Niles, its member cities and to the village of McDonald from Meander Reservoir. The member cities sell the water to about 300,000 residents.
State law passed in 1998 doubled the number of MVSD board members from two to four, and took the appointment power away from common pleas court judges in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Instead, the mayors and city councils of Youngstown and Niles each get one appointment to the board.
Harry L. Johnson III was the only person ever appointed by Youngstown council to the MVSD board. He resigned in January to become the auditor/office manager of the city's water department.
MVSD board members receive $200 a meeting, up to $2,400 annually.
Applicants
Of the three original applicants, Terri A. Simmons, a certified public accountant, withdrew her name from consideration, Rimedio-Righetti said.
The other two are:
Atty. Jack R. Vaughn, who served 16 years on the city's Civil Service Commission.
Paul Drennen, a sales professional for Paychex in Canton.
The five additional applicants are:
Herman Hill, Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority's YouthBuild Mahoning County director since 2000 and its HOPE VI community and supportive services coordinator since 2003. He is also a former 3rd Ward councilman.
John W. Zackasee, who retired from the MVSD in 2004. During his 35 years at the district, he served as its purification superintendent, chief chemist and as a chemist.
Ronald J. Layko Jr., sales manager at Harley-Davidson/Buell of Youngstown. He is a former electrical project engineer.
Richard Knapik, a former data transcriber for U.S. Investigations Services in Annadale, Pa.
Vernia R. London, a billing specialist for Medical Resources in Vienna.
Dr. R.A. Muntean, president of a scientific consulting firm in Youngstown.
skolnick@vindy.com