Dan Yemma's bid for county treasurer hits a snag

Only a little more than a week ago it looked like smooth sailing for Dan Yemma to get the Mahoning County Democratic Party's appointment to be county treasurer.
But Yemma's appointment has hit rough waters.
The reason is Yemma's friendship with county Commissioner Anthony Traficanti and county Administrator George Tablack. While both are Democrats, there is a strained relationship -- if a relationship exists at all -- between the Traficanti-Tablack camp and the party leadership.
Yemma, a Struthers councilman, is caught in the crossfire.
Word started spreading early last week that if Yemma received the treasurer's appointment, he would fire county Democratic Chairwoman Lisa Antonini, chief deputy of the treasurer's office. There was also talk that Yemma couldn't be trusted and would be taking his marching orders from Traficanti and Tablack.
Yemma said that is ridiculous.
"The office seems to be operating fine," he said. "I'd need to rely on the people who work there. I'd lean on [Antonini] initially" as he learned the job.
Yemma also said regardless of who supports him or who his friends are, he wouldn't be controlled by anyone.
The problem came to a head a week ago at a fundraiser for county Auditor Michael Sciortino. At the event, outgoing county Treasurer John Reardon and Robert Wasko, two of Antonini's closest political allies, pulled Yemma aside and told him the chairwoman was interested in the job.
This is a classic case of the wrong place and wrong time. Yemma didn't take it too well and he and Reardon got into a shouting match at the fundraiser.
When it was announced Jan. 29 that Reardon was leaving the treasurer's post to take a job in the Gov. Ted Strickland administration, Antonini said she had no interest in replacing her boss. Even though she's considering seeking the appointment, Antonini said just a few days ago that she was unsure about being an elected official.
The day after Reardon's announcement, Yemma sent a letter to the county Democratic precinct committee members, who will vote on who will be the next treasurer, expressing his interest in the job and outlining his credentials.
To date, he's the only person to announce his candidacy for the job.
Antonini praised Yemma for helping the county party. Yemma received Antonini's support during his failed bid last year for a seat in the Ohio House. Unlike most candidates who lose, Yemma didn't disappear into the abyss after the defeat. Antonini said Yemma continues to work hard for the party.
All that considered, it's confusing why Yemma's motives are now being questioned. He was friends with Traficanti and Tablack a year ago.
The issue is leaving Yemma frustrated and questioning if he should even consider seeking the appointment.
Another concern is the filing deadline for Struthers elected positions in the May primary is Thursday. Yemma won't seek the treasurer appointment if Antonini wants it. Those close to Antonini say she probably won't run, but she hasn't made a decision yet.
Yemma can't wait past Thursday for Antonini's decision. Antonini said she probably won't have a decision by then.
That means Yemma is going to have to file to run for his 3rd Ward seat, councilman-at-large or city auditor by Thursday. It's quite possible Yemma will be in a position to seek the county treasurer appointment after filing to run for a city post.
If Yemma gets the county appointment, he'd withdraw from a city race after the filing deadline.
"You're jerking with a lot of people's lives," he said. "People want to run for office in Struthers. I have to make a decision if I want to continue this and possibly face the vote by precinct people against the party chair. It leaves me reconsidering and deciding what I want to do."