Tuesday, February 27, 2007
The ex-treasurer says he's running in case his opponent withdraws.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Mahoning Democratic precinct committee members will vote Saturday on the next county treasurer between two candidates: the party chairwoman and a former county treasurer.
Chairwoman Lisa Antonini of Austintown and ex-Treasurer George M. McKelvey, who also served eight years as Youngstown mayor, were the only two to file for the appointment by Monday's deadline.
McKelvey was first elected county treasurer in 1988 and served until January 1998 when he became mayor. Antonini is chief deputy in the treasurer's office.
McKelvey acknowledges that he can't beat Antonini in a vote by precinct committee members, largely the same people who re-elected her last year to her second four-year term as party chairwoman. But McKelvey said he won't withdraw from the race because he's not completely convinced that Antonini will run for the job. Antonini said she is definitely running.
Persuaded to run
Antonini initially wasn't interested in the appointment when John Reardon announced last month that he was resigning to serve as the state superintendent of financial institutions. He started the new job in Columbus last week. Antonini said her interest in replacing Reardon resulted from other Democrats' wanting her to seek the post and her desire to continue the progress at the treasurer's office with her in charge of the efforts.
McKelvey and Antonini, or a surrogate if they choose, will be permitted to speak for about five minutes each before the vote.
Whoever is selected Saturday would have to run next year for a full four-year term as treasurer.
The job pays 66,000 annually. McKelvey said he would do it for 1 with the rest of the salary going to local charitable organizations.
skolnick@vindy.com