5 lame-duck city lawmakers headed to Nov. confab in Big Easy

YOUNGSTOWN — With about six weeks left in their terms, five outgoing city council members will spend $12,709.50 in city money to attend the National League of Cities’ annual convention in New Orleans.

The five will travel Nov. 12 for the five-day convention that begins a day later. Those attending the convention are: Artis Gillam Sr., D-1st; Rufus Hudson, D-2nd; Richard Atkinson, R-3rd; Carol Rimedio-Righetti, D-4th; Paul D. Pancoe, D-6th; and Mark Memmer, D-7th. Except for Rimedio-Righetti, the rest won’t return to council next year.

So should the city foot the bill for the lame-duck council members?

“That’s a pretty good question,” said Memmer, who serves as chairman of council’s finance committee. “I may be able to learn something in November” at the conference that can help the city.

Other outgoing council members say they should attend the conference because they represent their constituents until the last second of this year.

“Should I quit as a lame duck or continue to do my job?” Atkinson said. “I’m going to continue to do my job."

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator or www.vindy.com