What a difference a public job makes
"I thought there was no comparison between us based on experience and sta-ture. I think people are afraid of change in this community. This party will continue its decline. It's in disarray. ... It's not sour grapes on my part. I offered my help, and they refused it. I won't lose any sleep over it. It's their loss. I won't give them my help, resources or energy again."
So said Atty. Mark Belinky on the night of June 11, 2002, after he was trounced by -- dare it be said? -- a girl (OK, a woman) in his bid for the chairmanship of the Mahoning County Democratic Party. Belinky, leader of the forgettable Democrats of the 17th and 6th Districts political organization, could muster a meager 48 votes, compared with the 195 garnered by Lisa Antonini, the party's former operations director.
She characterized her victory as historic in that she was the first woman elected to lead the Democratic Party in Mahoning County.
"This community is ready for a change of pace, and I'm excited to be a part of it," she gushed.
For Belinky, the loss was particularly telling because in 2001, Democrats of the 17th and 6th Districts had put up a message board on the Internet that gave voice to Democratic Party dissidents. The drumbeat of criticism of party leaders and officeholders supported by the party was constant.
Loser
Yet, he lost. It was the second time he was rejected by the precinct committeemen and women.
In 1998, the self-styled political watchdog challenged then Democratic Chairman Michael Morley, who was seeking a second four-year term. Belinky, running on an anti-corruption platform, suffered a humiliating defeat. The final tally: 298 votes for Morley; 89 for Belinky.
Then, as in 2002, the loser refused to get off his high horse.
"I'm not sure I have home in a party that refuses to take a strong stand against corruption," he pompously declared.
After 2002, the message board became the main forum for Belinky and others of his political ilk to express their dissatisfaction with the county party. In November 2003, the lawyer announced that he would be running for county commissioner in the next primary because he was "uniquely qualified." He sought the Democratic Party nomination in March 2004, but was again rejected by the party faithful.
But then in June 2006, the first indications of his soul-selling emerged. He sought the position of secretary of the Democratic Party -- under Antonini's leadership -- and won. Insiders claim a deal was made in which Belinky would shut down the message board in return for the precinct committee support.
But the board continued to operate -- until this month.
Here's where it gets intriguing.
Antonini was selected Mahoning County treasurer by the Democratic precinct committeemen and women after a formidable contender for the post, Dan Yemma, a certified public accountant and Struthers councilman, decided not to run. Being the only choice, Antonini's lack of relevant educational qualifications and private sector experience -- she was given a job in the treasurer's office nine years ago by her predecessor, John Reardon -- was not an issue.
Deafening silence
Belinky's silence was deafening. There was none of his usual political bluster.
Here's why.
Around the time Antonini was grabbing the brass ring of county treasurer, Belinky was retained as the lawyer for Lien Forward, the land bank program created by former Treasurer Reardon.
But the political games didn't stop there. Antonini then hired Yemma to serve as her chief deputy at a salary of 50,003. (Anyone want to bet that he won't be challenging her when she seeks election to the position?)
In politics, you don't bite the hand that's feeding you big bucks.
As for Belinky, he was simply being pragmatic: If you can't beat 'em, join 'em -- by selling your soul for so many pieces of gold.
For Antonini, the party chairwoman, it definitely is better to have the camel inside the tent urinating out, than outside the tent urinating in. The camel, in this case, could be either Belinky or Yemma.
But the best for last.
Consider the following scenario: State Rep. Kenneth Carano gets appointed regional director of the Ohio Lottery on April 1, county Recorder Ron Gerberry secures the party's nod to replace Carano in Columbus and ... (drum roll!) ... Belinky is ordained by Antonini to succeed Gerberry as county recorder.
Ain't Mahoning Valley politics grand?