Businessman takes on trustee incumbent

A study on a merger with the city is one big issue trustee candidates are
considering.

By JEANNE STARMACK

VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER

CANFIELD — Two candidates are vying for a seat on the township board of trustees.

Paul Moracco, the incumbent, is facing Anthony Bettile on Tuesday.

Bettile, who grew up in Boardman, has been a Canfield Township resident for 31⁄2 years. He said this is his first step into politics, although he is involved with several nonprofit organizations.

He said that as a business owner, he believes he can help to run the township like a business.

He owns Buckeye Lawn Service and Storage and More.

He said he is not in favor of a merger of the township and the city of Canfield.

The township and city have been talking about getting together to initiate a study on pros and cons of such a merger.

“I’ve walked 62 streets,” he said. “I would say 99 percent of residents do not want a merger.”

While he said he would be willing to talk with the city, he is not in favor of paying for a study. “The city would have to sell it to the township.”

He said he thinks police protection also is an important issue.

Canfield Township contracts with the Mahoning County Sheriff’s office for protection.

Bettile said that he would like to see studies done on response times and that the biggest complaint he hears are about speeders.

Moracco, who said he is worried about misinformation that is leading people to believe he favors annexation, said he only favors talking about a study on pros and cons of merging.

“We find out what is good, bad, indifferent for each of us,” he said.

Annexation is a proceeding that either approves or denies a property owner’s request to join another political subdivision.

Property owners in townships who want to develop land often request annexation to a city so their property can have sewer and water service. Township trustees typically fight annexation attempts. Moracco said he is not in favor of annexations.

Moracco said he’s lived in the township for 25 years. “I know the community.”

starmack@vindy.com