Panel suggests 3 for judge post

COLUMBUS — A former Youngstown police chief, a municipal court judge and a law clerk and longtime probate attorney are finalists to replace Mahoning County Common Pleas Probate Judge Timothy P. Maloney.

Mark Belinky, Robert Bush and James Lanzo, who were among half a dozen candidates interviewed this week for the seat, were recommended by a selection panel for the position, according to Keith Dailey, spokesman for Gov. Ted Strickland.

Belinky, 55, of Youngstown, has served as a law clerk for the city of Youngstown and the state’s 7th District Court of Appeals. He has 29 years of experience practicing in probate court, according to documents.

Bush, 60, of Youngstown, is chief of the criminal section in the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office. From 2002-06, he was the city’s police chief, and from 1998-2002, he was the city law director. Earlier, he did stints as an assistant county prosecutor, executive director of the Youngstown Citizens Police Review Board and as safety coordinator at the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority, according to documents.

Lanzo, 62, of Struthers, has served as a judge in Struthers Municipal Court since 1994 and maintained a private practice since 1972. Earlier, he did stints as a prosecutor and small claims referee in Struthers Municipal Court and as village solicitor in Lowellville, according to documents.

Maloney is retiring, effective Nov. 30. Strickland is expected to name a replacement later this month.