War of words begins in sheriff race

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County Sheriff Randall Wellington is a poor leader and bad manager, said a former deputy who is running in next year’s Democratic primary for the county’s top-cop job.

Wellington said his opponent, David Aey of Boardman, displayed no leadership skills during his nearly 15 years with the department and questioned whether Aey has the experience to effectively hold the job.

Aey, 44, said Wellington is not a “hands-on” administrator and relies too heavily on his top assistants to run the department.

“I don’t believe he knows what’s going on in his department,” Aey said.

That’s a statement that Wellington of Youngstown, 74, disputes.

“I’m out here [at the sheriff’s office] every day,” he said. “I’m very involved with the department. I’ve initiated a number of programs.”

For more, see Sunday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com