Columbiana Co. sheriff to resign

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Columbiana County sheriff David Smith

By D.A. Wilkinson

The commissioners won’t name an interim sheriff.

LISBON — The race for Columbiana County Sheriff has taken several twists.

• Ray Stone, the Republican candidate, said Wednesday he is trying to determine if he can take a leave of absence as Perry Township Police Chief and return to his job if he is defeated in November.

• Sheriff David Smith announced his resignation effective Aug. 31. He issued a statement that touched on his many accomplishments as sheriff, but said he would make no further comment.

• Two county commissioners, Republican Jim Hoppel and Democrat Penny Traina, said they saw no point in naming an interim sheriff to serve until the Republican Central Committee meets at 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the St. George Church hall to name Stone as sheriff. Traina said the decision was “common sense.”

• Chief Deputy Allen Haueter said that state law gives him the authority to act in the absence of a sheriff. Haueter, a Republican, said he isn’t seeking the post.

• Smith resigned to take a position at Mountaineer Race Track Gaming Casino in Newell, W.Va. Smith said he had worked for the sheriff’s office for 30 years, the last eight as sheriff.

“I can assure you that it is difficult for me to say goodbye. But the time has come for me to close this chapter of my life and open up a new one,” Smith said.

He thanked the voters above all, as well as county Prosecutor Robert Herron, a Democrat, and the judges and commissioners, who are from both parties.

He said he was leaving the office on sound footing. He helped bring in equipment and training programs to the sheriff’s office.

“The security and well-being of everyone in the county rests in the hands of an independent, honest sheriff’s department,” he added.

Smith could not seek the sheriff’s office after he was convicted earlier this year of a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated while returning to the county in a county cruiser.

Stone said Smith’s departure took him off-guard. Stone said he was checking with the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy to see if he can take a leave of absence as Perry Township chief to serve as sheriff and whether he could return to his township post if he lost the election.

The trustees haven’t made a decision on what they might do.

The sheriff’s office has been in Republican hands for 60 years, according to David Johnson, the chairman of the county Republican Party.

wilkinson@vindy.com