Qualifications do matter for county sheriff’s post

We urge the Ohio Supreme Court to take up the matter of former Deputy Sheriff David Aey’s qualifications to serve as Mahoning County sheriff because the ongoing controversy has become a distraction in the Democratic primary race.

Sheriff Randall Wellington, who is seeking a third term this year, contends that Aey does not meet the minimum state-mandated educational or professional standards to be the county’s chief law enforcement officer.

Aey counters that he does. He acknowledges not having the educational requirement — a mere two years of post secondary education — but argues that his on-the-job experience makes up for that shortcoming.

Three of the four members of the county board of elections have sided with the challenger — the fourth member abstained from a recent vote. But Wellington has refused to go along with the ruling and has asked the Supreme Court to hear the case.

While there is no guarantee that the court will, we would hope the justices see the need to clarify once and for all what minimum standards are necessary for someone to serve as county sheriff.

However, if the court decides not to hear the case, it will mean the justices agree with the board of elections.

Either way, it should bring to an end to the ongoing controversy.

This year’s election for Mahoning County sheriff is too important to be reduced to a debate over résumés.

Re-election bid

Indeed, when Sheriff Wellington announced that he was seeking another term, we were confident that individuals in law enforcement with impeccable credentials, including a strong academic foundation and an impressive record of service, would step forward to challenge him.

Unfortunately, Wellington drew only two opponents: Aey, who had been with the sheriff’s department for 15 years and had never risen above the rank of deputy; and Rick Alli, a former Youngstown police officer, who was subsequently ruled to be ineligible to run.

Given the myriad problems in the sheriff’s department over the past three years, including the federal court stepping in to oversee the operation of the county jail, it is disappointing that voters won’t have more than two candidates to choose from in the March Democratic primary.

No Republican filed for the office.

There could be independent candidates in November because the filing deadline is a day before the March 4 primary.

Qualifications and experience should matter in government. There are too many elective offices for which there are no educational or professional requirements. It could be suggested that much of government’s problems stem from the fact that the system does not demand the best and brightest.

To serve as a judge, for example, the only requirement is five years in the practice of law.

Thus, when there is an elective office that requires educational and professional standards, there should be no compromising.

The Ohio Supreme Court would be doing the voters of Mahoning County a great service by ruling on Aey’s qualifications to serve as sheriff.