Board rotates officials

Board rotates officials

LISBON — The Columbiana County Board of Elections has rotated officials in a routine move.

David Johnson of Salem, chairman of the county’s Republican Party, was chosen Tuesday as the new board chairman. He replaced Democrat Larry Bowersock of Salem.

The Ohio Secretary of State’s Office prefers the chairman and director be of different parties if possible.

Because of the rotation, Lois Gall, a Republican and veteran director, will become the deputy director.

Democrat Kim Meek of Wellsville, will become the director. She was hired in January when former deputy director Tom Edgell announced his retirement.

Gall and Meek will each be paid $26 an hour.

Dismissal of charge

LISBON — A minor misdemeanor charge has been dismissed against a man who may have helped start a train derailment late July 3.

Gary Smith, 57, of Salem, was charged with disorderly conduct while voluntarily intoxicated.

Smith was reportedly walking on the Norfolk-Southern lines when a train slowed to avoid hitting him. A second train bumped the first train, derailing several cars. Damage to both trains was minor, a railroad official said.

John Gamble, the chief assistant Columbiana County prosecutor, said Tuesday he could not comment on the dismissal.

The charge against Smith was a minor misdemeanor punishable by a $150 fine and no jail time. However, authorities could choose to bring more severe charges through a grand jury indictment.

Finding for recovery

WELLSVILLE — The Ohio Auditor’s Office on Tuesday announced a finding for recovery against Police Lt. Edward Wilson for using his clothing allowance for nonwork clothing in 2005.

The finding said that Wilson was entitled to a $300 uniform allowance. On July 2, he spent $58 for athletic shoes and a messenger bag at a store called Shoebilee. On July 3, he spent $265 at a J.C. Penney store for clothing. The state auditor’s office said it determined that the items were not for police clothing or equipment.

The village audits for 2005 and 2004 also found flaws where the village approved various payments when it had money but had not properly appropriated it. Village officials said Wellsville has hired a new fiscal officer who is correcting the bookkeeping problems.