MAHONING COUNTY | Commissioners contests

There are contests on the Nov. 4 general election ballot for two Mahoning County commissioners’ seats. Asterisks denote the incumbents.

First Contest: (two candidates)

Christopher McCarty (R)

Age: 53.

Home: 428 Rockland Drive, Boardman.

Education: American University, Washington, D.C., bachelor’s degree in international studies; Woodrow Wilson High School.

Employment: President, Albert Schweitzer’s Leadership for Life, founded spring 2008; former president, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, Los Angeles.

Family: Wife, Maureen; son, John of Bay Village.

Priority: Examine priorities; identify needs and expectations; review and build upon the county’s successes; and identify new challenges and how to meet them.

Anthony T. Traficanti* (D)

Age: 42.

Home: 2817 Poland Village Blvd., Poland.

Education: master’s degree in counseling; bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, both from Youngstown State University.

Employment: Mahoning County Commissioner since 2005; formerly 17th Congressional District regional director, former sociology and criminal justice instructor at YSU.

Family: Parents, Sam and Barbara Traficanti; sister, Jackie Traficanti.

Priority: Ensure responsible spending of tax dollars; fight special interests and status quo in county government; consolidate county agencies at Oakhill Renaissance Place.

Second Contest: (three candidates)

Maggy Lorenzi

Age: 56.

Home: 159 E. Midlothian Blvd., Youngstown.

Education: Attended YSU two years, graduated Cardinal Mooney High School, 1969.

Employment: Retail merchandiser.

Family: sons, Ken, Jim and Matt.

Priority: A cooperative approach among Mahoning Valley leadership and openness with the public.

Lisa S. Lotze (R)

Age: 47.

Home: 233 E. Pine Lake Road, North Lima.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degree in education, both from YSU.

Employment: Licensed social worker and counselor in private practice.

Family: Husband, Richard; two children.

Priority: County unity, respect for and fairness to all parts of the county; accessible government and services in all sections of the county; increased dialogue with all townships regarding their needs; respect for local decision-making; county boards representative of the whole county.

John A. McNally IV* (D)

Age: 39.

Home: 2236 Burma Drive, Youngstown.

Education: Law degree, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 1996; bachelor’s degree, Georgetown University, 1991; Ursuline High School, 1987.

Employment: Mahoning County Commissioner and lawyer in private practice; former city law director and assistant law director.

Family: Wife, Virginia; daughters, Cara and Casey.

Priority: More collaborative economic development efforts between cities, counties and townships; development of the Western Reserve Port Authority into a regional economic force.