3 representative races under way in Trumbull

By Ed Runyan

Sandra Stabile Harwood faces challenges from a Republican and a Libertarian.

WARREN — Relatively little is known about Atty. Tom Letson of Warren, the Democrat who beat out Republican Randy Law for state representative of the 64th District in Trumbull County two years ago.

When he ran against Law in 2006, Republicans attacked Letson for his vote while serving on the Warren Board of Health for the license renewal for the Warren Recycling landfill, which was later designated a U.S. EPA Superfund site.

In months leading up to the current election, Letson made news by saying a segment of the Mahoning Valley refuses to vote for Barack Obama because of Obama’s race.

So the question was asked: What part of his first term in the Legislature should people know about?

Mental health.

Letson, who studied psychology at Kent State University after many years as a steel worker and union official, co-sponsored two bills that made it out of the House but have not made through the Senate.

Letson, who also served as a workers’ compensation lawyer for steel workers, says one of the bills would change regulations governing pre-doctoral and postdoctoral training for psychiatrists.

If it becomes law, the measure will encourage more psychiatrists to stay in Ohio, he said.

Another bill would allow Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement of family therapists at a higher level to encourage more of them to work in Ohio, he said.

Dr. Thomas Montgomery of Cortland, the Republican candidate, has not responded to requests for information and did not attend an endorsement interview at The Vindicator.

The district covers the cities of Warren and Cortland and the townships of Braceville, Bristol, Champion, Farmington, Howland, Johnston, Mecca, Southington, Vernon, and Warren, and parts of Bazetta, Fowler and Mesopotamia.

Meanwhile, three-term state representative Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles, D-65th, will be serving her last term in office if she is re-elected this November. Term limits will prevent her from running again.

She has a Republican opponent, Lyle Waddell of Newton Falls, owner of Underground Electrical Repair & Construction, Inc., who says his primary issue is to increase school funding.

“It is time someone stands up and fights for all residents of the 65th District,” he said on a questionnaire.

Harwood mentioned some local problems that need to be addressed by the Legislature.

She’s going to propose legislation to institute stiff penalties for drivers of all-terrain vehicles trespassing on private property.

The legislation is being prompted by ATV problems being encountered in Niles, she said.

She would also like to participate in efforts to make government more efficient.

“Do we really need 614 school districts and a state school board?” she asked.

The 65th District represents the cities of Girard, Hubbard, Niles and Newton Falls; the townships of Brookfield, Hartford, Hubbard, Liberty, Newton, Vienna, Weathersfield and parts of Bazetta and Fowler; and the villages of Lordstown, McDonald and Orangeville.

A libertarian candidate, Timothy J. McNeil of Mineral Ridge, did not return a phone call seeking information on his candidacy.

In northern Trumbull County, former Ashtabula County commissioner Deborah Newcomb, 54, a Democrat from Conneaut, faces Republican car dealer Tom Nizen of Jefferson this November for the 99th House seat.

Newcomb has held the seat since April 2008, when George Distel was appointed to head the Ohio Turnpike Commission.

The 99th District covers Bloomfield, Greene, Gustavus, Kinsman and Mesopotamia townships.

runyan@vindy.com