Columbiana treasurer candidates throwing verbal punches

SALEM — As Election Day approaches, each candidate in the Columbiana County treasurer’s race says the other is misinformed on county investments, while Salem police are awaiting results of a probe in a state House contest.

Salem Treasurer James Armeni, a Republican, on Tuesday claimed that Democratic county Treasurer Nick Barborak has much of the county’s funds in unsafe investments.

Barborak, the incumbent, said, however, the $26 million in county money is safe.

Armeni, who is challenging Barborak, said county records show that 59 percent of the county’s money is invested with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and is at risk. He added that Salem’s funds are all in secured programs so the city will not lose any public money.

But Barborak said the county money is in a separate, protected category in the Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac programs.

Meanwhile, Salem Police Chief Robert Floor said he is awaiting results of a probe by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation into a leak of internal investigative notes to the media that was used to attempt to smear a local candidate.

For the complete story, see Thursday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.