Court reorganization now topic of serious discussion

More than a decade ago, we embraced what we believed was a forward-looking, money-saving initiative that, if adopted by elected officials in Mahoning County, would have resulted in a cost-effective metropolitan court system. But local politics being what they are and the parochial interests of employees in the courts below the Common Pleas level combined to block the initiative from being seriously considered.

About two decades ago, there was a proposal that dealt directly with the Youngstown Municipal Court. In the midst of a fiscal crisis, similar to what city government is experiencing today, then Mayor Patrick J. Ungaro, who had locked horns with the court over its spending, recommended reducing the number of judges from three to two.

As the mayor and others pointed out at the time, if the statutory formula for determining the number of municipal judges were applied to Youngstown, it would have only two judges. However, there is an exemption in the law that gives the city the ability to have three judgeships. Therefore, in order to reduce the number, Ungaro needed a state legislator to sponsor a bill to remove the exemption.

But, there was opposition to Ungaro’s plan from voting blocks in the city that were concerned about the reduction making it difficult for a black to be elected judge.

There was a black judge on the bench at the time, Lloyd Haynes, and he was succeeded by Judge Robert A. Douglas Jr., who is still serving.

As the presiding and administrative judge, Douglas is embroiled in a battle over money with the current administration of Mayor Jay Williams.

Front burner

As a result of the battle, the two issues that have been of interest to us over the years, the creation of a metropolitan court system and the reduction in the number of judges in Youngstown, are on the front burner again.

In a Vindicator story detailing the fight over finances, Mayor Williams revealed that his administration is considering reducing the number from three to two and also exploring consolidation of the court with others in Mahoning County.

With regard to the reduction, Judge Douglas’ reaction was not only interesting, but gives the mayor the justification he needs to persuade a legislator to carry the issue to Columbus.

Douglas said he “would have no resistance to whatever is done” with the number of judges.

As for court consolidation, we would refer to a plan that was developed by some leading members of the bar association calling for the elimination of all the municipal and county courts and the creation of a metropolitan court system that would have seven judges elected in specially created judicial districts.

To ensure that Youngstown voters would be adequately represented on the bench, and in response to the concerns of the black community, one of the districts would encompass the city.

A lot of thought and work went into the development of the plan, but that does not mean other versions should not be considered. What is clear is that neither the city of Youngstown nor Mahoning County government can afford to keep financing the status quo.

We have long expressed our displeasure at the four county courts presided over by part-time judges who earn at least $60,000 a year and receive full benefits. Each court has a full-time staff.

The region’s economic climate demands a change in the way the public sector does business. It must learn to do more with less, just as the private sector has been doing for many years.