New Dem Chair Betras hits the ground running

YOUNGSTOWN — New Mahoning County Democratic Chairman David Betras isn’t wasting any time implementing changes to the political party.

The party’s precinct committee members elected the Canfield attorney as its chairman on Monday. Today, he was working on several fronts to overhaul party operations.

By early today, Betras had telephoned Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern and Gov. Ted Strickland, the party’s top elected official in the state.

Talking at a break-neck speed, Betras jumped from point to point in an interview with The Vindicator.

By Friday or next Monday at the latest, Betras said he wants to:

• Schedule meetings with Redfern and Strickland.

• Send letters to every Democratic official elected in a partisan race as well as party leaders inviting them to join the party’s executive committee.

• Establish a meeting time for an executive committee meeting.

“I’m moving fast,” Betras said. “I’m like a tornado.”

For the complete story, read Wednesday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com