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Editorial: Belinky ignoring fiscal reality/VIDEO
Video
Five months ago, Mahoning County Probate Judge Mark Belinky presented himself as the paragon of virtue with regard to the expenditure of public dollars, saying he was well aware of the county’s fiscal difficulties and recognized the need for all employees to do their part to cut spending. Belinky, who was seeking a six-year term in the 2008 general election, pointed out that he was requiring the court’s employees for the first time to pay a portion of their health-care insurance premiums.
We were impressed with the record he had established in his 10 months in office — he had been appointed by Gov. Ted Strickland to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Timothy Maloney — and gave him our endorsement. The voters of Mahoning County shared our opinion.
But today, Belinky has us wondering if we misjudged him.
His threat of a lawsuit against the county commissioners if they do not meet his demand for $915,715 to operate the court for the year is the type of judicial arrogance that we have long criticized. He is demanding $152,856 more than what the court received in 2008. At a time of great economic distress locally, nationally and internationally, no public official should be seeking an increase in funding for his department.
See today's full editorial for more.