Lame-duck mayor of Campbell: ‘I’ve accomplished a lot’

Jack Dill, the longtime incumbent, reflected on his biggest project and mused about why he lost.

STAFF REPORT

CAMPBELL — After five terms, Mayor Jack Dill is giving up his post to political newcomer George Krinos.

Krinos easily beat Dill 1,538 to 1,157.

Dill appeared upbeat Wednesday, however.

“Five terms is a long time,” he said. “I’ve accomplished a lot. A lot has happened in 10 years.”

Dill said his work attracting new industry to the city’s brownfields along the Mahoning River was a major project.

He said though, that he got some criticism for that.

“I’ve heard comments; why so interested in brownfields when we need roads repaired?” he said. “People didn’t understand. There are grants out there specifically for brownfields.”

Dill said people also were misinformed about where the city stood with repaving of Struthers-Liberty Road and 12th Street, thinking it had lost grants for both those projects.

In fact, Dill has said, those projects should begin in the spring.

Campbell has been in fiscal emergency since 2004 — after it lost two major employers.

Dill said he believes his administration was able to accomplish a lot anyway.

“I’m grateful for the 10 years I had,” he said. He said he will never run again for elected office.

Krinos said he believes voters wanted a change.

“I do have a plan, a vision, a direction,” he said. “I feel the voters recognized that, and I do nothing but thank them.”

He said his priorities include raising morale among city employees. “The possibility of layoffs at city hall has been abundant,” he said. “Employees have been very nervous about their jobs.”

He also said properly staffing and equipping safety forces, work on streets and establishing a grant-writing division at city hall are important.