Fuda has earned the support of Dems in Trumbull County

Four years ago, Frank Fuda won the Democratic Party nomination for Trumbull County commissioner by defeating a couple of political heavyweights.

In fact, we endorsed Girard Mayor James Melfi in the primary and gave Warren City Councilman Robert Marchese our stamp of approval. Also in the race was Mauro Cantalamessa, who boasted some impressive political supporters.

But Fuda, who was a Niles councilman at the time, impressed the voters with his hard work and dedication to the campaign. Indeed, he began running for commissioner 18 months prior to the 2006 election.

In the general election, Fuda had little trouble overcoming a challenge from Republican Niki Frenchko.

Today, Fuda is back on the ballot seeking a second four-year term, and we have no qualms about endorsing him for the Democratic nomination in the May 4 primary.

In his first term, the commissioner has demonstrated the same hard work and dedication that was on display in 2006.

“To do the job, you have to be there,” he says, noting that even though it’s a part-time position he puts in about 60 hours a week.

Because Trumbull County does not have an administrator — Mahoning County has a highly paid one — Fuda and his two colleagues on the board of commissioners, Atty. Paul Heltzel and Daniel Polivka, have to be hands on in dealing with the myriad issues that confront county government.

Fuda says that the three of them work well together, as evidenced by the county’s ability to ride out the economic storm.

“Four years ago I promised to scrutinize the budget and cut wasteful spending,” he wrote in the candidate’s questionnaire sent to him by The Vindicator. “We have been successful in cutting well over a million dollars of wasteful spending my first three years in office. I will continue to work with our staff and other elected officials to make our county even more efficient over the next five years.”

We have no doubt that if re-elected, Fuda will keep that campaign pledge.

In the primary, he is being challenged by David Cook, who did not respond to The Vindicator’s invitation to appear before the editorial board. Even if he had, we doubt he could have made a compelling argument against Fuda’s re-election.

In the November general election, the commissioner will face Republican Mark Allen.

Sanitary sewer projects

The incumbent is especially proud of the fact that county government has completed over $30 million in sanitary sewer projects in the last few years, has $10 million in projects underway and has plans for another $50 million in the future.

The decision by the Trumbull commissioners to join Mahoning County, the cities of Youngstown and Warren and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers in forming an economic development port authority is a major step toward a much-needed regional approach to job-creation. Each entity has committed dollars, which has enabled the authority to hire an experienced development and marketing specialist.

Frank Fuda has clearly demonstrated his commitment to Trumbull County. The Vindicator endorses his candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination in his bid for a second four-year term.