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Polivka, Catello hoping to become chairman
By ED RUNYAN
WARREN
Trumbull County Commissioner Dan Polivka and electrical workers union business manager Mark Catello are hoping to become the next Trumbull County Democratic Party chairman.
Members of the party’s central committee will elect someone to the position at the party’s reorganization meeting at 6 p.m. June 17 at DiViesti’s Banquet Hall.
Chris Michelakis said Wednesday he has decided to step down from the party’s top position because of his health and because “we need some young blood in there, because it’s going to be a tough year for us.”
Michelakis, 72, whose wife, Margaret, died several months ago, has battled cancer for about 10 years. He has been party chairman or vice chairman much of that time and has been in party leadership for about 25 years.
“I don’t have it in my heart anymore,” said Michelakis, former county treasurer. Michelakis, who has four years left on his term as Trumbull County Board of Elections member, plans to keep that position.
Polivka, 47, commissioner since 2004, said several people asked him to seek the position when they learned a couple months ago that Michelakis would step down.
Polivka has been involved in the party since he was 18, and has helped with the fundraising committee in recent months.
“I’d just like to strengthen the party so our voice is heard here and in Columbus,” Polivka said.
“I support good, God-fearing men to run for office, both morally and ethically,” he said. “That’s my belief. That’s what I feel.”
Catello, of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 573 on Research Parkway in Champion, said his job puts him in contact with business leaders and workers and enables him to see what government needs to do to help grow the local, state and national economies.
“People are really hurting for work,” Catello said, adding that 30 to 40 percent of construction workers in the Mahoning Valley and in Ohio are out of work. He said the economic recession has hurt those workers as bad as the closing of the steel mills in the 1970s.
Catello said he’ll work hard to get Gov. Ted Strickland re-elected and to show voters that Strickland and U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, are among many incumbent officeholders taking steps to bring jobs back to the region, especially jobs resulting from green technology.
Michelakis, referring to Polivka and Catello, said “they’re both good kids.”
Meanwhile, at a meeting of the Trumbull County Republican Central Committee held Tuesday, Kathi Creed was re-elected chairman.
Other officers are Bob Davis, first vice chairman; John Kurtz, second vice chairman; Craig Bonar, third vice chairman; Sharon Roberts, fourth vice chair person; Bob Balson, fifth vice chairman; Paula Snyder, auxiliary chair person; Norma Williams, treasurer; and Patricia Fisher, secretary.
For the Democrats, there is so far one person seeking party secretary, Kathryn DeChristofaro; and one person seeking vice chairman, Niles Mayor Ralph Infante.