Mahoning Dems plan dinner with Barney Frank

June 12, 2010 at 12:08a.m.

By DAVID SKOLNICK

YOUNGSTOWN

U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, will be keynote speaker at the Mahoning County Democratic Party’s chairman’s dinner.

The event will be either Aug. 12 or 13 at Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman, said Mahoning Democratic Chairman David Betras.

“This is big for the Mahoning Valley,” Betras said about getting Frank for the fundraiser. “Anytime I can get powerful people to the Valley, I’ll do it. We’ll have him in a room with Valley people to discuss our issues and concerns. It can only help the area having him here.”

Frank’s committee oversees the nation’s housing and financial sectors, including banking, insurance, real estate, public housing and financial securities. Frank, a Democrat from Newton, Mass., has served in the House since 1981.

“He’s powerful and a great speaker and he’ll mobilize the local base,” Betras said of Frank.

And Frank will be a huge financial draw for the local party, Betras said.

Last year’s chairman’s dinner, with Gov. Ted Strickland as the keynote speaker, raised about $125,000, with tickets costing $500 each and another $500 for a private event with the governor and other elected Democratic statewide officials.

There will be a private meet-and-greet with Frank before the dinner. Betras hasn’t finalized the price for the private event and the dinner, but tickets will cost less than they did last year.

Even so, Betras expects the party to make about $200,000 from Frank’s visit.

This dinner will be at a larger location than the one last year, Betras said. The Aug. 20, 2009, dinner was at the D.D. and Velma Davis Education and Visitors Center at Mill Creek MetroPark’s Fellows Riverside Gardens with about 200 attending.

Betras expects at least double that for Frank.

The money from the dinner will go toward county party operating expenses and to help get local and statewide Democrats elected in November, Betras said.

U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, D-6th, a member of the House Financial Service Committee, is largely responsible for convincing Frank to come, Betras said.

Betras said local banking, real estate and financial leaders are contacting him asking to serve on the committee organizing the event.