Longtime Girard Mayor Melfi faces challenger in May 3 primary

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

girard

Two Democrats are competing in the mayor’s race in the May 3 primary.

James Melfi, the incumbent, has served as mayor since January 2000; previously, he was city treasurer for 11 years.

Myron Esposito also is a candidate. A bailbondsman, he retired after 42 years in the railroad industry. He worked for Erie Lackawanna, ConRail and Norfolk Southern in various capacities.

Melfi stands on his record of improving the city’s finances. He pointed out that when he first took office, he inherited a deficit of nearly $3 million. In 2007, the city endured the loss of 300 jobs at Indalex, a major employer. The city also faced a declining tax base as residents moved out of the area or defaulted on paying taxes.

Those were factors that led to the city being placed in fiscal emergency by the state. Melfi said the city will be released from that status this year. The city ended 2010 with $50,000 in the general fund.

Melfi, who was involved in negotiations for the V&M Star expansion project, said that venture will help the city’s bottom line. He said the city will reap some $3 million from the construction of the plant through income taxes on construction workers. The city also will receive other tax money from plant.

He cited the Neighborhood Stabilization Program that has helped improve the appearance of the city by demolishing eyesores. Grants of $400,000 helped the city accomplish the demolition of some 45 homes and two schools.

Melfi said a new $7 million senior housing complex built by Trumbull Metropolitan Housing and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development also is an asset to the city. He noted improving the city’s infrastructure was a priority.

Melfi said he supports regional cooperative that would benefit those involved.

Esposito said he is concerned about the water department revenues; citing that people read their own meters. “That’s cause for concern,” he said. “We need to get a handle on that.”

He also said he wanted to look into restarting the city’s ambulance service. The candidate said the city still has the equipment and firemen are emergency medical technicians. He suggested trying it temporarily to see how it is received and whether it can generate money for the city.

Esposito said that V & M will generate the need for satellite companies and various services and if Girard isn’t ready to provide them, someone else will. He said this area is another source of revenue that would benefit the city. “There is no economic development plan in place,” he said, adding one is needed.

Esposito also promoted regional cooperation to further development.

He also said Girard Lakes are unused assets; one lake has been drained. He said he would look into housing and recreation projects involving the lakes.