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1 Dem challenges Melfi for Girard mayor
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Girard Mayor James Melfi
By LINDA M. LINONIS
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 bail bondsman, 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 factors led the state to place Girard in fiscal emergency. 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 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 raze 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 cooperation 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 firefighters 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 an unused asset; one lake has been drained. He said he would look into housing and recreation projects involving the lakes.
THE CANDIDATES
Two Democrats are running for mayor in the May 3 primary.
An (*) denotes the incumbent.
For auditor, Democrat Samuel J. Zirafi, the incumbent, is unopposed.
Brian C. Kren is running unopposed for law director.
For council president, Democrats — Mike Costarella and Reynald J. Paolone, the incumbent, are running for council president.
For council at large, (three to elect) Democrats Louis J. Adovasio and Joseph P. Shelby, incumbents, and Vincent E. Schuyler, are unopposed.
Also running unopposed are Democrats Frank J. Migliozzi, first ward; Larry Steiner, second ward; and Thomas F. Grumley, fourth ward, all incumbents, and George T. Eicher, third ward.
James Melfi*
Age: 53
Home: 9 Mohican Drive, Girard.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in economics from Youngstown State University in 1980; 1976 graduate of Girard High School.
Employment: Mayor in Girard since Jan. 1, 2000.
Family: Wife, Nina Melfi, and two children.
Priority: Fiscal responsibility, ensuring that V&M monies benefit all the citizens of Girard and continuing to improve infrastructure.
Myron A. Esposito
Did not submit the survey form on which this listing is based.
Reynald Paolone*
Age: 58
Home: 6 Hillside Drive, Girard.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in education in 1978 from Youngstown State University; 1971 Girard High School graduate.
Employment: Girard City School as high school social studies teacher and softball coach.
Family: Wife, Brenda.
Priority: To continue leading in the manner that I have established during the last eight years, by keeping the lines of communication among all council members open and positive. Always being available to any councilman or citizen who needs me remaining a priority.
Michael Costarella
Age: 48
Home: 844 Dravis St., Girard.
Education: Master’s degree in computer science and engineering from Wright State University in 1992 and bachelor’s in computer science and mathematics from Bowling Green State University in 1986.
Employment: Costarella Innovations, LLC, as software architect.
Family: Wife, Tara, and two children.
Priority: Improve organization and commitment level of the council and its president, improve working relationship between council and administration and make council business more accessible to the citizens via the Web.