Sammarone, council to have strong ties
On the side
Stepping aside: The Sept. 16 resignation of Michael Morley from the Mahoning County Board of Elections paves the way for county Democratic Party Chairman David Betras to take his place.
Morley’s term was to expire in February, but he said he is resigning early to give Betras, who wants the appointment, time on the board before the 2012 presidential election. Morley, a former Democratic chairman, has served on the board since 1996.
The party’s executive committee, all members of which are appointed by Betras, will meet Sept. 17 to recommend a replacement to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, who gives final approval. Anyone else interested must send a letter by Sept. 1 to Kenneth Carano, the party’s executive vice chairman.
On the Republican side, former county Chairman Clarence Smith, a board member since 1998, wants to be re-appointed when his term expires in February.
Nothing is confirmed, but there is talk that Michele Bachmann, a Republican presidential candidate, will visit the area soon.
Incoming Youngstown Mayor Charles Sammarone isn’t expected to make significant changes to how the city runs when he replaces Jay Williams on Aug. 1.
But one thing is for sure: City council’s involvement in Youngstown’s day-to-day operations will be greater than it’s been in recent memory.
“Council will have a say in every decision made at City Hall,” Sammarone said. “Any problem the city faces, council will have input” except emergencies.
For many years, council members have said mayors and their administrations don’t provide enough information to them on issues they consider important.
A number of times in the past few years, council members have complained that they first learned about certain issues — including proposed joint economic development districts, the Covelli Centre operations, the purchase and sale of city assets, to name a few — by reading The Vindicator.
Williams said he kept council informed of what happened in city government, but it’s the responsibility of the administration to run the daily operations of the city, and council’s job is to legislate. When council members had questions, Williams said he’d answer them.
Though council members are sorry to see Williams go — he’s leaving for a position in the President Barack Obama Administration — they are very pleased that Sammarone will be his replacement.
Sammarone has criticized the Williams administration for not including city council in some key decisions or not providing complete information.
As a longtime council president, Sammarone has consistently pushed for more council input.
There is no doubt he will back up his talk with action.
A good relationship between council and the administration is important, but there is a limit as to that involvement.
It looks as if Sammarone is going to see how far he can stretch that limit.
Adding to that dynamic is the decision by Councilman Jamael Tito Brown, D-3rd, to become council president.
There was little interest from the seven members of council to become council president. The position is largely ceremonial. The president runs council meetings and is a nonvoting member.
Also, the incoming council president’s term expires Dec. 31, 2013, while council members, who are all seeking re-election, would hold those seats until Dec. 31, 2015.
When the mayor’s position opens in two years, council members could run without giving up their ward seats.
Brown, who is seen as a likely candidate, would have to give up the council presidency to run for mayor.
“My issue isn’t whether I’m running safe if I” seek the mayoral position, he said. “You take that risk.”
When Brown officially takes over as council president Aug. 1, it will be up to the 10 Mahoning County Democratic precinct committee members from the city’s 3rd Ward to find a replacement candidate for the November general election.
There already is interest from Joe Louis Teague, a 3rd Ward committee member and unsuccessful 2005 mayoral candidate. If nothing else, Teague has already locked up at least 10 percent of the vote.