Beelen selected to serve on Mahoning County election board

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Democratic Party’s executive committee voted today to recommend the secretary of state appoint George Beelen of Canfield to the county board of elections.

The vote came after party Chairman David Betras unsuccessfully tried to convince Secretary of State Jon Husted to reconsider his rejection of Betras to the seat.

After that failed, Betras supported Beelen for the post.

Beelen, a retired Youngstown State University history professor and former 12-year Austintown trustee, received 51 votes in beating two other candidates. John Vivo, the party’s secretary, received 10 votes and Sam Matheny, a former elections board clerk, got 3 votes.

If the recommendation is approved by Husted, Beelen would fill an unexpired term that ends Feb. 29, 2012.

Betras said he will likely seek a full four-year term next year, and expects Husted, a Republican, to confirm him.

For the complete story, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com