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Betras dials it back a notch
On the side
Candidates’ forums: The Junior Civic League and the Community Mobilization Committee are sponsoring a candidates’ forum at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the New Bethel Baptist Church, 1507 Hillman St. Those invited to speak are candidates for the city school board, city council’s 1st and 5th Wards (the only wards with competitive elections), and clerk of courts. Also, there will be speakers discussing some of the issues on the Nov. 8 election ballot.
There also is a candidates’ forum at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 at Union Baptist Church, 528 Lincoln Ave., sponsored by its Core Team Ministry. All city council candidates — in opposed and unopposed races — as well as those running for clerk of courts and school board positions are invited to speak. Also, information about state Issue 2 will be provided.
The Mahoning County Republican Party will hold open houses every third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., beginning Oct. 20, at its headquarters, 621 Boardman-Canfield Road. The events will provide an opportunity for the public to learn about the local party, meet its members and “engage in thoughtful learning and discourse” leading to the 2012 election, said Chairman Mark Munroe.
Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras is still stinging from a scathing letter from the secretary of state who refused to appoint him to the county board of elections and questioned his competency.
But Betras is taking steps that could lead to Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican, appointing him to the board in February.
First, Betras is dialing down the rhetoric about Husted.
When Husted rejected the county Democratic executive committee’s recommendation to appoint Betras, the chairman was obviously upset and angry.
Betras lashed out at Husted saying the decision was strictly partisan and designed to embarrass him and the Democratic Party.
In his letter, Husted cited Betras’ “wrongful conduct” as treasurer for ex-Attorney General Marc Dann’s transition account. Husted also wrote that Betras was “not competent” to serve on the board.
As an aside, Husted’s definition of competent didn’t come from case law or the Ohio Revised Code. It came from the dictionary: “Having requisite or adequate ability or qualities.”
Except for a portion of one ethics conviction against Dann, no one else was charged with criminal activity related to the fund.
Betras has repeatedly insisted he didn’t do anything illegal, and complained that Husted made his decision without talking to him.
Betras and Husted were to meet today in Columbus at the chairman’s request to discuss the secretary’s decision.
“I’m elated I’ve been given the opportunity to talk to him face-to-face,” Betras said.
Betras will discuss his time as Dann’s transition account treasurer with Husted.
Betras is also helping his cause to be appointed in February by backing off on plans to sue Husted to get on the board of elections. Also, Betras is honoring Husted’s deadline of Monday for the party to find another nominee for the vacant elections board position.
The party’s executive committee is to meet at 4:30 p.m. today to select someone to fill an unexpired term on the board of elections. That terms ends Feb. 29.
Michael Morley resigned Sept. 19 to allow Betras to serve the rest of the unexpired term and then be reappointed to a full four-year term that would start March 1.
That plan obviously didn’t work out as Husted, who takes recommendations from political parties, opted to reject Betras as Morley’s replacement.
Rather than fight Husted’s decision, Betras is supporting George Beelen, a retired Youngstown State University history professor, who is well-respected by both Democrats and Republicans.
The party’s executive committee will almost certainly approve Betras’ candidate even though plenty of them want to take legal action against Husted.
There certainly is no guarantee that Husted would decide to appoint Betras to a full four-year term next year.
Betras is also showing uncharacteristic restraint about the appointment.
“I’m leaving all options open for February,” he said.