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Colleagues remember Michelakis
By Ed Runyan
WARREN
In the most political of jobs — Trumbull County Democratic Party chairman — Christ Michelakis behaved in a humble and “real sensible” way, one of his associates said.
Michelakis, 73, of Howland, died Saturday after a lengthy illness.
“He was very kind and sensible and down to earth. He was just a good man,” said Jodi Fiorenzo Dibble, deputy director of the Trumbull County Board of Elections, where Michelakis served as a board member since 2008.
“He could take a problem and break it down and make it real sensible. He was really good on the board,” she said.
“He was a very honest and valuable board member, and he brought a wealth of knowledge and experience from his position as county treasurer,” agreed Kelly Pallante, elections board director.
Michelakis served as the elected county treasurer from 1995 to 2007.
He was county Democratic Party chairman from 2002 to June 2010 and was party vice chairman for 16 years before that. His service as party precinct committee member began in 1965.
Adrian Biviano, Trumbull County auditor, noted that Michelakis was a straight shooter.
“He would give you a straight answer. He wouldn’t taint it one way or another,” Biviano said.
Michelakis had missed several board of elections meetings in recent months because of his illness.
The Trumbull County Democratic Party will schedule a meeting to elect a replacement for Michelakis on the elections board.
Current county treasurer Sam Lamancusa, who worked as office manager at the treasurer’s office under Michelakis from 2001 until Michelakis retired in 2007, said Michelakis became like a father to him after Lamancusa’s own father was killed in 2000.
“When I lost my father, one of the first people who called on me was Christ Michelakis. He was very compassionate,” Lamancusa said.
“He taught me the nuts and bolts of the treasurer’s office,” Lamancusa said. “He taught me that we’re here for the taxpayers of Trumbull County. We used to refer to Mr. Michelakis as ‘your friend in the treasurer’s office.’”
Biviano said Michelakis worked hard to come up with solutions to whatever problems taxpayers brought him.
“He was a good people person as deputy treasurer and treasurer,” Biviano said.
County Commissioner Paul Heltzel said Michelakis was a hard worker for the local Democrats — helping with their campaigns, fundraisers and the party’s annual summer picnic.
“He didn’t just plan it, he worked,” Biviano said.
Dennis L. White, chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party from 2002 through 2005, said in 2006 that Trumbull County was among the top 5 percent in the state in terms of its political dominance.
White gave Michelakis credit for that strength. Only one Trumbull County Republican, Arno Hill, is on the ballot this November.