Saturday, December 29, 2012
By Sean Barron
YOUNGSTOWN
Mahoning County commissioners appointed Mari Wren-Petrony as interim director of the Mahoning County Green Team, effective Tuesday, to replace Jim Petuch, who’s retiring after having served seven years as the agency’s director.
Wren-Petrony, who has been the Green Team’s assistant director since 2005, will continue to keep the agency’s primary focus on the importance of recycling and waste reduction, Petuch said after Friday’s commissioners’ meeting.
“She is the best choice for who can take [the Green Team] right now and move it forward,” he added.
He was unable to provide Petrony’s annual salary, however.
Petuch is retiring Monday after a 30-year career in recycling and litter control.
Friday’s session also was the last for John A. McNally IV, chairman of the commissioners, who is stepping down Thursday and will run for the Democratic nomination for mayor of Youngstown in next year’s primary election.
Replacing him will be Austintown Township trustee and commissioner-elect David Ditzler.
Several department heads as well as fellow commissioners Carol Rimedio-Righetti and Anthony T. Traficanti thanked McNally for his leadership and service during McNally’s eight years as commissioner.
During his tenure, McNally faced numerous challenges such as county deficits and a plummeting bond rating, both of which he worked to improve, noted county Auditor Michael V. Sciortino.
“I could not have asked for a better mentor than in John McNally,” Rimedio-Righetti said. “You have been an excellent leader for this Valley.”
In other business, Rimedio-Righetti recognized 7-year-old Mary Ginnis of Campbell, who donated $50 she had received as allowance money and for her grades to Sojourner House Domestic Violence Center to help children in need as well as those who suffer from abuse and neglect.
Commissioners will meet next at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 for a reorganization session at Springfield Township Hall, 3475 E. South Range Road, New Springfield.