Art Magee, ex-mayor of Hubbard, dies at 75

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Magee

Staff report

Hubbard

Former Hubbard Mayor Arthur U. Magee died Monday after a brief illness.

Magee, who was 75, had a long political career in Hubbard city and Trumbull County government.

He took office as Hubbard mayor in 1974, keeping the position until 1983. He then became a Trumbull County commissioner and served from 1983 until 1998. Additionally, Magee was a Hubbard city councilman from 1964 through 1965. He was council president from January 1974 to June 1974.

Magee resigned Dec. 12, 2009, during his second run as Hubbard mayor because of health problems resulting from a broken neck.

He continued to serve as mayor of Hubbard for several months after breaking his neck in June 2009. Magee oversaw mayor’s court while wearing a metal halo and accompanying harness for about 90 days. He had been elected mayor in 2004.

When Magee resigned, he told The Vindicator, “I don’t want to go halfway.”

Michael O’Brien, former Warren mayor and Trumbull County commissioner, said Magee was the hardest working public official he had ever met.

“He would come in every day from 8 to 5 and work through his lunch five days a week, and on the weekend he would do the same thing,” O’Brien said.

There are plaques honoring Magee in the courthouse in downtown Warren, the renovated administration building, the 11th District Court of Appeals and other buildings because Magee was central in their being built, O’Brien said.

“It’s too bad [Magee] didn’t write a handbook for public officials, because I would suggest that every public official read his handbook to learn how to govern,” O’Brien said. “I worked with him for eight years and talked to him every day. Magee was dedicated to public service.”

Dan Polivka, Democratic Party chairman and a commissioner in Trumbull County, said Magee was a hard worker as a politician who certainly would be missed.

“I know he’s been struggling,” Polivka said. “The last time I saw him was last year at Hillside Hospital.”

Magee did a lot of good work within the community, Polivka said.

“I’m sorry to hear about his passing,” Polivka said.

Arrangements are pending. They are being handled by Stewart Kyle Funeral Home in Hubbard.