Mahoning Dems seeking candidates for Struthers auditor position

By Danny restivo

drestivo@vindy.com

Struthers

City and Democratic Party officials are seeking candidates for the city’s auditor position as auditor Tina Morell will resign Monday.

Mayor Terry P. Stocker said Morell announced her resignation at a council meeting before submitting a letter to him and Chairman David Betras of the Mahoning County Democratic Party.

According to Betras, Stocker has appointed Chistina Bohl, current deputy auditor, to be acting auditor until the central committee of the Mahoning County Democratic Party meets to appoint a replacement.

Betras said any interested candidate should submit a letter to him at dbetras@bhlaws.com requesting an appointment. He said all interested candidates should have their request submitted by 4 p.m. April 8.

Betras said central committee members will meet at 6:30 p.m. April 11 in the council chambers to select the new auditor.

“Tina has been a model for what it means to be a public servant,” Betras said. “The citizens in Struthers will feel her absence.”

Morell cited a need to take care of her ill sister as the reason for her resignation.

“Sometimes difficult decisions need to be made, and with my ill sister, I feel like I need to help take care of her right now,” she said.

Morell has worked for the city for 23 years. She said she spent 13 years as a deputy tax commissioner before becoming auditor 10 years ago.

Stocker said Morell had done a fine job as an auditor. He said Morell took the city’s budget carryover from $42,000 in 2004 to $400,000 in 2012. Her four-year term was scheduled to expire Dec. 31, 2015.

“Tina has always worked well with me and council,” said Stocker. “She always managed the finances properly, and in my opinion, her performance has been good.”

Stocker said her resignation was not related to a routine audit the state is performing on the city’s finances.