Trumbull Commissioner Paul Heltzel dead at 69
HOWLAND
Trumbull County Commissioner Paul Heltzel died today at his home on Kimblewick Lane after an extended illness.
“It’s all so shocking,” said Dan Polivka, a fellow county commissioner and chairman of the county Democratic Party. “It’s a sad day in Trumbull County.”
Heltzel, 69, an attorney, won the 2004 Democratic primary for commissioner, defeating six others, including then-incumbent Joseph J. Angelo Jr., and cruised to a victory in November against Republican Michael Colello. He was re-elected in 2008 and 2012.
“He added a lot to the county,” Polivka said. “We were making progress. We worked well together as a team.”
Heltzel was instrumental in revamping the county’s 911 system, and strongly promoted and assisted with economic development issues, Polivka said.
“With his law degree he helped with the legal side,” he said of Heltzel. “It will be difficult to replace him.”
The county Democratic Party will have to meet to select Heltzel’s successor though Polivka said that isn’t even on his mind at this time.
An election for the remainder of his term — which expires Jan. 2, 2017 — would be on the Nov. 4 ballot, based on information provided by the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.
Before being elected commissioner, Heltzel was chief counsel of the county prosecutor’s civil division, was special counsel to the Ohio attorney general, and had a private practice.
He is survived by his wife, Rosemary, and four sons.