Mahoning Dem Chairman Betras blasts regional chamber's request

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s request to be “involved” if any presidential candidates visit the area gave Mahoning County Democratic Chairman David Betras an opening to take shots at one of his favorite targets: Thomas M. Humphries, the chamber’s top official.

Mary Beth Wyko, the chamber’s coordinator of government affairs, recently sent an email to Betras that reads, in part: “If a candidate is planning to visit the Warren/Youngstown area, the regional chamber would love to be involved.”

Betras responded in a Tuesday email that reads “while I appreciate your interest, recent incidents involving the chamber force me to pose a number of questions.”

In a largely sarcastic email, Betras asked if the chamber expected to be compensated, and, if so, how much and for what services.

Betras brought that up after it was reported earlier this month that the chamber was soliciting $5,000 from Mahoning Valley arts entities to lobby on their behalf for federal and state funds. When that was discovered, the Valley’s state legislators abruptly split from the chamber after they had teamed up to prioritize local projects for the state’s 2016 capital bill.

Read more of Betras's demands and the response from his GOP counterpart in Wednesday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.