Mahoning commissioners hire outside law firm in ballot fight on anti-fracking amendment

BERLIN CENTER — The Mahoning County commissioners voted to pay an outside law firm up to $30,000 to defend the county against complaints concerning exclusion of an anti-fracking initiative from Youngstown’s Nov. 3 ballot.

The commissioners voted tonight to pay Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP to defend the county at the Ohio Supreme Court in the expedited election matters.

The city and members of Frack Free Mahoning Valley, the group that petitioned to get the measure on the ballot, have filed complaints with the state’s top court, protesting the county board of elections’ decision to exclude the issue from the ballot.

The commissioners’ $30,000 resolution replaces their Sept. 3 resolution for $25,000 that addressed defense against only the city’s complaint.

For the complete story, read Tuesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com