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City leaders relieved after McNally plea
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Many Mahoning Valley and city leaders breathed a collective sigh of relief upon learning that John A. McNally would remain Youngstown’s mayor, but some called for his resignation and griped about a dysfunctional political system.
Councilwoman Basia Adamczak, D-7th, said she’s been working with McNally for only a short time, but she’s pleased he’s staying in office and will be able to seek re-election.
“We have a lot of positive things going on in the city of Youngstown,” she said. “I’m glad to be able to work under him and that we can continue the momentum we have going.”
McNally pleaded guilty Friday morning to four misdemeanor counts related to the Oakhill Renaissance Place criminal-corruption case. The pleas allow McNally to remain in office. He has agreed to cooperate with prosecutors. The case stems from McNally’s time as a Mahoning County commissioner.
Michael Sciortino, former county auditor, also pleaded guilty Friday to one felony and two misdemeanors in the case.
Both men will be sentenced March 28.
The corruption trial was to start Monday in Cuyahoga County.
Not everyone is so quick to forgive.
call to resign
Atty. David Betras, Mahoning County Democratic Party chairman, wants McNally to resign.
“As I have said from the beginning, I believed Mayor McNally had the right to remain in office pending the disposition of the charges filed against him,” Betras said in a statement. “In light of the fact that he today pleaded guilty to four misdemeanors related directly to his official duties as an elected official, I believe he should resign.”
At the least, Betras believes McNally should not seek re-election. If he does, the voters will have their say, Betras said.
The party chairman added: “I would note for the record that it would not be unprecedented for an elected official to remain in office after pleading guilty to misdemeanor charges. Gov. Robert Taft, who pleaded no contest to and was subsequently convicted of four misdemeanors related to his failure to disclose that he accepted 52 gifts from lobbyists, chose not to resign and remained in office for the remainder of his term.”
Mark Munroe, Mahoning County Republican Party chairman, said: “It’s another black eye for the Valley. It’s another indictment of our dysfunctional political system that has seen a long parade of Democrats pleading guilty to various crimes while holding office.
“It’s easy to get discouraged with more news like this, but we can’t stop working to make this Valley, our home, a better place. Hopefully, the prosecutors can resolve any remaining issues so we can put this behind us and move on.”
Defending the mayor is Eric Ryan, executive director of the Covelli Centre, who said McNally is a pleasure to work with.
“He has incorporated many positive initiatives that have the city moving forward, and I’m excited to continue the momentum he’s creating,” Ryan said in an email.
Martin Hume, city law director, agreed.
“I’m pleased and excited that he’s going to remain mayor of the city of Youngstown,” he said. “This administration has done great things for Youngstown.”
He listed downtown development, various quality-of-life improvements and changes in the police and fire departments.
Hume said he doesn’t think McNally should relinquish his seat.
“There’s no reason I can think of that that would be an appropriate decision,” he said.
Neither does Councilman Mike Ray, D-4th.
“The voters of the city of Youngstown saw fit to elect him with that looming over him, and they have put their faith in him,” Ray said.
He’s glad the case against McNally is done.
“I’m glad the city can finally put this behind us and move forward,” he said. “I have a good working relationship with him, and I hope we can continue to work together.”
backs the mayor
Charles Shasho, the city’s deputy director of public works, supports his boss.
“I think the mayor is doing an outstanding job, and I’m excited to be part of it,” Shasho said. “I’m glad we can put it behind us and we can move forward for the betterment of the city.”
Councilman Julius Oliver, D-1st, is glad the mayor will remain in office and continue to push the city forward.
“I think this is the most-progressive mayor that we’ve had in a long time,” Oliver said.
He cited McNally’s standing behind city businesses in their economic-development efforts.
The idea that McNally pleaded guilty to four misdemeanors doesn’t trouble Oliver.
“It doesn’t take much to indict a ham sandwich,” he said.
Because of the way the justice system is flawed, people sometimes plead guilty because they feel like they have to, he said.
“Overall, I think we have a very progressive mayor,” Oliver said.
Guy Coviello, vice president for government affairs and media at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, also is glad to see the case resolved.
“We are pleased that it’s over for these two gentlemen and there is an end in sight to the entire situation,” he said. “We feel the mayor has done a good job in his capacity, and we look forward to him continuing.”
county reaction
Mahoning County officials’ reactions were more subdued. Declining to comment were Sheriff Jerry Greene, Commissioner Anthony Traficanti and Recorder Noralynn Palermo.
“From the standpoint of county government, I hope that this is over with and we can all move on. From a personal standpoint, with regard to all individuals involved and their families, I hope this is a resolution and they can move on with their lives,” said Treasurer Dan Yemma.
“I hope the county can now put the history of Oakhill aside and move forward with a plan to maximize its value to taxpayers. It is my wish that closure on these matters brings some relief to the families of Mr. McNally and Mr. Sciortino,” said Auditor Ralph Meacham.
Meacham, a Republican, unseated Sciortino, a Democrat, in the November 2014 election.
Phil Kidd, founder of the Defend Youngstown website, associate director of Youngstown CityScape and owner of the Youngstown Nation gift shop in the city’s downtown, said he was surprised to hear of the plea deal and thought McNally and Sciortino would go on trial.
“Youngstown’s in such a fragile [economic] situation that trying to keep the momentum going is always a challenge,” and negative publicity, such as that derived from the Oakhill case, can “deflate the momentum” in economic and community development and neighborhood-stabilization efforts, Kidd said.
The Oakhill case has been “like a cloud hanging over the community because we didn’t know what was going to happen,” he observed.
“The fact that this matter’s being resolved allows the community to move forward,” Kidd said.
Kidd added, however, that if McNally gets a jail sentence and has to be replaced during his incarceration, “that would really be problematic” for the city.