Follow the plan or step aside, state auditor's representative tells Niles mayor, council

NILES

A state auditor’s representative sharply criticized Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia for failing to implement the city’s financial-recovery plan from fiscal emergency in what amounted to a tongue-lashing during Wednesday’s council meeting.

The city has been in fiscal emergency since October 2014.

“It’s disturbing and disappointing,” said Jim Armeni, east regional liaison for Ohio Auditor Dave Yost. “You cannot stall with the plan.”

The 21-point plan, developed by Scarnecchia’s predecessor, Ralph Infante, last December and approved by the city’s deficit commission, contains provisions to eliminate the city’s income-tax department and police dispatchers – both of which Scarnecchia opposes. Armeni questioned the mayor about the status of both.

“I find it disturbing you bring up [the dispatchers and tax department],” responded Scarnecchia, who later apologized for the tone of his response. The mayor, who took office Jan. 1, said he has been working with the state auditors to try to find funds that would enable him to submit an amended plan.

His response did not satisfy Armeni, however.

“If you can’t lead, find someone to follow, and if you still can’t do that, then step aside,” said Armeni, directing his remarks to both mayor and council. “This is not business as usual.”

Read more about the dispute in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.