Niles Democrats select Rizer-Jones over Harwood

NILES

Janet Rizer-Jones, whose work the last month as interim treasurer drew praise from city council and a state auditor liaison, will stay in the office.

The Niles Democratic Precinct Committee rewarded her efforts by voting voted 7-3 in favor of Rizer-Jones over Thomas Harwood to fill the unexpired term of Robert Swauger who resigned last month.

The treasurer position is part-time and pays an annual salary of $7,590.

“That’s wonderful,” she said when told of her margin of victory. “I’m thrilled they have confidence in me.”

There are 15 committee members, but five did not attend Wednesday’s vote.

The unexpired term for treasurer runs through 2017. Rizer-Jones says she expects to run for the office in next year’s primary election.

Rizer-Jones, 59, had been appointed by Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia and promptly set about correcting an office said to be in disarray. Niles has been in fiscal emergency since October 2014 and the Financial Planning and Supervision Commission in charge of approving city spending had demanded had reconciliation for a clearer picture of Niles’ financial state, which Swauger had been unable to complete.