Alex Benyo replaces recently resigned Louis Chine

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

Austintown Board of Education members selected community member Alex Benyo, co-owner of Brilex Industries, to replace recently resigned member Louis Chine until Dec. 31, 2017.

Board President Kathy Mock reiterated at the Tuesday afternoon special meeting that Chine resigned for health reasons.

Chine was in his second term and resigned effective Sept. 30.

Board member Ken Jakubec nominated Benyo and members Harold Porter, David Ritchie and Mock voted for him to fill the vacancy.

Before Benyo’s nomination, Porter nominated community member Don Sherwood who was voted down by Mock and Jakubec. “Two votes is not majority,” Mock said.

Porter said although his nomination was voted down, all the applicants for the position were qualified.

“Not one of them deserved a no vote. Alex is a good guy and has proven he has the best intentions for Austintown.”

However, Porter said he was disappointed about the public perception surrounding Benyo’s nomination.

“Everyone I talked to knew it was going to be Alex [before the meeting]. Numerous texts said the same, and that’s what’s said.”

Alex Benyo’s brother and Brilex Industries co-owner Brian Benyo is chairman of the Youngstown Academic Distress Commission.