Port authority appointee should be an open book

Although commissioners in Trumbull County have yet to announce their choice for the open seat on the Western Reserve Port Authority board, we are confident it will not be Scott Lewis, whose four-year term has expired. Lewis has served two terms and wants a third.

Our confidence in what’s going to happen stems from the fact that commissioners Daniel Polivka and Frank Fuda called for Lewis’ resignation in July 2014. The third commissioner at the time, Paul Heltzel, was in the hospital and died soon afterward.

Polivka and Fuda sought the resignation after the Ohio Ethics Commission issued Lewis a public reprimand in April 2014 for not abstaining from participation in port authority discussions involving a real-estate deal he brokered that earned his company $97,366 in 2009.

In an editorial published May 1, 2014, we contended that public reprimand of Lewis for violating Ohio’s conflict of interest law seemed too lenient.

Here’s what we said, in part:

“Fortunately, the Ohio Ethics Commission’s issuance of a report based on its investigation may not be the final word on the matter.

“Trumbull County commissioners are asking the prosecutor’s office for an opinion as to whether they have the authority to remove Lewis from the governing body of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. The commissioners have four representatives on the authority, including Lewis, a Warren real-estate executive.

“His participation in closed-door discussions regarding the lease of the land at the airport was improper by any reading of state law. What made it even more egregious was the $97,366 commission he was paid for brokering the deal.”

Signed agreement

On April 17, Lewis signed an agreement with the Ohio Ethics Commission that says he had a conflict of interest.

While he did not vote on the real-estate transaction, he participated through comments, discussions, email correspondence and attendance of meetings on several occasions on matters related to the lease.

Lewis’ term as a member of the port authority has ended, and there is no compelling reason for Commissioners Polivka, Fuda and Mauro Cantalamessa to reappoint him.

Indeed, there are some strong applicants among the remaining 11 from which the commissioners can choose.

Earlier this month, commissioners announced there were openings on several volunteer boards, including the WRPA, and invited residents to submit letters of interest. There are positions to be filled on the Trumbull County Children Services Board and the Senior Citizens Advisory Council.

The commissioners said they went public with the vacancies because they are committed to “full transparency.”

That should be the guiding principle for the individual who fills the seat on the port authority.

The individual chosen should not only be an open book insofar as his or her business or professional life is concerned but must make a public commitment to avoid any conflicts of interest.

In deciding on Lewis’ successor, C.ommissioners Polivka, Fuda and Cantalamessa should explore how well the applicants understand the role of the authority as the governing body of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport and as an economic development entity. Under state law, a port authority has the ability to finance projects and initiate tax-savings programs to spur job creation.

The next port authority member must also have a clear vision of the future viability of the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport.

We have long argued that the Mahoning Valley’s economic revitalization depends on many factors, including regular commercial air service.

Last year’s disappointing short-lived daily flights to and from Chicago highlighted the difficulties old industrial regions with declining populations face in attracting a major carrier.

With much fanfare, officials of Great Lakes JetExpress launched the daily round-trip flights from Youngstown to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. But after a month, it became clear that passenger-load projections were overly optimistic.

Therefore, whoever is appointed to the port authority must have a deep understanding of the airline industry and what this region needs to do to attract another carrier.