2 candidates vie for Trumbull coroner; 1 gets endorsement from predecessor's wife

WARREN

When Trumbull County Democratic Party Central Committee members meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at Enzo’s Restaurant on Elm Road to select someone to be Trumbull County coroner for the next 21⁄2 years, they will have several factors to consider – experience, character, ethical conflict, even party loyalty.

Neither candidate is a forensic pathologist, as the previous coroner was, so autopsies will be carried out elsewhere no matter which person is selected.

The candidates are allowed to give short presentations, but one of the two candidates, Dr. Thomas James of Vienna, who took the oath of office as interim county coroner April 25, is in Dallas and won’t be available for the meeting.

In a letter to central committee members, Dr. James said the meeting date was selected “without my input or knowledge,” and he is unable to miss the Boy Scouts of America National annual meeting he is attending this week.

The previous coroner, Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk, who died April 20, appointed Dr. James to serve as deputy coroner Jan. 4 when Dr. Germaniuk was hospitalized.

Dr. Germaniuk’s wife, Genievieve Germaniuk, wrote a letter of support for James to central committee members.

For more on the matter, read Wednesday's Vindicator or Vindy.com.