David Betras: A man on a political mission

THANKS, BUT NO THANKS: When Mahoning County Democratic Chairman David Betras met last week with Gov. Ted Strickland, he brought along $25 worth of ice cream as a small gift. The problem was Strickland couldn’t accept it. The first executive order signed by Strickland when he took office on Jan. 8, 2007, was to not permit himself, his staff, cabinet agencies and state boards and commissions to accept virtually all gifts worth at least $20. Instead, Betras gave the ice cream to members of Strickland’s staff — sharing it among at least two staffers apparently makes the gift to each less than $25. President, again: The Democrats of the 17th and 6th Districts re-elected Andrew Hamady as its president. Also re-elected were Socrates Kolitsos as first vice president, John Kish as second vice president and Sherman Miles as secretary-treasurer. The political group elected Robyn Gallitto, Peter Sturbi, Richard Ouzounian, Jeree Stavich, John Zordich and Joseph Palermo as trustees. The group won’t meet this summer and will hold its next meeting on Sept. 15. skolnick@vindy.com

By David Skolnick

Mahoning County Democratic Chairman David Betras is looking to make a big impact on local and state politics.

He couldn’t have picked a better time.

The Mahoning Valley is in the middle of an incredibly slow political time.

It’s so slow that I find myself writing about Betras every week because his actions are about the only thing interesting in local politics.

The primary held May 5, eight days after Betras was elected Democratic chairman, had a voter turnout rate of 10.78 percent. Elections officials believe that’s the lowest turnout for a primary election ever in Mahoning County.

Nothing interesting happened in that primary and there’s nothing exciting to write about the local races in November yet.

There will be elections in November for township trustees and school board members. But compare this November’s election to last year’s or the one in 2010 and it pales in comparison.

The 2010 election is going to be compelling with races for every statewide executive elected position — governor, attorney general, auditor, secretary of state and treasurer.

Other races in Ohio next year include U.S. Senate, every seat in the U.S. House and Ohio House and several state Senate positions, including the one held by Joe Schiavoni of Canfield, D-33rd.

Betras definitely is looking to the 2010 election.

To do so, he’s making a number of moves now to prepare the Mahoning County Democratic Party for next year.

The first was asking every countywide Democratic officeholder to join the party’s executive committee.

Except for Clerk of Courts Anthony Vivo, who was ill, every countywide elected official showed up at the committee’s first meeting Monday.

There were people at that meeting who genuinely dislike each other. Yet Betras brought them together.

Of course, when you offer free food to Democrats, they’re typically there. A buffet with chicken and pasta was served at Cassese’s MVR in Youngstown for this meeting.

Even so, getting them all in one room and getting them to pass two proposals is impressive.

The first resolution was to urge U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown to support a Mahoning Valley resident to the U.S. District Court judicial seat being vacated by Peter C. Economus, and to keep that position in Youngstown.

Judge Economus is retiring from active service July 3.

There are a number of local applicants for the job.

The same could be said five years ago when William T. Bodoh retired as a federal bankruptcy court judge based in Youngstown.

The bankruptcy court judicial seat stayed in the city, but the appointment went to Kay Woods, then of Solon.

The second resolution is a test to show statewide Democratic officials that Mahoning County still has political importance.

Betras called together local Republican, labor and faith leaders to join him and other Democrats to announce opposition to a casino gambling proposal that could be on the ballot this November.

Betras is guaranteeing the failure of the gambling initiative in Mahoning County. His main problem with the proposal is it doesn’t include a casino in Youngstown.

Betras is rallying the troops with the battle cry that the Valley won’t be ignored anymore.

Betras says he’ll be looking for those circulating petitions to get the casino issue on the ballot and urge people to not sign.

If the issue is on the ballot, it’s a pretty safe bet county voters will vote against it. Mahoning County has voted in favor of only one of the four legalized gambling initiatives.

Betras is pushy, loud and brash, and intends to do whatever it takes to make Mahoning County Democrats relevant again.

By David Skolnick(Contact David)