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« Opinion
Tuesday’s election turned out to be a sizzler
This election wasn’t supposed to be interesting.
Sure, incumbent Boardman Township Trustees Robyn Gallitto and Kathy Miller looked to be in real trouble with their re-election bids — and they were.
But with about two weeks left before Election Day, there was little to be excited about on the local ballot. And the only item attracting interest statewide was the casino gambling issue.
A lot changed in just a couple of weeks.
The re-election of Warren “Bo” Pritchard, an Austintown Township trustee, was shaky at best two weeks before Tuesday.
But that quickly turned from shaky to impossible when it was reported that Pritchard was heading Nov. 25 to the Columbiana County jail. He’s to serve 90 days for a conviction of operating a vehicle while impaired.
Also, the Mahoning County Bar Association accused Pritchard, an attorney, of multiple counts of misconduct, and the Ohio Supreme Court suspended his law license.
He received only 8.53 percent of the vote in a four-man race, finishing a distant last.
There were reasons why Pritchard, Gallitto and Miller lost.
The latter two oversee a township government in a financial crisis. A vote for change in Boardman isn’t a surprise.
In Campbell, five-term Mayor John Dill lost to a political newcomer. This also wasn’t a shock. Campbell is a city that has had more than its share of financial trouble and voters obviously felt now was the time for a change in leadership.
The theme of “time for a change” was everywhere.
Plenty of incumbent trustees and board of education members in the Mahoning Valley were voted out of office.
If Walter Avdey, a 24-year Coitsville Township trustee, is heading for a loss, who’s safe?
I wrote “heading for a loss” because unofficial totals have him trailing Gregory T. Haren by 8 votes. There are 6 provisional votes in Coitsville to be counted and the possibility of a recount. But it looks like Avdey’s time is done.
Incumbent trustees in Canfield, Liberty, Howland, Goshen and Perry, among others, as well as school board members in Austintown, Youngstown, Poland, Niles, McDonald and Canfield, among others, were kicked to the curb.
Also, a school bond issue and a township replacement tax in Austintown were rejected, as were additional school levies in Liberty, Lakeview and Leetonia.
Sales taxes in Mahoning and Columbiana counties, a Salem additional income tax, two $5 Trumbull County vehicle license taxes and a Columbiana County cancer detection clinic tax were also defeated.
Based on the results of this election, it’s shocking how well the tax renewal for the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County did.
Big picture
Those who blame the defeats on supposed incorrect ballot language or consider themselves scapegoats for problems in their communities are missing the big picture.
Right or wrong, people are fed up with their elected officials.
People are tired of being asked to pay taxes and to trust those in charge to do the right thing.
People are facing serious financial problems — losing their jobs or taking pay cuts or taking on the burden of paying more for their health insurance, if they’re fortunate enough to have it.
Meanwhile, government officials, seemingly unaware of what’s happening around them, continue to have their hand out asking for more.
The voters sent a crystal clear message to those officeholders — No!
Some innocent people got hit in the crossfire. But for the most part government continues to spend too much.
It’s great that cuts are made and expenses are reduced.
Voters just said, “Do more!”
Unless there are deeper cuts and smarter decisions made, the answer is going to continue to be no when voters are asked to continue to pay for government operations.
The incoming officials recently elected should realize this better than most.
A successful election is gratifying and congratulations to those who won Tuesday. Your real test begins in January. Good luck. You’re going to need it.
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Comments
So a candidate belongs to a number of service organizations, goes to baseball games and has a link to the Mahoning County Democrats while running in a non-partisan race and we're supposed to vote for them?
And I am tired of hearing the phrase "tough economic times" used in canned campaign spiel, especially while I watch the 224 project (with its sidewalks to nowhere and the accompanying walk-don't 'walk' gadgets get replaced a second time) go on and on and on and on for what? So, people can get to Poland and Canfield quicker?
http://www.robyngallitto.com/
Putting department heads in the front row, browbeating, axe grinding, making an issue out of take-home cars and contradicting oneself later on that very issue is not exactly using tax dollars efficiently and certainly doesn't help one get re-elected.
David Skolnick needs to reiterate this comment to some Boardman posters who think putting a levy on the ballot is the answer to Boardman's fiscal troubles.
"People are tired of being asked to pay taxes and to trust those in charge to do the right thing."
"People are facing serious financial problems — losing their jobs or taking pay cuts or taking on the burden of paying more for their health insurance, if they’re fortunate enough to have it."
"Meanwhile, government officials, seemingly unaware of what’s happening around them, continue to have their hand out asking for more."
The answer is the public sector needs to look at cuts. Not just wage freezes and minimal health care contributions but REAL cuts.
Honestly, Apollo, the only person that has brought up a future levy is you...such as this from another thread - "Will the first levy attempt be in May alongside the sales tax or will they do a special election?"
Could we just wait and see?
Do you really think they have the fortitude to ask the townships unions for concessions and how likely will the unions provide them? I'd say the chances of that happening are like a snowball you know where. So the only option will be more revenues from the taxpayers. We all know how Tom likes to spend and in fact already mentioned CALEA election night on WFMJ. That already cost the township handsomely. ($200,000) I think the very first order of business come January will be when to ask for more and how many mils.
Regarding CALEA, the standards it created are essentially still in place. Going after accreditation while simultaneously addressing the multitude of issues and challenges presented on the streets with the manpower levels as they are is certainly a good topic for debate.
Again, could we just wait and see what happens?
Not surprising that Jackie Taylor lost - she came in third last time she ran - and her support of Wendy Webb finally did her in - perhaps the new board members will be able to effect change at the top!
a banner week for lawyers behaving badly
Ronald Reagan said it best "You canot TAX your way back to PROSPERITY"
Message to my old town:
STOP Electing morons and criminals. Your kids' future depends on it!!!
Formerytown, "who else is running?"