The Boardman Civic Association held its annual candidates and issues forum on Monday night at the Lariccia Family Center in Boardman Park. About 100 persons attended the event.
      There will be no candidates for township trustee or school board on the November ballot, but there will be a $3.9-mil renewal issues for Boardman Local Schools, while Boardman Township will place two renewal issues on the ballot, including a three-tenths mil road a bridge renewal and a 2.5-mil current expenses renewal.
      Speaking in behalf of the school levy was Supt. Frank Lazzeri.
      The superintendent pointed out the system has met 24 of 24 indicators on its state report card while operating its some $45 million annual budget with sound fiscal management.
      A five-year forecast for the district indicates the public school system will have a positive fiscal balance through 2019, Lazzeri said.
      Boardman Township Administrator Jason Loree said the less than one-mil road and bridge issue is important for the operation of the road department, noting the $125,000 raised by the levy will help provide funds for salt purchases for the winter road program.
      Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Righetti told those in attendance the county has lost upwards of $10 million in revenue, including reductions in state subsidies and loss investment income.
      “We have done more with less,” Righetti said, adding in 2015 the county could face a $5 million deficit.
      Righetti said the county tax issue on the November ballot will combine current expense and an additional tax. The additional tax funds will be earmarked for the county’s justice system, including “the sheriff’s office, 9-1-, coroner and judges.”
      “We need your help,” Righetti said.
      Heidi Daniels, executive director of the county library system, said their tax issue seeks 2.4-mils.
      She said the library had a levy approved in 2010 at 2.8-mils, and the levy on the ballot will actually provide a reduction in taxes.
      “This levy will actually reduced taxes to the library by 11 per cent, without disrupting services,” Daniels offered.
      County Auditor’s Race
      Addressing members of the Civic Association were candidates for county auditor---incumbent and embattled auditor Mike Sciortino and his GOP challenger, Ralph Meacham, a former CFO of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
      Meacham said He called the sales tax “onerous and regressive,” noting if elected, “I would like to help reduce those taxes in the future,”
      Sciortino is embattled in his seat, facing a variety of allegations lodged by the state attorney general.
      He said he supported the sales tax, noting that he stands with Mahoning County sheriff’s deputies---”We need this tax because it is the right thing to do,” Sciortino said.
      Perhaps alluding to the legal issues he faces, Sciortino noted “These are dire times, don’t get side-tracked by the distractions.”
      County Probate Judge’s Race
      The county probate judge’s race features current probate Judge Robert Rusu facing Dem party challenger Susan Maruca.
      Rusu gained the seat by appointment of Ohio Gov. John Kasich, after Democrat Mark Belinky was forced out of office earlier this year in the face of legal problems he created during his campaigns for the seat.
      Maruca said her career in probate court began two decades agio and pointed out “My passion is helping families.”
      Rusu, a former president of the Mahoning County Bar Association, noted during his legal career that he has handled more than 1200 cases before the probate court. Since being appointed to the probate judgeship, Rusu said the court has been run effectively and efficiently.
      He also noted the probate court is responsible for 39 appointments to various boards in Mahoning County.
      “I will make sure we make good appointments,” Rusu pledged.
      Seventh District Court of Appeals
      Squaring off for a seat on the appellate court vacated by the retirement of Judge Joseph Vukovich are Judge Carol Robb and Atty. Anthony Donofrio.
      Robb pointed out she served four years as a magistrate in the Columbiana County Court of Common Pleas for four years, before being elected as a Columbiana County Municipal Court Judge in 2005.
      During her tenure on the bench, she noted she fostered several programs to provide assistance to individuals with unique needs, such as a program to aids those with mental health issues, and another to aid those with economic issues.
      Both programs has been used as models in other courts in Ohio.
      “I am here to earn your respect, so I can gain your support,” Robb said,
      Atty. Donofrio never directly mentioned that his brother already sits in the Seventh District bench, but did note his father once sat on the appeals bench that he now seeks.
      “This has been a lifelong ambition for me,” Donofrio said.
      59th District State Representative
      Incumbent Democrat Ron Gerberry is seeking re-election to the seat and if elected, it will be his last term in the Ohio House of Representatives due to term limitations.
      His is opposed by GOP candidate Paul Mitchell.
      Their race was distinguished by opinions on ‘Common Core standards for education.
      State education chiefs and governors in 48 states came together to develop the ‘Common Core,’ a set of clear college and career-ready standards for kindergarten through 12th grade in English language arts/literacy and mathematics. Today, 43 states have voluntarily adopted and are working to implement the standards, which are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to take credit bearing introductory courses in two- or four-year college programs or enter the workforce.
      Rep. Gerberry said he supported the standards, Mitchell said he did not support the standards.