On the ballot of particular local interest in general elections next Tues., Nov. 8 will be four candidates vying for two seats on the Boardman Board of Education, and two candidates vying for one seat on the Boardman Township Board of Trustees.
      There is also a 3-mil renewal levy for Boardman Township, as well as five local option booze issues on the ballot; and a 2-mil renewal issue for the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities.
      The Board of Education, according to five-year financial projections filed with the Ohio Department of Education, could face financial shortfalls within the next five years of upwards of $5 million. A Strategic Planning Committee, comprised of educators and community members, has not met in more than a year.
      Current Supt. Frank Lazzeri is working under the school system’s ‘Retire-Rehire’ program, an indication the next school board will be charged with finding a new superintendent. Under Mr. Lazzeri, Boardman Local Schools have earned Excellent Ratings from the Ohio Department of Education on an annual basis.
      Seeking re-election to the Board of Education is Mr. Ken Beraduce, of 5731 Gilbert Dr. He had a lead role in directing the duties of the Strategic Planning Committee.
      Seeking election to the seat previously held by Dr. Robert DeMarco, is Mr. Fred Davis, 7968 Spartan Dr. He gained appointment to the seat two years ago when Dr. DeMarco resigned to move to Florida. When Mr. Davis gained appointment, the rest of the Board of Education, including Mr. Beraduce, overlooked Mr. Nik Amstutz, 851 Terraview Dr., who, like Mr. Davis, has previously served on the Board of Education. Mr. Amstutz is seeking to regain a seat on the school board, and on the ballot for the first time for the school board is Mr. Jim Hruska, 467 Oakridge Dr.
      After several years of political instability, the Boardman Township Board of Trustees has gone to extreme lengths to reach out to the public to regain its political respect.
      For example, the Board of Trustees held meetings during the first six months of the year at church buildings throughout every corner of the township, encouraging citizen participation in the meetings.
      A strong levy campaign led to the passage of a police issue that will provide funds to boost manpower at the police department that has been depleted significantly. Some 17 officers either retired and left for other jobs during the reign of instability.
      In the future, despite passage of the police levy, early projections are township finances will remain stretched.
      Lending stability to the Board of Trustees (and working as a member of a team of elected officials alongside fellow Trustees Mr. Thomas Costello and Mr. Brad Calhoun; and Fiscal Officer Mr. William Leicht) seeking re-election to a second term is Mr. Larry Moliterno, 427 Gardenview Dr. During his four years in office he created a Boardman Plan that helped to keep the then Board of Trustees (that included Mrs. Kathy Miller and Ms. Robyn Gallitto focused on township government), and he has been involved as a leader in organizing many community events that draw citizens together in fellowship.
      He is opposed by Richard Scarsella, 6744-B, Appleridge Circle, a member of the Mahoning County Career and technical Center Board who wants to bring his ‘urbanization experience’ to Boardman.
      Boardman Township also seeks renewal of a 3-mil issue where the message is ‘no new taxes;’ and the same is true for the 2-mil Developmental Disabilities issue.
      Liquor issues are being sought for Sunday sales in Precinct 31 at the Lanai Lounge, 7631 South Ave.; in Precinct 3 for weekly and Sunday sales at True North, 950 Boardman-Poland Rd.; in Precinct 9 for weekly and Sunday sales at Fuji Asian Cuisine, 60 Boardman-Poland Rd.; in Precinct 22 for weekly and Sunday sales at True North, 8600 Glenwood Ave.; and in Precinct 33 for weekly and Sunday sales at Carmellias Italian Eatery, 850 East Western Reserve Rd.
      Unopposed on the ballot for his fifth term as Boardman Township Fiscal Officer is William Leicht, 8550 Ivy Hill Dr.