Published: Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Fuda wins commissioner's race
Adrian Biviano retained his position as county auditor.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN — There was no surprise in the race for Trumbull County commissioner Tuesday as Democratic Niles Councilman Frank Fuda, 61, soundly defeated Republican Niki Frenchko of Warren, 32.
Fuda ran on his record of providing help to residents of his ward for the past 16 years, especially with flooding problems. He has emphasized his ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and points of view — including the two other commissioners, Dan Polivka and Paul Heltzel.
"I promised the citizens in the outskirts that I'll work on sanitary sewer and septic issues, so I'll work on that as soon as I can," Fuda said when asked what priority will be as commissioner. He was celebrating at Democratic Party headquarters on East Market Street in Warren.
Reiterating his ability to work well with the two other Democratic commissioners, Fuda said he expects a good rapport. "I'm looking forward to attacking the problems we have so the county can move forward," he said.
Frenchko, who worked for the county planning commission in 2001-02, wanted to use her planning background to change the way growth is managed in the county. The mother of four also called for zero-based budgeting to make department heads more accountable for their spending. She said more money needs to be set aside for capital projects.
Frenchko was stricken with a respiratory illness during the summer that limited her ability to campaign for the job.
"I'm disappointed that people around here still just vote for the party instead of learning about the issues," Frenchko said after learning of her defeat. "I'd like to congratulate Frank and hope that Heltzel will hold the torch and the other two commissioners will follow his lead. I think he [Heltzel] is our only hope right now."
During the campaign, Fuda responded to Frenchko's claims that he was part of a "good old boy network" by saying he has always focused on one thing during his career as a councilman: "I do what's best for the citizens of the city."
On Tuesday, Fuda said he would look at some of the ideas Frenchko raised during the campaign, but in discussions with the county's planning department he has been advised that the ideas are "not practical at this time."
Fuda replaces Commissioner James Tsagaris, the two-term Democrat who chose not to run for re-election.
Auditor's race
In the other local race, Democrat Adrian Biviano outpolled Republican Elizabeth McPherson for county auditor. Biviano, 54, of Niles, was appointed to the job Jan. 10 after his longtime boss, Dave Hines, resigned late last year. McPherson, 52, of Warren, is an accountant with T.C. Quality Homes Inc.
Biviano ran on his long record as a public servant, including 10 years as chief deputy auditor, 14 years as controller for the sanitary engineer's office and four years as a state examiner and quality control coordinator at the state auditor's office. He defended the operation of the auditor's office under his leadership, saying it is one of the best anywhere.
runyan@vindy.com
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
Adrian Biviano retained his position as county auditor.
By ED RUNYAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN — There was no surprise in the race for Trumbull County commissioner Tuesday as Democratic Niles Councilman Frank Fuda, 61, soundly defeated Republican Niki Frenchko of Warren, 32.
Fuda ran on his record of providing help to residents of his ward for the past 16 years, especially with flooding problems. He has emphasized his ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and points of view — including the two other commissioners, Dan Polivka and Paul Heltzel.
"I promised the citizens in the outskirts that I'll work on sanitary sewer and septic issues, so I'll work on that as soon as I can," Fuda said when asked what priority will be as commissioner. He was celebrating at Democratic Party headquarters on East Market Street in Warren.
Reiterating his ability to work well with the two other Democratic commissioners, Fuda said he expects a good rapport. "I'm looking forward to attacking the problems we have so the county can move forward," he said.
Frenchko, who worked for the county planning commission in 2001-02, wanted to use her planning background to change the way growth is managed in the county. The mother of four also called for zero-based budgeting to make department heads more accountable for their spending. She said more money needs to be set aside for capital projects.
Frenchko was stricken with a respiratory illness during the summer that limited her ability to campaign for the job.
"I'm disappointed that people around here still just vote for the party instead of learning about the issues," Frenchko said after learning of her defeat. "I'd like to congratulate Frank and hope that Heltzel will hold the torch and the other two commissioners will follow his lead. I think he [Heltzel] is our only hope right now."
During the campaign, Fuda responded to Frenchko's claims that he was part of a "good old boy network" by saying he has always focused on one thing during his career as a councilman: "I do what's best for the citizens of the city."
On Tuesday, Fuda said he would look at some of the ideas Frenchko raised during the campaign, but in discussions with the county's planning department he has been advised that the ideas are "not practical at this time."
Fuda replaces Commissioner James Tsagaris, the two-term Democrat who chose not to run for re-election.
Auditor's race
In the other local race, Democrat Adrian Biviano outpolled Republican Elizabeth McPherson for county auditor. Biviano, 54, of Niles, was appointed to the job Jan. 10 after his longtime boss, Dave Hines, resigned late last year. McPherson, 52, of Warren, is an accountant with T.C. Quality Homes Inc.
Biviano ran on his long record as a public servant, including 10 years as chief deputy auditor, 14 years as controller for the sanitary engineer's office and four years as a state examiner and quality control coordinator at the state auditor's office. He defended the operation of the auditor's office under his leadership, saying it is one of the best anywhere.
runyan@vindy.com
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
There was no surprise in the race for Trumbull County commissioner Tuesday as Democratic Niles Councilman Frank Fuda,...
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