Dear Friends:

Mahoning County is in crisis mode.

The reason? Failed leadership! County government has failed each and every man, woman and child who lives in Mahoning County.

The reason for this failure is twofold.

First … there is a lack of cooperation between the county commissioners. This has led to infighting and gridlock. It’s difficult to make things happen if nobody’s talking to each other.

Secondly … there was never a long-term plan put into place to deal with a financial crisis that everybody knew was going to impact county services … especially our safety forces.

Believe me, I understand we are dealing with a financial crisis that is, in large part, due to the economy! Everyone agrees on that.

But listen, every county in the state of Ohio is dealing with financial problems. Everybody’s suffering. The difference is the leaders of other counties worked together, planned ahead and are dealing with the situation — without cutting their safety forces by over one third.

Look in our own backyard. Is Columbiana County laying of Sheriff’s deputies, closing parts of their jail, and cutting back other vital services? … NO.

Is Trumbull County mandating drastic cuts and layoffs? NO. Is their county coroner’s office taking the weekend off and not investigating tragic vehicle fatalities because of the lack of manpower? Of course not!

And the reason is their leaders worked together and created a budget that may be bare bones … BUT THEY MADE IT WORK! They planned ahead.

Why can’t we do this in Mahoning County? … Failed leadership and misplaced priorities. If other counties can weather this economic storm without the people suffering, Mahoning County should be able to the same.

Don’t blame everything on the economy. Don’t blame our problems solely on the lack of revenue or a failed sales tax levy. Blame it on failed leadership. Blame it on David Ludt and the other county commissioners who lacked the energy and vision to roll up their sleeves and get things done themselves.

When I’m commissioner there WILL be changes. There will be cooperation. There will be a plan in place that will allow families in Mahoning County to sleep at night knowing that their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent in a manner that will assure safe streets and the level of services they deserve.

If Trumbull and Columbiana Counties can do it, so can we.

Thank you for your support and please vote on May 4th.

Carol.