FIRST REPUBLICAN SHERIFF IN STARK COUNTY SINCE ROBERT BERENS?

Stark County Chief Deputy Mike McDonald has taken out a petition to run for sheriff of Stark County.

Clearly, this means that Sheriff Swanson is not running for re-election.

His action is both a surprise and yet not so much of a surprise.  A surprise in that McDonald is not sitting Sheriff Timothy A. Swanson's first choice as a successor.  That would be Swanson other chief deputy Rick Perez.  When Perez hosted his classmates for a tour of the Stark County jail conducted by Sheriff Swanson about a year ago, Swanson let it be known to the group that classmate Perez was his choice to succeed him.

However, that was before the November, 2010 election and Rick's brother Kim (Stark County auditor) getting trounced at the polls by Republican candidate Alan Harold.  Brother Kim's defeat can be traced directly to the Vince Frustaci scandal in which the former chief deputy was convicted of stealing money from the Stark County treasury.

While Kim had absolutely nothing to do with the theft (and the same is to be said for then Stark County Treasurer Gary D. Zeigler), it appears that Stark County voters lumped Democrat officeholders together as "political good old boys" who did not mind the store in accordance with voter standards (voters apparently thinking - rightly or wrongly - that there needed to be more oversight) and sent Kim Perez packing.  Zeigler was removed from office in August, 2010 in accordance with permissive Ohio statutory law that empowered county commissioners to remove him from office notwithstanding that he had been exonerated by federal and county prosecutors of any involvement whatsoever.  Zeigler has appealed his dismissal and a decision should be forthcoming any day from the Ohio Supreme Court as to whether his removal will be sustained.

Should choose to run, Sheriff Swanson (who wrote letters to the editor supporting Zeigler during his days as treasurer) undoubtedly would lose.

But does that seeming political reality extend to those closely connected with Swanson?

The Report believes it does.

Neither McDonald or Perez is electable in the opinion of the SCPR.

But it is - in a sense - not s surprise that McDonald took out a petition.  You can bet the Swanson et al are working overtime trying to figure out a way to stay in power.  One scenario has Canton Safety Director Thomas Ream stepping in to run if it appears that he can save the day for the Swanson, Perez and McDonald legacy.

The last time Stark Republicans had a chance to take control of the Stark County sheriff's office was when in 1980 long time Sheriff George Pappadoopuouls ran into political trouble.  Republican insurance man Robert Berens ran against the politically troubled sheriff and defeated him.


Problem was for Republicans that the challenges of office proved to be more than Berens could bear and he ended up being a one-termer.

 

The SCPR has learned that there may be two contenders for the Republican nomination for Stark sheriff.

First, and the most likely to win the nomination, is Hartville Chief of Police Larry Dordea (a former Alliance police chief and currently a councilman-at-large in Alliance who is seeking re-election).  Dordea

A mention is made of Republican Canal Fulton Mayor John Grogan who is a lieutenant in the Summit County Sheriff Department.  Unless Dordea decides not to run, Grogan deserves no more than a mention.  He has been involved in a couple of controversies (one as a Summit County sheriff's employee and another a mayor of Canal Fulton - both of which he was cleared on) which, were he the Republican nominee, would certainly surface in the heat of a political campaign.

Dordea tells The Report that he is confident that he will be the party nominee should he seek the nomination.  Dordea ran against Swanson in 2008 and made a respectable showing for his first time out on the political hustings.  This time around The Report figures Dordea to be the odds on favorite win no matter who runs for the Democrats.

Should the Republicans succeed this time in dislodging the Democratic Party stranglehold over the sheriff's department, chances are that a Republican takeover will last for over four years.

Why?

Because, unlike Berens (the insurance man turned sheriff ), - referred to above -  Dordea is a highly respected policeman who served many years (including a number as chief) in Alliance before becoming police chief in Hartville.

Democrats must know that should they lose this office and the winning candidate is Dordea, then it could be a long, long time before they can win it back.

So look for a hotly contested race, if Dordea is the nominee.  Even if he isn't, the Democrats will not have an easy time retaining the seat in light of the disfavor that Stark Countians are seeing Democrats running countywide these days.

Stark Countians - if the March primary election date holds - will know by early December who will be running to replace Swanson.

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST, SEPTEMBER - POOF! SHERIFF SWANSON DISAPPEARS INTO THE DEEP, DEEP RECESSES OF "OFFICIAL, OFFICIAL, OFFICIAL" RETIREMENT? DORDEA MAY NOT BE RUNNING AGAINST SWANSON'S DESIGNATED SUCCESSOR - RICK PEREZ

At the "Frustaci" press conference, who should appear as the representative of the Stark County sheriff's department?

Of course, Sheriff Timothy A. Swanson?

Wrong!

Who then?

The de facto sheriff, that's who.  Chief Deputy Rick Perez (retire/rehire).

 Sheriff Swanson is scarce to be seen these days at the department's Atlantic boulevard facility.  The word i sthat he is set to "finally" quit in September.  However, he will not quit without taking a final shot at Stark Countians (remember, he said "poop on them" at a Stark County commissioners meeting on the sales/use tax imposition of December, 2008).

A final shot?

What might that be?

Seeing to it that long time associate and friend Rick Perez, brother of  Stark County Auditor Kim Perez becomes his successor.

This deal seems something like the Phil Giavasis (now clerk of courts at the Canton Municipal Court) escapade when he left the Stark County clerk of courts post for the greener pasture (pay wise and retirement pay build up wise) of Canton Muny.

Readers will recall that Giavasis took umbrage at Lawrence Township trustee Mike Stevens (who is now one of Massillon Mayor Frank Cicchinelli's top honchos) wanted to succeed him.

Not on your life Mike Stevens or anybody else!

Giavasis had set aside the job for his top aide Nancy Reinbold.

It just so happens that Reinbold is the wife of former Common Pleas Judge Richard Reinbold (now running against Scott Oelslager for the 29th Ohio Senate District seat).

Think she might have had an inside track to get a job in the county clerk of courts office in the first place?  Perhaps, some in the general Stark County public might take that tack.

But for the SCPR, the answer is "probably not."

After learning that the former judge will not be taking political action money in his current campaign against Republican W. Scott Oelslager in their Ohio Senate 29th District race, The Report now realizes that Richard is a strictly "on the merits"  type and it is likely co-incidental that wife Nanci ended up as a county clerk of courts employee.

Of course, it could be that this was a "no contest" situation.  That is, on the merits, there was no one better than Nancy.

Hey, when you are blessed, you are blessed!!!

The Rest of the story is that Nancy apparently is just as impressed with Giavasis as he is with her.  So when the "Car Title Czar" position opened up at the clerk's office, who did she go out and get (or did he just walk in off the street)?  Of course, another Giavasis - Louis Giavasis, Phil's brother.

Hey, doesn't it figure?  If Phil is just great shakes, why not get the next best thing, Louis.  After all, Louis knows the inside/out of Stark government being a Plain Township trustee.  Could there be a more qualified person that Louis in all of Stark County?  Of course, not!

Indeed!  What a co-incidence!  Brother Louis (to Phil) Giavasis is the "Car Title Czar."  A Stark County gets the very best.

BACK TO PEREZ/SWANSON

Perez has been busy of late sprucing up his resume with the help of Swanson.  Here is an excerpt from public relations arm (the department's website) of Swanson's operation, to wit:

Tuesday October 6, 2009

The Stark County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce that Chief Deputy Rick Perez has been chosen F.B.I.N.A.A. Graduate of the year 2009. Chief Perez is a 1995 graduate of the F.B.I. Academy and has been an active member in the Ohio Chapter since that time. Chief Perez was recognized for his willingness to work with other law enforcement agencies across the country and the role he played in the Jesse Marie Davis homicide. Chief Perez was presented the award at the F.B.I.N.A.A. fall re-trainer Wednesday September 30, 2009. 

Moreover, Perez is a graduate of the 23rd Signature class of the Leadership Stark County (a project of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce).

It was at an outing at the Stark County Sheriff's facility for the leadership class earlier this year, that Sheriff Swanson anointed Perez his successor.

Sheriff Swanson must know something about Perez that the SCPR is missing.  For yours truly was totally unimpressed with his handling of the Devies matter (Marlboro Chief of Police Ron Devies and son Kyle) that got going in January, 2009.  And that was a case that the quality of the investigation was such that the prosecutor could not even get Judge Sinclair to require the defense to put on its case.  Wow!

What's more is that Perez wore a wire when interviewing Ron.  Now that will inspire trust and confidence on the part of police chiefs across Stark County in Perez, no?

Will Stark Countians abide a Swanson "Jacob-esque" bless on Perez when Perez finally has to stand before the voters?

It depends.

Depends on what?

Whether or not Republican Larry Dordea decides to run in 2012.  Dordea ran a very competitive race against Swanson in 2008.  But the Jeff Matthews/Curt Braden Stark County Republican Party failed him badly.

If he does, then there is a good chance there will be a change at 4500 Atlantic Boulevard.  If he does not (and it is appearing more and more that Dordea will not be making a second run), then the pickings are slim among Republicans to run against the Stark County Democratic political machine-backed Perez.

Swanson doesn't seem to be able to get his budget under control.  He keeps asking commissioners for more and more and more money.

Guess what, Sheriff?  There ain't no more!  And there won't be for the foreseeable future.

Will Perez have improved frugality and efficiency skills than Swanson?

At whose feet did Perez learn to do the administrative work of being sheriff?  Timothy A. Swanson, right?  So does it make any sense he would be more frugal, more efficient?

For the SCPR, the apparent impending appointment of Rick Perez as the next Stark County sheriff is not a comforting thought.

Especially, if Larry Dordea elects not to run in 2010.

DISCUSSION: SWANSON'S TWO CHIEF DEPUTIES (PEREZ) ON & TO BE ON (MCDONALD) RETIRE/REHIRE LIST? MUST BE CATCHING?

Earlier this week the STARK COUNTY POLITICAL REPORT (The Report) learned that The Report missed a Stark County official who had retired and got rehired.

The Report is not one to slight proper recognition a retiree/rehiree.

Today, The Report adds Chief Deputy Rick Perez (brother of Stark County Auditor Kim Perez) to the STARK COUNTY PUBLIC OFFICIALS RETIREMENT HALL OF FAME. The Report apologizes to Chief Deputy Perez for the inadvertent omission.

The same source who chided The Report for missing Perez also informed The Report that Chief Deputy Mike McDonald (who is in charge of the Stark County jail) is planning a retire/rehire soon.

It is one thing for an elected official to do a retire/rehire a la Sheriff Tim Swanson (because he announced his plan before running for re-election). But it is quite another for the unelected to do the same. Of course, the sheriff bears responsibility for rehiring Perez. As he does, if McDonald follows through with retirement and then ends up back in his pre-retirement job.

Doesn't Swanson have officers in his department to promote when senior deputies retire?