ZEIGLER: IN OR OUT? STARK COUNTIANS SHOULD KNOW BY NOON ON MONDAY!

On November 5, 2008, Stark County Treasurer Gary D. Zeigler was "on top of the 'Stark County' political world."

He had just won a smashing 100% to 0% political victory for re-election in a "no-opponent" contest.  Whoopie Doo! 

Sources tell the SCPR that on November 5th, 2008 he bragged to local officials about his invincibility as a candidate for local office. He is reported to have told the officials that he is the top Stark County vote getter.

The SCPR has looked over the numbers of various countywide elected officials in the last decade and does not agree with Zeigler about his vote getting prowess.  The Report believes that Stark County Auditor Kim Perez is has demonstrated vote getting strength much better than Zeigler.

Undoubtedly, because of the the integral role the auditor's office plays in checking and balance (to a limited degree) the treasurer's office and the SCPR's and others' opinions that Perez failed in that role, Perez is likely going to be sorely tested on this electoral moxie this November.

Back to Zeigler and his braggadocio.

Kind of strange for a guy to be boasting who ran and ran and ran before getting an appointment (ironically, while now Stark County Prosecutor - who sued Zeigler for the Stark County commissioners this past Wednesday - was Stark County Democratic Party chairman)  to replace Mark Roach when he was forced out due to Roach's failure to keep up with the educational requirements of being treasurer?

One has to believe that Ferrero was instrumental in Zeigler getting the appointment to head up the treasury in the first place.

Of course, we all know well the expression "pride goeth before a fall."

Unless a visiting judge stops the Stark County commissioners, on Monday, August 2nd, the commissioners will remove Zeigler from office.

Here is a copy of Zeigler's defense to being removed filed in Ferrero's Ohio Revised Code (ORC) Section 321.27 lawsuit.

So what are the chances that Zelgler will stop his commissioner planned removal on Monday?

The SCPR does not believe Zeigler's odds are good.  However, any lawyer worth his salt does not try to get inside the head of a judge.  Anything can happen.

The Report is impressed with the arguments developed by Attorney Craig T. Conley.  Readers will note that the SCPR has been highly complimentary of Conley for his work in bringing Zeigler to public accountability.  He is doing this work pro bono (for the public good) free of charge to the Stark County taxpayers.

The SCPR believes BUT FOR Conley's drive for action, Stark County Prosecutor John Ferrero would be sitting on his duff and twiddling his thumbs figuring out what to do next.

Now Ferrero is trying to take political credit for all of the Conley effort. Go figure.

Ferrero is man whose office was telling the media that they couldn't act until Frustaci (Zeigler's former chief deputy who has admitted in federal court to stealing $2.46 million in county treasury funds) is sentenced.  Obviously, now that Ferrero's office has been corrected by Conely, they are no long saying "wait to sentencing on September 7th thing).  

After all this current activity is completed, Stark Countians need to take a hard look at whether or not they think Ferrero should continue in office as his re-election date of November, 2012 approaches.


Back to Conley's arguments.

Here is a summation.

So stay tuned folks, this whole process could take many twists and turns until the Stark County public made who again to the extent that the law allows for.