(VIDEO: COMMISSIONERS COMMENT ON HANKE) STARK CO. CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR MIKE HANKE'S LAST DAY OF WORK. RETIRES, EFFECTIVE TOMORROW. AN EXCELLENT HIRE, NO?

In the annals of Stark County commissioner history December has proved to be both the best of times and the worst of times for former Stark County commissioner Tom Harmon.

The best of times occurred on December 13, 2007 when on the strong support of the-then Commissioner Harmon, the commissioners selected former Repository managing editor and longtime employee Michael Hanke as Stark County's new chief administrator.

No one knew it at the time, the decision to hire Hanke was probably the saving grace in getting Stark County through the worst of times which were yet to come.

The first year went well enough for Hanke, but then came December 28, 2008:  the beginning of the worst of times (LINK - prior blog) for Stark County finances.

On that date the-then Board of Stark County Commissioners composed of Harmon, Todd Bosley and Jane Vignos decided to impose a 0.5% sales tax.

The imposition of the tax kicked off an furor among everyday Stark Countians which resulted in the tax being repealed in November, 2009 and coupled with a nose diving national/local economy resulted in Stark County government experiencing a financial crisis which the county is just now beginning to get out of.

Much of the credit for survival and even a degree of prospering is in the opinion of the SCPR owing to Chief Administrator Hanke.

But he did have help.

In November, 2010 former Canton mayor Janet Creighton (who has held a number of Stark County elective offices) and former longtime Canton law director Tom Bernabei (also a former councilman and Healy administration official) assessed that there was a large deficiency in county commissioner leadership quality and offered themselves to Stark Countians as having "been there, done that" type of leaders who on being elected teamed up with Hanke to pull Stark County through to the point it now occupies:  surviving and in small measure beginning to thrive.

The Report could go through all the many tests, trials and difficulties that Stark County has endured during Hanke's tenure, but to do so would be to spoil yesterday's celebration by the commissioners of the former reporter and editor turned top flight administrator's gig as chief administrator.

During Hanke's time, he has served with eight commissioners.

Stark County employees will hold a Hanke retirement celebration event at the Stark County Office Building tomorrow afternoon.

Hanke announced his retirement on December 13, 2012:  five years to the day of his initial hire.

Be sure to see this video of Commissioners Bernabei, Creighton and Regula commenting on the Michael Hanke era as chief administrator for the Stark County commissioners.

And thank you Tom Harmon for having the foresight in being a driving force in 2007 Board of Stark County Commissioners making the right choice!

ARE STARK COUNTIANS IN FOR "TWO" BLESSED EVENTS?

The SCPR has been ignoring, for some time now, source reports that a major shake up in about to be made by the Strickland administration that affects Stark County.

The Report chooses to nominate the "shake-up" as blessed events as indicated in the specially "conceived" graphic to appropriately honor the subjects of Strickland administration attention.

Blessed Event #1

Democrat Steve Meeks, former Jackson Township trustee who tried to pass his trusteeship on to wife Patty, is about to become the ex-regional 9 economic development?

Meeks couldn't persuade Jackson Township voters to go along with his grand plan to keep it all in the family.  Keeping it in the family seems to be a common trait among many Stark Democratic office holders.

Meeks got his political mentor and ally, former Stark County chairman Johnnie A. Maier, Jr., to sponsor him with governor-elect Strickland to appoint Meeks to the economic development directorship.  A post formerly held by North Canton Council president and Republican Daryl Revoldt when Bob Taft was governor.
So say multiple sources of the SCPR.

Maier is in Strickland's thrall because Johnnie had the good luck to be the first county chairman to endorse Strickland when he ran against Brian Flannery in the Democratic primary in 2006.  Strickland makes it abundantly clear that Maier has a special place in his heart.  Apparently, emotion has trumped over good sense with the humble-born Strickland from Duck Run, Ohio.

In the judgment of the Strickland folks, Meeks has outlived his usefulness and it is time for him to move on.

Move where?

Well, hold on just a minute will you!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!



BLESSED EVENT #2

Tom Harmon is said to be stepping down as Stark County commissioner after January 1, 2010.

Now folks, wasn't it worth the wait?

The most unbelievable part of the Harmon step-down conjecture is that he is said to be headed to Columbus or elsewhere in our Buckeye state in the service of the Strickland administration.

Yours truly knew things are bad in Ohio.  But really, Tom Harmon working at the state level.

That part is likely untrue.  Here's a guy who likely spent decades slung back in his easy chair with feet on desk while clerk of courts for the Canton Municipal Court.  Then he moved on to the commissioner's office where he has achieved virtually nothing now he's going state?    The SCPR refuses to believe this part of the story.

The next part?

Maybe?

Steve Meeks is going to be appointed by Stark Democrats at the insistence of Stark County Democratic chairman Randy Gonzalez.

Makes sense to the SCPR.

After all, they are long time political pals out there in Jackson.

If these speculated "ahake-up" events come off; should Stark Countians see them as "blessed events?"