Nearly a year after charges were filed, Monday's dismissal of those charges left defendants in the Oakhill Renaissance case with smiles on their faces.
"I don't really look at it as a year. I look at it as about three or four years of this investigation ongoing. I'm very happy it's over," said Mahoning County Commissioner John McNally.
"I'll never forget the folks that helped me and my family out, and the support from the community. I'm just very very glad this day is here," said Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino.
But while the defendants are relieved, the county still owns the Oakhill Renaissance place. And some of the defendants still are voicing opposition to that purchase.
"Oakhill was a bad idea. We continue to spend money on this building, money that we don't have, just to make it habitable. And I think that the spending will continue for the future," saidx former Mahoning County Treasurer John Reardon.
"He believed then and he believes now that the county's purchase of Oakhill was a terrible, economic disaster and a mistake and he was proven right," said George Stamboulidis, an attorney for Anthony Cafaro Sr.
Last month, commissioners received estimates on roofing repairs and other needed renovations at the complex.
"A couple of weeks ago, we basically said that we are going to go out and have to borrow another $3.5 to $4 million for further improvements to that building. And I think we're going to just nickel and dime that building into the future," McNally said.
All parties realize there is no going back at this point. And McNally is now looking at how to make Oakhill viable for the county's future.
"As a county commissioner, that's what I'm going to have to do, try to figure out the best way to spend money to bring that building up to a level that it should be. There are a lot of areas in that building that still need to be renovated. We need to fill it up with more county employees," McNally said.
