In light of the recent events involving ex-Congressman Jim Traficant's petitions to run as an Independent candidate for the 17th Congressional district, Mahoning County Democratic Party Chairman David Betras wrote a letter to Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, calling for her to review the processes and procedures used by the Mahoning County Board of Elections.
The letter, sent to Brunner Aug. 30, sites the recurring mistakes in the review process for valid signatures. Since 2008 there have been repeated mistakes regarding petition reviews, the letter states.
"The process for elections must be fair and follow the law," Betras wrote. "If the MCBOE fails to ensure the process is fair then the board has failed to protect the most basic and fundamental rights guaranteed to the citizens of Mahoning County by the constitutions of the United States and the state of Ohio."
Station archives indicate that the board had ruled some of Traficant's signatures invalid, making it so he could not appear on the ballot as an Independent candidate. As late as Friday, the board validated enough additional signatures for Traficant's candidacy pending a hearing Monday evening.
He also wrote that he is concerned about Director Thomas McCabe's disdain for the citizens of the county. Betras wrote that during recent interviews, McCabe showed disdain for the people of Mahoning County by calling Traficant supporters "crazies" and that he "extended his middle finger to his computer while discussing the independent candidacy at issue."
"As a public servant he does not have the right to call any constituent 'crazy' or to extend his middle finger to his computer to register his feelings about this or any issue," the letter states. "At the very least, since he made a public proclamation, he should make a public apology to all the residents of Mahoning county for his ill-conceived and unprofessional remarks."
"That board should never be in the press," Betras said during an interview following the release of the letter. "It should never have controversies because it's a basic right. I trust the election system. I think it's good. I think they need to do better."
He also requested that Brunner conduct an investigation to determine whether action should be taken against McCabe.
McCabe said that it is Betras' right to voice his concerns to Brunner and he would welcome an investigation into the matter. He said Brunner commended the MCBOE on its performance during the 2008 presidential election, as well as implemented some of Mahoning County's policies and procedures statewide.
McCabe admitted that some of the comments made about Traficant's supporters could have been phrased differently and were taken out of context. He said a better choice of words may have been, "They're crazy for Traficant" or "They're fanatical for Traficant."
McCabe also offered an apology to anyone who was offended by his comments.
"It was off the record," McCabe said. "We didn't know the camera was on. It was something that shouldn't have happened, but unfortunately it made the news and I apologize for that. If there's a misunderstanding, I apologize."
Traficant supporter Linda Kovachik said she was offended by his comments.
"For director Tom McCabe to say that, I was very hurt by it," said Kovachik. "I don't think that was very professional on his part. But I'm not lazy. I might be crazy, and I'm very happy for the outcome."
McCabe said what he meant to say was that Traficant's supporters are crazy for Traficant and not "crazy."
Mark Munroe, who is both chairman of the Mahoning County Republican Party and vice-chairman of the MCBOE, said he suspects this issue may come up at Monday evening's hearing about the Traficant petitions.
Munroe said he work for a government agency and considers himself a conservative Republican. The latter, he said, makes him very skeptical about government.
"I think public scrutiny of all government is healthy and good for the system," Munroe said. "I'm prepared for any one from the secretary of state's office to come to Youngstown and evaluate our processes."
Munroe said he is surprised that Betras suggested the board of elections should not be involved in a controversial issue with the media. Elections can get controversial, especially when it's a close race, because everything then gets magnified, Munroe said.
Munroe agreed with Betras regarding McCabe's statements. Munroe called the statements and gestures "inappropriate" because any time a person works with the public, they must treat their customers with respect.
"Tom needs to be more careful when the cameras are present," Munroe said. "Anybody who works with the public and the media needs to be aware. If there's a camera close by he needs top be aware and be sensitive to that."
We elected not to show McCabe's gesture during our broadcasts or on the web at the time of the original story because we felt it was done in jest. Since it is now part of the party chairman's formal objection, it has become part of the story.
