Gamblers Anonymous

by M. Stewart
Unusual for a Monday, today’s Review carries some interesting stories that should get people’s attention.

Wellsville Councilwoman Diane Dinch has done what Mayor Joe Surace was afraid to do: let taxpayers know what they paid for. Dinch spoke to reporters Sunday about the results of the recent police department investigation that Mayor Surace has been trying to keep hidden.

See The Review or the Morning Journal for the stories.

According to Dinch, the outside law firm’s report reveals a police department with “no chain of command” and “unreliable” personnel records. Dinch also showed reporters a copy of the police log for the morning of the Yost murder, which allegedly is at odds with what Surace has stated publicly about Lt. Ed Wilson’s role (for which he was placed on administrative leave). At least one of those statements is the subject of a slander suit against the mayor.

According to The Review, Surace claimed that Dinch’s release of the information is—you guessed it—another “personal vendetta.” Why the mayor would consider the release of a report funded by taxpayers (at his request) a personal vendetta is anyone’s guess. Dinch said she released information to the press only after she was assured by the village legal adviser that the report was a public document, which is bound to lead everyone to ask why Surace has been sitting on it.

Surace’s intransigence on the issue has even angered The Review, which for the past few years has been the leading apologist for his administration. The following is from an Oct. 22 editorial:

“If Wilson has been declared clear of any wrongdoing, then it is only fair for the mayor to tell Wellsville residents why and to clear the man's name. If the investigation contains evidence of wrongdoing, then that should be released as well. Keeping quiet about the results of the investigation is also not fair to the taxpayers of the community, whose dollars not only pay Wilson's salary, but which were also used to pay for the investigation.” [See entire editorial here.]

It certainly appears that the mayor’s ploy is blowing up in his face. Now that at least some of the details are out, the pressure will be on Surace to release the entire report to the public. Naturally, his campaign staff will be working overtime to spin the situation in his favor, especially since even his supporters are starting to see through these repeated cries of “personal vendetta.”

At some point, Mayor Surace will have to take personal responsibility for his actions rather than simply bask in other people’s accomplishments. It appears that the plan to delay releasing the report to the public until after the election has failed. The press has finally managed to flush Surace out of his hiding place, and now it’s time to fess up.

On other fronts, The Review also carries a story today on the Columbiana County Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities 2.5-mill levy on the November ballot. It appears that embattled MRDD Superintendent Bill Devon has decided to threaten county residents by saying we can “pay now or pay later.”

Before he left the Morning Journal, Jeff Martin was working on an exposé of MRDD that has no chance of seeing print now that he’s gone. That’s too bad. My response to Mr. Devon is: How about we don’t pay now or later? Manage your budget efficiently or step aside and let someone else do it.

Also in today’s Review is a story about Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort President and Chief Executive Officer Ted Arneault, who was named “man of the year” by an organization known as “Circus Saints and Sinners.” According to the paper, Arneault was given the award due to his “philanthropic” efforts.

I don’t know about you, but I sleep better at night knowing that there are philanthropists like Mr. Arneault in the Tri-State Area. Now that Hancock County appears to be controlled almost exclusively by gambling interests, the award is fitting. I wonder if Joe Surace will attempt to take credit for Arneault’s honor?