Elections board promotes assistant over objections
9/4/2013The Lucas County Board of Elections voted 3-1 Tuesday to promote the board’s Republican executive assistant to board secretary, over the no vote of the Lucas County Republican Chairman Jon Stainbrook.
Mr. Stainbrook also announced a renewed attempt to force fellow Republican Anthony DeGidio off the elections board after an apparent attempt by Mr. DeGidio to register as a voter in Mahoning County.
Gina Kaczala has been doing the job of board secretary since she was hired in December, 2011, but had not previously been given the title.
Mr. Stainbrook said he opposed the additional title, which includes no change in Ms. Kaczala's $45,689 salary, because Ms. Kaczala has fallen behind in turning in minutes of the board’s meetings. He said Ms. Kaczala has not completed minutes for the board;s last three meetings: Aug. 15, 19, and 27.
Elections Director Meghan Gallagher said the board has not approved minutes since March 19.
Mr. DeGidio sided with the board’s two Democrats, Ron Rothenbuhler and John Irish, in voting for Ms. Kaczala's new title. She is supposed to report to Ms. Gallagher but the two do not get along.
Ms. Kaczala declined to comment.
Mr. Stainbrook tried to bring up a renewed challenge to Mr. DeGidio’s right to vote in Lucas County. The challenge is being made by Alfonso Narvaez, treasurer of the county’s Republican Party executive committee and a GOP candidate on the Sept. 10 ballot for Toledo City Council.