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Doug Sollitto is best for Niles’ 1st Ward

Niles 1st Ward Democratic challenger Doug Sollitto acknowledges that during his political campaign, he has found many Niles 1st Ward residents saying they will support Sollitto simply because they want to vote against incumbent Councilman PJ Kearney.

As we see it, that’s OK. No matter how voters arrive at their decision, Sollitto deserves the votes.

Sollitto, who has worked many years for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, says his priorities include bringing attention to Niles safety issues, including returning a block watch program to the 1st Ward.

He also is focusing on economic growth in the downtown and seeking new businesses to fill vacant buildings, including the former General Electric plant, even if it means initiating a nationwide search.

We think those priorities are well placed.

We do, however, disagree with Sollitto’s preference to bring back a city-run income tax department. That department was outsourced to the Regional Income Tax Agency during the Niles state-designated fiscal emergency in order to save money and increase tax collections.

Sollitto says he thinks the city should be in business to provide services to its residents, and a local income tax service should be among them. We dispute that argument, but were satisfied that he acknowledged he would not support the move if the plan was not fiscally sound.

Kearney, the incumbent still in his first term in office, told our reporter if he is re-elected, his priorities will focus on improving Niles infrastructure and keeping the city’s safety forces well equipped.

Kearney did not seek the Tribune Chronicle endorsement. Twice he failed to show up for scheduled candidate interviews at the newspaper offices and even boasted about that on Facebook.

Kearney also uses his Facebook page to post frequent expletive-laden posts sprinkled among others calling for voter support. We wrote about other appalling posts around election time two years ago, including some that appear to endorse violence, and one in particular that appears to condone violence against women.

Some posts criticize police officers for watching for traffic law violators, others threaten violence, and one post shows a photograph of a woman with a black eye with the words, “Know your role.”

The posts are demeaning and never should be shared on social media by anyone — let alone an elected city councilman. What good message could this possibly send to residents, to city police officers who serve under Kearney’s tutelage or potential businesses considering a move to the city’s downtown?

The posts we wrote about in 2017 still remain on Kearney’s Facebook page, although they have been bumped down considerably in the chronology. They have been replaced by newer posts containing some language we also deem inappropriate.

Kearney recently told our reporter the posts were taken out of context and that they were intended as an inside joke. He previously had told us he is a strong advocate against violence against women.

Really? This is how he advocates for women?

We believe voters also deserve to know that Kearney in 2002 was convicted of attempted trafficking in cocaine after being secretly indicted.

When asked, he declined to discuss his criminal history with our reporter but noted the incidents occurred some 20 years ago and he said he has put them behind him.

As always, we encourage voters to be educated on candidates seeking the 1st Ward Democratic nomination. When voters head to the polls, they should weigh their options carefully.

We endorse Sollitto for the Democratic nomination for the Niles 1st Ward council seat.

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