WARREN — A county employee and a retired Warren city employee individually read statements criticizing Commissioner Niki Frenchko for referring to their deceased spouses’ suicides last week during Mental Health Awareness Month.

Shara Taylor, the commissioners’ accounts payable clerk, and Bob Plant, a former city employee and Warren resident, each criticized a social media post they say was written by Frenchko that indirectly referred to their deceased spouses.

Taylor began her statement by stating she was not working and was only speaking for herself as a county resident.

She then angrily referred to a social media post in which Frenchko referred to them as being a part of “…a team of bullies against me leading weak people. Two of the leaders had spouses who took their own lives. I feel very badly for people who have to live with emotionally abusive people. It takes a toll.”

Taylor described some “very disparaging comments from you, Michele, really nasty, nasty comments.”

Frenchko, according to Taylor’s reading of Frenchko’s social media posts, stated “She is mean-spirited and would be fired for insubordination in the real world. Some people are so lucky to have government, good ol’ boy protections.”

Taylor accused Frenchko of stealing all of her daughter’s business cards from a business in Howland.

She also emphasized that Frenchko had not met her deceased spouse.

“Did he commit suicide?” she read. “Yes, he did.”

“Was it because I emotionally abused him?” she continued. “No, it was no.”

Taylor emphasized her husband would not be emotionally abused by any woman.

Noting that Frenchko on several occasions has called for her to either be disciplined or terminated, Taylor was able to maintain her position because of her longevity, skill set and ability to get the job done.

“Normally, I would never speak to any of my bosses the way I speak to you and that is because you say such despicable things about all of us. I do not have to take any of your abominable abuse,” Taylor said. “The people of Trumbull County spoke on primary day and you were fired.”

Taylor asked Frenchko not to bring up her husband again.

Plant followed Taylor.

“I’ve seen some very disparaging remarks that you, Frenchko, have made on social media, regarding bullies and weak leaders and some cruel remarks about spousal suicide on social media,” he said.

Plant identified himself as a person who is a survivor of spousal suicide, noting the commissioner has no clue about the pain the survivors must endure.

“I never truly realized how low you would stoop in order to tarnish constituents and taxpayers,” he said. “You showed your true colors.”

Plant said the group that campaigned against Frenchko and noted their ultimate battle and goal was to rid the scourge, known as Michele Frenchko, from the annals of Trumbull County and in particular.

Plant said they will continue watching her.

“This is not a threat,” he said.

Based on his comments, Frenchko warned Plant not to follow her or to speak to her.

“Do not speak to me,” she said. “Do not approach me. If you see me, turn and walk away.”

Commission President Denny Malloy responded to the comments saying they were brave to speak before the board during an open meeting.

“I read what she wrote on social media,” he said. “I found it, also, despicable.”

Malloy apologized.

“She can call me fat,” he said. “She can say whatever. I’m an elected official. I signed up to do this. Employees of this county did not. They should not be treated like this by their bosses.

Malloy referred to accusations that Frenchko called employees “greasy sausage makers.”

Frenchko defended herself, saying that a judge requested the plaintiffs to provide him times and dates of the disparaging remarks and they were not provided.

“Nothing that was alleged was actually proven,” she said.

Malloy noted that the county’s insurance provider agreed to a settlement that paid an employee $175,000 for what was said.

A caller during the public comments defended Frenchko, saying Malloy does not run the meetings correctly, allowing people that are against her to speak uninterrupted, while constantly interrupting Frenchko.

Stephanie Scarpecie noted Frenchko has been called an addict and has been demeaned.

“You think it is okay to call her name and to demean her,” she said. “How is that okay?”

Malloy said they did not start the battle.

“It is very childish communication,” she continued. “She consistently calls for a point of order. Had a clerk speak out, who is not supposed to be speaking out. You aggressively speak to her in a tone. You’re much bigger than she is.”

Malloy responded that Frenchko can verbally defend herself.