NEWCOMB IS MOVIN’ ON, Commissioner accepts party appointment

By DORIS COOK - Staff Writer
Star Beacon

March 28, 2008 05:18 am

— JEFFERSON — Ashtabula County Commissioner Deborah Newcomb is taking a pay cut as she begins a new challenge Tuesday as state representative for the 99th District.
Newcomb will make $58,900 a year as a legislator, compared to about $65,600 as county commissioner.
“It’s an honor and very challenging. I’m looking forward to the job and finding solutions to help our people here and in the state,” Newcomb said. She filed in January to run in the Nov. 4 general election for a full four-year term against Republican candidate Tom Nizen of Jefferson.
On Thursday, she was “making a list and checking it twice”, Newcomb said. She and fellow Commissioner Joseph Moroski discussed pending projects, checked their own committee assignments and were exchanging office space.
“Joe wants my office because of the two windows. He has seniority now,” she joked.
As to Newcomb’s successor, it will be up to the Ashtabula County Democratic Executive and Central Committee to make the appointment. Saybrook Township Trustee Peggy Carlo, who won the March 4 primary race on the Democratic ticket, is the likely choice.
The person appointed will serve out Newcomb’s term, to Dec. 31. Republican candidate Pat O’Brien of Rome Township will oppose Carlo for the full two-year term in the Nov. 4 general election.
Distel was appointed director of the Ohio Turnpike Commission. Newcomb said she has followed her friend Distel in several political offices from the time both served on Conneaut City Council in the early 1990s.
A county commissioner since 1999, when she filled Distel’s unexpired term as commissioner, Newcomb first ran for Conneaut city auditor in 1987. She lost that race. In 1990, she came back to win a council seat in Conneaut, serving nine years.
“My youngest son, Zachary, was born in 1989, when I was running for the council seat. We joke, as my son tells me of being in public office all his life,” she said, laughing.
For Tuesday’s swearing in-ceremony, Newcomb’s husband, Jim, will be with her holding a family Bible. About 20 other family members and friends, including Commissioner Daniel Claypool and county Democratic Party Chairman Duane Feher, will be on hand to watch, she said.
“I’ll commute to Columbus and stay at least three days during the week when in session. My office is in the Vern Riffe Office Building, but I don’t know which floor. I’m the rookie on the block and won’t get George’s old office on the 11th floor,” Newcomb said.
She already has talked on the telephone with her legislative aide, Brian Morgan, and State Sen. Capri Cafaro, who has been a big help to her.
“She’s caught me up to pending legislation and help in getting to know my way around,” Newcomb said.
Newcomb believes her experience on the city and county levels will be helpful in her new job.
“Everything starts at the state level, as to mandates and laws we follow locally. We have some challenging times ahead in Ohio. People are struggling out there, not just in this county,” she said.
She’s interested in improving the permitting process and currently regulations of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. Newcomb would like to see more timely approval of permits for industries and new businesses.
“I know everyone wants a cleaner environment, but the state needs to be more friendly to new businesses to help the economy,” she said.
Linked to the controversy over the 2003 building of the Geneva State Park Lodge, Newcomb feels it has helped bring additional tourism to the county plus jobs and dollars.
“If the commissioners can now get a new debt financing plan in order, this will be good,” Newcomb said.
Asked whether she was in favor of opening gambling casinos in Ohio, Newcomb replied: “I’d like to see it happen on a limited basis. I see people driving through Conneaut, going to the Erie, Pa. casino, spending their money there. The best place for casinos in Ohio would be at resorts.”

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