Ashtabula City Council takes Trisket to task

By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

May 07, 2008 08:01 pm

— ASHTABULA — On the heels of asking the state attorney general whether the city solicitor can hold two elected offices concurrently, city council will ask that office whether one of its own can work in the public sector in addition to being on council.
During the public-comment portion of Monday’s council meeting, resident Charlie Hauff requested that Ward 5 Councilman James Trisket make a motion to request the attorney general’s opinion. The request came after Hauff read sections of the Ohio Revised Code in which partisan political activities are prohibited.
Trisket, whom the local Republican Party appointed two years ago to fill Chris McClure’s unexpired term, is a Mentor firefighter. He was elected to council several years ago and served on the body.
Monday night, Trisket easily made the motion Hauff requested, citing his respect for the law.
“I was appointed (this time), and I’ve served this office before,” Trisket said. “But I’ll be happy to step down if that’s the opinion (of the Attorney General’s Office).”
Hauff maintains that all of Trisket’s votes could be challenged legally. Hauff did not explain why he believes that.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Julie Lattimer called Hauff’s presentation another diversion.
“It’s a waste of time,” she said.
Vice president Betty Kist said, “We have to find whether there’s a problem.”
City Solicitor Michael Franklin said typically this type of situation does not invalidate all of a councilman or councilwoman’s votes.
President Robert Beacom asked Franklin to look into it.
Hauff said he would be concerned with Franklin looking into it, considering the state attorney has been asked to give an opinion on whether Franklin can hold two elected offices simultaneously.