Samide Abstains From Vote After Criticism

April 11, 2013

By Glen Miller
Geauga County Commis-sioner Mary Samide was taken to task Tuesday over an apparent conflict of interest regarding more than $825,000 in contracts awarded Ronyak Bros. Paving in Burton.
Samide ultimately abstained from voting on the contracts but only after Auburn Township resident Diane Jones demanded the commissioner abstain from the vote because Samide’s son-in-law, Jim Shale, is listed on state records as a company vice president.
Jones, who regularly attends commissioners meetings with her husband, Thomas, said she was upset to have recently learned of Shale’s position, given the fact Samide has voted to approve prior Ronyak Bros. paving contracts.
Samide agreed to abstain on the three contracts the county awarded Ronyak Bros. on Tuesday.
However, the commissioner said Shale’s position is a “title only” and does not give him any administrative or decision-making authority in the paving company.
“Well, I wouldn’t know that and I don’t think that is the issue here this morning,” replied Jones. “I think transparency is.”
After the meeting, Samide told Jones she previously had requested a legal opinion from former Geauga County Prosecutor David Joyce regarding her relationship with Shale.
Joyce told her no conflict existed, she said.
Given Jones’ concern, however, Samide said she would make the same request to new county Prosecutor Jim Flaiz and abide by his decision.
Ed Corsi, another county resident who has attended commissioners meetings, echoed Jones’ concern.
Corsi argued Ohio ethics rules state elected officials need to avoid even the “appearance of impropriety” in their decision-making process.
Added Samide, “I understand what you are say-ing. I certainly will abstain.”
Ronyak Bros. executives did not return a call from the Geauga Cou-nty Maple Leaf inquiring about Shale’s position and authority.
County Engineer Joe Cattell said Ronyak Bros. was the lowest and best bidder for the paving of sections of Clay Street in Huntsburg and Montville townships, Ravenwood and Merritt roads in Munson and Claridon town-ships, and Leggett Road in Montville Township.
The company’s bids came in under those made by seven other companies for the Leggett Road and Clay Street work, and six companies for the Ravenwood and Merritt roads jobs, Cattell said.
Ronyak bid $393,184.30 for Clay Street project, $296,814.30 for Ravenwood and Merritt roads work, and $135,347.45 for the Leggett Road paving.
In addition, all of Ronyak Bros.’s bids came in under the engineer’s office estimates for each paving job, Cattell said.