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Campbell officials look to move past ‘chaos’

Published: Thu, April 15, 2010 @ 12:10 a.m.

By Jeanne Starmack



A council meeting that got so out of control it’s been described as “chaos” has council members wondering how to prevent such a scene from happening again.

The fallout from the April 7 meeting left the city without a finance director. Sherman Miles was suspended without pay by Mayor George Krinos after an argument he participated in following the meeting.

Council members and administrators weren’t sure the city would be able to pay its employees this week without a finance director. But city law director Mark Kolmacic said Wednesday that Miles legally can sign the checks, and he agreed to do so.

The meeting also left members of council questioning whether they should hire a deputy sheriff to help keep order at meetings. Councilwoman Juanita Rich, who was running the April 7 meeting in the absence of council President William Van Such, said she has a concern with the way city police are conducting themselves at meetings.

Police officers have spoken at meetings over the last several months in support of Krinos, who is often at odds with council on legislation and other issues facing the city. That has led Rich and Miles to question whether police have a bias against people who don’t support Krinos, they told The Vindicator this week.

Rich said that at the April 7 meeting, she asked police who were off-duty and in the audience to remove a man named Stephen O’Dea, who was told to quit speaking but would not leave the microphone. She said they refused.

Another resident, Nick Tsikouris, complained that he was escorted out after the meeting and the officer had his hand on his gun.

Tsikouris had been waiting to speak after O’Dea and acknowledged he raised his voice before being taken out and told he could be arrested “for inciting a riot.”

Witnesses who were at the meeting described a bizarre set of events that began when O’Dea told Rich to shut up.

Krinos had said at the meeting that he was appointing O’Dea, a former city finance director in the 1980s and early 1990s, to the position of assistant finance director.

At one point while O’Dea was speaking during public comments, Rich interrupted to tell him to address the chair instead of talking to another audience member, she said.

That’s when he told her to shut up, and councilman Bryan Tedesco told The Vindicator this week that Rich took it badly. Tedesco called for “point of order” to try to calm the situation.

The meeting was adjourned quickly when that didn’t work. Tedesco said he and others left the meeting room at city hall, but Rich and Miles remained there.

Rich said she approached O’Dea and told him that if he’d been a gentleman, he could have continued speaking.

She said he screamed at her, then screamed across the room at Miles that he’d see him tomorrow.

Miles began to argue back, then police Officer David Smith restrained him by his arm and escorted him away.

Miles then went with Kolmacic back to Kolmacic’s office, he said.

Later, when he went to the parking lot, Miles said, O’Dea was there and yelled and taunted him more.

Krinos, meanwhile, had gotten sick and was being treated in an ambulance nearby. He told The Vindicator that he refused to go to the hospital at that time, but later he did go from home.

The next day, Krinos told police that O’Dea felt threatened by comments Miles made to him during the argument. Police consulted with Kolmacic about filing criminal charges against Miles, but Tuesday, Kolmacic said he would not authorize charges.

“It was like a circus,” Miles told The Vindicator on Tuesday. “The whole meeting was disruptive. People were yelling. Police wouldn’t restrain anyone who supports Krinos. But I get arrested.”

Krinos and Miles do not get along. Krinos has been trying to replace him as finance director since he took over as mayor in December. Council, however, has the final say and has supported keeping Miles.

Police Chief Gus Sarigianopoulos defended his department Wednesday, saying that he was not at the meeting and would take his officers’ word about what happened there. He said there is no bias in the department against people who don’t support the mayor.

“In my belief, no officer here would let anybody get hurt,” he said.

He said that he would not remove someone from a meeting if that person is “just speaking their mind.”

“They should be allowed to speak,” he said. “If there’s language or they are attacking someone, take them out.”

The finance director post remained unfilled after council met in caucus Wednesday.

On Wednesday, Kolmacic wrote a letter to Krinos saying that the appointment of O’Dea went against the city’s charter because council was not consulted about it first.

He said O’Dea’s appointment is void.

Miles is planning legal action against the city over his suspension, he told The Vindicator.

Council said it is also going to begin videotaping meetings.


1theword(342 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Isn't the chief of police's wife Krinos's secretary at city hall? Ya no bias there!!!!!

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2Photoman(1019 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

What on earth does Tea Party have to do with this situation? The citizens voted for some of these "leaders" in a democratic process that existed before the Tea Party was known in Campbell.

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3Ctown(115 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Based on a review of Mahoning County Public Access, this mayor does not set a good example of paying his bills. He is in no position to determine who is a qualified finance director. He should step down and worry about how to pay his own bills.

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4theword(342 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

It's pretty sad when council has to consider hiring a deputy sheriff to control the crowd at council meetings because they have no faith in their own police department!!!!!!!

It's just a matter of time before there is no Campbell, great job folks

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5Silence_Dogood(1388 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

You must be unaware of the relationship the mafia has had with the Cambell police dept . in the past. This is the same dept. that did the bidding of Strollo and gang for years, you can't drive past the police dept. without smelling the corruption. That alone is reason enough to NEVER live in Cambell.
So now the Police is doing the bidding of Krinos and gang, nothing new there. Just remember their is a group of good guys called the FBI and one day ....

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6computer_rick(137 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Let's see...

George Krinos?

Gus Sarigianopoulos?

No wonder when I worked at Packard, the Niles ****** were always making fun of the Campbell ******.

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7Ctown(115 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Niles has no room to talk.

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8mrblue(1068 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

The current administration is setting a bad example on how to run a city. Lets face it, council and the mayor are never going to get along. They all seem to be on some sort of power trip and the residents are the ones who are going to suffer. Why would anyone want to be mayor in this town?

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9theword(342 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Maybe kick backs if that sort of thing still goes on

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10Ctown(115 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Mr. Blue,

You hit the nail on the head. There are members of council who are on an ego trip.....not all of them but a few. As far as the mayor goes, I feel that he is beyond unqualified for the job.

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11igotsomethintosay(31 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

First of all, if your not from Campbell, you really shouldn't comment b/c you have to know these people personally to know what is really going on in this city. First of all, Sherman Miles is a puppet to Juanita Rich, he doesnt think or speak for himself. Sherman has had ties to Juanita Rich for at least 10 years, being her attorney when she ran for mayor multiple times and failed each time. Juanita Rich, when running for mayor of Campbell, went out of her way to ruin the former Mayor Dill's reputation. Now? She has teamed up w/ the former Mayor Dill to destory George Krinos. City Council? The problem is that Mayor Dill was a puppet on strings for them, so basically they were running the city. Now that Mr. Krinos doesnt do what they say, there are problems. And talk about experience or being underqualified? What experience did Mayor Dill have? None at all..and it showed in how he ran the city in to the ground! After the election Mayor Dill left office immediately, without even finishing his term! Way to care about your city! City council doesnt even care about the City of Campbell and its time the people realize it! Why are they fighting Mayor Krinos in his attempts to change the city? And why are they meeting with the former mayor dill? Hmm what are they discussing? What the former mayor wants them to do?! This whole situation has become a personal issue and not about the city! Wake up residents of Campbell and do something about your once-beloved city!

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12theword(342 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago


who is the puppet master to krinos? Who was helping krinos move into his office once dill left? Who did krinos hire in his office? Who was juanita's right hand man during the protest of the sale of the water plant and now they don't get along? how come?

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13theword(342 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago


Thats some funny stuff. Maybe it was his turn to bring donuts to the meeting and he wrote a check he can't cover..

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14igotsomethintosay(31 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

@theword..you really wanna bring up the waterplant? no one made more money off that deal than Mayor Dill and his sons! Juanita Rich went out of her way to ruin Dill, bringing up his son's personal problems, and now by spreading lies about Krinos. Let's keep it real every government, even local, has its clicks. but to paint the former mayor dill or juanita rich as the victims is a joke! and as far as who helped dill move his stuff out of his office...they should have called me! i would have been more than happy to help!!!

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15moretosay(2 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

@igotsomethintosay...You can't be serious, why would Juanita Rich need to spread lies about Krinos, it seems the Truth coming out on him is doing far more damage to him than any lie could!!

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16igotsomethintosay(31 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

The Niles ****** made fun of Campbell? The Niles Greeks? Seriously, that in itself is a joke. Everyone knows why Warren/Niles Greeks hate Campbell Greeks, call them whatever you want b/c they paint bridges, but one thing you won't call them is broke!! What they do is a hard, and dangerous job. And the last time i checked, what the hell are they laughing at? Warren/Niles is in the news every day for some crime!

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17grkfire(52 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago


Amen. Well said.

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18Ctown(115 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

I agree also. Many of us mothers and fathers work hard to prosper so that we can provide our children a good college education and a good start in life.

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1944girl(14 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago


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20walter_sobchak(1982 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Oh, this is precious! It appears the mayor tries to pull the "old food poisoning trick" when he wants to get out of something. Would somebody, anybody, please try to explain just how the City of Campbell is still in business? The legend of corruption was understandable when there was so much business going on, but what is left? The carcass has been picked clean by the mob and there is nothing left! ANd why would you want to hire an old fart like Steve O'Dea to be finance director when he was there when the corruption was rampant. I think council should hire the law firm of Dewey, Cheatum, & Howe and get to the bottom of this. Paulb is correct, don't insult the circus with this comparison.

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21jimc51(58 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

I think Mayor Krinos should have just went into office and laid low for a few months, how does he know Mr. Miles can't do a good job? He never gave the man a chance..My opinion now is he wants someone in there that will cover his ass..I didn't vote for Krinos but i was willing to give the man a chance, well his times up,I don't like him or trust him.

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22valleyview312(8 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Could it be the Police Chief's wife is the Mayor's secretary and then he wants to appoint O'dea whose daughter works in the finance Department. City Hall is a joke uner this loser Mayor, he's not a puppet he's just FAMILY, he is just hiring FAMILY so then what is anyone going to say! Where is the nepotism laws either the Chief should resign or his wife! As far as O'Dea is his daughter and him going to responsible to watch each otherwith the City's finance! This Administration is a joke, RECALLL! RECALL

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23igotsomethintosay(31 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

@valleyview312, who worked at city hall while Dill was in office? Every single one of those guys on the street department, w/ the exception of one guy, are Dill's sons friends! They drive around all day long in the city trucks and do absolutely nothing but smoke! I have seen these guys stop over a friends houses and sit in the driveway and BS for hours! Please!

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24jimc51(58 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

the city workers in campbell have worked in this city for years..Dill didn't hire them..thats just funny! i can agree that they just ride around most of the time doing nothing.

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25walter_sobchak(1982 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Seriously, if we turned the City of Campbell over the the 82nd Airborne for bombing practice, would it make much of a difference? An improvement, maybe? Someone please tell me one thing this city has to offer an honest, normal, hard working family?

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26momof4(3 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Interesting blogs! First of all, Jaunita Rich did not discredit Jack Dill- He did that himself. Yes she did have a hand in the appointment of Miles as finance director. City council did not consider the financial budget of the mayor-fact. Really, what does he think he is -an accountant!? Oh yeah---he is! This council has had years to get the city out of fiscal emergency. They haven't been able to do it. We voted for change in our city and we deserve better than council members that run to attorneys instead of attending scheduled council meetings. Enough is enough. You all need to work together. You have abandoned houses being torn down, a nightclub that has been an eyesore for YEARS is torn down, streets are being paved, and Grants are being filed for by the city at the mayors request. He is cooperating with all departments to move them forward and they are working with him. They were even willing to go without their paychecks to support their mayor. That speaks loudly to me! Miles- if you love the city of Campbell, let an experienced finance director do what you haven't been able to. Quit your post please and drop the lawsuit.

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27campbellcitizen(25 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

For the record Mayor Krino's DID NOT get the grant for the paving it was done last year. Mayor Krino's did however agree to let Mr. Miles sign the paychecks last week at the caucus meeting then decided thursday that it would be illegal (he also is an attorney apparently) and wouldn't allow him to do so. Well by gosh, all at once friday night he became a "Hero" because he made their paychecks happen. Give me a break! People need to wake up and smell the dolmades if he keeps going the way he is city employees will probably be kissing their jobs goodbye and we wont have a city any longer. Maybe he should start studying the websters dictionary and find out what fiscal emergency is! When he becomes adverse in it maybe he wont be trying to spend spend spend. I mean come on do you really think HE would write a check on his financial groups checkbook if the money wasn't there to cover it? Do the level minded people a favor either get your priorities straight, quit spending proposals, or just resign

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28TheTruth123(27 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

I'm sorry alot of you people who have time to post comments defending this loser , should spend the 50 bucks and find out all the facts about your mayor .
The guy is a complete loser when it comes to his personal life from bankruptcies, to judgements,and repo's all in the last 8 years . Plus all of his buisnesses are either bankrupted or going broke , do your research.
This man has no buisness being mayor. The only reason this guy wanted this postition was to get kickbacks to pay his own bills at the expense of us city residents.

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29walter_sobchak(1982 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Obviously, my statement about bombing is hyperbole. However, let's face it, Campbell is a joke. This corruption has gone on for decades. Once again, they have a mayor who thinks he is king. Does he think he is Rocco Mico? As long as the large industrial base was there, nobody said or did anything. When I was a young boy in the '60's, my uncles used to laugh about the proposed treatment plants and how many times over the citizens of Campbell had paid for these things. I don't know how this town remains solvent. Unless you are trapped, why would anyone possibly want to live there?

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30jimc51(58 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

walter, those of us that actually are buying our houses(not renting) can't sell, we would have to give our houses away or take a huge loss..yes we are stuck :( and i'm to responsible to just walk away and ruin what we've worked so hard for.

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31walter_sobchak(1982 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

I am very sorry for your situation. Campbell was at one time filled with good, hard working families much as my old neighborhood on the south side of Yo. Hopefully, the good people will rise up and get the riff-raff out of your city hall. Hurry, before the mayor ralph's on your shoes!

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32jimc51(58 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

ahaha walter! There still are some very good people in Campbell..but definitly the riff raff is taking over slowly but surely and this situation at city hall sure doesn't help any..who in their right mind would want to bring a business in here now? a mayor that can't understand laws or basically keep his personal affairs in order..we're doomed and it amazes me the people that are backing this guy!

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33Ctown(115 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

In a post above, momof4 commented that the mayor is an accountant. He is not an accountant. He is a college dropout from YSU. He does however operate his own financial advisor business. That is much different than being an accountant.

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34Reader(126 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Thanks Campbell for the entertainment. Now can you please get to work cleaning up the blight. There are a lot of good citizens in Campbell who deserve a better administration and safe community. That Mayor is a joke!! The city is on a rapid decline, crime is going up, property values going down. There are good police officers on that department but they can only do so much under a defunk administration.

@the two posters above me arguing over past landmarks, well you are off topic and nit picking but still entertaining.

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35augustus(11 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Campbell is a laughing stock due the new mayor---he doesn';t understand anything. to prove this he told the vindicator he graduate from YSU--we all found out he lied again. WOW Krinos you have no self esteem of pride --everyone here in Campbell knows about your finances and your habitual story telling. After the state auditor's office throws Krinos out he can make up new Greek mythological stories. You be good at this George....

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36MaryG(27 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

This is so very sad. My mother grew up in Campbell (I always used the p and b)as well as myself, brother, sisters and cousins, my husband and our children. People here never seemed to have any pride even tho there are more good people than bad here. Everyone runs away instead of trying to make things better. When my husband coached our daughters' softball teams it was great. I think a little prayer to our Maker is in order.

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37NilesOhio(766 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

I was in Campbell once - back in 1986. I worked for a retailer that had a store in Lincoln Knolls Plaza at the time. Never having been there before, I drove there and left without showing up for work because I didn't think I'd make it out alive otherwise. I've avoided even going through that town since. It sounds like it has gotten even worse since then.

For Campbell residents, I'm sincerely sorry that you are being let down as badly as you are. There are too many good communities somewhat close to there to feel like you can't leave.

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38Ctown(115 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

FYI, the Lincoln Knolls Plaza is located in Youngstown, not Campbell. Campbell has some areas such as Creed Circle, Heidi Drive, Elizabeth Lane, Camvet Drive, and others that are way better than anything I've seen in Niles. I don't live in Campbell anymore but if I was from Niles, I wouldn't exactly be bragging like I was from Howland or Poland. Campbell has its bad sections but I've driven through some places in Niles where I prayed the car wouldn't break down.

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39NilesOhio(766 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

Thank you for that clarification on Lincoln Knolls Plaza, even though a map shows it to be VERY close to Campbell.

I'm not saying that Niles - or any community for that matter - is 100% fantastic. I didn't say "Just move to Niles and all your problems will be solved." I happen to live in a nice part of town with many good neighbors.

What I am saying that I'm sorry that people feel trapped in a community described above by many Campbell residents. Life is too short to put up with all that.

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40Ctown(115 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

It is very close to Campbell as the Plaza is across the street from Campbell. If you go a half mile from the Plaza into Campbell you will see some nice areas around Roosevelt Park. The city has some very nice parts with many good neighbors also.

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41MaryG(27 comments)posted 4 years, 8 months ago

In 1986 the Lincoln Knolls Plaza was a very nice and safe place. I live in Campbell and would never have taken my children to an area where their safety would be a concern. I don't feel trapped in Campbell. I choose to live here and have done so for over 20 yrs. We have never had a real problem and have fantastic neighbors. I feel sorry for people who are fearful of everything different from their own lives.

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