More fighting, more dysfunction at Trumbull Commissioners meeting


The Trumbull County Commissioners met Wednesday to approve contracts and discuss county business, but the meeting quickly diverted into a quarreling match, and accusations flew once again.
The sparring between the commissioners continued throughout much of the meeting, a continuation of accusations of concern from earlier in the week, when commissioner Niki Frenchko accused commissioners Mauro Cantalamessa and Anthony Fuda of signing contracts and agreements without properly reviewing, something both Fuda and Cantalamessa vehemently deny.
By the end of the meeting, Frenchko returned to her concern that opened the meeting, the signing of documents and agreements she said had not been read by the other commissioners. As the meeting was concluding, Frenchko began reading from a 'trick' resignation letter that was purportedly signed by Fuda and Catalamessa in late July.
Frenchko confirmed she had created the phony document in order to show her claims the other commissioners don't properly read what they sign. However, the page signed by Fuda and Cantalamessa did not include all the pages, only the last page of the document which was placed on a desk and marked to be signed.
The page stated 'termination of services agreement,' but did not include the fake resignation letter. Fuda and Cantalemessa objected to the reading of the trick document, and the meeting came to an abrupt end with Cantalamessa shutting down the meeting.
Frenchko said that the incident proves that the other commissioners don't read items that they are signing, but Cantalamessa told 21 News that all documents they sign are read, discussed, voted on, and then reviewed by the Prosecutor's Office before being sent back to the Commissioners Office, where the office clerks place the documents on a desk for commissioners signatures. Both Fuda and Cantalamessa said it is after being voted during public meetings and properly reviewed, that clerks in the commissioner's office then place the last sheet of contract and agreements on the desk for final signature by the commissioners.
But Frenchko alleges that is not always the case, as she pointed to a contract modification during the start of the meeting Wednesday that she said the revision had not been sent back to the Prosecutor's Office but was on the agenda for a vote.
Fuda told 21 News he only has 5 months left in the office, and that the hostility and tension have several key employees "looking to leave." Fuda added, “How do you work with someone who hasn't spoken to you since her first two days [in office]?”
Fuda said these types of games are hurting the county to attract new industries. "Now we are a joke," Fuda said. When asked if he signed the document, Fuda said he didn't sign it, and was not sure where it came from.
Cantalmessa said he had not seen the 'termination' document in question until it was sent to him but was not able to confirm or deny whether he had signed the documents. Cantalamessa said, "It was done to deceive me. It's a hostile work environment."
Cantalamessa said, “I don't know how this benefits Trumbull County.”