AUSTINTOWN, Ohio - Austintown has officially decided on who is going to fill the role of Austintown Trustee for the remainder of former Trustee, Steve Kent's term.

The township has named Mike Dockery as Kent's replacement after he was removed from office on Monday when he was found guilty of Tampering With Evidence, a third-degree felony.

Ohio law states that any public official convicted of a felony is no longer deemed competent to perform any official duties, meaning Kent can't serve the remainder of his term as a trustee.

Mahoning County Prosecutor Gina DeGenova said at the meeting that Kent was not entitled to a hearing to try and keep his position because of that law. 

Dockery retired in July of 2023 after serving as the Austintown Township Administrator and before that the townships clerk. 

Trustee Robert Santos said at the meeting that Dockery's experience played a big role in their decision to choose him.

“Training an individual to be a trustee does take, honestly, about three years to get acclimated to being a trustee regardless of how much information you know,” Santos said. “He’s (Dockery) done this pretty much as our administrator on a day to day business for over 20 plus years.”

Dockery was honest in his speech after being sworn in saying he only agreed to come out of retirement when the trustees asked him to because it was four short months. 

“I’m just going to try to do the best job I can in this new position for four and a half months working with Monica (Deavers) and Robert and I think that’s the best thing we can do to try to put confidence back in the people as to their government,” Dockery said. 

As of now, Dockery is not on the ballot to be elected as a trustee once Kent's term is up. He can still file as a write-in candidate until August 28 however he said he has no plans to run.

“I’m just here to try and lend my support to the other trustees and the administrator with whatever issues come up … I don't have any big ideas because the big ideas are going to have to wait for a new trustee,” Dockery said.

To take a look at all candidates who are running for Austintown Trustee, as well as candidates for all other Mahoning County positions, click here.