EDITOR'S NOTE: The Columbiana Port Authority is funded differently than most other port authorities. Considered a "real estate port," its operating budget is funded entirely from rental properties and not public money. Some public money does come to the agency through grants, but these are not used for salaries, utilities or other day-to-day expenses. 

 

Every critic of JobsOhio cites the same word: transparency. 

The group and its regional affiliates, like Lake to River, point to a law that excuses them from having to follow public records and open meetings law. 

But two members of the Lake to River board also have taxpayer-funded jobs, and the work they do with Lake to River often takes place during work hours.

So who's watching over their activities when their public roles clash with their private work? 

Lake to River is the local affiliate of JobsOhio which consists of members from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties. 

Those members include private business figures, such as Alexa Sweeney Blackann and Charles George, among others. 

“This group got together, pitched the governor on this idea to create our own seventh region within the network,” said Alexa Sweeney Blackann, Interim CEO of Lake to River.

But already, there have been questions raised about potential conflicts of interest, after a 21 News Watchdog report found that one of George's projects, the West Warren Industrial Park, received $3.5 million from JobsOhio.  All involved contend he was not involved in the discussions. 

“We want more people like Chuck George, like Chuck Bailey in East Liverpool, like Greg Toporcer in Mahoning County. There is a lot of examples of private people making private investments and having the confidence to do that, because JobsOhio gives them the confidence to do that,” said Blackann.

But since these discussions are private, we have to trust that not only was George not involved, but that no one else who worked on the project felt any pressure to make sure his project got what he wanted. 

Two of the board members present a more complicated picture. Anthony Trevena and Penny Traina serve in their primary roles as heads of the Western Reserve and Columbiana Port Authorities.

Since both are public entities funded by the taxpayer, 21 News put in public records requests seeking all of their communications with Lake to River and JobsOhio. Those requests were denied.

Trevena says he is not allowed to share this information to the public, pointing to the following exemption in Ohio law.

“Financial and proprietary information, including trade secrets, submitted by or on behalf of an employer to a port authority or to a nonprofit corporation engaged by contract to provide economic development services for a port authority, in connection with the relocation, location, expansion, improvement, or preservation of the business of that employer is not a public record…”


Basically, as long as the law recognizes JobsOhio as private, Trevena said his hands are tied. 

“The reason for that is so that companies are, their guard is down, that they're willing to come to our community. They want to consider growing in our community, but I don't think it's conducive to a positive business environment when you want to display their proprietary or financial information or what their plans are for their competitors,” said Trevena. 

Trevena said if the law changes he will follow it.

“If the legislature chooses to change the laws that we abide by, then we'll change our practices,” said Trevena.

But this raises questions. Are Trevena and Traina working in their public capacity with Lake to River?  If so, shouldn't those communications be public?  Or, are they working in their private capacity? If so, isn't there a  conflict of interest working with a private entity that does similar work to what the taxpayer pays them to do?

Blackann said the groups have no overlap. 

“The Port Authority and Lake to River and JobsOhio do different things. So, the Port Authority is going to own property, fix up properties, they could do things we never do, and are fantastic at it. But we don't. We provide incentives for companies coming in for a project,” said Blackann.

Catherine Ingram, Ohio State Senator, said there is no way to know whose best interest is being served.

“Depending on how you see it, it's just, you know, they're being efficient. You know, we're there with the Port Authority. The problem becomes who's in bed with whom. And are we really doing this to benefit who it should be benefitting,” said Ingram.

Lake to River moved into the building owned by the Western Reserve Port Authority. This ultimately makes the Port Authority their landlord.

At its founding, Lake to River required $1 million up front from community stakeholders, with additional money to continue.

21 News spoke with Traina by phone, who referred all comments to her legal counsel.