Political comeback?

PERKINS TWP. — He's back.Less than two months after stepping down from an elected office, Tom Ferrell is returning to a different, yet just as powerful, political position.Erie County Democratic Party members on Sunday named Ferrell to succeed chairwoman Amy Grubbe on the county elections board.The four-member organization, consisting of two Democrats and two Republicans, oversees local elections matters to ensure fair, balanced contests. All members serve three-year terms. The position pays about $7,000 a year and comes with certain benefits, such as health care.Ferrell's nomination comes just days after Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted refused to reappoint Grubbe, claiming she "would not be a competent member of the board."In making his decision, coming down on Wednesday, Husted pointed to Grubbe's "harassing treatment of staff, a poor relationship with the media and poor relationships with other governmental offices and entities."Ferrell, however, disagrees with Ohio's chief elections officer."Whatever Husted's issues are with Amy, that was his decision," Ferrell said. "I have always been a supporter of Amy because I know how tough that job is."Ferrell admitted he "doesn't have any inside knowledge to offer" about the board's duties or obligations. He accepted the nomination because, "I thought it would be something interesting to do."Despite Grubbe visiting Ferrell at his house on Friday, he denied being influenced by her to take this position.Almost every Erie County elected official skipped Sunday's meeting and didn't participate in the vote.The only one in attendance: Ferrell's wife, county treasurer Pam Ferrell.Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted refused to reappoint Amy Grubbe, the Erie County Democratic Party chairwoman, on the Erie County elections board because, according to him, she "would not be a competent member of the board." The party has since named Tom Ferrell to succeed Grubbe. Husted must confirm the decision.Speaking up and outFerrell, who started his 28-year commission run in 1989 and opted against seeking a seventh term in office, has his critics.They include commissioners Pat Shenigo, a Democrat, and Matt Old, a Republican, who now occupies Ferrell's seat.The pair initially wrote to Husted, urging him not to reappoint Grubbe. Their letter prompted Husted to block Grubbe from serving.Old believes Ferrell's appointment creates "extreme conflict of interest scenarios" considering Pam's position in addition to his brother, Jeff, serving as a Perkins Township trustee. "In my mind, there are questions as to whether he could vote to certify both petitions and the results of elections when his immediate family is on the ballot," Old said.A Register investigation published earlier this year linked Ferrell to wastefully spending at least $81 million in taxpayer dollars as a commissioner through problematic construction projects and incomplete studies.When Shenigo began serving in 2009, he routinely raised issues with many projects Ferrell backed deemed questionable, unnecessary and ill-advised. Almost all of those reservations Shenigo voiced, including a botched water line and an excessive landfill expansion, came true.He now fears Ferrell could recreate some destructive behavioral patterns for the elections board."In my opinion, this is a giant step backwards for our party," Shenigo said. "I thought the 'good old boys' control of politics in our community was finally over after Husted's recent decision. I guess I was wrong."As on Monday, Husted hasn't yet affirmed the Erie County Democratic Party's decision. He must verify Ferrell, or some other Democrat, by March 1. Meanwhile the elections board scheduled a meeting for March 5 to introduce new members.Between now and then, at least one area Democrat — the highest-ranking elected official in Sandusky — hopes something happens to prevent Ferrell from serving."Last spring's primary was a stinging rebuke by Democrats of Tom Ferrell's leadership," said Sandusky ex officio mayor Dennis Murray Jr., alluding to Jeff's failed campaign to succeed Tom as a county commissioner. "This move hurts the Democratic brand and represents tribal politics, not party politics. The chairman of the Erie County Republican Party must be smiling ear to ear."Reach reporter Andy Ouriel at ouriel@sanduskyregister.com and follow him on Twitter @AndyOuriel.The Erie County Democratic Party on Sunday named Tom Ferrell, a former county commissioner, to serve on the county elections board. Ferrell stands to replace Amy Grubbe. Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted refused to reappoint Grubbe, claiming she "would not be a competent member of the board."