Baronzzi public service tradition continues

SALEM -- Salem's newest council member, Councilwoman Sara Baronzzi, has spent her entire life watching family members in public service -- now it's her turn to continue the tradition.

The Lisbon native comes from strong community service stock. Her grandfather, Joseph Baronzzi, served as a Columbiana County prosecutor. Her father, who administered her oath of office, is county Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Thomas Baronzzi.

At 7 p.m. Tuesday when she attends her first meeting of Salem City Council, she'll be sitting across from her aunt, Councilwoman Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey.

Sara agreed this past summer to take the place of former councilman Sal Salvino on the ballot for an At Large seat, with the Salem Republican Party Precinct Committee making the appointment since he had filed as a Republican. He had already resigned to take a full-time job as city housing director/inspector and since he originally ran as an Independent, city council appointed Bob Merry to serve out the rest of his current term, which expired Friday.

Sara ran for one of three At Large seats, along with incumbent Republican Councilmen Andrew Null and Jake Gano. Null was running for re-election and Gano had been appointed and was running for his first full term. All three were elected since no one else filed, with their new terms beginning today.

"I'm very excited," Sara said, noting that when her father swore her into office in his courtroom at Probate Court, it all became real.

She said it was a special day, especially since her great-grandfather, the late Enrico Baronzzi, an Italian immigrant, became a U.S. citizen in that same courtroom. Besides her dad, other family members in attendance included her mom, Missy, her brother Nick, her 9-year-old son Alex and her aunt Cyndi.

"I feel honored that I can carry on the Baronzzi name and make a difference in the community," she said.

She remembered when she was growing up how her father always said "if you're not trying to make something better, you're just in the way." That stuck with her.

She said she has a lot to learn during her first year on city council, but added "I have a lot of great colleagues on council, a lot of people I can learn from."

She's been talking with Dickey, her aunt, and been to city hall a few times. Her dad also gave her some advice.

"He told me to always be fair and listen to both sides of everything and always do what's best for the city," she said.

She wants to become familiar with city operations and the budget and hopes people will feel comfortable reaching out to her and expressing what they want to see.

She said she loves living in Salem and is looking forward to serving her fellow residents.

Sara grew up in Lisbon and graduated from Lisbon David Anderson High School. She earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Kent State University and works as an education sales executive for Frontline Education, an education software company. Part of her job is helping school superintendents in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia find quality teachers and keep them.

She won't be the only new face in council chambers, although new Treasurer Tod Mumpire has already served a month. He was appointed to fill former treasurer K. Bret Apple's seat for the final month and was elected to his own four-year term in November, which began today.

Mumpire is more of a returnee than a new face since he previously served as council president. He also previously served on the city Utilities Commission and worked many years for the Columbiana County Clerk of Courts Office.