nhawthorne@tribtoday.com
NILES Niles City Council decided in a 7-0 vote Monday to dismiss a case that questioned 4th Ward Councilman Al Cantola’s residency.
The decision during a hearing comes after an inquiry over several months into Cantola’s Vienna Avenue residency.
“That was the right decision for council to dismiss this issue. I’ve stated on the record that’s where I live. That’s all it’s ever been,” Cantola said.
“This has been a fishing expedition for months now for the city, and I’m sure a couple thousand-dollar bill for the city and the taxpayers that should have never been put on the table,” he continued. “Our city has much bigger things going on than to worry about a councilman’s residence, whose home burnt and who put his wife in a safe place. This has been a shame.”
nhawthorne@tribtoday.com
NILES The findings of an investigation over more than three months could mean the vacancy of the city’s 4th Ward council seat.
An investigation was launched in early September after another member of council, Councilman at-Large Ryan McNaughton, made an official request after noting current 4th Ward Councilman Al Cantola purchased a property at 9485 Howland Springs Road in Howland.
City law director Philip Zuzolo then had to choose someone to preside over the investigation. He chose attorney A. Joseph Fritz as the investigator based on his tenure with practicing law, among other things.
Fritz, who serves as Newton Falls’ law director, was then tasked with investigating the legality of Cantola remaining in the seat and concluded Cantola legally does not reside in the city and therefore should forfeit his council seat.