Login | November 16, 2024
County clerk Dan Dascenzo details his 2024 election platform
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: June 27, 2024
Since taking the reins as Mahoning County Clerk of Courts last October, Dan Dascenzo said he’s been working closely with his staff to make the office’s operations more efficient and expand services to better meet the needs of the courts and the public.
While he has unveiled a number of new initiatives, he said there’s a lot more he wants to accomplish.
That’s why he’s seeking a full term this November, asking residents to give him the chance to continue former longtime clerk Anthony Vivo’s mission of upgrading technology while keeping taxpayer contributions to a minimum.
“I’m so grateful to be in a position where I am part of something bigger than myself and have the opportunity to serve those who live and work in the county,” said Dascenzo.
“I was fortunate to have a very talented and hard-working staff in place when I began,” he said. “Together we’ve made great strides, but we’ve got a lot more to do.”
Dascenzo officially started as clerk on Oct. 1 after being elected by the Democratic Party Central Committee to fill the remainder of Vivo’s term which ends on Jan. 5, 2025.
He faces Republican attorney Michael Ciccone in the general election.
As clerk, Dascenzo is responsible for administering the non-judicial operations of the courts including preserving and maintaining all documents and records filed in conjunction with the activities of the common pleas and area courts as well as the 7th District Court of Appeals.
His duties also encompass collecting revenue related to court costs, bonds and fines and issuing writs to carry out court orders.
Additionally, he’s charged with overseeing the title department which is primarily responsible for processing motor vehicle and watercraft ownership titles and the collection of millions of dollars annually in sales and use taxes.
Longtime Clerk of Courts Administrator Scott Grossen, who served as clerk for a short time after Vivo retired in late August 2023, said Dascenzo “hit the ground running,” familiarizing himself with the various operations of the office.
Grossen said Dascenzo brings a wealth of experience to the position as an attorney and a former magistrate and deputy law director.
“Dan is working to implement a number of new initiatives which we are all enthusiastic about,” said Grossen. “Personally I have enjoyed getting to know Dan and look forward to assisting him by providing whatever is needed to achieve his goals and objectives.”
Mahoning County Chief Deputy Clerk of Courts Kathi McNabb Welsh echoed similar sentiments.
“Dan has made a very smooth transition into his position as clerk of courts,” said McNabb Welsh. “Because of his prior experience he was able to quickly acclimate to the office and establish his own vision.
“He is wonderful to the staff and to the public,” she said. “It is a pleasure to work for him. He has initiated some new programs which are very exciting.”
Among them, a new courier program that’s designed to increase the number of titles processed for auto dealerships.
“Retail auto sales are a large part of our local economy,” said Dascenzo. “In 2023 auto sales were responsible for the collection of over $37 million in retail sales taxes.
“Because of that I believe it’s important for my office to be proactive and to take innovative yet fiscally-responsible steps to support our local businesses.”
Under the new program two part-time former law enforcement officers will serve as couriers for auto dealers, traveling to the individual dealerships to pick up and deliver their title documents to the Oak Hill Avenue title office. Once completed the officers will return the processed titles to the dealership.
Traditionally dealerships rely on their own employees to carry out this process.
“This service will provide auto dealers with a convenience that will hopefully save them time and money which they will then be able to invest back into their sales operations,” said Dascenzo.
The program began on June 3.
Dascenzo is also working to identify a convenient location to open a satellite title office which he said will ideally include drive-through windows to make drop off and pick up easier for residents.
Additionally, Dascenzo plans to expand the hours of operation at the title department.
“I am exploring extending our hours during the workweek or possibly being open for business on Saturdays,” he said. “This is something we are in the process of implementing for the benefit and convenience of our residents who work on weekdays but are in need of our title services.”
Separately within the clerk’s legal department, Dascenzo said one of his main priorities is to make e-filing a reality in the area courts by 2025.
“We already have e-filing in the common pleas courts and the appellate court,” said Dascenzo.
“The area courts are very busy so it’s important that e-filing be available in all four county courts as well.
“We have applied for a grant from the Ohio Supreme Court and we’re waiting for a response.”
Dascenzo is in the process of partnering with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office to implement a program to assist the area courts in collecting almost $3 million in unpaid restitution, fines and court costs which have accrued from criminal and traffic cases adjudicated over the past five years.
“I appreciate AG Dave Yost making this program available which will help us greatly in our efforts to collect these debts that are owed to our local courts.
“The program will not cost the taxpayers any additional money and the funds collected can be put to good use to improve court operations and for technology upgrades as well as various other services we provide to residents.”
A native of Youngstown, Dascenzo received his bachelor’s degree in English from Youngstown State University and earned his juris doctor from The University of Toledo College of Law in 1998.
From 1986 to 1992 Dascenzo was a combat engineer in the U.S. Army National Guard where he earned the rank of specialist.
Dascenzo began his legal career as an associate at the Youngstown firm Green Haines Sgambati Co. focusing on labor and employment law.
He then joined Roth, Blair, Roberts, Strasfeld & Lodge as an associate. During his time at the firm he primarily handled business litigation and civil trial matters.
Dascenzo left his position to serve as former Mahoning County Common Pleas Court Judge Lou A. D’Apolito’s magistrate, a role he held from 2008 to 2018.
After making an unsuccessful primary run to fill D’Apolito’s seat, Dascenzo briefly held the position of deputy law director for the city of Youngstown.
“Due to age limits, Judge D’Apolito was scheduled to retire at the end of 2018,” said Dascenzo.
“I ran for his seat because it was the court where I worked for 10 years and I wanted to do everything I could to make sure that the court continued to operate at the highest level.”
In March 2019 Dascenzo became a magistrate for Mahoning County Domestic Relations Court Judge Beth Smith. He was on the bench for two and a half years before returning to his previous role with the city of Youngstown in September 2021.
This time Dascenzo was one of two deputy law directors. His former boss, now-retired Judge Lou D’Apolito, was the other one.
They worked together until Dascenzo started as Mahoning County clerk of courts.
Dascenzo is a member of the Mahoning County Bar Association and the Ohio Clerk of Courts Association.
He’s also a member of the Boardman Lions Club, the Boardman Civic Association and Catholic War Veterans Post 1222.
He previously sat on the boards of The Hope Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, Café Augustine and Friends of The Rich Center for Autism.
While he enjoys being involved in the community, he said his current position is keeping him very busy.
“I love my job and I enjoy coming to work every day,” said Dascenzo. “I consider it a privilege to serve our county.”
Although his campaign schedule has tacked on some additional responsibilities, he said running the clerk’s office always takes precedent.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be entrusted with the opportunity to oversee, and hopefully to improve, the clerk’s office for the benefit of our local courts and for the people who are in need of our services,” Dascenzo said.
“Our courts and the people who live and work here depend on this office to do its job. I take that responsibility very seriously.
“I want to provide professional and accessible service to our customers and do so in an environment of openness and transparency,” said Dascenzo.
“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to work alongside a group of highly skilled and dedicated employees who do outstanding work day in and day out. Working together, I’m confident that this is only the beginning of what will be efficient and productive operations in our clerk of courts office for years to come.”