Lorain’s Law Director Mark Provenza has done it again, and this time, it’s worse. He’s an alcoholic, and he’s endangering lives. Here’s the latest Provenza DUI story from the Plain Dealer. Here’s the report from Elyria’s Chronicle-Telegram. Here’s the editorial from Lorain’s Morning Journal calling for Provenza’s resignation (long overdue).
I’ve long been concerned with Democrat machine politics in the city of Lorain that props up politicians who are unsuitable to hold office. Though he’d already been charged with DUI’s in the past, Mark Provenza’s most recent re-election bid went unopposed in both the 2007 primary and the 2007 general elections. That’s because the perception among potential rivals is that it’s futile to oppose the Democrat political machine that props Provenza up.
Provenza has always given himself a bargaining chip for potential plea deals by refusing blood-alcohol tests after law enforcement officers catch up with him, denying law enforcement from gaining access to the most convincing evidence of Provenza’s intoxication (in 2000, he got a DUI charge in Parma Heights reduced to reckless operation). Enough of these cat-and-mouse games over Provenza’s drunken driving. This time, it wasn’t just a matter of weaving while traveling down the road, nor was it a matter of hitting a fire hydrant. This time Provenza crashed into a HOUSE!!!! So, not only does he not uphold the law, he’s downright dangerous.
As the city’s chief attorney, does Provenza’s repeated violations of the law make him unfit for office? Absolutely.
The voters, however, are hamstringed if they wish to replace the law director with a vote at the polls. In order for voters to change law directors on election day, there have to be other candidates listed on the ballot, and that was not the case in 2007. I don’t think Provenza should continue to serve out his term, but short of having a law license yanked (unlikely), about the only mechanism in place for removing Provenza from office is if Provenza, himself, resigns from it. That’s hardly encouraging. Just look at Detroit’s Kwame Kilpatrick, and how he continues to linger in the mayor’s office in that city. Provenza seems to have a similar mindset, as he hasn’t stepped down in the wake of prior DUI charges.
I think it’s time that the chair of the Democrat Party in the city of Lorain, Anthony Giardini, called for Provenza’s resignation. That would signal that the Democrat political machine no longer stands behind Provenza, which, in turn, would lead to a new candidate on the ballot in 2011 (such a long way off!), even if it turns out that there still isn’t a multi-candidate race. It’s time to twist Provenza’s arm while leaving him with no leg to stand on. Provenza’s got to go.
Buckeye RINO 
August 24, 2008 at 12:02 am
……you are certainly correct in the fact the man is unfit for office, dj. The Dem chair, Giardini really needs to step up and ask for his resignation. First it was Flores, and now Provenza, again. I felt for him with the first two dui’s, then got angry with the third, and now…….He’s our “top cop”. He has to be held to higher standards. Hell, I’d be happy if he were held to the same standards as you or me, or any other “normal” citizen.
BTW, glad to have you back. Hope your hiatus was fun and exciting. Maybe a post about it if you care to share.
August 24, 2008 at 8:50 am
Thanks for commenting, Muley. As I read some comments at the MJ website, I was amazed that some people are blaming the voters for retaining Provenza, which left me in shock. Correct me if I’m wrong, but, as I remember it, the voters haven’t had the option to choose anyone else for the law director spot since 2003. Giardini’s the one who handpicked this guy in the first place, and set the political machine in motion to back the guy ever since.
August 25, 2008 at 8:32 am
………….During the process of getting signatures for the plate tax and income credit tax, many, and I mean many people scoffed at Mike Scherach(former republican law dir.)for his part in bringing Lorain to where it’s at today. I guess they got what they wanted now.
August 25, 2008 at 10:52 am
Scherach was Provenza’s last opposition, and that was in 2003. Amazingly, Provenza had no opposition in 2007, even though new DUI charges popped up between those two election years. I don’t think it’s what the people wanted. I think it’s what the good old boys, like Giardini, mandated through their political machine.
August 25, 2008 at 2:43 pm
[…] Provenza is dangerous […]
October 3, 2008 at 1:37 pm
[…] to step down October 3, 2008 — buckeyerino This post is just a reminder to the ever-so-dangerous Mark Provenza, Law Director for the city of Lorain, that his resignation is expected, because his […]
December 2, 2008 at 4:14 pm
[…] Heightened Provenza alert December 2, 2008 — buckeyerino The city of Lorain has a Law Director, named Mark Provenza, who has repeatedly been charged with DUI’s. In the most recent DUI episode, he demolished a porch of a residential dwelling in Lakewood. I’ve frequently called for Provenza’s resignation. My prior blog entries about Provenza may be found here, here, here, here, and here. […]
May 5, 2009 at 4:05 pm
[…] been a regular reader here at Buckeye RINO, then you know I’ve been clamoring for Mark Provenza, serial drunk driver, to step down as law director in the city of […]