Prosecutor Abruzzino: Eager for Return to ‘Normal’ Life

Vito Abruzzino, Columbiana County prosecutor and a member of U.S. Air Force Reserve, is in line to receive the COVID-19 vaccine soon because of his military service. He is also one of several newly elected officials in Columbiana County who are working on a transition from long-time incumbents.

What are some ways COVID-19 has affected your organization, and what are you doing to manage its impact?

COVID had obvious impacts to individuals that had to quarantine and in turn we had to adjust court schedules and provide for coverage in the various courts that we are responsible for. Luckily, very few individuals contracted the virus and those that did had a mild disease.

What has been the response of your stakeholders so far?

The leaders of Columbiana County, from the judges to the commissioners, did a great job adjusting to conditions as they evolved. Adjustments were made utilizing directives from the Ohio Department of Health and the CDC. Notably, whenever possible, meetings were moved online; Zoom was utilized; temperature checks and barriers were placed at locations where person-to-person contact was a necessity; and masking was, and is still, required in all county buildings.

How has COVID affected your personal life, and how have you dealt with it?

Not being able to see family has been, by far, the hardest part. The holidays were also the most subdued of any I can recall. I am very much looking forward to being able to get back together with friends and family. We dealt with the separation by speaking on the phone more regularly and using FaceTime – but it certainly was not the same as being together.

How do you feel about the recently approved COVID vaccines, and what are your plans regarding vaccination?

As a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, I am able to receive my vaccine in early February, and I am frankly looking forward to it. While some have the luxury of entertaining whether or not the vaccine is “right” for them, the military has compulsory vaccination programs for its members and there is little doubt this vaccine will eventually fall into that category, although it is voluntary at this point in time.

What advice or thoughts are you sharing with those you love?

Get the vaccine if you can. I personally believe the science is solid, and beyond that, we need to get back to “normal” as quickly (and safely) as possible. Our way of life demands it. That said, I know it is a personal decision, and while I would eventually fall under a mandate from the military to receive the vaccine, a private citizen’s right to decline is also sacrosanct.

Columbiana County has several new elected leaders other than yourself. With so many things operating differently because of COVID, how has the transition from long-term incumbents to the new leaders been going?

The transition, on the whole, has been good. While we are all still settling in, we have taken the time to meet individually and discuss where interplay between the offices can be improved or expanded. Notably, we have begun the process of reexamining the backlog of cold-case homicides in the county with the Sheriff’s Office and have discussed the expansion of the foreclosure program with Treasurer-Elect Bryan Blakeman. I’ve also had some very good conversations with the commissioners about upgrading office space and re-working our file retention plan to better serve the community.