After a dispute at Trumbull County Republican Party headquarters, the party’s officers formally censured county Commissioner Niki Frenchko, banning her and her campaign literature from the building.

In a resolution issued Wednesday, the board officers wrote they censured Frenchko “and shall immediately cease any and all support of her as a member of the party and as a candidate for public office as a result of her ongoing behavior and actions, which have been destructive in nature and have adversely affected the Republican Party, its members, officers and candidates.”

The email was sent to all members of the party’s central and executive committees.

The resolution also states she won’t be mentioned on party slate cards should she win the Republican primary. Frenchko hasn’t decided if she’s going to run for her commissioner seat next year or the one held by incumbent Democrat Mauro Cantalamessa.

Frenchko, who is a party officer as auxiliary chairwoman, questioned if the officers are permitted to take this action.

“They should at least include the executive committee,” she said. “It’s kind of what they did to (Donald) Trump.”

She also said she isn’t concerned about the ban.

“It’s not even a real party,” Frenchko said. “It’s diminished to the point where it’s a coffee club. The nonestablishment Republicans are tired of this. We will lose everything we’ve gained because of their infighting. If they can’t have it their way they’d rather turn an election over to the Democrats.”

Frenchko said of the party’s officers, “They’re going to be as mean, petty and spiteful as they’ve always been. It’s not going to change until there’s new leadership. They’re an embarrassment. They’re more interested in being a social club than a political party.”

The party officers, excluding Frenchko, met Tuesday and sent a Wednesday email to the central committee members about the ban. Marleah Campbell, the party’s secretary, said since Tuesday’s meeting — and two prior officer meetings — were about Frenchko, she wasn’t invited to attend.

Frenchko participated in a Saturday petition signing event at party headquarters at 1195 Niles Cortland Road SE in Howland.

Campbell said Frenchko and others at the event were told not to use their cellphones.

“Niki has a habit of using her phone as a weapon against people,” Campbell said.

Once Frenchko arrived, Campbell said, “She was a bat out of hell running from person to person shoving her petition in their faces. A couple of times she was told to stop interrupting.”

Frenchko and West Farmington Mayor Shirley McIntosh, who was with the Republican commissioner at Saturday’s event, said that’s not true.

Campbell said she used her phone to take photos only for the party’s website and e-newsletter.

Frenchko said several people used their phones and she was singled out by party Chairman Mike Bollas, who put his hand up when she was taking a picture with state Rep. Mike Loychik.

Campbell said at Bollas’ request, she called the county 911 center asking for an officer to help with Frenchko.

When Howland police arrived, Frenchko already was outside with McIntosh and Loychik.

McIntosh backed up Frenchko’s statements saying Bollas was confrontational with the commissioner.

“When I questioned him, he said I could leave too,” McIntosh said.

So she did.

There is no incident report.

A county 911 dispatch call summary indicates a call was made at 1:41 p.m. Saturday about a “disturbance” at party headquarters that was “verbal at this time.” Frenchko was “advised to stop recording in the building” and was leaving the premises, according to the call summary.

Messages left Tuesday and Wednesday with Bollas weren’t returned.

Frenchko said Bollas requiring her to turn off her cellphone “sounds more like the Communist Party. It’s censorship. No American political party should try to censor speech, especially not a Republican Party. It shows they don’t value the core principles of the Republican Party, which most importantly includes free speech.”

Frenchko said the only photo she sought to take was of Loychik, which was blocked by Bollas’ hand.

The party officers’ resolution states Frenchko broke party bylaws by embarking “on a campaign of criticism and disparaging remarks against the Republican Party, its members, officers and candidates publicly via email and social media,” and “has engaged in actions not befitting a Republican officer or representative of the Republican Party.”

Campbell said Frenchko broke party bylaws by talking badly of other Republican candidates and was warned three months ago to stop, but didn’t.

“She bashes the other candidates,” Campbell said. “Mike said no pictures were allowed and she was arguing so he asked me to call the police.”

Campbell said she has tried to make an effort with Frenchko.

“If you don’t do exactly what she wants, she says you’re being passive aggressive,” Campbell said. “She’s driving me nuts. Being an officer of the party I’m not going to go against anyone but it’s enough with her.”