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Area candidates and ballot issues for May 3 election

by admin on April 29, 2011 - 11:20 am

in Uncategorized

EDITOR'S NOTE: The listing of ballot issues in Friday's edition of the Beacon Journal included an emergency additional school levy for the Woodridge Local School District. There is no such levy on the May 3 ballot. An editor erred.

SUMMIT COUNTY

*Denotes incumbent

One to be nominated unless otherwise noted. (Some uncontested candidates below may not appear on the May primary ballot.)

Candidates

LAKEMORE MAYOR

(No candidate filed.)

VILLAGE COUNCIL

(Three to be nominated)

(No candidate filed.)

TWINSBURG MAYOR

Katherine A. Procop*

BARBERTON MUNICIPAL JUDGE

Democrat Stephen Dyer

Rhonda Kotnik

Republican Christine Croce

Issues

SCHOOL ISSUES

CUYAHOGA FALLS

A 9.97-mill, 5-year replacement levy for operations.

GREEN

A 6.75-mill, 5-year additional levy for emergency requirements.

HUDSON

A 4.9-mill, permanent additional levy for operations.

MANCHESTER

A 9-mill, permanent replacement levy for operations.

MOGADORE

An 8.9-mill, permanent additional levy for operations.

NORDONIA HILLS

A 6.5-mill, permanent additional levy for operations.

REVERE

A 4.83-mill, 10-year additional levy for emergency requirements.

TALLMADGE

A 7.5-mill, 5-year renewal levy for operations.

1.25-mill, 5-year renewal levy for permanent improvements.

CITY ISSUES

BARBERTON

A local option to allow the Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages at the Tobacco Town carryout store, 143 Wooster Road N., in Ward 4, Precinct A.

NEW FRANKLIN

A local option to allow the Sunday sale of beer at the Lo-Boy Gas service station, 6171 Manchester Road, in Ward 3, Precinct D.

TWINSBURG

A proposal to rezone 4.9 acres at the northeast corner of Highland and Darrow roads from I-3 (industrial) to use as a public facility.

TOWNSHIP ISSUES

BOSTON

A 7-mill, 5-year replacement levy for police protection.

TWINSBURG

A 1.75-mill, permanent additional levy for police protection.

OTHER ISSUES

CUYAHOGA FALLS LIBRARY

A 1.9-mill, 5-year additional levy for library operating expenses.

HUDSON LIBRARY

A 1.6-mill, 5-year replacement levy and a 0.7-mill, 5-year additional levy to support the Hudson Library and Historical Society.

STARK COUNTY

*Denotes incumbent

One to be nominated unless otherwise noted. (Some uncontested candidates below may not appear on the May primary ballot.)

Candidates

ALLIANCE MAYOR

Democrat Steve Okey

Republican Alan C. Andreani

AUDITOR

Republican Kevin G. Knowles*

LAW DIRECTOR

Republican Andrew L. Zumbar*

COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Democrat John Benincasa*

COUNCIL AT LARGE

Democrat (Three to be nominated)

Sue Ryan

Brian K. Simeone

Dierre Upshaw

Republican Lawrence A. Dordea*

Aimee E. Harper

Julie A. Jakmides

WARD 1

Democrat Sheila K. Cherry

Republican Roger Lee Rhome*

WARD 2

Democrat Phyllis J. Phillips*

WARD 3

Democrat Roy Clunk*

WARD 4

Democrat Larry Thompson*

Republican Donald E. Kline

CANTON MAYOR

Democrat William J. Healy II*

Bill Smuckler

Republican A.R. Conde

Leon Gerig AUDITOR

Democrat Richard A. Mallonn*

LAW DIRECTOR

Democrat Joe Martuccio*

COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Democrat Allen Schulman*

COUNCIL AT LARGE

Democrat (Three to be nominated)

James O. Babcock

Mary M. Cirelli*

Joe Cole* Karl A. Kraus Jr.

C. David Morgan

Republican Rosemary P. Diamond

(Write-in)

LaShay L. Parks

WARD 1

Democrat Bob Harper

Gregory Hawk*

WARD 2

Democrat Thomas E. West*

WARD 3

Democrat James E. Griffin*

WARD 4

Democrat Chris Smith*

WARD 5

Democrat Kevin Lee Fisher

Paul D. White

WARD 6

Democrat David R. Dougherty*

WARD 7

Democrat Patrick Barton*

John Mariol

WARD 8

Democrat Edmond Mack

Republican Mark A. Butterworth*

WARD 9

Democrat Frank Morris III

MASSILLON MAYOR

Democrat Kathy M. Catazaro-Perry

Francis H. Cicchinelli Jr.*

Republican Lee Brunckhart

Andrew M. Oser

AUDITOR

Democrat Jayne A. Ferrero*

LAW DIRECTOR

Democrat Perry Stergios*

PRESIDENT OF COUNCIL

Democrat Glenn Gamber*

Scott R. Graber

COUNCIL AT LARGE

Democrat (Three to be nominated)

David J. Hersher*

Paul Manson*

Larry V. Slagle*

Republican Milan E. Chovan Jr.

WARD 1

Democrat James Majcan

Republican Sarita Cunningham

WARD 2

Democrat Gary J. Anderson*

Republican Nancy J. Halter

WARD 3

Democrat Lynda Blankenship

Mary E. Pribich

Andrea M. Scassa

Republican Linnette L. Hayden

WARD 4

Democrat Jackie Carter

Tony M. Townsend*

WARD 5

Democrat Vaughn Mohler

Jack L. Moore

Republican Donnie Peters*

COUNCIL WARD 6

Democrat David K. McCune*

Republican Ed Lewis IV

CANTON MUNICIPAL JUDGE

(term starting Jan. 1, 2012)

Democrat John A. Poulos*

(term starting Jan. 2, 2012)

Republican Stephen F. Belden*

MASSILLON

MUNICIPAL CLERK OF COURT

Democrat Johnnie Maier*

Republican Meagan Todaro Kirchner

Issues

COUNTY ISSUES

STARK AREA REGIONAL TRANSIT

A 5-year renewal of the one quarter of one percent sales tax to pay for mass transit operations.

SCHOOL ISSUES

CANTON LOCAL

A 10.8-mill, 5-year renewal levy for operations and permanent improvements.

FAIRLESS

An 8.4-mill, 5-year levy, to replace two existing levies, for operations.

JACKSON

A 6.4-mill 5-year levy, to replace an existing levy, for operations.

LAKE

A 1.8-mill, 28-year bond issue for improving buildings and facilities and acquiring real estate and a 0.5-mill, permanent additional levy for general improvements.

MARLINGTON

A 5.7-mill, permanent renewal levy for operations.

NORTHWEST

A 5.5-mill, 5-year renewal levy for emergency requirements.

SANDY VALLEY

A 2-mill, 5-year renewal levy for permanent improvements.

CITY ISSUES

CANTON

A local option to allow the sale of wine and mixed beverages at A Mart Express, 2557 Cleveland Ave. NW, in Ward 7, Precinct E.

A local option to allow the weekday sale of beer, wine, mixed beverages and liquor at Jasmine, 1122 30th St. NW, in Ward 7 Precinct I.

A local option to allow the Sunday sale of beer, wine, mixed beverages and liquor at Jasmine, 1122 30th St. NW, in Ward 7 Precinct I.

A local option to allow the Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages at Marc's, 3014 Cromer Ave. NW, in Ward 7 Precinct H.

A local option to allow the Sunday sale of wine, mixed beverages and liquor at Gatsby's Pub, 1832 Cleveland Ave. SW, in Ward 7, Precinct E.

A local option to allow the Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages at Walmart Supercenter, 4000 Tuscarawas St. W., in Ward 3, Precinct I.

A local option to allow the Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages at Walmart Supercenter, 3200 Atlantic Blvd. NE, in Ward 6, Precinct A.

A local option to allow the Sunday sale of beer, wine and mixed beverages at the Canton Negro Old Timers Athletic Association, 1016 12th St. NE, in Ward 2, Precinct D.

MASSILLON

A local option to allow the Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages at the BP service station, 2711 Lincoln Way E., in Ward 3, Precinct D.

TOWNSHIP ISSUES

LAKE

A 3-mill, 5-year renewal levy for fire protection.

NIMISHILLEN

A 2-mill, 5-year renewal and increase for road maintenance.

PERRY

A 1.25-mill, 5-year renewal levy for police protection.

A 2-mill, 5-year renewal levy for maintenance of streets, roads and bridges.

OTHER ISSUES

MASSILLON LIBRARY

A 1.9-mill, 5-year replacement levy for operations.

PORTAGE COUNTY

*denotes incumbent

One to be nominated unless otherwise noted. (Some uncontested candidates below may not appear on the May primary ballot.)

Candidates

KENT COUNCIL WARD 1

Democrat Melissa M. Long

Republican Garrett M. Ferrara*

COUNCIL WARD 2

Democrat Jack E. Amrhein*

COUNCIL WARD 3

Democrat Wayne A. Wilson*

COUNCIL WARD 4

(No candidate filed.)

COUNCIL WARD 5

Democrat Heidi L. Shaffer*

COUNCIL WARD 6

Democrat Tracy Wallach*

RAVENNA MAYOR (Two to be nominated)

Joseph Bica Jr.*

Bill Davis

FINANCE DIRECTOR (Two to be nominated)

Kimble Cecora*

LAW DIRECTOR (Two to be nominated)

Frank J. Cimino*

COUNCIL PRESIDENT (Two to be nominated)

Francis M. Ricciardi*

COUNCIL AT LARGE (Two to be nominated)

Bruce R. Ribelin*

COUNCIL AT LARGE (unexpired term)

(Two to be nominated)

Steven R. Bailey

Fred Berry

COUNCIL WARD 3 (Two to be nominated)

Charles F. Ferguson*

Robert G. Harkcom

Kevin N. Tichnell

COUNCIL WARD 4 (Two to be nominated)

Tom Guy

Scott M. Rainone*

Donna Swigart

STREETSBORO MAYOR (Two to be nominated)

Glenn M. Broska

Brett M. McClafferty

Arthur Scott*

COUNCIL WARD 1 (Two to be nominated)

Edith Bridget Pavlick*

COUNCIL WARD 2 (Two to be nominated)

Emerylde Bradley*

John Ruediger

Keith A. Smith

COUNCIL WARD 3 (Two to be nominated)

Regis V. Faivre*

COUNCIL WARD 4 (Two to be nominated)

Julie Field

Nick Funari*

Issues

SCHOOL ISSUES

ROOTSTOWN

A 5.96-mill, 5-year additional levy for emergency requirements.

WATERLOO

A 4.76-mill, 5-year additional levy to avoid an operating deficit.

CITY ISSUES

AURORA

A 0.9-mill, 5-year renewal levy for road and bridge construction and repair.

A proposal to rezone 6.7 acres from residential (R-2) to commercial (C-1) use.

A proposal to rezone 11.42 acres from industrial (I-1) to residential (R-4) use.

KENT

A 0.73-mill, 5-year renewal levy for fire protection (West Side Fire Station).

TOWNSHIP ISSUES

DEERFIELD

A local option to allow weekday and Sunday sale of beer, wine, mixed beverages and liquor at the Island Creek Grille in Precinct B.

A local option to allow Sunday sale of beer, wine, mixed beverages and liquor at the Sebring Country Club in Precinct B.

EDINBURG

A 1.3-mill, 5-year renewal levy for operations.

MANTUA

A local option to allow Sunday sale of wine and mixed beverages at Jimmy D's Lil Store in Precinct A.

MEDINA COUNTY

*denotes incumbent

One to be nominated unless otherwise noted. (Some uncontested candidates below may not appear on the May primary ballot.)

Candidates

BRUNSWICK COUNCIL AT LARGE (Two to be nominated)

Michael J. Abella Jr.

Chuck Ricco

COUNCIL WARD 2 (Two to be nominated)

Vincent Carl*

Eric Flanigan

Gary W. Noe

COUNCIL WARD 3 (Two to be nominated)

David Coleman

Joe Delsanter*

COUNCIL WARD 4 (Two to be nominated)

Anthony P. Capretta

Lisa J. Zamiska*

WADSWORTH MAYOR

Republican Robin Laubaugh*

AUDITOR

Republican John P. Moss*

LAW DIRECTOR

Republican Norman E. Brague*

COUNCIL PRESIDENT

Republican Thomas E. Palecek*

COUNCIL AT LARGE

Democrat (Three to be nominated)

Patricia Haskins

Republican Susan C. Hanlon*

James B. Riley*

Elizabeth A. Workman*

WARD 1

Democrat Marti Hallstrom

Republican Tom Adams

Timothy J. Eberling*

WARD 2

Republican Dennis J. Shultz*

WARD 3

Democrat John J. Sharkey IV*

Republican David L. Williams

WARD 4

Democrat Mike Gahan

Republican Bruce Darlington*

MEDINA MUNICIPAL JUDGE

Democrat Dale H. Chase*

CLERK OF COURTS

Democrat Ferris Brown

Republican Nancy L. Abbott*

WADSWORTH

MUNICIPAL JUDGE

Republican Stephen B. McIlvaine*

Issues

SCHOOL ISSUES

BLACK RIVER

A 7.5-mill, 5-year additional levy for operations.

HIGHLAND

A 6.9-mill, 10-year additional levy for emergency requirements. (Includes votes from Summit County.)

CITY ISSUES

WADSWORTH

A 0.1 percent, 10-year increase in the city's income tax for street improvements.

TOWNSHIP ISSUES

MEDINA

A 1-mill permanent replacement levy and a permanent 2-mill additional levy for police protection.

OTHER ISSUES

SOUTH CENTRAL FIRE DISTRICT

A 2.5-mill, permanent additional levy for operations.

WAYNE COUNTY

(Note: There on no candidates on the primary ballot in Wayne County)

Issues

SCHOOL ISSUES

CHIPPEWA

A 1.9-mill, 5-year renewal levy for permanent improvements.

DALTON

A 6-mill bond issue to raise $14.75 million for construction and a 0.5-mill permanent additional levy for permanent improvements.

TRIWAY

A 5.1-mill, 3-year renewal levy for emergency requirements.

TOWNSHIP ISSUES

WOOSTER

A 2-mill, 5-year replacement levy for fire protection and ambulance service.

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Report: Fingerhut candidate for University of Kentucky president job

by admin on April 27, 2011 - 1:00 pm

in Uncategorized

Associated Press

LEXINGTON, KY.: One of the candidates for the presidency at the University of Kentucky has been identified in a published report as a former Ohio chancellor and politician.

The Lexington Herald-Leader cited former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland in reporting that Eric D. Fingerhut is a candidate for the position.

Strickland called Fingerhut ''a wonderfully gifted person" who built a broad-based coalition of business and education, Democrats and Republicans during his four years as Chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents which oversees 14 universities and 23 community colleges.

Fingerhut is a former United States congressman and Ohio state senator. He currently works for a nonprofit organization called Jobs for the Future.

Information from the Lexington Herald-Leader, http://www.kentucky.com.

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Summit County says state budget would force deep cuts

by admin on April 26, 2011 - 7:00 am

in Uncategorized

By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer

Summit County leaders warned Monday that they would have to slash at least $5.5 million in spending next year if the proposed state budget is approved.

The state proposal includes a deep cut in local government funds and an increase in unfunded mandates, county Finance and Budget Director Brian Nelsen told County Council.

If the county doesn't cut its operating budget, he said, it would blow through its $25 million rainy day fund by 2015 — a move that would jeopardize its good credit rating.

Jason Dodson, chief of staff for County Executive Russ Pry, said the county would look at cutting personnel through unpaid furloughs, reductions in wages and benefits, or layoffs.

The county administration is working through contingency plans, he said.

About 80 percent of the operating budget involves personnel costs, so the majority of the cuts would have to involve workers, Dodson said.

The $5.5 million represents 90 to 100 workers, Nelsen said. The county's current general fund budget is $104 million.

All communities are facing the same scenario, Nelsen said.

''Public safety is really going to suffer as a result of this current budget proposal,'' he said. ''I just don't see any way around that.''

He outlined numerous financial impacts on the county in the two-year state budget, including a $5.2 million dip in local government funds by 2013 and a $1.1 million loss in tangible personal property and public utility reimbursements.

The county also would be required to pay millions more in indigent defense costs and other mandates, he said.

The good news is that the county could receive $3 million from casino revenue by 2013 and a proposed 2 percent decrease in the employer contribution toward pensions would save $1 million.

County leaders have scheduled a round-table discussion with state lawmakers at 9 a.m. Thursday at the John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St., to talk about the potential impact on the county.

The county delegation to the legislature has been invited.

So far, state Sens. Frank LaRose, R-Akron, and Tom Sawyer, D-Akron, and Reps. Todd McKenney, R-New Franklin, and Zack Milkovich, D-Akron, have agreed to attend.

Reps. Kristina Roegner, R-Hudson, and Lynn Slaby, R-Akron, have said they have prior commitments and won't be there, county leaders said.

The discussion will include presentations by county, city and township officials.

John Green, director of the Bliss Institute for Applied Politics at the University of Akron, will moderate.

The goal is to share information about the budget's impact and to work with the delegation, County Council President Jerry Feeman said.

Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.

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Candidates line up for Summit County Council

by admin on April 20, 2011 - 10:00 am

in Uncategorized

By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer

At least five Democrats are interested in filling a vacancy on the Summit County Council.

Deandre Forney, Tamela Lee, Rick Owens, Ed Smith and Mexie Wilson want the District 5 seat that was held by Councilman Cazzell Smith.

Smith, 62, a Democrat, resigned Monday to take a deputy director position with the county administration. He had been on the council since 1991.

The Democratic Party has scheduled a meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Akron Urban League to select his replacement. The 51 precinct committee members within District 5 — made up of West Akron, Fairlawn and Copley Township — will make the appointment.

The winner will serve the remainder of Smith's four-year term, which ends next year.

The candidates are:

• Forney, 28, of Akron, who has ran unsuccessfully for Akron City Council, and lost an attempt to be appointed to the County Council in 2007. He was acquitted in 2009 of a grand-theft charge related to work done with the LeBron James Family Foundation.

''I believe that council needs a younger, fresh perspective,'' said Forney, who owns a valet company. ''One of the biggest problems we have in Ohio and Summit County is that we are losing young professionals and we are not attracting young professionals.''

• Lee, 52, of Akron, who ran and lost a primary race last year for the Ohio Senate. She is second vice chair of the county Democratic Party.

''I see so much potential and opportunity for building new small businesses and developing a vibrant high-tech industry here in Summit County,'' she said. ''I am confident these opportunities will continue to spur improved educational opportunities and grow our middle class.''

She has been endorsed by County Executive Russ Pry, county Fiscal Officer John Donofrio, Akron City Council President Marco Sommerville and Board of Elections member Tim Gorbach.

• Owens, 56, of Akron, who runs Men of Valor 1, a local fatherhood initiative, and serves as board chair for the Westside Neighborhood Development Corp.

He said he wants to focus on the problem of vacant and abandoned properties; preparing youth for the work force; and creating jobs. ''What are we doing to solidify ourselves in this region?'' he asked.

• Smith, 54, of Akron, an attorney and the brother of Cazzell Smith.

''I've always been interested in serving in some way,'' he said, adding that he has an undergraduate degree in social work.

• Wilson, 39, the Northeast Ohio marketing representative for the Ohio Tuition Trust Authority. She ran unsuccessfully for Akron school board in 2009.

She said she would like to increase opportunities for youth in the community. ''I think it's an exciting opportunity to serve my community and West Akron,'' Wilson said.

Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.

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Governor to give Ohio schools more snow days

by admin on April 13, 2011 - 10:20 am

in Education

Associated Press

COLUMBUS: Gov. John Kasich plans Wednesday to sign a bill to give Ohio schools a two-day increase in their annual snow days. The legislation would apply to the current school year.

A relentless winter had led many schools to use up their current allotment of three calamity days, meaning they would have to make up any further time lost due to weather.

School districts previously had five days but lost two under former Gov. Ted Strickland.

The Ohio House had balked at certain Senate changes to the bill, which had temporarily stalled it. But the Senate voted last week to remove its revisions, including a requirement that school districts provide transportation to students of charter schools during make-up days. That move allowed the measure to be sent to Kasich.

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Report finds thousands of dead on Ohio voter rolls

by admin on April 13, 2011 - 8:36 am

in Voting

Associated Press

COLUMBUS: Ohio's top elections official says it appears that thousands of voters considered "active" are anything but.

Secretary of State Jon Husted says a report has found nearly 18,500 dead people on the state's voter rolls. Records of registered voters were cross-checked with a list of deceased Ohioans maintained by the state Health Department.

The secretary is asking county elections boards to purge those who are deceased from the statewide voter database.

Husted said in a statement Tuesday that the integrity of voter data is critical from a cost, quality and confidence standpoint.

He wants to establish a more centralized state database so his office could more easily compare voter information with files kept by several state agencies, including the Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the prisons department.

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Republicans give themselves a pat on the back

by Doug Oplinger on April 12, 2011 - 2:30 pm

in Ohio legislature,Republicans,William Batchelder

Republicans in the Ohio House issued this statement today:

House Republicans Applaud a Job-focused 100 Days
Recognize Additional Work that Lies Ahead

COLUMBUS— Starting with House Bill 1—JobsOhio—House Republicans have been on a fast track to improving Ohio’s economy and working to foster a more competitive job climate. Tuesday, April 12th marks the 100th day that Speaker William G. Batchelder (R-Medina) has held the gavel and House Republicans have presided over the Ohio House. Today, members of the House Republican Caucus held a press conference to discuss the accomplishments of the House thus far during the 129th General Assembly, recognizing that still more work needs to be done.

Under GOP control, the Ohio House has hit the ground running and introduced 200 bills during the first 100 days of this Legislature. As a caucus, Speaker Batchelder and House Republicans have expeditiously considered and passed legislation that will improve Ohio’s business climate, protect vital local services, preserve jobs and small businesses, restore accountability to elections and government spending, improve community safety and reduce damaging mandates on school districts—with more pragmatic solutions continuously being drafted and introduced.

“I understood from day one that our caucus would be charged with making some very difficult decisions, and I think that we have risen to the occasion,” Speaker Batchelder said. “There is still much work to be done, but after a very impressive start I am confident and hopeful about the legislative initiatives continuing to be explored within our caucus.”

The creation of the agile economic development entity JobsOhio and the establishment of a regulatory reform program through the Common Sense Initiative illustrate the House Republicans’ commitment to creating jobs and assisting small business development. The House also introduced and passed House Bill 58 to offer tax relief to families and retain businesses that have received offers to relocate to other states.

The House Republicans have also passed the following bills, among others:

H.B. 2 to improve transparency by auditing certain state agencies
H.B. 20 to prohibit intimidation of victims of a crime
H.B. 21 to bring Teach For America to Ohio, improve schools and attract young, educated people to the state
H.B. 30 to repeal costly unfunded school mandates that were included in the Democrats’ “evidence-based” model
H.B. 36 to restore school calamity days from three days back to five days
H.B. 63 to amend judicial consent to an abortion and ensure that minors comprehend possible physical and emotional complications
H.B. 64 to add K2/Spice, a synthetic marijuana, to the list of controlled substances in Ohio
H.B. 66 to create a fraud-reporting system in an effort to save tax dollars and make state spending more accountable
H.B. 93 to crack down on “pill mills” that have led to rampant prescription drug abuse in Ohio
H.B. 114 is a fiscally responsible transportation budget that eliminates millions of dollars in fee increases and embraces consolidation of services
H.B. 159 to strengthen voter identification laws and ensure that elections are as fair and accurate as possible
S.B. 5 to retain middle-class jobs, reduce costs on local governments and help hold down local tax burdens through collective bargaining reform
S.B. 73 to amend liquor permitting for businesses that use liquor as an ingredient in food, which will lighten the costs on small businesses

In the spirit of bipartisanship, the Republican majority has passed eight bills or resolutions with a Democrat primary sponsor out of committee, with three of these having been passed out of the House. Speaker Batchelder has continued to promote open discussion and collaboration with his colleagues across the aisle, which is just one of the ways he has endeavored to provide more cohesive leadership than his predecessor, Rep. Armond Budish.

In the first 100 days of the respective general assemblies, the House has passed significantly more pieces of legislation under Speaker Batchelder’s leadership than under the previous administration, with 29 bills passing during the 129th General Assembly and only five—three of which were constitutionally required budgets—passing during the 128th.

Continuing their commitment to job creation and business growth, the House Republicans have successfully pursued economic development efforts in the Economic and Small Business Development Committee under the leadership of Chairwoman Nan Baker (R-Westlake). This committee has held 12 hearings in just two months, compared with the formerly Democrat-led committee that held less than five hearings in six months of 2009.

In general, the House Republicans have held a total of 185 committee meetings during the first 100 days, while House Democrats had held just 125. Under Speaker Batchelder’s leadership, the House also consolidated committees from 27 standing committees to 17, saving Ohio’s taxpayers more than a quarter of a million dollars. Additionally, in an effort to promote transparency and a better understanding of the possible impact of lost federal stimulus dollars on Ohio schools, the House Republicans unveiled a tool on the General Assembly web site for viewing fiscal information about each school district in the state.

“I am very proud of the House and our caucus for providing leadership for Ohio at a time when effective leadership is needed more than ever,” said Speaker Batchelder. “We have a group of freshmen who have continued to astound me with their eagerness to serve their communities and introduce high-quality bills. Eighteen of our freshmen are primary sponsors on at least one piece of legislation, nine of which have already passed a bill or resolution from the House. I couldn’t be more pleased with the excellence and capability of our caucus as a whole, and we look forward to continuing the work of the people of Ohio over the next 21 months.”

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Demoted Ohio senator moves out on his boss

by Doug Oplinger on April 12, 2011 - 1:49 pm

in Ohio legislature,Republicans

By Associated Press

POSTED: 11:52 a.m. EDT, Apr 12, 2011

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A state senator in Ohio who's sore about being demoted has decided he can no longer live with his boss, the Republican Senate president.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Republican Sen. Bill Seitz of Cincinnati has moved out of the Columbus condominium he shared with President Tom Niehaus of New Richmond, down the Ohio River from Cincinnati.

Seitz says he can no longer afford the “high-priced digs” since Niehaus last week took away his chairmanship of the Senate's Government Oversight and Reform Committee.

Niehaus said he made the move because Seitz was preparing a substitute version of a bill without letting the sponsor know.

Seitz also had ruffled GOP feathers by opposing the bill that became Ohio's new collective bargaining law, which limits the union rights of public employees.

——————————————————————————–
Information from the Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com.

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Speaker Boehner faced a mountain of trash

by Doug Oplinger on April 11, 2011 - 1:21 pm

in John Boehner

The Cincinnati Enquirer's Politics Extra blog reported Friday, prior to the looming federal government shutdown, that there was a Facebook campaign in Washington, D.C., to have everyone dump their uncollected trash in House Speaker John Boehner's yard.

The blog said that there were about 5,000 followers on the Facebook page. Boehner is from the Cincinnati area.

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Legislature not likely to cut its own pay as it cuts others’

by Doug Oplinger on April 11, 2011 - 1:14 pm

in Ohio legislature,Senate Bill 5

The Plain Dealer reported Sunday that it's not likely that the state legislature will cut its own pay or benefits as the Republican-controlled House, Senate and governor's office enact legislation that requires state employees to pay more for health care, their pensions and possibly take pay cuts.

“I earn my pay, and I’m not ashamed of what I make,” Rep. Louis Blessing said hours before the House and Senate both approved the new collective-bargaining law, which was known as Senate Bill 5.

Read Plain Dealer reporter Joe Guillen's full story here.

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Unions gear up for Ohio fight

by Doug Oplinger on April 11, 2011 - 1:03 pm

in Campaigns,Senate Bill 5

Senate Bill 5 foes prepare to collect a half-million signatures for November referendum that would strike down new law

By Stephanie Warsmith
and Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writers

Published on Saturday, Apr 09, 2011

Ding. Ding.

Now it's time for Round 2.

While Gov. John Kasich and the Republican-controlled legislature won the first round of the battle over collective bargaining in Ohio, the Democrats and labor unions across the state plan to respond with a massive referendum effort to repeal Senate Bill 5.

They must collect nearly a half-million signatures in a few months and then persuade voters in November to go to the polls — in a municipal election that normally has a low turnout — and strike down this law that would limit the bargaining rights of about 365,000 public union workers, as well as many nonunion public employees.

Local labor leaders and union members are organizing to help the cause. They will travel together to Columbus — along with thousands of others across the state — for a kickoff rally at noon today (Saturday April 9) at the Statehouse. They are planning a coordinated effort, including starting a joint group, holding a seminar next week to educate people about Senate Bill 5 and offering a joint training session at the end of the month for petition circulators.

Read the rest of the story.

The Toledo Blade provided coverage of the Saturday Anti-SB5 rally, attended by about 11,000.

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Summit County GOP dinner draws 1,300

by Doug Oplinger on April 11, 2011 - 12:57 pm

in Mike Huckabee,Republicans


Published on Sunday, Apr 10, 2011

Beacon Journal staff report

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's visit to Akron was a big hit Saturday night.

The potential 2012 presidential candidate and Fox News commentator helped attract one of the largest crowds ever for the Summit County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner.

About 1,300 people attended the 79th annual fundraising event at the Quaker Station Ballroom on the University of Akron campus.

Organizers said they couldn't remember a larger gathering in recent years and attributed it to Huckabee's appearance and last year's positive showing by Republicans locally and throughout Ohio.
Huckabee wasn't available to the media before his speech.

Before speaking, he signed copies of his new book A Simple Government: Twelve Things We Really Need from Washington (and a Trillion That We Don't!) for nearly an hour. He also chatted with people and posed for photographs.

Al McCutcheon, 83, a retired Akron firefighter who lives in Tallmadge, ……

Read the complete story.

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Ohio job creation chief hurt in motocross crash

by admin on April 11, 2011 - 11:40 am

in Uncategorized

Associated Press

COLUMBUS: A Silicon Valley venture capitalist leading Ohio's job-creation efforts is recovering from a spill he took pursuing his passion for motocross biking.

Ohio Department of Development spokesman Jeff Botti says Mark Kvamme remains hospitalized Monday after being injured Saturday at a track in central Ohio.

Botti says he has no information on the nature of the injuries. He says Kvamme is expected to leave the hospital sometime this week but could not be more specific. Botti says Kvamme's schedule is being cleared through the end of April.

Kvamme was named Gov. John Kasich's job-creation director after his appointment to head the Development Department was challenged over his California residency.

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State moves forward with sale of 5 Ohio prisons

by admin on April 8, 2011 - 1:40 pm

in State budget

Associated Press

COLUMBUS: Ohio's prisons department is moving forward with its plan to sell five state prisons to private operators.

The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction began the bidding process for the facilities on Friday. The sale could generate $200 million for the state at a time it's facing an estimated $8 billion budget shortfall.

Department spokesman Carlo LoParo says about 767 state prison workers should be expecting layoff notices from the sale of the Grafton Correctional Institution in Grafton and North Central Correctional Institution in Marion. Buyers would have to give preference to existing employees when hiring.

The sale includes two privately-run facilities: North Coast Correctional Treatment Facility, also in Grafton, and Lake Erie Correctional Institution in Conneaut. That's in addition to a juvenile prison in Marion that closed in 2009.

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Kasich, House Republicans target teachers with new plan

by Doug Oplinger on April 7, 2011 - 6:35 pm

in John Kasich,Ohio legislature,Senate Bill 5,Unions,William Batchelder

The Columbus Dispatch is reporting that Gov. John Kasich and House Republicans are considering ways to implement provisions of Senate Bill 5, circumventing a petition drive that would put the new law on hold while it goes to a statewide referendum.

In a story by reporters Joe Vardon and Jim Siegel, the Dispatch reports that Republicans may add language to the budget bill that would single out teachers and immediately enact SB5 provisions regarding evaluations. SB5 requires that all pay now be linked to performance evaluations and not longevity.

Other provisions could be added to the budget bill, too, perhaps requiring opponents to launch yet another statewide referendum that would have to go on the ballot in 2012, even if they are successful at repeal of SB5.

When asked about the possiblity of adding new language to the budget bill, House Speaker William Batchelder, R-Medina, told the Dispatch: “these things happen.”

The full story is available on the Dispatch website.

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