News hounds (5/24/12)
Fenwick vs. Felicity
Meadowdale graduation 2012
Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2008 > October > 07
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Voter rolls surge
Monday was the last day to register to vote in Ohio, and register — and vote — people did in Butler County (with a little encouragement from Cuba Gooding Jr).
The Ohio Secretary of State’s office released today the number of voters who have registered this year. It totals 665,949 statewide (bringing the total to 8,184,138 active voters) and Butler County ranked fourth in the country with 29,671 new voters (bringing the local total to 258,055).
Here are the top ten in the state (rank/county/total voters on Jan. 1, 2008/total on Oct. 6, 2008/net change):
- CUYAHOGA/973,831/1,096,449/122,618
- FRANKLIN/761,806/829,427/67,621
- HAMILTON/549,743/596,722/46,979
- BUTLER/228,384/258,055/29,671
- SUMMIT/345,340/374,042/28,702
- MONTGOMERY/354,972/382,842/27,870
- STARK/243,349/268,518/25,169
- LUCAS/286,145/310,905/24,760
- LORAIN/184,296/201,001/16,705
- CLERMONT/120,200/133,785/13,585
From Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner:
“We are already seeing the results of our preparation for November, with absentee voting a success across Ohio and 665,949 active voters added to the rolls. These are Ohioans from every corner of our state who can now take part in our democracy. Ohioans and, indeed the nation, can be confident that our preparation is yielding successful voting administration in 2008.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Nix: County public funds are safe
In light of turmoil on Wall Street and concern over whether the recently passed federal bailout will work, Butler County Treasurer Nancy Nix issued this statement today:
County Investments/Public Funds: They Are Safe
Butler County Treasurer Nancy Nix wants to assure residents of Butler County that during the current turmoil and uncertainty on Wall Street, the County’s investments of public funds remain safe.
“Butler County’s investment portfolio is safe. We have not invested in any mortgage backed securities. Our assets have the full support and backing of the Federal Government. We have a high quality portfolio that is conservative in nature and in full compliance with investments allowed by law for public funds,” said Treasurer Nix.
Treasurer Nix explains the make up of the County’s portfolio: “Butler County’s investment portfolio contains non-mortgaged-backed, direct obligations of U.S. Federal Agency securities. Our assets are held at the Federal Reserve Bank, through a custodian bank. The primary focus for management of the County’s portfolio is protection of principal and maintenance of liquidity. At any given time, our portfolio contains access to sufficient liquidity to meet the County’s obligations.”
Management of the County’s investment portfolio will continue with a conservative and safe strategy as determined by the Investment Advisory Committee in accordance with Ohio law and the County’s Investment Policy.
On a related note, I spoke to Butler County Administrator Tim William earlier this week about how all of this effects the county. He said, in short, that it doesn’t effect Butler County as much as some other places. Said he:
“Butler County is fortunate with our bond rating (AA2)…so we’re one of the people that are not going to have problems in the future if we need to raise money via some bond or note. (and) We’ve been fortunate that we are still experiencing some commercial growth, which is offsetting the downturn.”
Are you comforted by this news?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment |
Combs v. Keith for state House
From this story on the race between incumbent Courtney Combs and challenger Ken Keith for the state House’s 54th District:
Keith criticized his opponent for going after the Butler County auditor’s position when it became available earlier this year.
“Combs was ready to jump ship in the middle of his term. Is that someone you want in the office?”
Combs said his experience in politics makes him a better candidate than Keith.
“At this point in time, it’s very essential to have people in public office that can point to their record and show what has effectively been done.”
The 54th District includes Hamilton and the surrounding environs.
What do you think?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Statewide issues
Niehaus renaming ceremony Wednesday
The Butler County Juvenile Justice Center will be renamed in honor of the late Juvenile Judge David Niehaus Wednesday, Oct. 8.
A naming ceremony is scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the building, 280 N. Fair Avenue in Hamilton. It will feature speeches for elected officials, community leaders and Niehaus’ wife and son.
“This ceremony is just a small gesture to show our deep appreciation and respect for a life well lived,” said Butler County Commission President Charles Furmon. “Judge Niehaus was a leader, a friend and someone who never stopped fighting for our area children. He will be deeply missed.”
Judge Niehaus passed away unexpectedly on July 31 after serving the Butler County community for more than 40 years. During his career in Butler County, Niehaus served as a juvenile court probation officer, juvenile court referee, probate division common pleas judge, and went on to become the first juvenile court judge in Butler County.
“We are renaming the Juvenile Justice Center in honor of Judge Niehaus so that generations to come will know what an impact the judge had on our community,” said Commissioner Gregory Jolivette. “He was someone who always put his obligation to the children and families of Butler County first.”
Commissioner Donald Dixon said Niehaus, “left an everlasting impression on the Butler County community and it is only fitting that we rename the Juvenile Justice Center in his honor.”
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Crime and courts
Who will get vets’ vote?
It may not always be who you think. In this story that ran in our newspaper Sunday, writer Rick McCrabb compares how Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama are ranked by national veterans group.
Of course, veterans are far from in the bag for Obama. Here’s another story from that day on how Butler County veterans’ attitudes are split. It also includes insight from David Spencer and Keith Maupin, both of whom lost sons in the line of duty in Iraq.
Are you a veteran? Which candidate are you supporting?
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: Presidential race
