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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > September
September 2009
Boehner asks for money, outlines agenda
With a key campaign finance deadline approaching tonight, voters are being beseiged with requests for campaign contributions today (I get most of them because I’m on the e-mail list for both major parties).
I thought this one from U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., was interesting, because it outlines what House Republicans see as their priorities:
Dear josh,
You’ve heard from Congressman Joe Wilson. NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions reached out to you as well.
Now I’d like to ask one more time for a generous contribution of $10, $25, or $50 to help us keep fighting the jobs-killing Obama-Pelosi agenda - don’t forget every dollar donated between now and midnight tonight will be doubled by my Republican colleagues.
In recent weeks we’ve launched several new efforts to stop wasteful government spending, and make Congress more transparent and accountable. For example:
We’re going after taxpayer funding for ACORN and calling for a federal investigation of the left wing activist group. Our bill, the Defund ACORN Act, would make sure that taxpayers don’t send another penny to this scandal-plagued outfit.
We’re promoting real health care solutions that will lower costs without adding to the deficit or creating a government-run “option.” Our plan would rein in junk lawsuits that drive up costs and allow individuals and small businesses to pool together and buy insurance across state lines.
We’re demanding that Speaker Pelosi post all major bills online at least three days before a vote, giving lawmakers and the public time to know what’s in them.
And we’re backing a proposal to end the bailouts once and for all, and stop Washington from picking winners and losers in the market.
I was recently asked how some of these new Republican efforts square with GOP management of Congress during our 12 years of control. My answer was simple: “It’s time to change a lot of things about how Congress works… whether we are the majority or the minority.”
And we’re not waiting until we have the Speaker’s gavel. We’re making sure voters know now what we’d do differently if given the chance.
We only have a couple of hours left before our FEC filing deadline. Help us finish the quarter strong, and show the left and their allies that Americans have had enough of the spending, taxing, and borrowing. I hope I can count on your help!
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TweetCombs blames House Democrats for stalling nursing home sexual predator bill
Press release from State Rep. Courtney Combs, R-Hamilton:
State Representative Courtney Combs (R- Hamilton) today expressed in a letter to Speaker Armond Budish (D- Beachwood) the need to appoint a chair to the House Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, which has been vacant since April. The previous Chairman Eugene Miller resigned to become a Cleveland city councilman.
“For almost six months, the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee has been without a chair and I find this greatly disheartening,” Combs said in the letter. “There are currently 21 bills assigned to the committee, yet the committee has only met twice and not once since April 2nd… The result of this committee’s inaction is putting our most vulnerable citizens at risk.”
Combs introduced House Bill 98 in March to add a new provision to the sexual offender registration law to ensure that management of long-term care facilities notify residents and sponsors when a sexual offender is taken as a resident of a facility. Recently, due to an analysis by the Columbus Dispatch, the bill has received attention from Governor Ted Strickland and State Attorney General Richard Cordray, saying they would support such legislation.
“These citizens are the elderly, the mentally and physically disabled, and those who could not otherwise take care of themselves,” Combs said. “In the state of Ohio these citizens could be housed with sexual offenders just released from prison and they would never know it - leaving them exposed to unspeakable dangers.”
The lack of action from state Democratic leaders has been a major source of weakness, according to House Republicans. Only recently has the governor appointed a director for the Department of Development, after going without for nearly seven months.
Here is the story we had about the Columbus Dispatch story:
More than 100 registered sex offenders live in Ohio’s nursing homes, which aren’trequired to inform other residents of their presence because of a gap in state law, a newspaper reported Sunday.
A comparison of state records of long-term-care facilities with the state’s sex offender list shows that 110 nursing-home residents and six employees are registered sex offenders, an analysis by The Columbus Dispatch found.
A gap in state law requiring notification of anyone who lives within 1,000 feet of a sex offender does not require nursing-home owners to inform residents.
About two-thirds of the sex offenders in nursing homes are from the most serious category, including offenders who have committed rape and kidnapping a minor. The number of registered sex offenders living in Ohio nursing homes has nearly tripled since 2004, according to the Perfect Cause, an Oklahoma-based nonprofit group that has been tracking sex offenders in nursing homes for five years.
“What we’re seeing is a truly disturbing and horrifying trend,” said Wes Bledsoe, head of the Perfect Cause. “We’re seeing a system that’s getting worse instead of better. We’re seeing more assaults in facilities. Many times the assailants are never charged.”
The organization has found at least 60 murders, rapes and serious assaults in nursing homes across the country by residents who are sex offenders. An 18-year-old mentally retarded woman was raped in a Cincinnati nursing home early in the morning of Aug. 21, 2005, by Rickey Smith, a registered sex offender living in the home.
Smith was convicted, served two years in prison, and now lives in a Cincinnati group home.
“I think he should have been chemically castrated,” said the woman’s father, Ray McDaniel, of Fairfield. He has become an advocate for stronger notification proposals at both the state and national levels.
Beverley Laubert, Ohio’s long-term care ombudsman, urged state lawmakers in an annual report releasedlast week to approve legislation that would close the gap for sex offender notification in nursing homes.
“Nursing-home residents have the right to be notified just like anyone else,” Laubert said.
But the administrator at the Ohio nursing home with by far the biggest concentration of sex offenders disagrees.
“We don’t notify, nor do we segregate,” said Paul Andrews of Carlton Manor in Washington Court House, where a convicted murderer and seven convicted rapists are among the 26 offenders living there. “All these people have paid their debt to society.”
Carlton Manor differs from the usual nursing home because it mixes in elements of a correctional facility, Andrews said. Security restrictions, full-time psychologists, social workers and a behavioral-care nurse protect the residents, he said.
Pete VanRunkle, executive director of the Ohio Health Care Association, said he is concerned about the lack of notification but also feels requiring nursing homes to notify residents would put them in a difficult position.
“There’s no provision in the law that says you can kick a person out for being a sex offender,” VanRunkle said.
The Buckeye State Sheriffs Association supports changing the law to require nursing home operators to notify residents and, in cases when residents have health problems such as Alzheimer’s disease, their families as well.
Bills have already been introduced in the Ohio House and Senate, and lawmakers are expected to take them up this fall.
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TweetState Rep. Combs: Feds have overstepped their bounds
Press release from the Cincinnati Tea Party:
The Eastern Hills Community Tea Party hosted Ohio Representative Courtney Combs Friday at a meeting held in Madeira. Representative Combs spoke about state sovereignty and the progress of HCR 11; a resolution introduced on March 18 of this year. The resolution, which Representative Combs co-sponsored, serves notice on the U.S. Congress that they have exceeded their authority under the tenth amendment to the Constitution. Observing the recent activism and rallies attended by frustrated taxpayers, Representative Combs said, “Politicians should know that this is real, that people are concerned….it’s not only Democrat or Republican, it’s all of us. I believe both parties have let us down.” Following his talk, Representative Combs entertained questions from the audience. Several of those in attendance remarked about the urgency of becoming more involved in the political process on the state and local level.
The language of H.C.R. 11 reads as follows:
To claim sovereignty over certain powers pursuant to the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, to serve notice to the federal government to cease and desist certain mandates, and to insist that certain federal legislation be prohibited or repealed.
A concurring resolution S.C.R. 13 was proposed in the Ohio Senate. The resolution was recently passed by the State and Local Government and Veterans Affairs committee and will be voted on by the full Senate where passage is expected. The House Resolution has had one hearing and no further action is scheduled.
Ohio follows several other states in proposing resolutions focused on stopping the imposition of mandates from federal legislators and agencies that are beyond the scope of their constitutionally delegated powers. Four states have enacted States’ Rights policies: Arizona, Florida, Montana, and Texas, while more than 60 percent of all states are considering such legislation, including Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
Here is a link to the Bill of Rights, including the 10th Amendment, which says:
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Any thoughts?
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TweetCounty commissioners to meet in Middletown
Press release from Butler County commission:
The Butler County Board of Commissioners will hold a commission meeting at the Middletown City Building at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, October 1.
To encourage citizen participation, the Board of Commissioners will hold one nightly meeting each month in a different city, village or township located in the county. The Board will announce future meeting dates and locations prior to each meeting.
Meeting agendas are available on the web at www.butlercountyohio.org/commissioner under “commission meetings.” Agendas are available the day before the scheduled meeting.
The Middletown City Building is located at One Donham Plaza, Middletown, OH 45042.
Directions from I-75 (coming from Dayton take 75 S, coming from Cincinnati take 75 N):
- Follow I-75 to Exit 32 (OH-122 W) toward Middletown
- Turn RIGHT onto OH-122 W
- Follow OH-122 W to downtown
- Turn LEFT onto Central Avenue
- Turn RIGHT onto Main Street (5/3 Bank will be on the left side)
- Parking is located on the RIGHT side across from First Financial Bank (One Donham Plaza)
Do you think a lot of Middletown residents will attend?
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TweetButler County roundup - Commissioner split on social services levy, talk of MRDD strike
Sorry. I’m a day late posting the goings-on from yesterday’s Butler County commissioner meeting. There were two notable split decisions.
One was a vote to reject a fact-finders report for an MRDD union contract:
The union representing Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities caregivers is not taking a strike off the table in their impasse with county commissioners.
Commissioners and the Professionals Guild of Ohio are deadlocked over a contract that calls for 2 percent annual raises over the next two years for 72 MRDD workers.
Commissioners voted 2-1 Thursday, Sept. 24, to reject a fact-finders report that sided with the union. Commissioners cited pay cuts and freezes made in most other departments to shore up the county’s ailing general fund.
“I would be giving raises to some while we’re doing cuts for others,” said Commissioenr Charles Furmon, who made the motion to deny the report. “Even though it’s a different fund, it’s taxpayer money.”
Commissioner Gregory Jolivette dissented, saying, MRDD isn’t a general fund department — its money comes from a local levy, and state and federal funds — and its finances are healthy.
“If the mental health fund was in jeopardy, we wouldn’t be taking it out on general fund budgets,” he said. “These people need our thanks and our appreciation.”
The fact-finders report notes that commissioners agreed to pay raises for this year for a smaller MRDD union and 126 non-union MRDD staffers.
MRDD Superintendent Chris Hurr said she was “disappointed” in the commissioners’ decision, and said the contract called for a pay freeze if MRDD’s finances ran into the red.
Union negotiator John Campbell-Orde said they’ll go back to the bargaining table and be flexible, but “We’re steadfast in believing that these employees deserve a reasonable raise or something equivalent to a reasonable raise.”
“In failing that, what we’ll have to consider is the next step in the process, which will be a potential strike,” he said. “That’s certainly always a last resort. The people I represent care deeply about providing services. They don’t want to strike unless they absolutely have to.”
The other was a split commission banter on combining social services levies into one. From today’s paper:
Butler County commission support for combining local social services levies into one, and creating a board to oversee it, is split.
Commissioner Charles Furmon unequivocally denounced the idea in a commission meeting Thursday, Sept. 25.
“In my view it creates another level of bureaucracy and more opportunity for political maneuvering and interference,” Furmon said.
He said letting a board divvy up levy funds “would question the intelligence of the voters” and “takes away voters’ opportunity to voice their approval or preference.”
Commission President Donald Dixon proposed the idea, advocating combining levies for developmental disabilities, children services, senior issues and mental health into one. This comes as a 2-mill senior levy possibly comes up for a vote next year after collecting more money than intended.
Dixon argued Thursday that it “deserves discussion,” saying it could streamline levy-funded agencies and keep the number of levy requests to a minimum.
“(It) provides for smaller government, it gives more buying power for taxpayers’ dollars,” he said.
This gives Commissioner Gregory Jolivette the tie-breaking vote on the issue, and he said he’s on the fence.
After the meeting, Jolivette said he supports Dixon’s idea of creating a board to review levy requests, but he’s reticent to combine social services levies into one.
“I think voters should be able to pick and choose which organizations they want to support,” Jolivette said.
Any thoughts on either of these issues?
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TweetJolivette - Lame duck, or ducking ethics charge?
Okay, I’ll admit, I created this post just so I could use this photo:
(Click on the image to enlarge)
On the right is Butler County Commissioner Gregory Jolivette, who is under investigation for hiring his son and daughter as county employees years ago. This has drawn several prominent Republicans to challenge him for the seat, which is up for a vote next year.
Do you think Jolivette will be cleared of the ethics charge, or is this his political end?
Someone found this photo in our archives. It appears to be from Damfest in 1989, I believe when Jolivette was on Hamilton city council.
I’m open to caption suggestions for the photo.
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TweetCounty commission agenda
Below is the agenda for Thursday’s Butler County commission meeting.
Anything look interesting to you?
(Click on the top right corner to enlarge)
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TweetCommissioner supports consolidating levies into one
Butler County Commissioner Donald Dixon wants a board established to oversee request for levies and possibly combine local social services levies into one.
This comes as the county’s elderly services board prepares for a levy renewal in 2010, after commissioners reduced collection on that levy because it was taking in more money than it needed.
Dixon believes a levy review board — consisting of people from the various agencies and members of the private sector — would be able to “justify services, justify expenses, make sure there’s no overlap, make sure they’re not heavy on personnel,” he said.
Ultimately, Dixon believes the county should consider merging Children Services, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, mental health, elderly services and more into one levy.
“My whole philosophy is to reduce the taxes and better coordinate and deliver services, and I think a levy review committee certainly puts us on that track,’ he said. “If this economy doesn’t rebound…everybody can’t be running to the ballot, because nobody will be successful.”
Mental Health Board Executive Director Terry Royer likes the idea. The board is looking to go to voters next year with a 1 mill, $7.5 million levy renewal.
Royer said mental health has always had a tougher time passing levies than agencies with a more emotional appeal, like MRDD, and a combined levy would reduce competition among agencies.
But MRDD Executive Director Chris Hurr — whose agency isn’t looking at another levy until 2013 — has concerns about a combined levy.
Hurr was an administrator in Montgomery County MRDD, which has a combined levy. She said it added another costly layer of administration, and doesn’t let voters chose which issues they support and which they don’t. Instead, it puts that decision in the hands of the board.
“There really needs to be careful consideration about the pros and cons, how much power do the people have about saying where the money goes and do you trust the people making that decision?” she said.
It can also turn the numerous smaller levies into one, double digit levy that voters may find hard to swallow, she said.
Children Services Director Jeff Centers — not planning a levy until 2013 at the earliest — said the idea is “worth exploring.”
“If I were a voter, I’d probably feel like I was getting nickeled and dimed by all these agencies,” he said.
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TweetSen. Cates, Sheriff Jones put forth bill to allow local law enforcement to enforce immigration laws
Press release from state Sen. Gary Cates:
State Senator Gary Cates (R-Butler County) gave sponsor testimony this morning before the Senate State & Local Government & Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Senate Bill 150, legislation that would give local law enforcement greater flexibility to assist federal officials in the effort to crackdown on illegal immigration in Ohio. He was joined at the hearing by Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, who also urged support for the bill.
According to an Attorney General’s opinion commissioned by Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper, under current law, a county sheriff has the authority to arrest and detain illegal immigrants who violate a criminal provision of federal immigration law. However, this authority does not extend to civil provisions of the law, which includes matters of deportation.
Senate Bill 150, which Sen. Cates introduced on June 29, would authorize a county sheriff, upon the request of federal immigration officials, to help in the investigation and apprehension of illegal aliens who violate civil provisions of the law. The bill would also allow county commissioners to direct local sheriffs to receive into custody anyone who is being detained for deportation or charged with a civil violation of immigration law by federal officials.
“Over the past several years, as our country waits for our leaders in Washington to enact meaningful immigration reform, Southwest Ohio and other regions of the state have seen a flood of illegal aliens poor into our local communities. This population growth has put an undue burden on local law enforcement and impacted the stability of local services, but our county sheriffs have been limited in what they can do to help alleviate the problem,” explained Cates. “SB 150 would give sheriffs and county commissioners—the men and women who have seen first hand the effect illegal immigration has had on public safety and social services—much-needed flexibility to help federal authorities pursue and apprehend illegal aliens.”
SB 150 is similar to legislation Sen. Cates sponsored during the 127th General Assembly, which was approved by the Senate 31-0, but stalled in the Ohio House.
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TweetTwo former Dynus employees set for sentencing
Sentencing dates have been scheduled for two key supporting characters in the Dynus Corp. saga that rocked Butler County government.
Former Dynus president Jim Smith is set for scheduling Dec. 2 after pleading guilty to bank fraud and testifying against Dynus owner Orlando Carter.
Smith’s testimony included claims that several county officials were involved in the company taking out millions of dollars in loans in the county’s name without county approval.
Former Dynus employee Karin Verbruggen is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 14.
U.S. Judge Sandra Beckwith will hand down the sentences, taking into consideration Smith’s and Verbruggen’s cooperation in Carter’s trial. Bank fraud carries a sentence of up to 30 years in prison.
No date is scheduled for sentencing Carter, who was found guilty last month on an 11-count indictment, including bank fraud and conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Former county auditor Kay Rogers, who pleaded guilty to bank fraud for her role in the deal, is also still awaiting sentencing.
The fiber optics firm Dynus collapsed after county officials learned the company had been borrowing money in the county’s name. This launched an FBI investigation that is ongoing.
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TweetDillingham enters guilty plea
From today’s paper:
Days before the beginning of a trial, Hamilton nightclub owner Rawnica Dillingham pleaded guilty to amended charges of violating the city’s adult-entertainment law.
The changes will remove her name from the case record.
Dillingham, as the corporate representative of V’s Nightclub, entered the plea to violating live dancing regulations and an underage alcohol offense on Friday, Sept. 18, according the her attorney, Louis Sirkin, a renowned First Amendment rights attorney from Cincinnati.
Hamilton Municipal Court Judge Daniel J. Gattermeyer fined Dillingham $2,500 for the dancing charge and $500 for the alcohol offense, according to court documents.
Hamilton police say some of the dancers were topless during the performance and touched patrons inappropriately. They were arrested on Feb. 24 at the nightclub, 1483 Millville Ave. Three of the dancers have pleaded guilty to the charges; cases against one dancer and a female patron are still pending.
The charges were orginally filed against Dillingham, but were were amended to name the nightclub as the defendant. The misdemenor charges are no longer a part of Dillingham’s history with the court, Sirkin said.
He added the plea is “good for both sides.”
Sirkin called the amended charge and pleas a “very practical resolution to a problem.”
Dillingham could not be reached for comment Monday, Sept. 21.
Sirkin said the February performance was intended to be a burlesque show and “once it got started, it was hard to control.”
He added the nightclub had held male dance show in the past with no problem.
Earlier this month, Gattermeyer denied Sirkin’s motion to dismiss the charges on grounds that the city statute was overbroad and in violation of the First Amendment.
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TweetHead of Catholic Democrats to speak to local PAC
Press release from Change Butler Political Action Committee:
Lisa Schare to speak at Change Butler Monthly Meeting
The next Change Butler general meeting will be held on Monday, September 28, at 7:30 PM in the multipurpose Room, of the East Butler County YMCA at 6645 Morris Road (corner of Morris and Princeton Roads), in Hamilton, OH 45011. The meeting is open to the public
The guest speaker at the meeting will be Lisa Schare, Chair of Catholic Democrats of Ohio. Ms. Schare is a successful educator, practicing artist, and community activist. She is also a candidate for the Cincinnati Public School’s Board of Education.
Change Butler, a progressive PAC has sponsored numerous events throughout Butler County including a press conference supporting Health Care reform on September 6 at the West Chester Library and has sponsored Butler County appearances by state-wide candidates including Jennifer Bruner, candidate for US Senator, and David Pepper, candidate for State Auditor.
More information about Change Butler is available on the website at www.changebutler.org.
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TweetPulled petitions and speculation in upcoming races
Update: Good catch, Don. It is indeed Michael Gmoser.
Here’s what we know and what we’re hearing about upcoming local races:
County commission
Lester “Butch” Hubble has become the first Democrat to pull petitions for Butler County commission. Hubble ran for commission last year against Commissioner Charles Furmon, running a low-key campaign and lost in a 60-40 landslide.
Incumbent Republican Commissioner Gregory Jolivette is seen by many inside and outside his party as a wounded lame duck, with a nepotism allegation hanging above his head. And we know that the county clerk of courts, treasurer, former West Chester Twp. trustee and two other party members aim to unseat him.
Rumor is former Middletown city councilman and candidate for state rep Paul Nenni, a Republican, is also weighing a run. We’ll see.
Prosecutor
Now that we know Prosecutor Robin Piper has his eyes on a judgeship, who would go after his seat if he won (though that race wouldn’t come until a year later)?
There are few offices more politically charged than a county prosecutors office, full of assistant county prosecutors who dream of being judges (often county prosecutors first). Piper referenced that in his release:
“There are some very experienced people serving the people of Butler County in the Prosecutor’s Office currently, but ultimately, it will be the citizens who decide. The office doesn’t belong to me, or anyone else, it’s only held in trust for the people of Butler County.”
Outside the prosecutors office, Hamilton attorney Michael Gmoser has made it clear he would like the job. The prominent Republican ruffled some feathers in both parties, though, when he sent out a request for support on law firm letterhead, which bears the name of John Holcomb, his law partner.
Holcomb, whose father was a very popular county prosecutor, is a leader of the local Democratic Party. And, it’s worth noting, there are those nudging him to run for the seat (or county commission).
Domestic relations court
I’m hearing that incumbent Domestic Relations Judge Eva Kesslar may have to fend off a same-party challenge from Barbara Schneider Carter, a Hamilton attorney and assistant magistrate in domestic relations court. Any thoughts on any of these races?
Permalink | Comments (55) | Post your comment | Categories: Board of Elections
TweetMRDD golf outing set for Sept. 28
Press release from the Butler County Board of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities:
The Even the Score Golf Outing will take place Monday, September 29 at Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown. The golf outing was an annual tradition for 12 years running. After a hiatus in 2007, the golf outing is back in full swing for the second year in a row.
Registration information is available on our web site, www.butlermrdd.org. The golf outing will kick-off with a Putt and Chip Contest for Special Olympic Athletes at 10:30 a.m. The contest will be the opening event of a day-long golf outing designed to raise recreational funds and awareness for individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities. Golfers playing in the outing will have an opportunity to see the Special Olympians compete before the shotgun start at 12:30 p.m. Dinner is also served.
The Arc of Butler County is sponsoring the Even the Score Golf Outing at the Weatherwax Golf Course in Middletown. The Arc is a non-profit human rights organization of family members and friends committed to improving opportunities for individuals of all ages with developmental disabilities. Proceeds from past golf outings have been used to organize and supervise recreation activities; subsidize transportation to activities, and provide seed money for new and innovative programs. Last year’s golf outing raised more than $9,000.
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TweetPiper on why he should be appeals court judge
Press release from Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper:
PROSECUTOR ANNOUNCES DECISION
Robin Piper, Butler County Prosecutor, announced today his candidacy for the Twelfth District Court of Appeals. He filed his petitions with the Butler County Board of Elections late Friday afternoon. Piper is running for the seat which will be vacated by the Honorable Judge Bressler at the end of the year in 2010. Judge Bressler cannot seek re-election due to age restrictions under current Ohio law.
In announcing his candidacy, Piper stated:
“I love the work we do in the Prosecutor’s Office and I’m proud of the accomplishments we’ve made. Holding the office in trust for the citizens of Butler County has been very rewarding.
I’ve been prosecuting cases for over 25 years and had a successful law practice. I have considerable experience and the intense work ethic I exercise as prosecutor will also be used if I’m elected Judge on behalf of the people in the Twelfth Appellate District.
Leaving the Prosecutor’s Office will be sad and hard to do, but the possibility of new commitments, as a Judge is exciting. I would be honored to have the opportunity to serve as a Judge for the Twelfth District Court of Appeals, and with deep respect and humility announce my candidacy today. The Honorable Judge Bressler will leave large shoes to fill, but I am up for the job and proud to serve, if entrusted by the voters.”
The Twelfth District Court of Appeals covers eight counties: Brown, Butler, Clermont, Clinton, Fayette, Madison, Preble and Warren counties. Fifty-one percent of the appeals involve criminal cases; 26% of the appeals involve civil cases; and 19% of the appeals involve domestic relations, juvenile and probate issues. The remaining 4% are classified as miscellaneous issues.
There will be two new seats open in 2011 and the General election to fill those seats will be November 2, 2010. The Primary election will be May 4, 2010. Both the Democrat and Republican parties will likely be endorsing their respective candidates in October or November of 2009. Warren County Prosecutor, Rachel Hutzel, has already announced her intentions to seek the seat vacated by the Honorable Judge Young who, like Judge Bressler, cannot run again due to age restrictions.
Piper ran for the County Prosecutor’s position pledging reform - the office no longer employs part-time positions. All Assistant Prosecutors are full-time positions, eliminating potential conflicts of interest. No cases for failure to prosecute timely have occurred since Piper took office. While Prosecutor, Piper instituted a Domestic Violence Unit, a White-Collar Crime Unit and re-shaped the Child Assault Task Force, and also dedicated assistant prosecutors to special assignments such as Animal Abuse and the Sheriff’s Drug Task Force. Enjoying trial work, Piper involves himself daily with the Trial Felony Division. His most recent trial was four weeks ago, being the week-long trial of Jerry Adams which resulted in convictions for Aggravated Murder and Possessing Weapons While Under Disability.
Robin Piper graduated from Miami University with a major in Public Administration. In 1982, Piper graduated from the University of Dayton School of Law. He became an assistant prosecutor in 1983 and was elected County Prosecutor in the year 2000. While an assistant prosecutor, he joined a special team of prosecutors indicting and prosecuting the inmates responsible for the Lucasville Prison riot in 1991. Piper has served on several community boards such as Red Cross, YMCA, and LifeSpan. He participates in several social clubs such as the Rotary, Elks, Exchange Club and the Masonic Lodge. Robin has helped to raise two children, who are now adults. He resides in Hanover Township in Butler County with his wife Nancy and their three dogs.
Often asked why he is running for Judge if he loves being Prosecutor, Piper replies:
“It’s true I love working with law enforcement and fighting for victims. I also enjoy and respect the employees in the Prosecutor’s Office, and I want to continue serving the people of Butler County. Doing so in another capacity sounds equally exciting and has immense opportunity for new challenges and professional growth. I enjoy research and writing, studying case precedent and finding the logic and common sense supporting the law. I’ll be a hard-working judge and serve all who come before the Court equally, with open-mindedness, respect, and an opportunity to be heard. The support and encouragement I’ve received while considering this move has been humbling and heart-warming.”
If Prosecutor Piper is not elected to the Court of Appeals in November of 2010, he would remain in his position as the Butler County Prosecutor until 2012 and could seek re-election. When asked, if elected Judge, who would fill his position, Prosecutor Piper stated:
“There are some very experienced people serving the people of Butler County in the Prosecutor’s Office currently, but ultimately, it will be the citizens who decide. The office doesn’t belong to me, or anyone else, it’s only held in trust for the people of Butler County.”
Do you think he would make a good judge?
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TweetCounty looks to cut back to ‘critical services’
The budget cuts aren’t over in Butler County government, and county leaders are assessing how deep they can cut before hitting the bone.
As they gear up to craft a 2010 budget — projected to come with a $5 million deficit — commissioners are asking every county officeholder to make a list of all their mandated responsibilities under state and federal law.
The goal, commissioners said, is to determine the minimum number of employees and resources needed to provide these “critical services.” Everything else is on the table.
This was a recommendation of the county’s Budget Work Group, an ad hoc committee of county elected officials trying to shore up the county’s budget.
Auditor Roger Reynolds, spokesman for the work group, gave an example from his office, which pays cuts checks to county vendors three times per week.
“If I scale back to only paying vendors once a week, I’m still meeting my mandate, but clearly there’s going to be a reduction to the services we provide,” he said.
There is a ripple effect to this he added, as some vendors offer the county low prices because they count on quick payment.
Commission President Donald Dixon praised the idea. “Without those tools, I would not have any idea where to make these cuts in the best place they need to be made,” he said.
Commissioner Gregory Jolivette said it will be an “interesting exercise.” But said it only works if other officials are honest. And he worried that it could be perceived as commissioners exacting too much control over other elected offices, when their role is only to approve the overall budget.
“You may not agree with what we feel is mandated, versus what you feel is mandated,” he said. “We’re not going to be going in and telling you what to cut or what to add.”
County officials say it’s hard to predict what next year holds, but if revenues and expenditure stay flat, they’ll be struggling with a budget hole up to $5 million. And cash reserves will be insufficient to absorb the shortfall, as it did this year after dozens of layoffs and millions of dollars in cuts this year.
In the meanwhile, county employees can only watch as their bosses sharpen the budget axe, and that’s taking a toll on morale, Reynolds said.
“There’s nothing worse than going to work and not knowing what’s going on,” he said.
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TweetCounty may tear down Seven Mile gas station
From today’s paper:
An eyesore that has sat abandoned in the heart of the village of Seven Mile for a more than a decade may be turned into a community park, Butler County commissioners said this morning.
County leaders Thursday, Sept. 17, said they would be willing to use part of a $4.2 million federal grant meant to improve the housing market on buying and tearing down an old gas station at the intersection of Ohio 127 and Ritter Street. This followed earlier objections from Commission President Donald Dixon, who worried that underground tanks at the old station might be leaking, which could cost the county untold millions.
Seven Mile Mayor Vivian Gorsuch told commissioners Thursday that Dixon’s comments concerned residents, who have been working to tear down the gas station since it was abandoned in 1995.
Commissioners said they would be on board if they could get an opinion from the county prosecutor or Environmental Protection Agency saying they would not be liable for any leakage.
“That has been an eyesore for a number of years,” said Commissioner Charles Furmon. “I don’t think we’re going to have another opportunity like this one.”
Gorsuch said she wants to pave the quarter-acre lot and “bring in things like a bookmobile, Flubs (ice cream shop), a farmer’s market.”
The abandoned property’s value is listed at $19,500 on the Butler County Auditor’s Office Web site, though the property also has liens against it. County officials estimate they can demolish the structure and remove the tanks for $32,000.
“We’re feeling we can get this done fairly cheap,” said Community Development Director Donna Everson.
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TweetCounty commission agenda
Below is the agenda for Thursday’s Butler County commission meeting.
Anything look interesting to you?
(Click on the top right corner to enlarge)
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TweetCounty needs volunteers for solid waste committee
Press release from Butler County:
The Butler County Recycling & Solid Waste Management District is currently seeking volunteers to serve on the Solid Waste Policy Committee in the positions of “public representative” and “industrial/commercial/institutional representative.”
The Solid Waste District Policy Committee is responsible for developing a 15-year solid waste management plan. Butler County is preparing to update its plan in fall 2009. This two-year process will include submitting a new draft plan to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in November 2010, with a final document due in February 2012.
The district is seeking two citizens to volunteer to serve as “public representatives”. Individuals, who wish to serve as public representatives, must be Butler County citizens who have no conflict of interest through affiliation with a waste management company or with any entity that is a significant generator of solid waste. The other position is that of “industrial/commercial/institutional representative.” This individual will represents a major generator of solid waste within the district.
Candidates should be able to attend six yearly meetings. The district may hold additional meetings on an “as-needed” basis, with no more than one meeting per month. Meetings are generally held in the morning, on the second or third Friday of the month at the Butler County Administrative Building, 130 High Street (located next to former Elder-Beerman) in Hamilton. Appointments to the Solid Waste District’s Policy Committee are for a two-year term.
To be considered for the “public representative” or “industrial/commercial sector representative” positions, please send a letter of interest and a biography or resume to the district. Applicants can mail letters and biographies/resumes to 130 High Street, Hamilton, OH 45011, or they can send a fax to (513) 887-3777, or they can send an email to Solid Waste District Coordinator Anne Fiehrer Flaig at fiehrerflaigea@butlercountyohio.org. The deadline to apply is Wednesday, Sept. 30. The district will review all submissions and select candidates by the end of October 2009.
For additional information, please contact Anne Fiehrer Flaig at (513) 887-3963. A copy of the current solid waste management plan is available at www.butlercountyrecycles.org - see “about us”.
The Solid Waste District is dedicated to promoting recycling, waste reduction and responsible disposal of all waste from households, commercial establishments, and industry to conform to Ohio EPA regulations.
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TweetCommissioners discuss funding library, tearing down eyesores with federal grant
From this story in today’s paper: Butler County commissioners debated whether to fund a new Monroe library but decided against tearing down an eyesore in Seven Mile with a federal grant meant to aid the local housing market.
The county is moving ahead with plans to demolish blighted homes, including seven in New Miami, commissioners decided Monday, Sept. 14.
Funding is coming from the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program, which allocated Butler County $4.2 million to tear down and rehabilitate blighted homes. Hamilton and Middletown each received separate slices of the program.
The county asked local governments to list properties that should be demolished. Countywide, officials hope to tear down roughly 50 buildings.
New Miami’s list included three dilapidaed buildings in a row on Cain Street.
But commissioners denied Seven Mile’s request to tear down a long-vacant gas station.
“If you open this up, and there has been leakage, and it’s migrated across the street… it’s into the water table, what are you going to do?” Commission President Donald Dixon asked. “You can’t obligate our taxpayers to something that could be multi-millions of dollars.”
Dixon argued that the program should tear down as many houses as possible to maximize bang for the buck.
But what if there aren’t enough blighted houses to obligate the federal dollars by the October 2010 deadline?
Community Development Director Donna Everson suggested the county include some big-ticket items, like the purchase of an unused building in Monroe for roughly $500,000 that the city council wants to turn into a library and community center.
Dixon said the building was overpriced and would be costly to fix up, and the city would be better served building a new library. “I don’t want to waste it just because we have it,” he said.
“I don’t want to lose it,” countered Commissioner Gregory Jolivette.
“I don’t think we should turn a blind eye to potential community projects,” he said. “Maybe there is some value to having a library in Monroe that would help with other development there.”
With Commissioner Charles Furmon absent, the issue was tabled for a later vote.
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TweetPiper campaigning, but not running for judge?
The Butler County Young Republicans are sponsoring a “meet the candidates” breakfast Saturday, Sept. 26 in West Chester Twp.
One of the featured politicos still hasn’t publicly said he’s running for office. Here’s the list:
- Robin Piper
- Rachel Hutzel
- Candidates for Commissioner (2010)
- Candidates for Fairfield Mayor (2009)
- Candidates for WC Trustee (2009)
Butler County Prosecutor Robin Piper has not publicly said he’s running for 12th District Court of Appeals as Warren County Prosecutor Rachel Hutzel has. He said in February:
“I have not made any declarations of my candidacy at this time,” Piper said. “There is a lot of hearsay and gossip out there.”
Maybe he changed his mind. But so far, the only one to pull petitions for the race next year is Democrat Bruce Carter, according to the county Board of Elections.
Here are the details of the Young Republicans event:
Saturday, September 26, 2009
9:00 - 11:00am
$30/person
Savannah Center
5533 Chappell Crossing
West Chester, Ohio
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TweetAlvarez on why he should be county commissioner
Here is a pamphlet produced by former West Chester Twp. trustee Jose Alvarez in his bid for the Butler County GOP’s endorsement for county commissioner (read about the race here):
(Click on the top right corner to enlarge)
AlvarezPamphlet What do you think?
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TweetEMA urges disaster preparedness
Press release from the Butler County Emergency Management Agency:
September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and the Butler County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) is encouraging individuals to plan for unexpected emergencies in their homes, businesses and schools.
NPM 2009 is focusing on changing perceptions about emergencies and helping Americans understand what it truly means to be ready. Being ready goes beyond smoke detectors, fire alarms and extra food in the pantry. Being ready means knowing what specific items to include in home preparedness kits.
“It is important to have a home kit in the event of an emergency. We suggest that citizens have enough items in their home kits to be self-sufficient for at least 48 to 72 hours. Individuals should restock their kits every six months or as needed. Kits should include enough items for all members in the household as well as pets,” said Butler County EMA Director Jeff Galloway.
Examples of items to include in a home kit are:
- Battery powered radio
- Flashlight
- First-aid kit
- Non-perishable food
- Bottled water
- Blankets
- Extra clothes
- Pet food
- Hygiene products
- Extra keys
- Extra money
On Sept. 12 and 13, the Butler County EMA will provide additional information on how adults, children and the elderly can prepare for emergencies at Great Miami River Days in Hamilton. The EMA will provide tips on how to prepare for natural or manmade disasters, such as hazardous material emergencies.
“A few simple tips, such as knowing how to properly store chemicals, having your home inspected to determine if it can withstand high winds and buying flood insurance to cover the value of your home and its contents, can make all the difference should an emergency occur,” said Galloway.
On Sept. 1, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) kicked off NPM by asking citizens to be better prepared for and more resilient in the face of emergencies. “National Preparedness Month is about building a culture of personal preparedness and shared responsibility across our country,” said DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano.
This year marks the sixth annual NPM. Ohio agencies, which include the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Central Ohio Transit Authority and the Ohio Community Service Council, have collaborated with FEMA and DHS to promote NPM.
For additional information, please visit www.butlercountyohio.org/ema or call (513) 785-5810.
The Butler County EMA coordinates activities to mitigate, prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters. The EMA strives for a safer future through effective partnerships that are committed to saving lives and reducing the impact of disasters.
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TweetButler County GOP announces candidate screening schedule
Press release from Butler County Republican Party:
The Butler County Republican Party will begin the screening of potential candidates for state, federal and county races on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 and Thursday, October 1, 2009. This will be for meetings to screen candidates for May 4, 2010 Primary election.
Anyone who wishes to appear before the screening committee for all offices must notify Sandy Ewen, Administrative Secretary, in writing no later than Monday, September 21, 2009. At 513-893-5292 or fax 513-858-4634.
The screening committee will interview candidates for the following offices on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.
- U.S. Congressional District 8
- Court of Common Pleas - General Division
- Court of Common Pleas - Juvenile Division
- Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations 1/1/2011
- Court of Common Pleas - Domestic Relations 1/4/2011
- County Court Area III
- Court of Appeals - 12th District 2/10/2011
- Court of Appeals 12th District 2/10/2011
- State Central Committee Man
- State Central Committee Woman
The screening committee will interview candidates for the following offices on Thursday, October 1, 2009.
- U. S. Congressional District 1
- County Auditor
- County Commissioner
- Ohio House of Representative 53rd District
- Ohio House of Representative 54th District
- Ohio House of Representative 55th District
Further, any Statewide Republican candidates interested in seeking the Butler County GOP endorsement are welcome.
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TweetHow many for tea?
While we’re on the subject of last weekend’s Tea Party rally, there’s something that’s been bugging me all week.
Our paper reported there were 18,000 people at the rally, citing an estimate by Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones. The Cincinnati Enquirer reported there were roughly 6,000 people, without giving a source. Pretty big difference.
I wasn’t at the event. Were you? How many people do you think were there?
On a related note, here’s a press release from the Cincinnati Tea Party:
People from every walk of life and every part of the United States of America are making their way toward Washington, D.C. today. Cincinnati Tea Party and Community Tea Party groups are joining with the 9/12 Project, Ohio Liberty Council, and other conservative organizations from Ohio to march together as representatives of the Buckeye state, on Saturday September 12 at the nation’s Capitol. There are forty-four buses from Ohio motoring toward Washington, D.C. and thousands of other people are flying and driving from the region to join with patriots from across the country for this historic gathering of concerned citizens.
The common thread for these citizen protesters is their participation in the ongoing battle in support of fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets. Saturday, September 12, they bring their wake-up call to the seat of power. The ‘silent majority’ is no longer silent.
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TweetVideo of Jean Schmidt, ‘birther’ at VOA Tea Party rally
Looks like a blogger caught an interaction on video between U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, and a woman who claims President Barack Obama was not born in the United States. Schmidt apparently agrees.
This happened at the Tea Party rally at Voice of America Park in West Chester Twp. last weekend:
Note the cameo appearances by Butler County Sheriff Richard K. Jones and Commissioner Donald Dixon toward the end. I’m told that was the VIP tent they were sitting at.
What do you think?
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Tweet‘Growing a new financial outlook for Butler County’
The Butler County Budget Work Group has assembled its first recommendations for addressing the county’s budget crisis (read about the background of the group here).
Commissioners accepted the recommendations last week and sanctioned the group as an official advisory group for the commission. This is a big win for the group, with includes commissioners, county Clerk of Courts Cindy Carpenter, Auditor Roger Reynolds, Domestic Relations Judge Sharon Kennedy and others.
The first recommendations deal with revising the county’s budget process to make it more transparent to other offices and the public.
Here is the document adopted by commissioners (specifically Don Dixon and Charles Furmon. Gregory Jolivette was absent from the meeting where the group’s findings were presented by Reynolds):
(Click on the top right corner to enlarge. Ignore the scribbles on the first page, that was me trying to get my pen to work.)
What do you think? Will these changes make a difference? What should the group propose next?
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TweetCounty funds adult protection over concerns of ‘slippery slope’ spending
In a split vote, Butler County commissioners decided this morning, Sept. 10, to divert roughly $366,000 from the flush elderly services levy to the cash-strapped adult protection division.
Commissioner Charles Furmon issued the dissenting vote, saying adult protective services was not the intent of the tax levy and using it for other purposes “will basically open the flood gates” for other entities wanting some of the levy funds.
“I believe this money should be used for the letter of the intent (of the levy),” he said.
Commissioners reduced the tax levy collection by one third this year after county leaders realized it was collecting far more than originally planned.
It is now projected to collect and use roughly $10 million this year, according to county Administrator Tim Williams. This is roughly what the program is expected to spend offering services to senior citizens, he said.
The county adult protective services division, on the other hand, is funded by the state, and had its funding severely cut by state lawmakers this year. That program investigates abuse and neglect of elderly residents.
“Adult protective services protects some of our most vulnerable citizens,” said Commission President Donald Dixon. “It’s unfortunate the state has seen not to fund that.”
“The (senior services) levy is certainly healthy enough to withstand this amount,” he said.
Commissioner Gregory Jolivette said he shared Furmon’s concerns about a “slippery slope” in levy spending, but said “the alternative, if we do not act…we run a real risk of doing harm to seniors in our county.”
“There isn’t any revenue source that’s taken a bigger hit than funding available for adult protective services,” said Assistant Job and Family Services Director Jerome Kearns
Kearns said they county prosecutor signed off on re-allocating the money.
Marilee Broscheid, chairwoman of the elderly services board that oversees levy expenditures, said she agrees with funding adult protective services. But the levy is up for renewal next year, and she is concerned about public perception that they’re using the money for unintended purposes.
“It’s just that this was not part of the purview before,” she said. “You want to be sure that everybody understands that we’re doing this for the elderly.”
“I think we’ve been good stewards of the money and we continue to want to do so,” she said.
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TweetThe mayor’s wife is ‘not impressed’
Someone just brought it to my attention that Vickie Ryan, wife of Hamilton Mayor Don Ryan, has her own blog. And her most recent post is about the Butler County commissioners considering following the lead of Commissioner Charles Furmon and cutting their own pay.
An excerpt:
And wouldn’t you know it, the very day I could make it all about me and my fascination with this date, one of our County Commissioners gets the press because he’s “on board” with another Commissioner who has already taken a pay cut. The “on board” Commissioner may have thought about this before. He probably waited to see what the other commissioners would do, if anyone would take notice. People sure did take notice and now he’s all for it. I am not impressed.
What would impress me is this: if every past County Commissioner (the “on board” Commissioner included) whose private job was involved in land development (realty, building, development) would give back their salaries for every year in their terms decisions were made that profited their own private businesses. Their “salary” for those terms (which they deserve) would be the business profit they gained from those decisions. How many aces of land were changed from farming to residential and business? How many subdivisions were built and roads widened? How many homes were sold and resold? It was double dipping of a different sort but this would right the wrong (ethical if not legal.) This is just my opinion, of course, one of those 09/09/09 things that just didn’t occur to me or anyone else until it was staring us in the face.
According to the dictionary a “nine days’ wonder” is “anything that arouses great excitement and interest, but only for a short time.” 09/09/09 is one of those things. Being on board for a personal pay cut may or may not be one of those things (if I had made a million from the county I might give part of it back. I’d think about it for sure.) Let’s just hope that the new scrutiny of who is in office and what they are doing in office isn’t a nine days’ wonder.
Your thoughts?
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TweetCounty treasurer cut her own pay, too
Considering all the discussion of whether Butler County commissioners should cut their own pay as one already has, it’s worth noting that Treasurer Nancy Nix did this in February.
Here is a letter she sent to commissioners Feb. 25:
Honorable Commissioners:
In light of the current economic conditions and its effects on the general populace, and in light of the County’s budget concerns and the many difficult, yet necessary decisions being made to fill the gap in the County’s general fund budget, I have made a personal decision to request a 5% reduction in my annual salary. I realize the actual dollar amount this represents will not have a noticeable impact on the General Fund budget; however, it is my attempt to personally do my part in support of this difficult economic time.
While my office has not yet reached the point of reducing services or lay offs, during our transition to a 40 hour work week, my management team was not afforded an increase in salary commensurate with increased hours. I feel their willing acceptance of this reduction in effective pay represents their support, and it is my desire to join them.
By copy of this memo, I am asking the Finance Division/Payroll Department of Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds’ office to accept my request, and effective immediately, until further notice, reduce my bi-weekly rate of pay by 5%, as noted on our bi-weekly worksheets for pay ending February 27, 2009.
What do you think?
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TweetFurmon cuts own pay, others considering same
Butler County commissioners have wielded pay freezes, pay cuts, furloughs, layoffs and more to slash their personnel costs and address a multi-million dollar budget shortfall.
But what about their own salaries? What are they sacrificing?
Commissioner Charles Furmon already cut his own pay, paying 10 percent of each paycheck back to the county for several weeks now. He did this with no press release or fanfare.
“I just felt that it was fair,” he said, referring to sacrifices made by staff during these “unprecedented times.”
County commission pay is set by state law based on the population of each county. By statute, Butler County’s three commissioners each make $76,976 this year. They received no pay raise from last year and are not scheduled to get one next year.
Commissioner Gregory Jolivette said he is considering donating an unspecified amount of his income to support his effort with local chambers of commerce to get more people to shop in Butler County.
“That way my cut could help spur more economic revenue for the county,” he said.
Commission President Donald Dixon said he would take a pay cut — 20 percent for all he cares — in a heartbeat.
“Sign me up,” he said. “We’re well compensated for what we do, in fact probably over-compensated.”
He said commissioners discussed the idea about a year ago, but it didn’t go anywhere.
“I don’t know what the consensus is today, but I’m on board for that,” he said.
There is no consensus required, according to Cheryl Subler, managing director of policy for the County Commission Association of Ohio. She said they can lower their salary on an individual basis or give some back to the county, citing a 2003 Ohio Attorney General’s opinion.
But two commissioners couldn’t force a third to take a pay cut, she said.
“This is a decision made on an individual basis,” she said.
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TweetSheriff’s deputies steamed at Furmon
Just came across this story in the Cincinnati Enquirer:
Beef keeps Furmon from hog roast
The annual hog roast, hosted by Butler County police lodges, happened as planned Wednesday night.
But Commissioner Charles Furmon, a retired Hamilton police officer, was a no-show.
He claims members of Lodge 101, which represents the Butler County Sheriff’s deputies, threatened to boycott the event or walk out if his family attended.
The beef, according to Furmon, stems from his July vote to approve millions of dollars in cuts to offset dwindling revenue returns.
Those cuts included $900,000 from the sheriff’s budget - a reduction that, after union concessions and a federal grant, meant layoffs for 21 part-time and three full-time workers.
“This is not personal. I’m just doing my job,” Furmon, a member of Lodge 38, said Wednesday. “We’ve cut everywhere. There’s only so much money coming in. To be fair, (these cuts) had to be done.”
In a letter to both lodges, Furmon wrote, “Please know that I have never bowed to intimidation, and I never will.”
He says he decided to halt a years-long practice of attending the roast, though, because he didn’t want to cause a rift between the lodges.
“I hope Sheriff (Richard) Jones and members of Lodge 101 will realize the depth and severity of these unprecedented economic times. Butler County is not alone. Economic problems are occurring all over our state and this country,” Furmon wrote.
He ended the letter by telling everyone to “enjoy the hog roast; it’s always a great party.”
The event, according to the invitation, brings together agencies throughout the county, and promotes camaraderie among members.
Jones did not return calls Wednesday. Brett Casteel, president of Lodge 101, could not be reached for comment either.
What do you think?
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TweetCounty auditor returning $251,100 to local communities
Press release from Butler County Auditor’s Office:
At a time when local governments are struggling to pay their bills and meet their obligations, Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds for the second straight year is sending money back to local communities.
By reducing administrative costs, Reynolds announced Tuesday that he is refunding $251,100 to the neighborhoods where the tax money was collected. Coupled with last year’s refund, Reynolds has returned more than $500,000 in less than 18 months.
“When I first took office in April 2008 we set aggressive goals to reduce spending, reform government and return tax dollars,” said Reynolds. “Those goals have not changed and this money we’re giving back reflects that commitment.”
The Auditor’s Office charges local governments a fee set by the State of Ohio for managing and distributing their tax levy money. State law allows any surplus fees to be returned -proportionately to the amount collected.
Reynolds pointed out that by reducing overhead and administrative costs he is able to put that money back to work for the benefit of local neighborhoods and taxpayers.
The Lakota Local School District is receiving the largest revenue boost with a refund of more than $60,600. Cash-strapped Butler County is being refunded more than $41,200 and the Fairfield City School District is getting nearly $27,000.
Since taking office, Reynolds has reduced Real Estate Department costs by 24 percent, or nearly $1 million. This sound, disciplined spending started immediately and within five months turned a projected deficit in the real estate assessment fund into a surplus of $256,300. That money was returned to local communities in 2008. Prior to Reynolds becoming auditor, the office had returned surplus fees just once in the previous 10 years. According to Reynolds, the returned money will be used to improve numerous local services including:
- Schools ($172,959)
- Public Safety - Fire, Police, EMS ($25,007)
- Special Services - MRDD, Children & Senior Services ($31,920)
- Road/Bridge Improvements ($2,767)
- General Funds/Other Services ($18,447)
It’s our job as elected officials to improve efficiencies and reduce the tax burden on the citizens of Butler County,” said Reynolds. “My office is operating at 2003 spending levels so I know it can be done. I challenge those receiving these funds to also spend the money wisely.
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TweetNix: “Oh, did I inadvertently break the law?”
The morning after sending a late-night e-mail to hundreds of people requesting support for her announced Butler County commission race, county Treasurer Nancy Nix said she realized her mistake.
Several of the people on that list were county employees, including a couple who are employees of her office. Someone called, she said, and pointed it out. “I went, ‘Oh, did I inadvertently break the law.”
She followed with another e-mail to those people the next morning:
“So sorry, guys, your county email was inadvertently in my email blast last night and should not have been. Please disregard last night’s email. You won’t be receiving anymore email blasts at work pertaining to campaign. Sorry again.”
She said she also called a couple county employees and apologized, and checked with the county prosecutor to see if she had inadvertently broken the law.
Ohio Elections Commission Executive Director Philip Richter said state law expressly forbids an elected official asking for financial contributions from current or future employees.
“That person could solicit contributions from recorder’s office personnel, auditor’s office personnel…but there are limitations as it relates to a person for whom that person will be supervising officer or is currently a supervising officer,” Richter said.
But Nix’s e-mail did not ask for money, only “support” and “help with phone calls, mailings or other organization.”
The law doesn’t speak directly to this, Richter said. And no written complaint has been filed, so his office will not conduct a query into the issue.
Nix, along with other prominent Republicans, is challenging Commissioner Gregory Jolivette for the GOP’s nomination. This follows revelations that Jolivette hired his son and daughter as county employees, though Jolivette said he was unaware he was doing anything wrong.
Jolivette said he doesn’t plan on making Nix’s e-mail into a campaign issue at this time.
“Everyone is entitled to a mistake,” said Jolivette.
Here is Nix’s e-mail, with the addresses of people it went to. This was taken from an anonymous letter, though its content was confirmed. You’ll have to zoom in pretty far to read the e-mail addresses. The underlining is mine.
(Click on the top right corner to enlarge)
What do you think?
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TweetWe want to hear your healthcare concerns
This newspaper would like to hear your stories, good and bad, about America’s healthcare system and whether you think reform is necessary.
Are you uninsured? Do you have a pre-existing condition that prevents you from getting insurance? Has anyone in your family had a fight with an illness complicated by a fight with an insurance company?
Are you a small business owner with concerns about what changes could mean to you? Are you a doctor, benefits provider or healthcare specialist? How do you feel about proposed reforms? Are you worried you can’t afford it?
We would like to hear your stories, and possibly contact you for an upcoming story about the healthcare debate. Please send your story, with your name, e-mail address and phone number to me at jsweigart@coxohio.com or call me at (513) 820-2175.
Permalink | Comments (0) | Post your comment | Categories: National issues
TweetButler County roundup - Paying for pay cuts, Monroe miffed
We have two stories out today featuring Butler County commissioners:
- In this story, commissioners discuss hiring a firm to look at the county’s pay rates and determine if it can save the county money on payroll. The company said it saved Vandalia a bundle, but the study itself is not cheap. The story has drawn a ton of comments.
- In this story, Monroe city officials send Commissioner Gregory Jolivette a map because they’re concerned he may not know what county Monroe is in (Spoiler alert: it’s in Butler and Warren counties).
- And for those looking for more info on the Tea Party rally, Dave Greber has a preview story here.
Any thoughts on any of this?
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TweetCommissioners to meet in Trenton
Press release from Butler County:
The Butler County Board of Commissioners will hold a commission meeting at the city of Trenton’s Civic Hall at 7:00 P.M. on Thursday, September 3.
To encourage citizen participation, the Board of Commissioners will hold one nightly meeting each month in a different city, village or township located in the county. The Board will announce future meeting dates and locations prior to each meeting.
Meeting agendas are available on the web at www.butlercountyohio.org/commissioner under “commission meetings.” Agendas are available the day before the scheduled meeting.
The Trenton Civic Hall is located at 11 East State Street, Trenton, OH 45067.
Directions from I-75
- Follow I-75 to Route 129 Exit (Veterans Highway)
- Turn right onto Route 4 (in Hamilton)
- Turn left onto Liberty-Fairfield Road (Shell gas station on your left)
- Liberty-Fairfield Road becomes Wayne Madison Road
- Turn right Hamilton-Trenton Road
- Turn right onto Rt. 73/State Street (Hamilton-Trenton dead ends into Rt. 73)
- Civic Hall on your right
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TweetTea Party rally update
Press release from the Cincinnati Tea Party:
The Cincinnati Tea Party is proud to partner with regional groups to present the Voice of America Freedom Rally, September 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Voice of America Park Museum in West Chester. The rally will feature America’s voice, along with the voices of average citizens who are becoming engaged in the political process and holding their representatives accountable. Music, entertainment, and booths begin at 1:00 p.m.; the speakers and town hall program begin at 2:30 p.m.
Our regional partners include the Cincinnati 9/12 Project, the Dayton Tea Party, the Indiana Tea Party, and the Ohio Liberty Council. All partners share in our vision of fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets.
Cincinnati 9/12 Project - The Cincinnati 9/12 Project’s mission is to take back our country by shifting power from Washington politicians to the people whom they represent. The intent is to regain the balance of power among municipalities, states, and the federal government as originally envisioned by our Founding Fathers and as originally captured in the Constitution. The organization was founded in February 2009 as part of a national initiative to unite all Americans─regardless of political orientation─in pursuing events and actions that drive our politicians to follow Constitutional principles and values. They will be rallying at the 9/12 event in Washington, DC, on September 12.
Dayton Tea Party - The Dayton Tea Party is a grassroots, nonpartisan group opposed to wasteful government spending. It is made up of students, homemakers, working people, and professionals from all political persuasions.
Indiana Tea Party - The Indiana Tea Party’s mission is to restore limited government, fiscal responsibility, and accountable representation through citizen activism and education, in order to preserve the Constitution for the United States of America. This group has been an active voice in events such as the Patients First “Hands Off My Health Care†bus tour, the Lafayette Tea Party at the offices of Senators Lugar and Bayh, the ACORN counterprotest in Fort Wayne, the Tax Day Tea Party, and the Independence Day Tea Party. They, too, will be rallying at the 9/12 event in Washington, DC, on September 12.
Ohio Liberty Council - The Ohio Liberty Council is a coalition of nonpartisan groups in Ohio, including the Americans for Prosperity, Buckeye Firearms Association, Central Ohio 9/12 Project, Cincinnati 9/12 Project, Cincinnati Tea Party, Columbus Tea Party, Dayton Tea Party, Ohio Free State Organizations, Ohio Freedom Alliance. The council began in June 2009 as a way to connect liberty-minded Ohioans. The group communicates on issues, but more importantly, seeks to create concerted action among the groups. By working together, the council intends to achieve real results to protect and promote liberty in Ohio. The most important issue facing Ohio is state sovereignty, which will be the initial focus of the group.
America’s voice will be heard on September 5, as it was during World War II, from the historical site of wartime broadcasts that were heard around the world. The very first VOA program in 1944 began, “We shall speak to you about America and the war. The news may be good or it may be bad, but we will tell you the truth. (Source: Ohio History Central, An Online Encyclopedia of Ohio History)
National Involvement
September 5 also marks the first round of national Stand Up for Liberty events. The Voice of America will be in the community of West Chester, Ohio. The Stand Up for Texas event in Austin is presented by Texas liberty groups, including the Tea Parties from Austin, Baytown, Beaumont, Dallas, Houston, Katy, Lufkin, McAllen, Mount Pleasant, San Antonio, Sugar Land, and Wichita Falls.
Town Hall Participants
The following leaders have accepted the Cincinnati Tea Party’s invitation to answer questions in a town hall setting at the Voice of America rally:
House Minority Leader John Boehner
Ohio gubernatorial candidate John Kasich
Representative Jean Schmidt
Rally Location
Front lawn of the Voice of America Park Museum 8070 Tylersville Rd. West Chester, Ohio 45069
There are 3,502 RSVPs as of August 30. To RSVP, go to http://cincinnatiteaparty.org/Events/voarally2009.htm.
About the Cincinnati Tea Party
The Cincinnati Tea Party is a grassroots, nonpartisan group opposed to wasteful government spending. Our core values are fiscal responsibility, limited government, and free markets. Our goals include influencing elections for the betterment of America, promoting state sovereignty (Federalism), and compelling our elected officials to comply with the Constitution as written by our Founders. The Cincinnati Tea Party was founded by a group of lifelong Cincinnatians in February 2009. In April 2009, Community Tea Parties were launched to allow local leaders to spread the core values at the neighborhood level.
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