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Wednesday, October 14, 2009
U.S. Rep. Boccieri endorses Fisher in U.S. Senate race
U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, on Wednesday, Oct. 14, endorsed Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher in the 2010 race for U.S. Senate.
Fisher is running against Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner for the Democratic nomination.
“I know that as our next U.S. senator Lee will be a leader on behalf of all Ohioans,” Boccieri said in a press release. He praised Fisher’s efforts at economic development.
Fisher said he was “honored” to have Boccieri’s support.
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Gov. Strickland stumps for Issue 2 at Columbus rally
On a stage decorated with bales of hay, eggs and shiny Ohio apples, farm boy turned Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland on Wednesday, Oct. 14, urged passage of Issue 2 on the Nov. 3 ballot.
“Agriculture has been the core of our economy since the founding of our state,” Strickland told a rally at Ohio State University. Strickland’s father worked in a steel mill, but the family lived on a small farm in Scioto County.
Passage of the proposed constitutional amendment would require creation of the Livestock Care Standards Board to prescribe standards for animal care and well-being with the goals of maintaining food safety, encouraging locally grown and raised food and protecting Ohio farms and families.
The rally was a bipartisan show of support, featuring Democrat Strickland, a video presentation from U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, and speeches by House Speaker Armond Budish, D-Beachwood, and Sen. Keith Faber, R-Celina.
Legislators put the issue on the ballot earlier this year after the Humane Society of the United States began talking with Ohio agriculture interests about efforts to improve conditions for housing chickens, hogs and veal calves.
Strickland and others said outside interests should not set the conditions for Ohio agriculture, which contributes about $93 billion a year to the state’s economy and provides nearly one million jobs in farming and farm-related industries.
An estimated 200 backers turned up at the Nationwide and Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center for the pro-Issue 2 rally.
Outside, Shelly Howe, 22, an Ohio State student from Akron, was among three protestors.
“We don’t believe it supports small, local farms,” said Howe, carrying a sign that read “Issue 2: Anti-Farmer.” The Humane Society of the United States also opposes the issue.
Paul Shapiro, a senior official at HSUS, said in a telephone interview that the board called for by Issue 2 would be industry-dominated and have the “foxes guarding the hen house.” Strickland and others said, however, it would be well-rounded, including representatives from family farms, food safety and other interests.
However, Tim Weaver, president of Weaver Bros., Inc., an egg producer and processor based in Versailles in Mercer County, said in an interview that the board is needed.
“It’s needed because we want to assure that we have safe, locally produced food in Ohio for Ohioans,” said Weaver, 60.
