The Cincinnati Enquirer just realized that there is a hot race brewing over in Butler County and decided to do a story on it. I am especially fond of how they include anti-Furmon rants from Dillingham in the section on the incumbent, but there is zero criticism of Ms. Wilson-Dillingham-Ruscigno in the section on the challenger. Maybe Amber Ellis, the brave reporterette on the story, ought to read a little more WMD...Anyway...at the end of the piece, Amber gives us this bit which is quite interesting...
Despite differences in age, personality and leadership style, a closer look at issues in Butler County shows Furmon and Dillingham have more in common than voters may realize.All of which is fine and good.
Here's what they had to say:
On illegal immigration: Both candidates support Sheriff Richard Jones, who's known for his outspoken stance against illegal immigration. They back his recent move to train deputies who now have certain immigration enforcement powers.
On Butler County Children Services: Both candidates say they support a 2-mill replacement levy. Furmon said he would not commit to backing an increase in November because he's not certain it will be needed. Dillingham criticized the idea of asking voters to decide on levies twice in the same year. She says more cuts and cost-saving moves can be made before asking for a bigger levy. For example, she suggested creating a temporary home where children can go while caseworkers take the extra time needed to find foster homes in the county - a move that could reduce the costs involved with sending about 70 percent of the children who need foster care outside of the county. Both candidates said the Children Services agency is moving in the right direction, but more needs to be done.
On economic growth and development: Both said they were pleased with the pace of growth in the newer areas of the county, such as West Chester Township. Both also expressed concerns about the older cities of Middletown and Hamilton. Furmon said he wants to continue bringing in big-name employers, such as the Ikea store under construction in West Chester. But he also wants to focus on redeveloping blighted areas. Dillingham suggested that the county move more of its offices into revamped abandoned buildings instead of spending millions on new structures.
On the budget: Furmon said he is happy with the spending levels in the county's nearly $93 million budget. He cautioned that commissioners will have to watch for the impact of the slumping housing market. Dillingham said she'd call for an outside audit of every department because she believes additional money can be saved.
Exit Question: Will we EVER see a 527 media outlet do a story on the Dillingham's lawsuit against Wal-Mart or their problems paying their taxes? Time is a ticking...
2/22/08 UPDATE: Modern Esquire has very important points in the comments that I want to enter in to the permenent record by front-paging:
did you catch this line in the Journal-News from Lady Di:The idea that Ms. Wilson-Dillingham-Ruscigno would run the county budget like she has her campaign is RICH!
"My opponent is supported by wealthy developers and special interest groups and, as you can tell from my report, I am supported by every day Republicans and self-financing as well."
(Oh and her campaign is [in] debt. But it's not like she has a history of having problems paying her bills.)
First, it basically says I'm getting chump change and the rest I'm fronting the tab. I'd really like to know how much she and her husband are self-financing this campaign.
Second, there's this throwaway line on her campaign website and advertising materials:
"I will oversee the county budget with the same attitude that I oversee my own."
Ironic, no?
Third, I wonder how Carlos Todd likes her anti-developer rhetoric? This girl says she's a "real" Republican, but this is exactly the same kind of anti-development rhetoric Dennis Kucinich has been using to fundraise against his main primary challenger.
Bounced checks, deficit spending, yeah, Lady Di is a real Republican alright, right in the Bob McEwen mold.
I can't believe she's spent two years on this campaign, and this is the best she can come up with. And I'm utterly amazed that nobody has called her out on the delinquent tax issue.
UPDATE:
