Arshinkoff Bullies Local Business Owner

This just in...

AKRON, OH - The Chairman of the Summit County Republican Party has threatened to cancel the party's Central Committee organizational meeting at Akron's Tangier restaurant if his rival for the chairmanship is allowed to hold a reception on site.

Alex Arshinkoff called Tangier owner Ed George today, saying he would pull the Central Committee event scheduled for Wednesday March 30 unless George cancelled rival Carol Klinger's reception, scheduled just before the Central Committee meets. George informed Klinger by phone that her event was being cancelled.

Let's review Alex Arshinkoff's recent desperation moves:

• He has denied using party money for his desperate attempt to cling to power, then has turned around and admitted it in his annual Chairman Club fundraising letter.

• After scheduling the Central Committee meeting for March 21st, he postponed it to the last possible day the law allows.

• While he stalls the meeting, he's hired a telemarketing firm to poll Central Committee members of their support.

• He's sent out misleading letters to Central Committee members with falsehoods about Carol Klinger and her supporters.

"Alex's attempt to deny me a chance to meet with the members of the party's governing committee are pathetic," Klinger said. "Last time I checked, this is still America. This is another example of why I want to bring new leadership and new direction to our party. I want a party that represents integrity and treats people with respect."

Klinger still intends to greet Central Committee members at the event.

"This is just another example of Arshinkoff's heavy-handed behavior with local leaders," former Fairlawn mayor Pete Kostoff said. "This time, he's beating up a local business owner. It's clear that Arshinkoff has no interest in a fair vote on his leadership or in a free exchange of ideas to make our party stronger."

State Senator Kevin Coughlin believes Arshinkoff's latest outburst will help undecided Central Committee members vote for change.

"I wonder if Alex's major donors are proud of him now," Coughlin said. "Once again, the chairman's child-like conduct has brought embarrassment to the Republican Party."

This Alex guy sure is a schmuck...