On Tuesday, April 15 you will be asked to make a most critical decision on who your next Butler County Auditor will be. I humbly ask you for your vote and confidence for this appointment. Make no mistake, these are tough and trying times for Butler County and for the Party you and I both love.Okay...that's the letter... Now...time for my questions...
With the recent events surrounding the buyout still resonating like a shock wave throughout the county, it is obvious that we face an uphill battle in the November election.
That is why I wanted to cover two important issues, in my opinion, that pertain to this appointment. One is over the so called 'seat swapping' deal and the other is my approach and response to the buyout.
The fact of the matter is, I personally did not initiate the change of seats with Greg Jolivette and it was done in order to preserve the party and restore peace after a brutal and bitter civil war which has greatly dissipated much to everyone's relief. My intentions were to run after Greg had term limited however, the situation determined immediate action and the Party leadership in place, along with the State Republican Party at that time put all that together. The Hamilton Journal-News editorial agreed with this arrangement and the voters elected both Greg and I in the next election.
The other issue relates to the buyout situation. When all of this was about to happen I personally went to the commissioners and questioned it and felt that it was not in the best interests of the taxpayers or for the affected employees of the Auditors office. [MATT: Not] Attached, you will find a copy of my correspondence on the matter. The silence of both my opponents on this issue shows a lack of leadership.
I can't stress enough how important your vote is next week as it can make the difference of our Party remaining strong and united or if we will allow the democrats an opportunity to take away this extremely important position. I stand ready to serve, being well qualified and ready to do battle with the democrats and more important, protect and preserve our precious resources. Please honor me with your vote on Tuesday night.
Sincerely,
Courtney Combs
Let's start, again, with seat swapping. Mr. Combs, it doesn't matter if God himself initiated all of your seat swapping moves...THEY ARE STILL SEAT SWAPPING MOVES. And YOU agreed to them. And guess what, Mr. Combs...if the Central Committee of the Butler County Republican Party chooses to appoint you, this will be YET ANOTHER in a LONG LINE of seat swapping that you have agreed to.
Let's examine the Courtney Combs Legacy...
In November 1991, the Butler County GOP met to endorse for the '92 cycle. The reapportionment of 1991 creates a new vacant seat in the 60th district of the Ohio House. Courtney Combs "moves" into the district in order to run for the seat. Prior to the endorsement meeting, his residence had been on Leah Court in Hamilton. Upon losing the endorsement, Combs reclaims Hamilton as his place of residence. While he claims he moved to Milford Township, it is possible that he used a vacant farm as his residence. No one knows if his wife also changed her residence. Question: Why would he move back to Hamilton so quickly unless he never moved to Milford Township in the first place?
In June of 1995, the Butler County GOP met to endorse a candidate for the vacancy in the Ohio Senate. Courtney Combs finished LAST with five votes. This is the first year of his third term as commissioner.
In October of 1995, The Middletown Journal says, "Butler Commissioner Combs weighing elected office options." Having just lost the endorsement and the subsequent appointment to the Ohio Senate, Combs speculates that he may try to run against Nein in the March 1996 primary. Question: How much respect does Courtney Combs have for the party endorsement?
In August of 1997, The Journal News says, "Combs eyes bid for higher state office." Preparing to serve as president of the CCAO, Combs indicates that he would like to be considered for statewide office, possibly Lt. Governor or Secretary of State. He made this press statement while there was a vacancy on the county commission due to the death of Janet Clemmons, thereby adding more confusion to an already unfortunate situation.
In September of 1999, The Journal News says, "Combs targets 2002 bid for Ohio House." Failing to enter the endorsement battle for an open House seat in 2000, Combs announces that he will likely run for state representative in 2002. The assumption is that he will not run for re-election to county commissioner since he has already declared his interest for 2002.
In September of 2001, pressed by the interest of Joe Statzer to seek the county commissioner position, Combs reverses course once again and announces that he will seek re-election. He is endorsed by the other two sitting commissioners prior to the party endorsement.
In April of 2003, The Journal News says, "Combs, Jolivette could be trading positions soon." Courtney Combs, in announcing his interest in the switch of positions, is quoted as saying, "I've been on county commission for 17 years and I have enjoyed the work we've done. If the timing can be worked out, I would be interested in replacing Jolivette."
In May of 2003, the Cincinnati Enquirer says, "GOP calls off seat-switch." After the failed switch meeting of May 29th, Combs makes the following statement, "I never really got overly excited about this because I didn't really know how it was going to go. I was perfectly satisfied with being commissioner when this whole thing started." Question: Why the change in position since April 8th?
In July of 2003, the Cincinnati Enquirer says, "Combs to face Cates in primary." Just one month after he proclaimed that he was satisfied with being county commissioner, Combs now announces his interest in a third political office within the year. It was just six months prior that he was sworn in to his new term as commissioner. Combs states in the article that he has been interested for a long time in running for state office but says that it wasn't the right time earlier in his life to do so with the age of his children. Question: If that is the case, why did he try in 1991, 1995, and 1999 to run for the legislature? In 1991 and 1995, he was defeated for the party endorsement and in 1999 he was afraid to go up against the competition.
Final Question: If appointed Auditor, how long will it be before Courtney Combs starts eying somebody else's office?
Now...let's talk about the buyout situation...
As usual, a Butler County politician found a way to get his name in the papers. That is how I view Courtney Combs' valiant efforts on the part of the taxpayer. Question: Does Commissioner Don Dixon deserve any credit for stopping the buyout plan or is Courtney Combs the lone hero in this scenario? I have no choice but to question the motivations and the timing of Combs' actions in this situation.
Re: "The silence of both of my opponents on this issue shows a lack of leadership." Really? I don't think so. What it shows is that your two opponents have class enough to let the commissioners do what they need to do without having politics intrude. And that silence line is straight out of the Mike Fox / Rawnica Dillingham-Wilson-Dillingham-Ruscigno-Dillingham playbook and is as tired as the seat swapping.
Final Question: Do we really need yet another self-serving career politician who can't decide where his ambitions lie representing our interests?
UPDATE: Yeah, this guy infuriates me for some reason...
UPDATE 2: Oh yeah...stay tuned, my endorsement will be coming after we hear from all three candidates.
