Coughlin Letter to Summit County GOP Central Committee

This just in...

Dear Fellow Central Committee Member,

Recently, Carol Klinger sent you a copy of her proposed Articles of Regulation for the Summit County Republican Party for your consideration. This week, Alex Arshinkoff followed suit and issued his own version of party rules. Make no mistake - the rules proposed by Carol Klinger:

• Keep the basic powers of the party in the hands of the duly-elected Central Committee;

• Allow for greater participation in the party;

• Guarantee a secret ballot in all votes all party officers;

• Guarantee a vote on the party chairmanship by the duly elected Central Committee;

• Provide fiscal and ethical accountability.

The rules proposed by Alex Arshinkoff violate the spirit of all we are trying to improve in the party. His proposed Code of Regulations:

• Denies the Central Committee its right to elect the party chair/Executive Committee chair. Arshinkoff declined to run for reelection to the Central Committee, denying voters in his precinct a referendum on his leadership. Now he is trying to avoid a straight up or down vote on his leadership by the governing committee of the party. (Page 12, 5.7(a)(i)

• Allows for Arshinkoff to weasel his way out ofsecret ballotillg in elections for party officers. (Page 19, Section 8.7(b» What does it meall to you that Alex Arshinkoff fears a secret ballot? The media and even his own supporters publicly admit that Arshinkoff cannot win if the votes are conducted by secret ballot.

• Hands over the power to Arshinkoff's hand-picked Executive Committee to fill vacancies on Central Committee and in candidate races and public offices, and to endorse in all races. These are basic powers that should be reserved to the duly-elected Central Committee. Otherwise, we're just here to hand over all the power and go home for the next two years;

• Seeks to exclude individuals from serving in party leadership, limiting the talent pool from which we can select. Arshinkoff's rules would bar any public official, anyone working at one specific law firm, and anyone with a job, from being Central or Executive Committee chair. On that last note, I would call your attention to the fact that Stark County Republicans have just named the deputy director of their Board of Elections as party chairman. He will work 9-5 at the Board and fulfill his party obligations around his work schedule. Stark County, incidentally, is a far more successful county party by every measure.

• Locks the party into the current headquarters location for no apparent reason.

These proposed rules should be viewed for what they are - an attempt to solidify Alex Arshinkoff's grip on the party organization and continue business as usual.

As we come together Wednesday evening, let us remember that as members of the Central Committee, we are the governing body ofthe Summit County Republican Party. This important power is granted by Ohio law. The committee has the freedom to organize the party in any way it deems appropriate.

I would urge you to speak up and:

• Demand a secret ballot and a fairly-run meeting;

• Resist Alex's demand that we vote our power to govern the party away to his hand-picked clique.

• Vote for reform-minded candidates to party leadership;

• Adopt Articles ofRegulation that truly change our party for the better, allow more people to direct the party, and create real accountability.

Kindest regards,
Kevin Coughlin
State Senator