Butler County Auditor Releases Triennial Values for 2011

Release:

HAMILTON, OHIO – Butler County Auditor Roger Reynolds announced today the results of the recent triennial property value update.

Homeowners will be most interested in how residential property values
faired. Countywide, home values declined an average of 4.3 percent.

In addition to the decline in residential values, commercial and industrial also fell. However, agricultural values bucked the trend and moved higher in value. If not for the state’s recent increase in agricultural values, the overall total taxable property value decline in the county would have been greater.
Soon, property owners will see a mailer from the Auditor’s Office that includes their 2011 valuation.

This triennial update, conducted by the Auditor’s Office and mandated by the State of Ohio, was based on a sales/market analysis of valid sales in conjunction with a similar study by the state. The revaluation does not include foreclosure, sheriff or bank sales.

“In 2009 we opted to reduce residential property values even though it was not a mandated revaluation year. It was an unprecedented move which turned out to significantly soften the blow on the 2011 trienniel reductions,” Reynolds said.

“Without the reductions in 2009 we would be facing double digit
declines this year.”

While some home owners will see their property taxes drop as a result of lower values, others will not because of newly voted levies. In areas where new levies were passed, such as the Fairfield City School District’s 6.5 mill school levy, taxes will most likely increase even though values declined.

An analysis of the auditor’s appraised residential values versus actual valid, arms-length sales the past three years shows that the office is being conservative. The average sale price of these 9,020 properties was $136,620 and the average appraised price by the Auditor’s Office was $133,606.

The entities that saw the largest residential decline in value include Middletown (8.0%), Hamilton (6.9%), and St. Clair Township (5.9%).

The decline in values will save most property owners a few dollars off their next tax bills. The decline will also impact local government funds. When base values are lower, the inside millage (10 mills can be collected as a levy without being voted on by the people in the taxing district) is lower, thus the general funds of the government will be lower. However, the impact will be less dramatic than in many
Ohio counties, and could have been much more severe. Reynolds’ decision to implement the 2009 property revaluation created a gradual adjustment instead of a one-time shock to local government.

As always, the County Auditor acknowledges that the revaluation is open for property owners to challenge with evidence of real discrepancies. “There is a county Board of Revision for home owners who may not agree with their appraisal, and we encourage them to have their property value reviewed if this is the case. They have until April 2 to apply for revision, and can do so by calling our office or visiting our website.” Reynolds said.

Reynolds acknowledged the challenges in conducting the 2011 triennial brought on by the tumultuous real estate market. “The decline in real estate values over the past four years has everyone frazzled. The record-numbers of distressed properties in the urban areas are clearly driving the market. As such, we have retooled our appraisal processes in order to properly value these neighborhoods,” Reynolds said.
“Overall, we were fair, accurate and diligent to reflect the true property values in Butler County. It was an arduous task, but worth the effort to bring values in line with market conditions and protect county taxpayers,” Reynolds said.

Residential Values
11TY
10TY
Middletown
% Change
432,077,810
469,671,850
-8.0043%
Sharonville
34,386,520
37,030,210
-7.1393%
Hamilton
608,755,500
653,755,290
-6.8833%
St Clair Twp
50,631,440
53,818,490
-5.9218%
Lemon Twp
13,171,720
13,893,680
-5.1963%
Fairfield Twp
381,071,380
400,667,020
-4.8908%
Oxford Twp
45,598,210
47,925,360
-4.8558%
West Chester Twp
1,194,440,030
1,254,775,380
-4.8085%
Seven Mile
10,472,960
10,991,150
-4.7146%
Milford Twp
56,595,750
59,262,780
-4.5003%
Liberty Twp
692,756,670
721,586,340
-3.9953%
Hanover Twp
141,117,950
146,884,220
-3.9257%
New Miami
18,078,860
18,809,150
-3.8826%
Wayne Twp
66,166,170
68,560,730
-3.4926%
Ross Twp
150,863,000
155,458,030
-2.9558%
Fairfield Corp
580,660,850
598,328,270
-2.9528%
Trenton
144,395,760
148,647,750
-2.8604%
Jacksonburg
750,110
770,360
-2.6286%
Madison Twp
130,795,030
133,403,190
-1.9551%
College Corner Corp
1,516,610
1,544,780
-1.8236%
Somerville
2,789,370
2,836,530
-1.6626%
Millville
10,164,710
10,255,060
-0.8810%
Monroe
194,272,710
195,277,310
-0.5144%
Reily Twp
48,583,190
48,773,840
-0.3909%
Morgan Twp
111,191,460
111,596,620
-0.3631%
Oxford Corp
192,882,010
191,570,490
0.6846%
County Value (Res Only)
5,314,185,780
5,556,093,880
-4.3539%
Overall Value
11TY
10TY
% Change
Middletown
629,063,320
690,790,990
-8.9358%
Hamilton
828,698,560
895,754,320
-7.4860%
Sharonville
43,299,200
46,478,210
-6.8398%
West Chester Twp
1,784,700,760
1,890,480,730
-5.5954%
Fairfield Corp
954,532,440
1,005,752,750
-5.0927%
Seven Mile
11,656,490
12,256,520
-4.8956%
New Miami
20,912,270
21,781,790
-3.9920%
Lemon Twp
29,644,870
30,786,950
-3.7096%
Fairfield Twp
418,946,220
434,826,150
-3.6520%
Liberty Twp
774,245,730
803,357,650
-3.6238%
St Clair Twp
126,052,070
130,606,330
-3.4870%
Trenton
171,652,080
177,143,210
-3.0998%
Hanover Twp
217,914,080
224,458,830
-2.9158%
Monroe
299,496,430
307,881,670
-2.7235%
Jacksonburg
776,530
796,300
-2.4827%
Ross Twp
184,339,060
188,422,510
-2.1672%
Somerville
3,054,340
3,105,920
-1.6607%
College Corner Corp
2,333,590
2,357,620
-1.0192%
Oxford Corp
294,859,530
296,364,250
-0.5077%
Madison Twp
218,286,490
219,294,290
-0.4596%
Milford Twp
77,659,520
77,807,220
-0.1898%
Oxford Twp
64,384,720
64,386,830
-0.0033%
Morgan Twp
173,152,430
172,884,990
0.1547%
Wayne Twp
89,333,340
88,991,610
0.3840%
Millville
11,859,070
11,807,470
0.4370%
Reily Twp
70,464,270
67,292,570
4.7133%
County Value (inc *PUPP)
7,501,317,410
7,865,867,680
-4.6346%
* PUPP = Public Utility Personal Property

BUTLER COUNTY: Kay Rogers Sentenced

This is justice: 24 months behind bars, 5 years probation, and restitution.

I think this is a completely fair and just sentence.  She did the crime, now she's going to do the time.

And that's about all I have to say about that...  If you want more, Michael Pitman has more...

BUTLER COUNTY: Kay Rogers to be Sentenced Tomorrow

Let justice be done.

 Disgraced former Auditor Kay Rogers is to finally be sentenced tomorrow for her role in the Dynus scandal. Some details and related thoughts from Michael Pitman here.

My thoughts? Let justice be done. It is well past time we put this behind us and move on to a brighter day, but let justice be done.

Kay Rogers, and others like her from that era of Butler County government, managed to tarnish her name, her office, her party, and government itself.  While, I expect the judge will take in to account her cooperation with authorities investigating the scandal, I also expect that Rogers ought to be made an example.

Don't want to do the time?  Don't do the crime.

BUTLER COUNTY: Catching Up

It has been awhile since I weighed in on some Butler County happenings, so let's do that...

Kay Rogers Behind Bars

Let's start with this bit on Kay Rogers.

You know who I feel sorry for? Her kids. I do. They have to deal with a lot of grief from this.

You know who I think shouldn't get off? Kay Rogers, that's who. When it comes to sentencing, the judge should take in to account how much she cooperated and how significantly her cooperation contributed to the cases prosecuted. That's it.What she did was a crime and she must pay her debt to society for having betrayed the public trust.

Bottom line: Don't want to do the time?  Don't do the crime.

Resident Shannon Hartkemeyer is suing Fairfield Township due to their inability to produce recordings of Board of Trustee meetings that have apparently been erased.  Local governments in Ohio are subject to the Open Meetings Act and the Open Records Act and the court will determine whether or not destroying these recordings violates that law.

If a judgment comes down against the township, they could be required to pay $1,000 per recording.  According to Hartkemeyer's attorney, the board did not hold a meeting to openly discuss destroying the recordings.

It should be noted that Hartkemeyer ran for a position on the board and lost.

DEVELOPING...

NOT GUILTY: Feds Overreach on Lang

Word is out that the verdict of Not Guilty was returned by the jury in the prosecution of West Chester Trustee George Lang.

So, are we done now?  I would think so since the federales just wasted time on this debacle.  Will Kay Rogers and Mike Fox finally see the inside of a prison cell now?  Can we finally put this nightmare behind us and move on?

Don't get me wrong, I want all of the bad guys rooted out and punished for their crimes, but glaciers have moved faster than this investigation and I think it is time to wrap it up.

Of course, we must continue to be vigilant and watch out for this kind of malfeasance from our elected officials.

BUTLER COUNTY: Some People Have Got a LOT of Nerve

I noticed that one of my friends had become "friends" with a Mary Kay Rogers on Facebook and I wondered if it was the same Kay Rogers who took a plea deal in the Dynus Fisasco and sure enough it was...  Our former Auditor has this to say about the latest happenings here in Butler County government:

Read the article in the Cincinnati Enquirer today about Butler County? This is why our new Governor needs to push to rid us of county government the way it stands. We have 88 counties because of 200 years ago when horse and wagons were transportation! We need 4 districts in Ohio....not 88!

You gotta be kidding me!
That takes some serious stones to come out with a statement like that after what she did...


I have edited out some stuff from this screen grab to protect the innocent...

SIDEBAR:  I also note that Kay seems to be doing some accounting work again which I am not sure is wise or ethical...on the part of her clients, let alone her.  Is that even legal?

Butler County Update

The City of Hamilton wants to raise taxes during a recession. At least one Republican who voted for the measure KNOWS that it was the wrong move but went along with it anyway:

Councilman Ed Shelton voted for the measure, but stated beforehand that he knew it was the wrong thing to do.

“I don’t think police gave up nearly enough. I don’t think fire gave up nearly enough,” Shelton told the crowd, which included several Hamilton firefighters in uniform sitting in the front row.

Profile in courage right there...

Dynus Update

Our good friend, the intrepid reporter Josh, has a story up about the status Orlando Carter's future. He might actually get to see the inside of a courtroom soon. And it is expected that the evil queen ofthe deal, Kay Rogers, will be testifying.

A reminder to our friends in the FBI: this is the goal:

Is Kay Rogers Plotting a Comeback?

It has brought to my attention that Mary C. Rogers, also known as Kay Rogers -- the disgraced former auditor of Butler County who resigned after pleading guilty of fraud -- has pulled a petition to run for the Lakota School Board.

Do not be fooled by this charlatan. This is the same woman and she is still not welcome in political circles.

Memo to the FBI: Would you mind terribly wrapping up the case so these people can finally be put behind bars where they belong? Here is a reminder of what that might look like...



Let's make that happen, mmmkay? Thanks a bunch.

7/13 UPDATE: Dave Greber has a follow up story for the local newspaper that is filed while after this story was published on WMD. I have to bring up this bit though:

Ohio law prohibits convicted felons from voting or holding any public office. However, McGary said there are no rules that stipulate against pulling a petition to run for office.

If she can't serve, why is she pulling a petition? What is the point? Is this an exercise in ego? Wouldn't surprise me one bit...

UPDATE 2: Intrepid Reporter Josh -- According to Kay's lawyer, she is not running for office. She pulled the petition "for a friend." In other news, she apparently also pulled a petition for her son to run for West Chester Twp. Trustee that same day...that petition is apparently in her son's name.

EXIT QUESTION: Who is the friend?

Mike Fox Update

Intrepid Reporter Josh is back with a vengeance! He has two stories over at his place worth chatting about...

The first is a recap of a Mike Fox appearance on Bill Cunningham's radio show in which Mr. Fox continues to state that he did no wrong. If I had a nickel for every dirty politician who claimed absolute innocence, I would not feel compelled to write this blog for "extra" money...

The second is the best recap I've seen yet on the subject of Mike Fox and his many troubles.

As usual, we are left with many questions...

The FBI has been at this for about two years now, just how much more dirt can they dig up on this guy?

When will justice be served?

Will Kay Rogers ever see the inside of a jail cell?

Has anyone gotten around to asking Sheriff Jones if he'll have his deputies enforce the court-ordered foreclosure on Mr. Fox's home?

Kay Rogers and Jack the Liar

I've heard this story from several sources and I think it's interesting enough to post here...

Apparently, Kay Rogers, the disgraced former Auditor of Butler County turned convicted felon, is helping Jack the Liar get elected. Now, I know what you are thinking, "But Matt, Jack the Liar and Kay Rogers are mortal enemies" but the problem with that is -- of course -- Kay Rogers is a sociopath who now thinks that the Butler County Republican Party is responsible for her losing her job and now facing jail time. She is incapable of accepting responsibility for her own actions.

Sources say that she's delivered Jack the Liar yard signs to at least two "Republican" households and they have put them up because she personally asked them to. Now, a couple yard signs does not an engulfing scandal make but it raises the question of what else she is doing to defeat Roger Reynolds. This is pretty disgraceful. Reynolds is doing a great job cleaning up the mess she left, restoring the dignity of that office and running an incredibly efficient operation that is returning tax dollars to the community (what a concept!).

They say politics makes for strange bedfellows, but Jack the Liar has been running the Kay Rogers smear tactic playbook all along...who knows what the dastardly duo is capable of?

Butler County Auditor: Zettler Spouts Off Again

Not learning an early lesson about letting sleeping dogs lie, Jack once again fires off his mouth about "recent scandals" that occured before Roger Reynolds took office. Now, intrepid reporter Josh is going to play along and let Jack get away with distorting the truth, but I'm not playing that game. Jack wants Butler County residents to believe that Roger Reynolds failed to take action on scandals which occured long before Roger came to office that intrepid reporter Josh and his pals only reported on after Roger got elected.

Roger Reynolds represents the kind of new blood that I was talking about the other day. The kind that is there on the front lines to expose and rid the party and the county of the kind of rot that Republicans have tolerated for far too long.

This quote is particularly disgusting:

Zettler believes Reynolds isn't up to the task. "Quite frankly, there's a rule among Republicans that thou shall not speak badly about another Republican," he said.

Jack, this is the sort of thing that is going to make you wish you hadn't opened your mouth. The Butler County Republican Party is undergoing a number of significant changes and as I have said before, there is a movement engaged in Butler County to root out the bad apples. If you think that is possible without speaking badly about my fellow Republicans, you clearly haven't been reading what I've been saying... And you haven't been paying attention to the intense reaction by my fellow Republicans to the Kay Rogers story.

When the Kay Rogers story broke, I asked the Ohio GOP for a condemnation and I wound up getting a zero-tolerance policy out of it. When your drunkard former Chairman got pinched, what did Chris Redfern and the Ohio Democratic Party have to say? Not a word... So, tell me another one on how Republicans won't stand up and speak against those who don't reflect our values. UPDATE: How long did it take Ohio Democrats to decide to take action against Marc Dann again???

I got involved with the Republican Party because I was sick of the nonsense, Jack. That you continue to perpetuate the myth that positive action hasn't taken place denegrates the hard work of many like me who are now much more energized to turn out the vote for Roger and other Butler County Republican reformers just like him.



You can say that again, Roger...

WMD Blast: Political Leftovers Edition

Like a holiday with the family, the day after is always filled with leftovers; and so it is with today's WMD Blast... Here are a few things left over from yesterday's fundraising frenzy...

OH-07: In March of 2007, Sharen's husband contributed to Marc Dann's campaign.

Now in her latest filing, Sharen paid Joe Stanford a healthy sum of $18K. Joe Stanford is the guy Marc Dann hired after all his buddies were fired. Joe Stanford is the guy who called the press conference, and Marc Dann didn't show up.

Good to know that Sharen Neuhardt is taking care of Marc Dann's former employees.

OH-16: Recently, Freedom's Watch ran some robocalls against John Boccieri which struck a nerve with the tough guy. But apparently, Youngstown John's Dee Cee supporters aren't to fond of his chances because when they launched an anti-Freedom's Watch campaign in some of those same districts, they didn't include OH-16...

Vets for Freedom releases another ad. This one highlights the success of the Surge and exposes the detractors of the policy. Watch that ad here.

Lileks is reporting from the Land of Inversion on oil:

Another day in the Land of Inversion, where the obvious is not an option. I heard more interviews with learned politicians informing me that “drilling for oil” will not affect anything, least of all the quantity of oil. We must apparently wait until 2015, when a magic engine that runs on unicorn flatulence is invented. I have to ask: why is anyone investing in unicorn flatulence today, when it won’t make any difference for several years? The answer’s simple: the engine will Appear at the chosen moment, borne from the clouds by starlings, but only if we have repented of our foul ways, and the last of the sinners has left the cul-de-sac to reside in a home located a sustainable distance from his or her place of employment. When the last suburban outlying development is empty, when the homes of whose size we disapprove has been abandoned, when the last citizen has been gathered unto the bosom of the urban center, where his profligate ways are sneered upon and the measure of his yard shall be no greater than the standard lot size decreed in 1902, then shall the magic engine appear. Until then, the wind and the sun will bear us onward.

Honestly, it’s like FDR coming into power promising “bold, persistent experimentation – except for any sort of government involvement in the economy. That’s off the table.”

Sounds about right to me...

A few weeks ago, a reader asked if I had an update on Kay Rogers' sentencing. Intrepid reporter Josh Sweigart confirms what I told that reader: no sentencing date yet. But he also has an update on what Kay is doing these days...she found an actual job! And there is travel invovled... Why did the Court approve travel to Canada? I don't know...

BRAVO! Judge Niehaus is absolutely in the right on this one...

John Kasich has $171,000 in his Kasich2000 account. Justin Miller from PolitickerOH lays out what he could do with that cash.

Just another 527 media idiot... Nothing to see here. Move along!

MORE LATER...OPEN THREAD IN COMMENTS...

Butler County: Insurance Bids

One of the things that I think would improve the image of the Republican brand nationally, regionally, and locally is if we took proactive action against even the appearance of impropriety.

Do I think this transaction with the county employees is illegal or immoral? Not in the slightest, but it does look fishy. Intrepid reporter Josh Sweigart tells this story better than I would, so let's go the blockquote, shall we?

While the county is locked into a contract with CEBCO for its employees' health insurance, other companies offer supplemental, voluntary products, such as long-term disability, vision programs or life insurance.

Under a 1997 contract, Lang Radcliff Agency manages flexible spending accounts for employees that pay for some of these benefits, and handles the county's deferred compensation plan.

The company is now the Lang Agency, owned by West Chester Twp. Trustee George Lang.

Lang's former partner, Mike Yoakum, describes this as a questionable inside deal.

Yoakum said his firm, Harbour Companies, bid on these contracts when Lang was working for him in 1995. It was a done deal, Yoakum said, secured with Lang's connections with the Butler County Republican Party.

"We didn't have any competition," Yoakum said. "We had put out enough political pad money to get it."

But Yoakum said Lang switched the name on the bid to his own company at the last minute, robbing him of the contract.

This does sound pretty bad on the part of Mr. Lang. In fact, this is the second instance where Mr. Lang's name has come up in a shady deal, the first being the infamous Dynus fiasco. While the Dynus deal was bad for the county, I think this deal was just bad for Yoakum. What makes me say that? The next sentence Josh writes is this one:

Yoakum sued Lang, Lang counter-sued. The two settled in 1997 with Lang agreeing to pay $10,000 of Yoakum's court costs.

If Yoakum were in the right, I don't think he'd have settled for court costs. I don't know anything about Mr. Yoakum other than what is presented in the article, but it sounds like this is a guy who is still angry that he got outplayed.

So what is the lesson in all of this for the county? Again, Josh puts this front and center:

Butler County leaders say they have no system in place to determine what companies can offer employees insurance products. And some worry this leaves the process open to political favoritism.

Within the next month, county Personnel Director Douglas Duckett will seek bids to hire a consultant to improve controls over which insurance companies approach county staff.

Of course the point gets buried behind all the lies, sex and videotape of who's get who's money and whatnot. And on that point, I think Yoakum is exaggerating again:

The county pays Lang roughly $800 a month to administer the FSA. He also gets a portion of each deferred compensation transaction, though that's voluntary for employees. How much he makes from this isn't public, but Yoakum ventures it's "millions." Lang offers that it's thousands.

Back to the point: these new procedures are important and ought to be in place as quickly as possible. Nothing is more important right now to the county and the Butler County Republican Party than making sure that the shenanigans are put to a stop.

My goal: Make Josh have to write positive stories about Butler County Republicans because that is all he can find.

UPDATE: Josh has a second article on this subject that is worth taking a look at too. This one brings on to the playing field one Don Spurlock, another connected member of the Butler County GOP who is in the insurance business. The importance of this bit is that it illustrates that being in the party is not enough, you still have to win the selection process (whatever that process is/was).

I think it is also worth noting the other names mentioned with Lang's in this piece: Kay Rogers and Mike Fox. This gem is a perfect illustration of why Mike Fox ought to say "no comment" when asked questions from the 527 media:

"Generally, you look for people who are qualified that have been your friends rather than your enemies," Fox said. "When you have the discretion to get something done, the first goal is to find someone who can do something capable and do something well ... you don't give high priority to people who've been your enemies."

Instead of taking a good opportunity to demonstrate that Fox had a lick of good sense, he went ahead and opened his mouth and removed all doubt that he's an idiot. Mike, here's a hint, the answer you were looking for -- and the best part is, you said it -- "Generally, you look for people who are qualified." Period. End of sentence, next question, please.

Latest Rumors from Butler County

Status of Kay Rogers' Political Career:



This just in...

Is it true that Kay Rogers has tearfully requested a new attorney?

Is it also true that Kay's former IS director (whose name was also "forged" on the Dynus documents) is jumping ship and will be / is working directly for the Commissioners?

Stay tuned...

3/29 UPDATE: Is it true that Central Committee Chairwoman Judy Shelton just might have real competition this time?

UPDATE 2: I find this one a little hard to believe, but... Is it true that Kay Rogers is actively (but maybe not directly) working for the Courtney Combs side in the auditor's race?

Replacing Kay Rogers Update

Courtesy of the Cincinnati Enquirer's brave reporterette Amber Ellis:

Several names have been mentioned as possible replacements, including Butler County Treasurer Nancy Nix, state Rep. Courtney Combs, Liberty Township fiscal officer Roger Reynolds and Miami University faculty member Bob Weber.

I think Nix and Combs are fine where they are...enough seat switching, thanks. (And I'm not even real sure that Nancy Nix is even interested in the job...I've exchanged a few emails with her and the subject has never come up...)

But, there is still time for new names to be thrown in to the ring:

To appear before the 17-member screening committee, interested parties should contact Sandy Ewen at 513-893-5292 or by fax at 513-858-4634. Notification must be made by Friday.

The Screening Committee will meet April 12th and the full Central Committee will make the final decision on the appointment on Buy A Gun Day April 15th.

Once we know for sure who the candidates are going to be, I'll let my recommendation be known...but I'd like to encourage current elected officials to maintain their posts as I don't think this is the time for musical chairs.

State Rep. Combs Wants to be Butler County Auditor

This just arrived via snail mail:

For many years I have been proud to work with you as an elected member of the Butler County Republican Party Central Committee. It's our commitment to service that means more than winning an election. What it really means is that we are dedicated to achieving victory for our Republican Party, one of the greatest organized and respected in Ohio and the nation.

With your support, I am seeking the open position of Butler County Auditor. This is an important presidential year and with the circumstances being what they are, this position will appear on November's ballot. It is critical that our Party make the right decision for our future.

I have the proper and pertinent qualifications for auditor. While some point to the financial end of the office, most people understand that the Real Estate section of the office requires the most attention. In 2008, the Auditor's office will be completing a county-wide reappraisal. It is on this issue that the democrats will again hammer home in this year's election. We had better be prepared.

I have extensive knowledge and background in real estate. While only 7 of Ohio's 88 County Auditor's hold a CPA, most have qualified experience in real estate. This is the nature of the job.

No matter who gets the appointment, we can count on a strong effort by the democrats to go after this seat. I respectfully remind this committee that I have received overwhelming endorsements numerous times by the Party, and have won 5 county-wide elections to serve as your Butler County Commissioner.

How did I do in county wide general elections? I received over 67% of the vote both in 1994 and 1998, [and I] achieved 61% in a three-way race in 2002. Moreover, in 2002 I received 71.6% of the West Chester vote and 73.3% in Liberty Township! I know what it takes to win and maximize our Republican base vote. This campaign will be tough and hard fought, but with your help, I am battle tested and ready for the challenge to win this seat for the Butler County Republican Party.

As a State Representative, I have won overwhelmingly in both of my general elections in the 54th House District which includes Hamilton, Fairfield, and Ross. I have never lost a county-wide election. For those who complain about "seat switching", their argument holds no merit -- my election results prove that it just isn't an issue. The public wants a name they can trust in office, and that is now more true than ever. They also want a candidate and a campaign they can respect. My track record speaks for itself.

I ask for your vote for the appointment to Butler County Auditor. This office is just too important to lose. Please join me in my commitment to hold this seat and bring trust and stability back to the office. You know my experience, my ability to win and my reputation for integrity. Most of all, you know my desire for a unified Republican Party. Let's work hard together to make it happen!

Sincerely,

[Signature]
Courtney Combs

Empasis in the original.

Okay...as you might expect, I have a few things to say about this particular letter and this particular candidate.

CPA vs. Realtor: If this is such an issue, Mr. Combs, how did we EVER survive with Kay Rogers, award winning CPA, at the helm in this office all these years? Answer? It isn't all that important. If you win the endorsement, you aren't going to personally handle all of those appraisals yourself are you? Surely, the Auditor has a staff that handles that sort of thing, right? What would have happened if Kay were still in office? Those appraisals would still have gotten done. This is what we in the "business" call a straw man argument, Mr. Combs.

Combs's Election Record: ...is irrelevant. What we have here is what I hope is a unique situation where the Butler County GOP has had to replace two county-wide office holders in as many years due to criminal behavior. Is that the climate we were in when Mr. Combs won all of those races he's touting now? I didn't think so...

"Seat Switching": ...is VERY relevant and your dismissal of this important factor in the appointment goes to show how out of touch you are right now. As I mentioned before, we've been swapping seats all year and it is getting rather old...

Now, let's talk about a few things that Mr. Combs failed to mention...

If we were to appoint Mr. Combs, we'd have to replace HIS seat in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Mr. Combs is currently serving his third of four possible terms in the Ohio House of Representatives. We have at least two more years, assuming he wins his seat in November and based on his "experience" he should have no trouble doing that, before we need to consider where he ought to spend the remaining of his politically viable years.

Mr. Combs has been County Commissioner and State Representative...isn't County Auditor a step backward for such a strong politician with a track record of beating every Democrat he has ever faced?

NOTE: I am not endorsing in this race until I know who all the candidates are. Aside from Mr. Combs, who has announced his candidacy, I know that Roger Reynolds is also seeking the seat.

ALSO NOTE: My criticisms presented here are not intended to indicate whether or not I think Mr. Combs would be acceptable or not as a candidate. I present this analysis and the letter as an introduction to a discussion on the issues that his candidacy raises. I encourage interested participants to engage in the comments sections and to do so with respect and dignity.

The Final Moves of Classy Kay Rogers

Current Status of Kay Rogers' Political Career:


Previously on WMD, we reported on the last person that Kay Rogers fired in "You Stay Classy Kay Rogers"; now we have a piece by Cox Newspapers intrepid reporter Josh Sweigert that questions Kay Rogers' last hiring:

Tilton is asking the county to look into a last-minute hiring by Rogers. On Monday, March 3, she hired David Bunn in the office's Liberty-Fairfield Road field office.

Auditor's office officials say Bunn is the brother-in-law of Rogers' former attorney, David Davidson. Rogers hired Bunn personally for an unadvertised data collection position making $32,000 a year, they said.

Tilton said Rogers called several department directors asking if they had an open position for Bunn.

"It's odd how the events happened," he said.

The same day she hired Bunn, Rogers fired Chief Deputy Auditor Randall Groves. Groves said he wasn't given a reason for the termination, but already has a job lined up to become finance director of the city of Fairborn.

Is anybody surprised by this brazen attempt at nepotism?

How sick and twisted do you have to be to think that you would get away with something like that?

And let's not forget how much Kay Rogers and Rawnica Dillingham-Wilson-Dillingham-Ruscigno-Dillingham has in common with this woman. Butler County dodged a heavy bullet on Tuesday, that is for sure...

HT: Modern Esquire

UPDATE: A reader emailed in to say that Rogers' former attorney, David Davidson, the brother-in-law of the Last Hire, is also the attorney representing Rawnica in the Wal-Mart/Walgreen (there is some confusion as to which chain is being sued by Mrs. Dillingham-Wilson-Dillingham-Ruscigno-Dillingham) campaign truck lawsuit.

UPDATE 2: Clarifying points from above update...

Yes, you are right it is Walmart. Their attorney Jill Keck (Jusick) works in Davidson's office

Butler County Common Pleas Court case number CV 2008 01 0049 under Rawnica Ruscigno
Judges Andy Nastoff and Pat Oney have recused themselves - now it is assigned to Judge Pater.

The State tax lien case has been assigned to visiting Judge from Montgomery Co., when Judge Sage recused.

Interesting how all of the judges have to recuse themselves...

Kay Who?

Over at Politics Extra, the Cincinnati Enquirer crew reports that all reference to Kay Rogers has been cleansed from the Butler County Auditor website.

Exxxxxxxxxxxxcellent!

While I applaud the speed and efficiency of county webmasters, I also want to take a moment to remind folks that we should not forget Kay Rogers or what she has done. We must remain ever vigilant against corruption and apply appropriate disinfectant to remove that sort of rot from all levels of government service.

While we celebrate our victories, we must remember that this is but one battle in a much larger war against the forces of malfeasance and crookedness. That war rages on...and we must rally our troops to the cause and maintain our alert status.

We at WMD promise to continue to stand our post...

Replacing Rogers Update: Interim Butler County Auditor Announced

According to this story in the Cincinnati Enquirer, Michael Tilton will be the interim auditor. He has an interesting story...

His father, James A. Tilton, served as Butler County auditor for 13 years and then went on to become chief deputy auditor in Hamilton County. James Tilton had replaced his boss and dad, A.R. "Ray" Tilton, as Butler auditor in 1974.

Tilton is currently the director of real estate for the auditor's office. He will get a "small" increase in pay while in the temporary position. The Butler County Republican Party Central Committee will select the "real" replacement for Rogers:

But that could take some time, as the committee is shuffled with new members who are elected during today's primary. The 260-member committee has until April 18 - 45 days after Rogers resigned, to select a new auditor.

A 17-member screening committee will interview candidates. The winner will need 131 votes from the membership.

Whomever gets selected, that person will face the electorate in November...

We Get Letters: Replacing Rogers

The editors of WMD present this letter that hit our email bag over the weekend:

Matt:

I am writing to you as an educated and informed member of the Butler County community. In addition, I am a member of the Butler County Republican Party (currently Executive Committee member, running for Central Committee). I have taken an active part in making this a better community by working behind the scenes on several elections (for Republican candidates, Lakota school levies, and on ballot issue races) over the past several years.

The scandal with our auditor has already made Butler County and the Butler County Republican Party look corrupt in the eyes of the general public. I think the last thing our party should do is to fill this position controversially. There should be no consideration of any type of “office swap” that would look to the general public (and to many of us inside the party) like some type of “back room deal”.

Now is the time for the Butler County GOP to rebuild its image and this must be the first step in doing so.

I believe the obvious choice for the party to vote to fill this office is the person that was the party’s endorsed candidate in the last primary election, Roger Reynolds.

Roger ran an ethical and hard fought campaign in difficult circumstances against Kay Rogers in 2006. I worked on that campaign, so I know he is an honest man and the type of “non-political” individual that we will need in the auditor’s office to cleanse it of the smell of corruption that will be left behind after Rogers departs. He will bring a fresh face to county government which is sorely needed right now. This “fresh face” will also help to ensure his success in the election in November.

In addition to being able to effectively do the job, lets not forget that he was the person that was willing to deal with the controversy of going against a long time and popular incumbent. By doing so, he endured abuse both inside and outside of the party. Yet, he was willing to do it because he believed that change was needed in order to make Butler County a better place to live. I think his willingness to do this should mean something to those of us involved in the Republican Party in Butler County.

The other names that I’ve heard mentioned (Nancy Nix, Dave Davidson, and Courtney Combs) all may have their positive points, but none were willing to take on Kay Rogers for the good of the people of Butler County and the Republican Party. Also, none are as qualified for the office as Roger Reynolds.

This decision should not be about popularity or “back room deals”, it should be about doing what is best for the community by finding the most qualified candidate for the job and moving forward.

I hope that you’ll support Roger Reynolds for the Butler County Auditor’s position.

Signed,
Bill Lack,
Regular WMD Reader and Executive Committee Member

NOTE: The editors of WMD haven't discussed an endorsement yet.