Cincinnayton: Regionalism in My Backyard

I'm not sure what to make of this WDTN report about "merging" Cincinnati with Dayton.  I guess I'd have to actually hear more about what is actually being proposed; but generally speaking, I'm opposed to mergers of cities of this size.

Government, at all levels, is about the consolidation of power.  When concentrated, power of this magnitude can be corrupted much more easily.  Accountability becomes a quick victim of bureaucracy.  Incompetence and graft becomes commonplace.  And the ordinary citizen just becomes a number, a statistic in a game of politics.

In smaller municipalities, mergers like this can be of benefit.  If services are improved while cost is maintained or lowered, then a move like this makes sense.

None of that is likely in this scenario.

I'm not sure what Dayton is trying to do.  They have also been pushing county-wide regionalism efforts.  The message I take from this is that Dayton government is desperate to find a way to divert attention from something.  Whatever it is, it's bad.

Put me down in the "Against It" column until we learn more...

BUTLER COUNTY: Cindy F'n Carpenter is an Embarassment

The latest in a long series of examples can be found here.

Cindy, if you can't buy some class, maybe you should at least consider renting...

Thank God Issue 2 Failed #7865307248566

This.

Somebody foretold stuff like this. That guy, whoever he is/was, is/was a genius...

Oh, yeah, that's right: I am that guy.......

Mark's Remarks

For those of you liberal morons out there, including certain English teacher at my h.s. alma mater, that was Matt's attempt at snark.....

Notice, day after issue 2 fails, many, many departments start talking cuts and layoffs. Hmmm...wonder why? Union bosses will try to spin, but fact remains, you cut out your own legs.....

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...

BUTLER COUNTY: Shadow Government Update

Michael Pitman has two pieces on the Butler County Shadow Commission that are worth takinga look at...

Here are a few things from the first...

“Dialogue is good, and I decided that it should take place in the open,” he said. “Quite frankly, leaving Commissioner Furmon out of the dialogue may have been wrong.”

-- Commissioner Don Dixon

No, Commissioner, you got caught.  Now we are supposed to believe that you think county business ought to take place out in the open?  Sorry, no sale.  If you actually believed that, you wouldn't have masterminded these talks in the first place.

Carpenter defended the idea of discussing alternatives, saying, “We need creative, innovative administrators.”


-- Commissioner Cindy Carpenter

Yes, but more than that, we need to have full faith in our government restored.  I have no objection to creativity or innovation, but I strenuously object to backroom deals and "good old boy" politics even if the old boy happens to be a woman.

Furmon said he knew nothing of the behind-the-scenes discussions until the day before they were supposed to take place. He said he was “amazed and disappointed.”

County staff “have really worked hard and under adverse circumstances,” Furmon said. “It just seems like a strange way to do business.”

--Commissioner Chuck Furmon

More on Furmon's reactions when we get to the second piece, but I want to reiterate that I don't necessarily oppose the idea that changes need to be made.  I agree with Furmon that the Dixon-Carpneter Shadow Government does seem like a strange way to do business.  Unfortunately, this is the sort of ehtics in government that this county has been sufering from for quite some time.

Now, on to the second article...

The two could legally meet without violating Ohio’s Sunshine Law, because Carpenter had not yet been sworn in as a county commissioner.

I have no problem with them meeting.  I have a problem with them making decisions and interviewing candidates all without the knowledge of their colleague who is -- supposedly -- in the same party as these two.

For me, this comes down to the fact that we do not have a unified front in dealing with the economic mess we find ourselves in because there are too many factions protecting their little fiefdoms at the expense of doing what is right.

So, yeah, legally they could meet...but I think the county would have been better served by doing the right thing.

Dixon put some of the blame for the current state of the county on himself, saying commissioners’ “leadership needs to be a little more pronounced.”

“I think particularly with me. I need to give more direct direction,” Dixon said. “I’m going to work on my style, help them work on their style.”

Oh, boy, where do I start...

A successful commission works as a team.  There is no 'i' in team.  That is a cliche for a reason.  Don't get me wrong, I don't expect commissioners to not have any differences at all, but I don't think it is too much for these people to show each other respect.  More than anything, Dixon could use a healthy does of humility and recognize that he is a part of a team that includes not just the other two commissioners, but the entire administration.

Carpenter defended the decision to discuss alternatives, saying she still believes practices need to change.

“One of the things that we have said in the past few months is we need to fundamentally change the way we do business,” she said.

I would agree with you Cindy, but there is a right way of doing things and you have demonstrated that you are not capable of seeing it.

My biggest fear about Carpenter has been her many connections to former Commissioner Mike Fox.  This move comes right out of the Mike Fox play book.  Is that really what we need in this county?  A replay of Mike Fox politics? I don't think so...

Furmon, who was oblivious to the conversations between Dixon and Carpenter, said Tuesday he wants to work past the closed-door meetings of his two colleagues. It was a much less aggressive stance than he took in an interview with The Cincinnati Enquirer on Sunday, in which he referred to his colleagues’ actions as “the epitome of arrogance.”

Furmon said the county administration has “bent over backwards” to present a 2011 budget. While he’s not happy with the back-room discussions, Furmon said wants to move on.
“I’m hoping to get past this and continue working together and do what’s right for the county,” Furmon told Cox Media Group Ohio.

Take note, Butler County Republicans, who the good guy is in all of this.  In every battle brought Furmon's way, he has taken the high road.  He serves this county with dignity and a moral code that is centered on doing what is right for the county.

But his reaction on Sunday in the Enquirer was right on target: It was the epitome of arrogance.  And while Furmon may wish to move on, I think it does the party and the citizenry as a whole a disservice if we don't remember this treachery down the road.

I have said it before and I will say it again: We can do better.  We have to do better.

BUTLER COUNTY: Scheming Commissioners and Scheme They ALMOST Got Away With

As any regular reader will tell you, I'm all about making some changes here in Butler County.  But if you have spent any time here at all, you would also know that I believe in transparency in government.  What Commissioners Don Dixon and Cindy Carpenter plotted to do behind closed doors is a travesty and it won't be forgotten.

According to the Enquirer story, Dixon and Carpenter planned to replace a significant number of personnel in county administration with cronies of their own without the knowledge of fellow Commissioner Chuck Furmon.  I expect this sort of chicanery from Dixon, but had been holding out hope that Carpenter might be different.  I guess the Jeff Wyrick Incident should have been a clue...

So what happened to this grand plan?  Apparently, according to the Enquirer story at least, Dixon grew a conscience or something.

What I really don't understand is how these two supposedly intelligent people think that they could do this sort of thing and not have the story get out.  How many people did they interview?  How many staffers were involved?  These two can't even run a simple coup without getting caught.  I am not impressed by the level of competence on display by our villains in this caper.

There is a right way to do business in government and so far Butler County hasn't seen it...at least, not for a long, long time.

Local Taxes Update: Fees For Stuff Taxes Pay For

I note this story with some trepidation as I know a number of local politicos monitor this site and I really loathe to give any of them any ideas of this nature...

It ought to be a crime to double tax a citizen. I mean, it is bad enough that we have to pay taxes in the first place. I consider it a necessary evil in order to have government provide vital services such as police, fire and rescue, and garbage collection; but enough is enough with the nickel and dime nonsense.

Charging fees for services that taxes already pay for is absurd. I mean, I understand that the idea is to stop people from abusing the system; but this is ridiculous.

As local governments strain against declining revenues, many have turned to a controversial -- and legally dubious -- way to raise money: They're charging accident victims for municipal services that are already covered by taxes. And the biggest proponents of these “Accident Response Fees” -- also known as "crash taxes" -- often are not good government groups and economists, but debt collection agencies looking to expand their business.

The increasingly popular revenue-raising plans generally work like this:

Every time a local public safety service (police, fire, ambulance, hazmat) responds to an emergency call, a bill gets sent to the person who receives aid. In most places, only non-residents get a bill; but in others, everyone does. And in a few places, only those found to be at fault are billed.

The idea is to make up for lost tax revenues by turning municipal workers into on-call contractors. But as often as not, these taxpayer-paid public servants wind up adding to the grief of accident victims by charging for their services at the scene.

The bills can be huge. A simple response to an accident usually costs just less than $500, but the bottom line can quickly soar. In Florida, if a fire chief shows up at your accident, it'll cost you an extra $200 an hour. Need a Jaws of Life rescue in Sacramento, Calif.? Add $1,875. In Chico, Calif., going into a ditch could cost as much as your car, because a complex rescue goes for $2,000 an hour, plus $50 per hour for each rescue worker. And if there is gas or oil to clean up, the hazmat team will bill another $100 per hour per team member. In San Francisco an ambulance ride will cost $1,642 under a new proposal there. A Pennsylvania man recently complained that his bill for an accident on his motorcycle included charges for “mops and brooms.”

There has to be a better way than this...

Brown County: Money and Vengeance Edition

OK, previously on WMD....We disclosed the incident involving Judge Scott Gusweiler and Clerk of Courts Tina Meranda. Then, we discussed how Tina Meranda decided to get bomb throwing and self proclaimed "proud Ambulance chaser" (see last night's 700wlw broadcast between 11pm and midnight) Eric Deters to bring further shame and reproach on Brown County, and generally cost the county more money. Well, we now have some updates.

Mark goes on the Air with Bulldog, Bulldog obfuscates

So, I'm driving home last night and I hear Deters on the air. I had been told he was going to release info on this case on his website. Hadn't seen anything, so I figured I would call. As I am on hold, Deters is engaging in his usual schizophrenic diatribes, on the one hand claiming to be a "proud ambulance chaser" but then railing against Obamacare and the high costs of providing health care to his employees in his "businesses." Sound a bit hypocritical? Yep. Anyway, I get on the air and I ask the Bulldog what this is really all about: is it an ethics thing, money thing, what is it since it sounds like it is going to be in civil court? Well, the Bulldog lashes out and says he won't discuss the case until he releases his lawsuit on Monday on his website, and that he doesn't leak info on cases, but that the lawsuit would "speak for itself." Hmmm...doesn't leak anything about cases before filing suit, eh? Well then, what about this from the Brown County Press:

Deters Gives Advanced Copy of Lawsuit to Brown County Press to Taint Jury Pool

(headline is mine)

Allegations of "abusive, overbearing and inappropriate behavior" are included in an upcoming lawsuit against Brown County Common Pleas Judge Scott Gusweiler.

Brown County Clerk of Courts Tina Meranda is suing Gusweiler in Brown County for "a pattern and practice" of such behavior "outside the scope of his duties" as Judge.

Meranda's attorney, Eric Deters, released a preliminary copy of the pending suit to the Brown County Press. It had not been filed with the court at press time.

The complaint is alleging that Judge Gusweiler violated Ohio Revised Code 2921.03 which covers criminal intimidation.

OK, now previously, in the comments for the last update, someone recited the chapter and verse of what this violation entails per the Ohio revised code. Go check it out in the comments for the last update.

But, do I not see a strategy developing by the pathological schitzoid Deters? Not willing to debate or face questions regarding the suit, he does release a "preliminary copy" to the local press of the county in question...why? We will get back to this later.

However, regarding the ORC violation and criminal actions, I don't have a law degree. I wasn't there. So, I will defer to Brown County Prosecutor Jessica Little, cited in the article from the Press:

Brown County Prosecuting Attorney said in her opinion, Gusweiler did not violate that statute.

"I do not intend to pursue any criminal proceeding in any manner whatsoever" Little said.
Little added that only the Prosecuting Attorney can bring a criminal complaint in the county, but that Meranda can pursue a civil complaint against Gusweiler if she wishes.

So, this answers the one question. This is not about the law...This is about money and vengeance. Before ol' Chuckles comes over and begins to besmirch Prosecutor Little, let me say that while I don't know her personally I have discussed her legal acumen with Paul Hall, Danny Bubp and others and they all say she is very competent and up to the job and has the highest degree of integriy. Chuckles will come here trying to cry conspiracy, but that is all he and the 5-8 people who show up for Democrat central committee meetings ever do nowadays. Now, in the most recent update, a commenter said that the origins of the original incident involving changing of the locks in the Clerk's office had to do with:

The day in question (the day that the locks were changed), Court was in session at 8:00a.m. However, the Clerk's office was on a two-hour snow delay (on the tax payers dollar). This made it necessary for someone from the court's office to gain access to the Clerk's office to get the files needed so that court sessions could proceed that morning.

Now, did this make Meranda lose face? I don't know. But, needless to say, the question of what happened at this time leaves one to question. I have no personal knowledge of current wrongdoing, but let us not forget that Ms. Meranda's office was cited by outgoing Auditor of State Mary Taylor in an audit and found to have engaged in some wrongdoing. Ms. Meranda's response was to fire one employee, blame all her predecessors, and then act like she was the lone crier of foul in the wilderness. Throwing people under the bus for embarrassing her appears to be standard operating procedure. Wasn't aware Tina was from Chicago.

OK, so let's get back to the complaint filed by Tina and the Bullhorn, Eric Deters:

One entry in the complaint reads; "Six months after becoming Judge, Defendant (Gusweiler) instructed Plaintiff's (Meranda) staff not to accept any filings from his predecessor, because the Defendant stated 'The sons-of-b****** have had plenty of time to learn who is the Judge around here."

There are a total of 13 factual allegations in the complaint.

OK, these are "factual" complaints. Where are the dates? Where are the specifics? All I am hearing so far is hearsay and what seems like an effort to paint Gusweiler as some type of loose cursing cannon. While the language may be regrettable, a)we don't know for a fact this language was used, and b)some people use more colorful metaphors.

The complaint at the heart of the dispute regards a set of keys to the Clerk of Courts office that Gusweiler issued a court order to Meranda to provide.

The complaint alleges that Gusweiler told Meranda he "had a deputy sheriff waiting to take her to jail for contempt of court" if she didn't provide them to him.

It continues, saying that Brown County Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Little was present and told Gusweiler not to have Meranda arrested without due process.

The complaint alleges that Gusweiler responded "I don't need your f****** advice" and continued that "fearing Defendant and his demeanor, Plaintiff gave Defendant the keys he demanded."

Woah, wait a minute here! We have a shifting story now....Back in the first story covering this issue, Ms. Meranda was quoted like this:

Meranda said Gusweiler then told the two women "She will give me the keys or she'll be arrested."

Little responded "Judge I represent both of you, but I advise you not to arrest her without due process."

Meranda said the judge responded "I don't give a f*** about your advice."
At that point, Meranda turned over the keys.

Which is it? More inconsistencies appear as one looks over the retellings vs. the latest. More and more, this appears to be revenge driven and money driven. Maybe Ms. Meranda needs some help with the medical bills. Maybe the winery isn't doing well. I don't know, but I don't see this as "crusading clerk of courts standing up for the rule of law" especially given Meranda's history of less than above board meandering herself.

Back to the latest from the press:

The lawsuit says that because of those actions, Gusweiler is guilty of "attempting to influence, intimidate or hinder a public servant (Meranda) in the discharge of the person's duty".

Meranda is asking the court to order Gusweiler not to interfere with her duties and to order him to stop his "abusive, overbearing and inappropriate" behavior, saying such behavior is "outside the scope" of his duties as Judge.

The complaint concludes by asking for a jury trial and for compensatory and punitive damages against Judge Gusweiler.

Should the case go to trial, the Ohio Supreme Court will assign a visiting judge to hear the case.

Once the complaint is filed with the court, Gusweiler will be provided an attorney at county expense.

His attorney would then respond to the complaint.

So, because of some choice words, some crazy circumstances, hurt pride and who knows what else, this is going to cost the county tens of thousands of dollars in legal fees, as well as lost hours of work by both of these officials and possibly the prosecutor, who may be a material witness. Look, I am disappointed in the language used by Gusweiler and by the hiring of Deters to drag this county through the mud. If there is wrongdoing, there should be punishment for it. However, the true sadness is that this could have all been handled better with some freaking maturity on both sides.

However, to paint Meranda as some crusader against overbearing judges misses some of the details. She is asking for compensatory and PUNITIVE damages. She is making the county incur thousands in legal costs. Also, her attorney is playing dirty pool by releasing this tripe to the local media to taint the jury pool (note how she requests a jury trial, but yet how can people not be biased now that they have seen the alleged language used by Gusweiler and the slanted story of Ms. Meranda?). She will also be costing the state money in terms of sending in a visiting judge.

Again, the questions remain: where did this all start? How could it have been avoided? What specifically is defined as criminal? The only one looking like having common sense in this matter is Prosecutor Little. However, Eric Deters is not the crusading attorney. He is using this to further his career and also to taint the public opinion against Gusweiler.

We will stay on these developments here at WMD. Deters will supposedly be releasing the full text of the lawsuit Monday. Maybe at that time we will get more perspective on the situation, and who knows, maybe thoughts will change. But, at this point, this appears to be a scorched earth vendetta by a public official who has done similar things in the past, and who doesn't care what it may cost the county or state in terms of reputation as well as actual dollars.

Allen County Update: Republicans Raising Taxes

Here we go again...

What is it about Republicans at the local level who fail to understand that raising taxes during a recession is BAD NEWS?

Some friends in Allen County are fighting off an effort by establishment Republicans who are determined to raise local taxes. Learn more about the fight by clicking here. This one is time sensitive, so if you live in Allen County, act NOW.

Voter Fraud: Franklin County Prosecutor Looking into VotefromHome House of Fraud

We reported to you yesterday about the house at Brownlee Road in Columbus, and about some of the people registered there. Michelle Malkin was all over it and it appears the outcry has been enough to get the Franklin County Prosecutor on the case:

Amid new allegations of voter fraud, the Ohio Secretary of State conceded today that the eligibility of nearly one third of newly registered voters is in question.

The latest developments raising questions about the integrity of this battleground state’s voting system came 18 days before the Nov. 4 presidential election:

Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner said a preliminary review showed that 200,000 of the 666,000 voters who registered since Jan. 1 must have their eligibility verified to comply with a federal court order.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien confirmed that he is investigating alleged voter and registration fraud involving 13 newly registered voters who came to Columbus for a get-out-the-vote campaign and used the same address, a small East Side home.

The Ohio Republican Party requested information about newly registered voters from elections boards in all 88 counties to look into reports of fraudulent voter registration.

Elections officials across the state said they fear chaos if they must verify the validity of thousands of newly registered voters in the busy days leading up to the election.

O’Brien told The Dispatch that he is investigating allegations that 13 out-of-state residents recently registered to vote, all claiming to live at 2885 Brownlee Rd.

The individuals apparently were in Columbus working for Vote From Home, a group working to increase young-voter turnout in Ohio and using the house as their base of operation, O’Brien said.

“None of the people who registered had prior contacts with Columbus and Franklin County,” O’Brien said. “You must be a resident of the state of Ohio in order to register and cast a ballot, and that’s the issue being examined - whether they were proper residents of Ohio.”

Two of the individuals voted in person at Veteran’s Memorial while a third returned a completed absentee ballot by mail, said Matt Damshroder, deputy director of the Franklin County Board of Elections.

Another seven using the address requested absentee ballots by mail, but it is not yet clear if they have submitted them. Three others registered but did not request an absentee ballot or participate in early voting.

Election fraud is a fifth-degree felony with a maximum sentence of a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Update on County Government Reform

This just came in about that horrible county government position consolodation / power grab bill as the conference committee prepares to meet:

The members of the conference committee on the budget correction bill HB 562 will be meeting on Monday, June 9, 2008.

All of us need to contact our representatives AND the members of the committee TO-DAY to urge their support of the following:

1. Because of the financial crisis being faced by many counties’ title bureaus, we request SB 307 (title fees adjustments) be added to the budget correction bill. It is critical that counties across Ohio receive immediate aid to keep their of-fices open.

2. We request that Sec. 515.60 CASH TRANSFER FROM AUTOMATED TI-TLE PROCESSING FUND TO TITLE DEFECT RESCISSION FUND be removed from the bill. In the past, the title defect rescission fund ORC 4505.181(A)(1)(a) is funded by mandatory contributions from auto dealers. The money was used to reimburse the purchaser of a vehicle from a dealer who had not gotten title to the vehicle prior to selling it.

The purpose of the fund is to protect consumers from auto dealers who do not follow the laws of Ohio requiring them to title a trade-in in the dealer’s name before selling it. If the funding for the title defect rescission fund is to come from the Automated Title Processing Fund, there needs to be discussion on the issue and needs to come before the Automated Title Processing Fund Board for its recommendation.

3. Do not reinsert the Cuyahoga County restructuring language back in the bill. This needs further study and if it is to be presented should be in a stand alone bill, not in a document of over 1,200 pages.

4. The creation of a Commission on Local Government Reform and Collabora-tion (HB 521) should also remain as a stand alone bill and not rolled into HB 562. More study and hearings need to be held on it before a vote is taken.

Members of the Conferees Committee

Sen. John Carey’s 17th District:
Telephone: 614/466-8156
Email: sd17@mailr.sen.state.oh.us

Sen. Tom Niehaus 14th District:
Telephone: 614/466-8082
Email: sd14@mailr.sen.state.oh.us

Sen. Capri Cafaro 32nd District:
Telephone: 614/466-7182
Email: senatorcafaro@maild.sen.state.oh.us

Rep. Jay Hottinger 71st District
Telephone: (614) 466-1482
Email Address: district71@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. Shannon Jones 67th District
Telephone: (614) 644-6027
Email Address: district67@ohr.state.oh.us

Rep. Michael Skindell 13th District
Telephone: (614) 466-5921
Email Address: district13@ohr.state.oh.us

General Assembly Leadership

Senate President Bill Harris 19th District
Telephone: 614/466-8086
Email: SD19@mailr.sen.state.oh.us

House Speaker Jon Husted 37th District
Telephone: (614) 644-6008
Email Address: district37@ohr.state.oh.us

The following is from Gongwer’s Ohio:

On Tuesday, the Senate took a different path than the House on local government issues by stripping language from the capital bill to create a local government col-laboration and reform commission - a goal of House Majority Leader Larry Flowers (R-Canal Winchester) that had attracted intense opposition from townships and other groups.

The Senate panel also bagged a provision that would have allowed Cuyahoga County to place a government restructuring issue on the ballot. That proposal has split Democrats within the county and elsewhere, as evidenced by the failed efforts of Rep. Chris Redfern (D-Catawba Island), the Ohio Democratic Party chairman, to amend it so the option applied to the 86 other counties governed by a board of commissioners.

Sen. Carey said senators from both parties thought that provision should be dealt with in separate legislation.

I'm open to discussion on items 1 and 2 from above. I wholeheartedly agree on item 3. And item 4 should be split off the bill, but it should never be allowed to pass.

Husted is Wrong on County Reform Issue

The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that Speaker Husted (RINO-Embracing Strickland) is trying to convince the Ohio Senate that they got the call wrong on the county "reform" issue.

First of all, somebody correct me if I'm wrong here, but if Cuyahoga County wanted to make those changes, they could put them on the ballot and do it themselves. They do not need a state law to do it. They do not need interference from Columbus to make decisions locally.

Second, the proposal takes power away from We the People and puts it in the hands of an elected few.

Third, that second point opens up the possiblity that we will get more nepotism in county government statewide, not less.

Fourth, the idea comes from a Democrat in Cuyahoga County...if that isn't enough to tell you that it is a bad idea, I don't know what else could possibly convince you otherwise.

Fifth, Speaker Husted should stop embracing Democrats; be it literally, figurately, or legislatively.

I know where Sen. Gary Cates stands on this issue. I have heard that State Rep. Combs is against as well but rumor has it that Reps. Bill Coley and Shawn Webster or for ripping the right to vote out of the hands of Ohioans...I'm hoping my information is wrong on that score...if so, please contact me.

Sen. Cates Challenges County Government Reform

Over at intrepid reporter Josh's place there is a quote from a release from State Senator Gary Cates on an issue that we discussed here on WMD:

The amendment allows the county commissioners of any county with a population in excess of 1.2 million to put before the voters a county government restructuring plan designed to promote a more efficient form of government. This is permissive language that requires voter approval.”, Senator Cates wants an amendment that would require such restructuring plan to be a citizen initiative placed on the ballot with a required minimum signature requirement of 15% of the total votes cast for governor in that county in the last gubernatorial election.

Previously on WMD, Sen. Cates had indicated that he stood with us on this issue. Here are his comments:

Yesterday, the other two county commissioners in Cuyahoga (Jones & Dimora) issued a statement that they would not support the proposal unless it applied to all counties. I have heard from my county officials and choose to stand with them and the voters. I have submitted an amendment to strip the language out of the bill. It is appalling that a few powerful politicans would impose their will on everyone else. I call the plan, The Forrest Gump Proposal, "Stupid is as stupid does". I may not be successful in stopping this train wreck, but I'll stand up and do the right thing.

The bill, as it is, is nothing more than a consolodation of power and fails to accomplish the goal that was intended. The problem of corruption atthe local levels of government is not going to be solved by putting in to place a system whereby nepotism could florish and thrive.

We, the People may not get it right every time, but having a voice in who runs our government ensures that we continue to have a voice in how our government is run.

Local Government Reform Mandated by State of Ohio Update

Previously on WMD, we talked about the proposal put forward by a Cuyahoga County Democrat and endorsed by the Republican Speaker of the Ohio House. The idea was to consolidate some positions and make them appointees rather than electeds. The Cleveland Plain Dealer has an update on their blog OPENERS:

Slipped in as an amendment to the state capital spending bill, which passed 94-2, the language would allow Cuyahoga County commissioners to put a government restructuring plan on the ballot as soon as November. A two-thirds vote of the commissioners would be needed to place the plan before voters. Whether that would happen remained in doubt Thursday.

The amendment applies only to counties with populations the size of Cuyahoga County, a restriction that had House Democrats, including Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern, upset.

Redfern, a state representative from Catabwa Island, offered an amendment in committee to apply the restructuring option everywhere. It was tabled Thursday morning on a party-line vote, with majority Republicans killing the idea to take it statewide.

"Some elected officials -- hold your breath -- are hiring supporters and relatives for jobs in Cuyahoga County. I'm not sure it's happening anywhere else in the nation, but it's happening in Cuyahoga County," Redfern said sarcastically when he offered the amendment Thursday morning.

"If we're going to point the self-righteous finger at some, we should point it at others," he said. The Democratic Party chief cited county government scandals in Butler County, a Republican-dominated area, as an example of how other counties could benefit from reforms.

Redfern is all smart about nepotism...which is NOT what this proposal was about. What the provision does is take the positions of Auditor, Recorder, and Treasurer in to a single position which would be appointed rather than elected. Also on the chopping block are the elected positions of Engineer, Coroner, and Sheriff...all of which would become appointees.

Now, remember, Redfern was all ticked off about nepotism, right?

That guy is an idiot.

Ohio Republicans finally got one right by blocking as much of this nonsense as possible. Read the OPENERS piece for more details...

Local Government Reform

I have mixed feelings on this one...

Apparently, some Democrat in Cuyahoga county has hatched a plan that would consolidate the local positions of auditor, treasurer, and recorder into a single job of assessor. The plan has recently picked up the support of Speaker Husted, who plans to introduce a bill that would do just that.

Mark this day down on your calendars kids because today is the day that I agree with Jeff "Dann's the Man" Coryell...this is not as good an idea as you might think.

From a checks-and-balances point of view, I really don't like this consolidation. Granted, I'm all for eliminating government jobs, and why not start nearer to the top than what we're seeing in Butler County. Unless county commissioners become MUCH more involved in the details of how the counties are being run than they are right now, I just do not like the lack of oversight.

Although, I must admit that the idea does have a certain appeal...

The other thing I don't like is that the proposal also would make the positions of sheriff, coroner, engineer, and clerk of courts appointed rather than elected. This opens the door to a whole new level of shenanigans that I really don't think local governments (let alone the residents) need or want.

I would be much more inclined to support the bill if in addition to these provisions, a very strong anti-nepotism clause was added.

Those are my early thoughts on the subject, what say you?

VIDEO: Gold Star Mom RIPS Berkeley City Council

RINO Mike Fox Just Called

Former Butler County Commissioner and Republican in Name Only Mike Fox just called. Well, it wasn't actually him, but a recording of Mike Fox. He was calling with a survey wanting to know if I wanted to raise my taxes. Of course, the answer is NO, Mike. I would NOT support a tax hike to pay for your raise. And I'd appreciate it if you didn't bother me during my dinner hour.

UPDATE: What really makes me mad is that this jerk is using The Children to make his pleas. That is just disgusting.

Killing Pays for Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby--AND YOU HELP FOOT THE BILL

Well, at least she won't be putting any more children in jeopardy in the Glen Este Middle School. Of course, that doesn't help her dead daughter, Cecilia, whom Slaby left in a car to bake this past summer because she was too concerned about delivering donuts to her staff. Slaby has agreed to a separation agreement with the school. From the Cincinnati Post:

An assistant middle school principal who left her 2-year-old daughter in the back of a sweltering car, an accident that killed the child, reached a settlement to leave the school district where some parents had called for her ouster.

Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby, 40, has been on leave since Aug. 23, the day she left her sleeping daughter Cecilia strapped into a car seat for eight hours in the parking lot of Glen Este Middle School in Clermont County. Temperatures that day reached nearly 100 degrees.

Under terms of a separation agreement approved Monday by the West Clermont School Board, Nesselroad-Slaby will not return to the school, Superintendent Gary Brooks said.

The school board issued a statement saying the agreement will prevent further disruptions caused by the tragedy.

The child's death divided the school community. Some parents and residents supported Nesselroad-Slaby, while others were angered and demanded that she be fired.

Clermont County Prosecutor Don White decided not to charge the mother, saying it was an accident that didn't entail reckless conduct as defined by Ohio law.

Nesselroad-Slaby told police that she changed her usual routine that morning by picking up doughnuts for the school staff - a decision that distracted her - and she thought she had already dropped her daughter off with a baby sitter.

Even though this story says terms were not disclosed, my sources tell me Slaby gets a good hunk of her pay. She commits child endangerment, is not charged by an inept and incompetent and corrupt prosecutor (Don White), intimidated by Slaby's corrupt County Commissioner Defense counsel (GOP member Scott Croswell), and she gets a payday.

But wait, there is more. From the Community Journal:

Brenda Nesselroad-Slaby is "under the care of a physician" and will apply for disability retirement instead of returning to work as an assistant principal at Glen Este Middle School.

This is one aspect of the separation agreement signed by the West Clermont Local School District Board of Education and Nesselroad-Slaby Dec. 11.

Board members voted at their regular meeting Dec. 10 to end the contract with Nesselroad-Slaby. The agreement was signed Dec. 11.

Nesselroad-Slaby is to apply for disability retirement benefits with the State Teachers Retirement Disability System, according to a press release and the separation agreement. If her application is approved, Nesselroad-Slaby will tender an irrevocable letter of resignation as assistant principal effective the day of her disability approval.

In the event her application for disability retirement is denied or she exhausts her sick leave days prior to a disability retirement decision, she will give her resignation effective July 31, 2009. At that point, Nesselroad-Slaby would use vacation leave and personal leave days until they are exhausted, and then placed back on paid administrative leave through the expiration of her contract July 31, 2009.

Nesselroad-Slaby also will receive a letter of reference regarding her "successful years of service with the board," and the board will not place any restrictions on who Nesselroad-Slaby may contact for other personal references.

Superintendent Gary Brooks read a resolution to "amicably" conclude the board's employment relationship with Nesselroad-Slaby during the Dec. 10 board meeting.

The board voted 5-0 in favor of accepting the terms of the agreement.

YES, THAT IS RIGHT FOLKS! Some of your tax dollars is going to support Slaby! The murderer files for disability, and if she doesn't get it, she gets to leach off of the good people of the West Clermont School District. And, if she decides to get back into teaching or education, she gets a great reference from the board. So, once again, not only can you get away with killing your own daughter in Clermont County simply by saying you forgot about her, you can:
1. get disability for it.
2. leach off of taxpayers
3. get an attaboy for doing it.

Where is the justice for Cecilia? When will the Clermont County GOP tell Croswell and White to take a hike and get competent and noncorrupt folks in there?

Word to the wise to the families with children in school in Ohio. Be on the lookout for this woman. She baked her own kid, who knows what she will do to yours if she gets employment in your school district!

Slaby Syndrome: Hooters Mom Would Have Walked in Clermont County

The Brenda Slaby Syndrome has struck again. This time, in Phoenix, Arizona. However, this time, authorities are prescribing the right medicine, an arrest for homicide. From Fox News:

A woman who found her 17-month-old son dead in her hot, stuffy car after she worked her seven-hour shift as a Hooters waitress has been arrested, police said Wednesday.

Ashly Duchene, 22, was booked into Maricopa County jail on a felony count of negligent homicide, police said.

Duchene usually dropped the boy off at a day-care center on her way to work, but for unknown reasons failed to do so Tuesday, police Sgt. Joel Tranter.

Instead, she left her son, Ryan Gallagher, in the car when she arrived at the north Phoenix restaurant at about 10 a.m., police said. When she returned after her shift at nearly 5 p.m., he was dead.

If only Ashly Duchene lived in Clermont County, she could have hired a Clermont County Commissioner (Scott Croswell)who oversees the County Prosecutor's office budget and is married to a member of the prosecutor's (Don White) biggest private practice client (The Jeff Weyler family, an automotive dealer in Ohio). Of course, it would have helped if Ashly were from Symmes Township and drove a Mercedes SUV and had a good cry over the whole thing. Then she could have gotten awa scott free and gone back to work at Hooters as if nothing happened, or even better, get paid for doing nothing on "indefinite leave."

There is no justice for Cecilia Slaby, Brenda's daughter who baked in the car, but it seems there is justice everywhere else.

Would Have Walked If Don White Was On the Case

It turns out that some people who leave their children in the car are prosecuted, and the children don't even have to die. If this guy would have left his child in the car in Clermont County, Ohio, Prosecutor Don White would have just chalked it up to a terrible accident and let him walk. Especially if he were represented by White's boss, Scott Croswell. Here is the story from Fox News:

PATRICK, Nev. — An Oregon rugby player remains in jail Tuesday after being arrested on charges he left his 2-year-old daughter in a vehicle in the parking lot of a Nevada brothel on a 95-degree day.

Lucien Hoffman, of Bend, Ore., is being held in the Storey County Detention Center in lieu of $40,000 bail on charges of child neglect.

Police arrested Hoffman early Sunday night at the World Famous Mustang Ranch brothel in Sparks, Nev., after a security guard found the child crying inside the car, according to Storey County Sheriff's Det./Sgt. Kenneth Quirk.

"It was 95 degrees out at that time of day, and you have to figure another 30 degrees on top of that inside a vehicle even with the windows down," Quirk said.

But, of course, the Rugby player wasn't:
A) driving a Mercedes SUV
B)a resident of Symmes township
C) defended by a commissioner who is the boss of the county prosecutor;

So this guy faces charges and a woman who left her CHILD TO DIE walks free.

Fascinating, isn't it?

And, tell me, how were those donuts?