Blogs > Northern Ohio Local Politics

Politics is big in these parts, and we’ve got it covered. John Arthur Hutchison and other staff writers will offer their inside information on the events, big news and little moments of the local political scene in Lake, Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga counties.

Saturday, May 28, 2011

Will issues fire up voters in Nov.?

If they each get enough signatures to be on the ballot, two potential statewide issues are likely to fire up voters for the Nov. 8 election.

One issue, Senate Bill 5, is a law that changes and restricts collective bargaining for public employees. A referendum drive to repeal the law is under way with many groups working to collect enough valid signatures.

Another potential issue is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that is spearheaded by a grassroots organization called the Ohio Project.

Proponents say the Ohio Health Care Freedom Amendment aims to prohibit the state government from giving penalties or fines to people who choose not to purchase or belong in a health insurance plan.

Conservative Republicans, many of whom dub the federal health care reform law championed by President Barack Obama as “Obamacare,” are generally behind the potential state Constitutional Amendment.

Typically, the November election in the year between a gubernatorial and presidential elections is not one with high voter turnout, says Scott E. Daisher, Lake County Elections Board deputy director.

But this year might be different — especially with two potential statewide issues that would draw interest from both Democrats and Republicans.

Along with races for local mayors, councils and township trustees, many local levy and issue requests will likely draw interest on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Lake County Auditor Edward H. Zupancic said last week that he is already aware of at least 11 potential issues from entities inquiring about appearing.

Other entities considering levies or tax issues might wait to see exactly how the state’s biennial budget shapes out before going forward with a request as there are likely to be cuts in state funding.

Hero lost

The words of Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge Forrest W. Burt rang true last week when he talked about the loss of Charles “Chip” Henry.

“We have lost a hero,” Burt said. “We will carry on but it will never be the same without him.”

For a generation, Henry was Geauga County’s Probate/Juvenile Court judge as he served after he was appointed in 1993 and then won election to three six-year terms on the bench. Henry will be missed by many.

Who will replace Henry? That’s a column for another day. But we do know that Gov. John Kasich will make an appointment after he accepts recommendations from the Geauga County Republican Party.

Candidate filing

Gabe Cicconetti announced he has filed petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to run for Painesville Township trustee.

He is owner and president of Cicconetti Insurance and Financial in Painesville and a member of the Painesville Community Improvement Corporation (past trustee), on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Painesville Organization and co-chairman for the Painesville Party in the Park.

Cicconetti also is the grandson of current Trustee Angelo Cicconetti, who recently announced he would not seek re-election in November.

Fundies

* Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap, 19th annual golf outing. Shotgun start at 10:30 a.m. June 10, Painesville Country Club. See Frank Leonbruno or Sheryl DePledge.

* Councilman Doug Davidson, who is running for Kirtland mayor, will host a hotdog roast from 6 to 8 p.m. June 13 at the Kirtland Community Center Pavilion. See Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

* Gabe Cicconetti will host a fundraiser at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township from 5:30 to 8 p.m. June 21. Special guest, former Cleveland Indian Len Barker. See Thomas Hill.

* Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik, annual golf classic: Shotgun start at 1 p.m. June 24 at Briardale Greens Golf Course in Euclid. See Beth Cervenik.

* Fundraiser for Madison Township Trustee Pete Wayman: 5 to 7:30 p.m. June 27 at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Madison Township. See Tim Gorka.

* Desirea Thompson, a candidate for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council, hosts a spaghetti dinner 5 to 9 p.m. July 16 at the Stadium Grill in Mentor. See John Thompson.


JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: newsheraldjah

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Cyahoga County court strikes down Cleveland's gun ban

Today, the Cuyahoga County Court struck down the City of Cleveland’s scheme of restrictive gun laws still on the books despite Ohio law, which clearly prohibits such municipal gun ordinances.

The Court ruled in favor of gun owners in the National Rifle Association-supported case of Buckeye Firearms Foundation, Inc. v. City of Cleveland.

“This is a long-awaited and major victory for Ohio gun owners, further confirming the Ohio Supreme Court decision that validated and clarified Ohio’s preemption laws,” said Chris W. Cox, executive director for NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action. “Creating a confusing patchwork of gun laws throughout any state is unacceptable. The City of Cleveland should focus on prosecuting criminals, not enacting illegal and useless schemes that only target and entrap law-abiding gun owners.”

The City of Cleveland filed suit against the State of Ohio in March of 2007, challenging changes to Ohio state gun laws that effectively preempted all municipal ordinances regarding the possession and concealed carry of handguns.

Cleveland’s city council passed a never-ending stream of useless and burdensome ordinances -- including forced registrations and bans on both open carry and semi-automatic firearms -- that only impacted law-abiding citizens.

In 2009, Buckeye Foundation, Inc., with NRA’s assistance, challenged these ordinances; however, the case received a stay pending the outcome of Cleveland v. State.

The Court found that the state law in no way violates Cleveland’s home rule powers under the Ohio Constitution; therefore today’s decision reflects that of Cleveland v. State.

“Any city that tries to abuse the Second Amendment freedom of its law-abiding residents, or tries to enact bogus gun control schemes, will have the NRA fighting their efforts every step of the way,” concluded Cox. “Thanks to this ruling today, law-abiding Ohioans will have one clear set of laws regarding firearms.”

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com

Geauga Constitutional Council doesn't let up on the late Judge Henry

Though Geauga County Probate and Juvenile Court Judge Charles "Chip" Henry was killed earlier this week while riding his bicycle, the Geauga Constitutional Council has yet to update its web site that has a blistering attack on the late magistrate.

On its site the Council posts a section called "Geauga County's Most Unwanted." There, the Council still has this posting regarding Henry, saying that he "Blatantly violates children's and adults 4th Amendment rights..."

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com

Saturday, May 21, 2011

How your senators voted in Congress (5/20/11)

See how U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending May 20, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110520

The U.S. House of Representatives was in recess this week.


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Labels: , , ,

Should Senate Bill 5 Be Repealed?

A new poll shows that a majority of Ohio voters believe that Senate Bill 5 needs to be repealed.

Results from the survey conducted by independent Quinnipiac University also show nearly half of registered voters disapprove of how Gov. John Kasich is doing.

The poll surveyed 1,379 registered voters with a 2.6 percent plus or minus margin of error.

Live interviewers called land lines and cell phones when conducting the survey.

Results show that voters by a 54-36 margin believe that Senate Bill 5 should be repealed.

The law, which has a referendum drive under way with many groups working to collect 231,147 valid signatures to place the issue on the November ballot, changes and restricts collective bargaining for public employees.

The governor has said that local governments and school districts need the law as a tool to help them better manage costs.

Keep in mind it is still very early in the process involving any potential repeal as the effort has yet to be certified as an issue on the statewide ballot.

Plus, the mass media marketing campaigns — both for and against the potential repeal — have yet to begin, so there is still time for things to change.

Voters disapprove of Kasich’s job performance by a 49-38 margin, according to the poll.

But the numbers show that the governor has picked up some support since March when the margin was 46-30 — meaning 8 percent more now approve of the job he’s doing.

When it comes to the how governor has handled the state budget, a majority of registered voters continue to disapprove — a 53-35 percent margin compared to a 51-31 percent disapproval in a March 23 survey.

The poll also asked if the governor’s proposals are unfair to people like them, and voters by a 53-36 margin said the proposals are — identical to the results from the March 23 survey findings.

Not surprisingly, the poll numbers tend to follow party lines, with independent voters swaying the pendulum against the governor and in favor of repealing Senate Bill 5.

Independents are typically the voters who can make or break a campaign or issue.

If these results hold up, the governor will have a lot of work to do to ensure his agenda’s success.

Democrats call for repeal of Senate Bill 5 by a 72-14 percent margin, and independent voters were at 56-35 percent, according to the poll. Republicans support the law by a 58-33 percent margin.

Independent voters disapprove of Kasich’s job performance 47-37 percent, which is an improvement from than the 49-25 percent disapproval in March.

Republicans approve how Kasich is doing 66-22 percent compared to 63-18 percent in the last survey, while Democrats disapprove 73-15 percent compared to 67-11 percent in March.

Someone’s listening?

The Ohio Senate’s Government Oversight and Reform Committee has accepted a substitute version of Senate Bill 148 that includes a provision to eliminate special elections in February and August.

As I wrote in a column earlier this month, the board of trustees for the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, which represents the 86 county boards of commissioners and the executive and county councils in Cuyahoga and Summit counties, recently approved a proposal to ask the Ohio General Assembly to eliminate special elections during these two months.

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy, an outspoken proponent of the proposal, spearheaded the idea to CCAO.

Fundies

* Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap, 19th annual golf outing. Shotgun start at 10:30 a.m. June 10, Painesville Country Club. See Frank Leonbruno or Sheryl DePledge.

* Councilman Doug Davidson, who is running for Kirtland mayor, will host a hotdog roast from 6 to 8 p.m. June 13 at the Kirtland Community Center Pavilion. See Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

* Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik, annual golf classic: Shotgun start at 1 p.m. June 24 at Briardale Greens Golf Course in Euclid. See Beth Cervenik.

* Fundraiser for Madison Township Trustee Pete Wayman: 5 to 7:30 p.m. June 27 at the Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Madison Township. See Tim Gorka.

* Desirea Thompson, a candidate for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council, hosts a spaghetti dinner 5 to 9 p.m. July 16 at the Stadium Grill in Mentor. See John Thompson.

-- John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Grendell resolution aims to recognize effort to eliminate Osama Bin Laden

State Sen. Tim Grendell has introduced a resolution in the Ohio General Assembly in Columbus that aims to commend and honor those responsible for the successful U.S. operation that killed al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden May 1.

Grendell, R-Chester Township, said Senate Resolution 71 honors Navy Seal Team 6, the U.S. Armed Forces, the intelligence community, the Bush Administration and the Obama Administration.

"This resolution also acknowledges those who have sacrificed their lives for this cause, and the people of 9/11 who suffered and/or died at the hands of this terrorist," Grendell said. "This welcomed news followed years of tireless efforts by our government to bring to justice those responsible for attacking this country on Sept. 11, 2011, and the numerous attacks before and since.

"Although we may never know all of their identities, it is appropriate to thank each and every one who made this operation a success."

-- John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com | @newsheraldjah

Labels:

Monday, May 16, 2011

Suso in the news

Former Mentor City Manager Julian Suso continues to make headlines in his post as town manager of Framingham, Mass.

The MetroWest Daily News reported recently that the state's Commission Against Discrimination has found probable cause that the town and Suso violated the rights of former Human Resources Director Sandra Charton.

The town's selectmen voted 4-1 in March not to renew his contract, which is up June 30, though they praised him for his "integrity, high morals and solid day-to-day management during his five years on the job," according to the media outlet.

For more, visit the below sites:

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/highlight/x1161126805/Suso-contract-wont-be-renewed-in-Framingham#ixzz1MXRuwmrn

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1146478293/State-commission-finds-probable-cause-against-Framingham#ixzz1MXP6EPAl

-- Betsy Scott, BScott@News-Herald.com

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Budget battle winner: partisanship

There is no shortage of critics for the proposed state budget that lawmakers and Gov. John Kasich need to approve before July 1.
As state leaders work to fill an $8 billion hole with a variety of changes and cuts in funding, many groups are unhappy.
Among them is the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, which the Columbus Dispatch reports recently voted to retract its 2010 endorsement of Sen. Shannon Jones, R-Springsboro, who is the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 5, the new law that limits collective bargaining for public employees.
Other groups have formed, such as We Are Ohio, which says on its website, www.weareohio.com, that “Ohioans know Gov. John Kasich and extreme politicians in the state legislature went too far.” The group is leading a referendum effort to repeal Senate Bill 5.
This week a new group that supports the proposed state budget emerged: One United Ohio.
The organization says Ohioans need to understand the budget crisis facts and unveiled a television commercial Monday to promote its message.
The advertisement can be viewed at www.oneohiounited.com/ad-facts.
One United Ohio says “By closing an $8 billion structural deficit, offering $34 million in job-creating tax incentives, pursuing major reforms and significantly reducing spending in principled, thoughtful ways, the Ohio Jobs Budget helps create the jobs friendly environment that Ohio needs and transforms complex, ineffective programs into sustainable efforts that deliver better services at a better value to the taxpayer.”
State representatives passed their version of the proposed budget last week, 59-40, in the Ohio House, and not surprisingly, the vote followed strict party lines.
Lake County’s two state representatives don’t exactly see eye to eye on the budget.
In fact, they couldn’t be farther apart.
State Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, says the legislation, House Bill 153, was the product of 57 committee hearings, 811 witnesses and nearly 200 hours of testimony.
He believes it maintains a commitment to Ohio’s job climate and fiscal sustainability and successfully makes significant reductions in the size of state government.
State Rep. Lorraine M. Fende, D-Willowick, says rarely was she as disappointed with her colleagues in the Ohio General Assembly. She also said she was unhappy there was no common ground during the budgeting process.
She blasted the budget and said the bill “is a farce and could prove downright dangerous for the future of Ohio.”
Now the legislation moves to the Ohio Senate, where state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, and 32 other state senators will have their chance to shape the bill.
After reading the entire bill, Grendell says he’s got a list of at least 26 items that need to be addressed before he will take a position on the bill.
He’s also concerned that Ohio’s 18th Senate District, which comprises Lake, Geauga and portions of eastern Cuyahoga counties, will lose $41 million in school funding.

Brunner to headline
Former Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner will speak at the Geauga Democratic Party Headquarters, 12420 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township, to discuss Senate Bill 5, redistricting and other election issues on May 21 during the party’s annual dinner event.
Tickets for admission to the headquarters are $45 in advance ($50 at the door).
A private reception with Brunner will be held at the home of Janet and Terry Carson prior to the dinner.
Visit www.geaugadems.org for more information.

Candidate announcements
Kirtland Mayor Mark A. Tyler announced that he is seeking re-election. In the announcement, he cited leadership, experience and the completion of several major projects within the city.

Lake, Geauga candidate filings
  • Sean Blake has filed petitions to run as a candidate for Mentor Council Ward 1.
  • For Chardon Municipal Court, Timothy H. Synder of Burton Township has filed as an independent candidate.

Fundies
  • Fende will host “Families for Fende” spaghetti dinner 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Dino’s Restaurant in Willoughby. See Nick Cindric.
  • Desirea Thompson, a candidate for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council, hosts a spaghetti dinner 5 to 9 p.m. July 16 at the Stadium Grill in Mentor. See John Thompson.


-- John Arthur Hutchison | JHutchison@News-Herald.com | @newsheraldjah

Labels: , , , , , ,

How your senators and representatives voted in Congress (5/13/11)

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending May 13, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110513


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Labels: , , , , ,

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

NRA is urging its Ohio members to act on two proposals


The National Rifle Association is not taking any chances about two pending firearms-related proposals before the Ohio House.

That is why the pro-Second Amendment group is urging its Ohio members to contact their state representatives about the measures that are expected to be voted on tomorrow - Thursday.

 House Bill 45 is a self-defense reform that would simplify where a licensed concealed carry permit holder can carry a weapon and House Bill 54 would allow individuals a pathway to restore firearm rights.

Introduced by state Representatives Danny Bubp (R-88) and Terry Johnson (R-89), HB 45 would eliminate "the current confusing standards of carrying a firearm in a motor vehicle," the NRA say.

In addition, the proposal would also allow permit holders to carry a firearm for self-defense in a restaurant that serves alcohol, provided they are not consuming alcohol, thus eliminating another “victim zone” in Ohio, again says the NRA.

HB 54, introduced by state Representatives Ron Maag (R-35) and Jarrod Martin (R-70), would bring Ohio in compliance with federal law to provide for the restoration of firearm rights for certain individuals, the NRA also says.

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Is Kucinich on the move?

U.S. Rep Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, said this week that because of redistricting, he might run for the House of Representatives in another state.

Population changes have led to the loss of two congressional seats in Ohio. When the state is redistricted, the seat Kucinich currently holds might be eliminated.

"This isn't my choice, though," he said. "It is being forced upon me. What I am not going to do is simply play the role of a victim to redistricting, because I don't look at life that way."

Click here to read more about Kucinich's possible move from The Associated Press.

Confused about how redistricting works? Click here to read more about the process (and to find a game that explains really well).


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Labels: ,

Saturday, May 7, 2011

How your senators and representatives voted in Congress (5/6/11)

See how U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette, R-Bainbridge Township; U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights; U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio; and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, voted in Congress in the week ending May 6, 2011:

Ohio in Congress, 20110506


-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl

Labels: , , , , ,

Friday, May 6, 2011

March 2012 primary to move?

There is pending legislation — as well as talk across Ohio and locally — about moving the March 2012 presidential primary to May.

One reason for this is the major political parties’ presidential nominee might already be decided before voters in Ohio cast their ballots. So why hold the primary two months early?

Another reason would be that Ohio law requires candidates to file for office 90 days before an election.

As of now, a March partisan primary would mean candidates interested in running for office in 2012 would need to file their election petitions by Dec. 7.

Some potential 2012 candidates, who are officeholders in their respective communities, might also need to consider circulating petitions for a new office just days or weeks after winning a municipal election.

Compounding the situation is redistricting, which will be conducted this year. As a result, the boundaries for many districts such as Ohio Senate, Ohio House of Representatives and U.S. House of Representatives might not be known by that time.

Also, after the Ohio Apportionment Board draws the new maps, legal challenges may follow. Any such challenges likely would further delay what the new districts look like.

Moving the primary is an idea supported by the Ohio Association of Elections Officials.

Eliminate February, August elections?

Some public officials across the state are embracing the idea of eliminating special elections held in February and August.

The board of trustees for the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, which represents the 86 county boards of commissioners and the executive and county councils in Cuyahoga and Summit counties, recently approved a proposal to ask the Ohio General Assembly to eliminate special elections during these two months. The Ohio Association of Elections Officials also supports this proposal.

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy, who spearheaded the proposal to CCAO, said the association understands there are community charters that call for special elections, but that is something separate that the association doesn’t want to deal with right now.

Troy is talking about special elections for issues, not for candidates. He says the bottom line is elections are extremely expensive to conduct no matter who ends up paying for them.

Even though the entity requesting a special election eventually reimburses their county for conducting the election, there are still other costs such as elections board staff time. Plus, it is extra dollars that the requesting entity has to spend.

Special elections typically have very low turnout compared to a November or May primary election, so the cost to open up a poll and pay for pollworkers and other expenses often comes at a fairly high cost per vote cast.

Troy has frequently said publicly that voters should question why an entity would spend additional dollars to pay for an election when the cost could be shared among other entities and political subdivisions that have issues and candidates on the ballot during the November election.

Entities including school districts often argue that they may need additional time to plan in case their request is denied by voters. They also like the option to have another bite at the apple within the same calender year, if needed.

Lake County candidate filings

* Appointed Mentor councilwoman at-large Janet A. Dowling has filed petitions with the Lake County Elections Board for the Nov. 8 election to retain the seat, which has an unexpired term that ends Dec. 31, 2013.

* Kirtland Mayor Mark Tyler is seeking re-election and has filed petitions.

* Desirea Thompson filed petitions to run for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council.

Fundies

* Kirtland Councilman Doug Davidson, a candidate for Kirtland mayor: Meet the Candidate Night from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Kirtlander Party Center. See Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

* Geauga County Commissioner Mary Samide: Spring buffet fundraiser 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at S.O.S. Inc. in Chardon. See Samide or Jacqueline Moskal.


JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Monday, May 2, 2011

Ramping up the rumor mill

With Dec. 7 as the filing deadline for people who look to run for office in 2012, it doesn’t leave much time after the Nov. 8 election for candidates who are considering running for office next year to make their decision.

For now, many of these candidates would likely be circulating their petitions around the Thanksgiving holiday. Plus, some candidates might be fresh off winning an office for mayor, city or village council, township trustee or school board.

But there is legislation pending in the Ohio General Assembly that would push the March 2012 presidential primary to May. If that turns out to be the case, it would allow for about two months — or until February — for local candidates to make their decision to file for an office.

Moving the date further ahead might also help candidates considering running for offices such as Congress, Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate. They might be waiting to see how some district boundaries are drawn by the Ohio Apportionment Board now that the 2010 U.S. Census results have been released.

It should be an interesting summer as candidates start to seriously consider what they might do next year. The rumors have already begun to emerge, so let’s flush out a few I’ve heard.

Possible state Senate GOP primary?

State Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, is not eligible to seek re-election due to term limits.

Some fans are encouraging state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, to consider running next year for Ohio Senate District 18. That’s as former state Rep. Jamie Callender, a Concord Township Republican, already announced his interest in the position.

Young will have served a full two-year term in the Ohio House of Representatives 63rd District and instead of running for re-election, would he seek a four-year term in the Ohio Senate?

How about someone like Concord Township Trustee Christopher Galloway? He is not up for re-election for trustee, but could decide to run for the Senate seat, which currently is comprised of Lake, Geauga and a small portion of eastern Cuyahoga County. Galloway could also run for state representative if Young were to run for state Senate, or Galloway may consider a county office such as commissioner.

The big unknown for how this race eventually pans out is the way the 18th Senate District’s boundaries will look after the state’s apportionment board draws new maps.

The district could continue to look mostly the same or the boundaries could change to drop Geauga County and a portion of eastern Cuyahoga County, then add Democratic-leaning Ashtabula County.

Ohio House District 62?

With state Rep. Lorraine Fende, D-Willowick, no longer eligible to run again for the position due to term limits, who might seek to replace her representing western Lake County, plus Concord Township in the Ohio House of Representatives?

How about someone like Willoughby Hills Council President Kevin Malecek?

He is up for re-election this fall for his four-year term council seat. But would Democrat Malecek, also president of the Laketran Board of Trustees, want to run for seat in Columbus or perhaps consider something closer to home such as a countywide office in 2013?

In the same city, how about Councilman at-large David Fiebig, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully in November 2010 against Fende? Fiebig is up this fall for re-election to a two-year term for the citywide position. What if he decides to run again for state representative in 2012? Would any potential GOP candidates run against him after a pretty close loss to Fende?

How about Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Larry Allen, a Democrat who concludes service on the bench this year?

Candidate filings
Kirtland resident Katica Markulin and Tammy Georgian Gibson of Willoughby have filed petitions with the Lake County Elections Board as an independent candidate for Willoughby Municipal Court. They look to run against Democrat Harry Field and Republican Karen Kowall in the Nov. 8 election.

Independent candidates may file for the office until Monday at 4 p.m.

Sightings
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, was in Lake County Tuesday evening to visit the Lake-Geauga Young Republican meeting at the Willoughby Brewing Co,

Fundies
* Malecek: Annual Cinco De Mayo party from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Katherine Malecek or Nora Colburn.

* Kirtland Councilman Doug Davidson, a candidate for Kirtland mayor: Meet the Candidate Night from 7 to 9 p.m. May 11, Kirtlander Party Center. See Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

n Geauga County Commissioner Mary Samide: Spring buffet fundraiser 4:30 to 7 p.m. May 12 at S.O.S. Inc. in Chardon. See Samide or Jacqueline Moskal.

-- John Arthur Hutchison
JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: @newsheraldjah