Now that the Geauga County Republican Party has received applications for people interested in a recommendation to Gov. John Kasich to be appointed as the new county Probate/Juvenile Court judge, it will be interesting to see how the chips may fall.

State Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, who is term-limited from running for re-election is among at least 15 people are interested in the bench spot, which was left vacant following the May 23 death of Judge Charles "Chip" Henry.

Remember, the county GOP was asked to make three recommendations, but Kasich can appoint whomever he wants.

So what if Grendell is appointed? First, there would be a vacancy for Ohio Senate District 18 and someone would need to be appointed to that position to fill the term that expires at the end of this year.

Could that person be former state Rep. Jamie Callender, a Concord Township Republican? Callender announced this past week that he intends to run for Ohio Senate next year for whatever district that includes Lake County, since what the district looks like remains to be determined because of redistricting.

It would give Callender an advantage to run next year as a appointed senator against a Democratic opponent. Perhaps state Rep. Lorraine Fende, D-Willowick?

Fende can’t seek re-election next year to the Ohio House of Representatives due to term limits? We’re still waiting for Fende to decide what she may or may not do.

What about 11th District Court of Appeals Court Judge Diane V. Grendell?
Would she be interested in an Ohio Senate appointment or even appointment by Kasich to the county Probate/Juvenile Court bench? Perhaps her husband Tim gets the appointment, but then declines, and runs for something else? Hey, you never know.

Diane Grendell’s term on the bench expires Feb. 10, 2013, so at some point in the not-to-distant future, she will need to make a decision on her political future whether that’s running for re-election or something else.

Troy honored
The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency announced that the 2011 winner of the Walter F. Ehrnfelt, Jr. Award for Outstanding Regional Contribution is Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy.
The Ehrnfelt Award is presented annually to an individual in the public sector who has significantly contributed to the betterment of northeast Ohio. NOACA cited Troy’s work in public service first as a councilman and council president Willowick, then for seven terms in the Ohio House of Representatives, and now as Lake County commissioner.

Candidate filing
Chuck Hillier announced he has filed petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to run for Painesville Township trustee. He is a member of the Painesville Township Zoning Commission and serves as Trustee/President of Lake Erie Shores HOA.
Before he moved to the township in 2005, Hillier was an Eastlake City Council member serving as council president. He also previously served on the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals. Hillier retired from the Navy in February 2010 after 30 years service.

Congressional district director named
John M. Hairston Jr. has been named district director for U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights. Fudge serves the 11th Congressional District, which includes Euclid.
Hairston, is a retired chief of communications for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and retired Director of External Programs at NASA John H. Glenn Research Center.

Ohio political party dinners
Vice President Joe Biden is the special guest for the Ohio Democratic Party’s state dinner June 25 in Columbus.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal will headline the Ohio Republican Party’s state dinner July 22 in Cleveland.

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

* Euclid Mayor Bill Cervenik, annual golf classic: Shotgun start at 1 p.m. Friday 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. Special guest U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette. See Tim Gorka.

* Kirtland Councilman Doug Davidson, who is running for mayor, will host a community hotdog roast from 6 to 8 p.m. June 28 from at the Kirtland Kiwanis Pavilion at the City Recreation Park. See Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

* Geauga County Democratic Party annual golf outing is July 10 at Pleasant Hill Golf Course in Chardon. Shotgun starts at noon, dinner at 6 p.m. See Dave Netzband.

* Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski, annual golf outing: 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 15 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Ted or Jason Andrzejewski.

* 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.