What might trickle down if Lake County Commissioner Raymond E. Sines doesn’t seek re-election next year?

Sines as a free agent opens up a lot of possibilities for him and others.

One thing is, if state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, is appointed judge for Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court, an appointment to the Ohio Senate would be needed.

Perhaps state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, is given the first option to be appointed as state senator, then someone would need to be appointed to fill Young’s 63rd Ohio House District seat.

How about Sines?

The Perry Village resident served for years as a state representative for eastern Lake County and later was a state lobbyist before he became county commissioner in 2003.

If Young didn’t get the appointment, maybe Sines is appointed state senator?

With Republican Gov. John Kasich now in office, don’t be surprised to see Sines perhaps get appointed to a state board or commission in Columbus, if he was interested either prior to his term’s expiration or afterward.

If Sines stepped away early as a commissioner, the county Republican Party would make an appointment to replace him and perhaps give a candidate a leg up on the race next year.

Maybe Leroy Township Trustee Linda Burhenne or even Elections Board Director Janet F. Clair, who will retire from her post after the November election?

Clair, also the county GOP’s chairwoman, would have name recognition and connections as someone involved in county politics for decades. Speaking of GOP county chairs, what about Dale Fellows, a former county commissioner?

If Burhenne or Clair decided to run next year for the seat currently manned by Sines and one was to win the Republican Party nomination, perhaps it would set up Lake County to have its second female commissioner.

That is if Willowick Council President Judy Moran, a Democrat, takes another run for commissioner for that Sines’ term and won the Democratic Party nomination.

Ohio Turnpike director?

There remains a vacancy for this position after the commission wanted to hire David O. Regula earlier this summer to replace the retired L. George Distel. But Regula declined the job. What if Lake County Engineer James R. Gills was appointed? Might he have an interest?

Fundies

n Brian Wollet, Mentor City Council Ward 2 candidate, fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Branding Iron Cookhouse in Mentor. See Carolyn Anderson or Rick Zaleski.

n Harry Field, Willoughby Municipal judge candidate, fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Italian American Hall in Wickliffe. See Russ Meraglio, Mark Ziccarelli or Judy Moran.

n Eastlake Council Ward 3 candidate Cindy Quinn-Hopkins hosts Pasta and Politics dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Surfside Towers Party Room in Eastlake. See James T. Overstreet.

n Fundraiser for John Krueger, candidate for Mentor Council Ward 4, from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Deeker’s in Mentor. See Krueger.

n Spaghetti dinner fundraiser for Willowick Councilman Charlie Malta from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 18 at Willowick American Legion Hall. See MaryBeth Malta.

n Hors d’oeuvres fundraiser for Geauga County Recorder Sharon C. Gingerich from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 at Cleats Club Seat Grille in Chardon. See Michele Lane.

n Lake County Democratic Women’s club hosts annual fall luncheon at noon Sept. 24 at Cappelli’s in Mentor.

n John Murphy, candidate for Ward 4 Painesville Council, meet the candidate with complimentary buffet from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 29 at Rider’s Inn in Painesville. See Murphy.

n Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy will host Fall Classic golf outing and clam bake with 12:30 p.m. shotgun start Sept. 30 at Madison Country Club in Madison Township. See Troy or Kip Molenaar.

Deadlines

The weekly deadline for candidates or other items to appear in this column is each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Emails or faxes are preferred.

To leave a comment or to read this column online, visit: NorthernOhioLocalPolitics.blogspot.com.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com,

Twitter: @newsheraldjah