It is possible there could be changes next year on the three-member board of Lake County commissioners.

Two commissioner terms will be on the ballot in Nov. 2012 — those of Raymond E. Sines and Robert E. Aufuldish. The term of Commissioner Daniel P. Troy doesn’t expire until 2014.

Growing speculation within county circles is that Sines won’t seek re-election.

Some point to a sign that Sines, a Perry Village Republican, didn’t conduct his annual campaign fundraiser at his farm this summer, like he usually does.

If Sines decides he doesn’t want to run, that would open the door for many candidates both Republican and Democrat to run for that office.

Fans of Willowick Council President Judy Moran, a Democrat who ran against Sines in 2008, want her to again run for commissioner.

How about state Rep. Lorraine M. Fende, D-Willowick, who is term-limited from seeking re-election, or Willoughby Hills Council President Kevin Malecek, a Democrat?

What about Republicans Jamie Callender and Concord Trustee Christopher Galloway, who are both running for Ohio Senate next year?

Both would like to be appointed to the Ohio Senate if state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, is appointed as Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court judge.

But since only one person can get that possible appointment and (don’t forget it could be state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township or someone else) that leg up on a potential Republican primary, perhaps one changes his mind and runs for commissioner?

Wickliffe Republican Bob Murphy sought the office in November, when he lost against Troy. Maybe he gives it another try?

Leroy Township Trustee Linda Burhenne, a Republican, expressed interest in 2003 to become commissioner when the county Republican Party appointed Sines to succeed former Commissioner Mildred M. Teuscher, who left office midterm.

Perhaps there will be a Democratic primary next year, if Aufuldish seeks re-election. Would Fende or another Democrat challenge Aufuldish?

There’s always talk of Troy running for Ohio Senate, a position he ran for in 1996, but lost against former state Sen. Robert Gardner, a Madison Township Republican. Troy could run for cover, meaning if he lost a state Senate bid, he would still have two years remaining as commissioner.

Fundies

n Nicholas Valeri, a candidate for Mentor Ward 1 City Council, will hold a fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Hooley House in Mentor. See Greg Valeri or Nicholas Valeri.

n Labor Day picnic for Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at the Wickliffe Italian American Club Picnic Pavilion with special guest entertainer Tom Todd. See Sue Margalis.

n Lake County Coroner Dr. Lynn Smith, a picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Painesville Elks Club. See Dr. Ron Taddeo or Sheila Smith.

n Kimberly Evers, Eastlake Council candidate, hosts a fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Captain’s Club in Eastlake. See Evers.

n Cocktail reception for Galloway, who also is a candidate for Ohio Senate, from 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 10 at the residence of Bev and Dave Vitaz in Concord Township.

n Brian Wollet, Mentor City Council Ward 2 candidate, will have a fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Branding Iron Cookhouse in Mentor. See Carolyn Anderson or Rick Zaleski.

n Harry Field, Willoughby Municipal judge candidate, will have a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Italian American Hall in Wickliffe. See Russ Meraglio, Mark Ziccarelli or Judy Moran.

n Eastlake Council Ward 3 candidate Cindy Quinn-Hopkins will host Pasta and Politics dinner from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Surfside Towers Party Room in Eastlake. See James T. Overstreet.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Supporters of the effort to repeal Senate Bill 5 didn’t seem too keen on Gov. John Kasich’s last-ditch offer to sit down at the table to discuss a compromise that would take the issue off the statewide Nov. 8 ballot.

Kasich and top Republicans called a news conference Wednesday to offer to discuss possibly weakening the new collective bargaining law about which a referendum vote is scheduled.

The new law, which is on hold until the referendum vote is finished, restricts collective bargaining for more than 350,000 teachers, police officers, state employees and others.

It eliminates the option for binding arbitration, bans public employee strikes and gets rid of automatic pay increases, replacing them with merit raises or performance pay.

It also allows public worker unions to negotiate wages, but not health care, sick time or pension benefits.

The timing of Kasich’s call is interesting — why now discuss a compromise?

A recent poll by Quinnipiac University showed that 56 percent of Ohio voters want to see the law repealed, compared to 32 percent who want to keep it in place.

When crafting the bill in January and February, the governor and top involved Republicans never really had a need to compromise or to seriously listen to concerns of Democrats, union leaders and others.

That’s because they hold a majority in both chambers of the Ohio General Assembly. In essence, they held all the chips as the bill was debated.

But that changed a little bit with the emergence of We Are Ohio, the group that brought the issue to the ballot with more than 1.3 million signatures.

Now that a referendum vote is scheduled, We Are Ohio has no plans to discuss a compromise or take the issue off the ballot unless the law is repealed by state lawmakers.

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Kevin DeWine urged otherwise.

“Our path forward as a state struggling under the weight of a sluggish economy begins with offering proposals to find common ground on reforms which place jobs and economic recovery before political point scoring,” he said.

My hunch is the governor figures he had nothing to lose by asking for the two sides to sit down together, while most likely knowing nothing substantially would happen.

“Due to the complexity of the bill and our responsibility to the 1.3 million Ohioans who want to repeal it, We Are Ohio strongly believes a full repeal of Senate Bill 5 must occur prior to any meeting,” said Melissa Fezakas, We Are Ohio spokeswoman.

I don’t seriously think that’s going to happen.

Deadlines

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

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Karen Lutz Kowall, candidate for Willoughby Municipal Court judge, from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at Pranzo Restaurant in Willoughby. See Jack or Marlene Cornachio.

n Concord Township trustees Chris Galloway and Paul Malchesky celebrate their birthdays with a fundraiser for fellow Trustee Connie Luhta from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Galloway or Malchesky.

n Geauga County Auditor Frank J. Gliha will host a Chinese dinner and auction fundraiser from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday at Pineview Lake in Munson Township. See Frank or Bernadette J. Gliha.

n Kirtland mayoral candidate and City Councilman Doug Davidson will host an outdoor coffee and doughnut social at the Kirtland Community Center Soccer Field from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. See Sean McGreal, Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

n Fundraiser dinner for Katie Jenkins, Painesville City Council candidate, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday at Jackie’s Sports Bar in Painesville. See Christine Hart Howlett.

n Labor Day picnic for Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Wickliffe Italian American Club Picnic Pavilion with special guest entertainer Tom Todd. See Sue Margalis.

n Lake County Coroner Dr. Lynn Smith, a picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Painesville Elks Club. See Dr. Ron Taddeo or Sheila Smith.

n Kimberly Evers, Eastlake Council candidate, hosts a fundraiser from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Captain’s Club in Eastlake. See Evers.

n Cocktail reception for Galloway, who also is a candidate for Ohio Senate, from 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 10 at the residence of Bev and Dave Vitaz in Concord Township.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

U.S. Speaker of the House John Boehner announced Thursday that Ohio Gov. John Kasich was selected to deliver the GOP weekly address on Saturday.

For more, here's a link to the news release from Boehner:

http://www.speaker.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=256648


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

Twitter: newsheraldjah

An Ireland-based oddsmaker has laid out what it believes are the chances of some notable politicians, and even some celebrities, to become U.S. President next year.

President Barack Obama was listed at 4/6 odds to keep his seat in the White House, followed by Texas Gov. Rick Perry at 7/2, former Mass. Gov. Mitt Romney at 5/1, followed by U.S. Rep. Michele Bachman at 16/1.

But the odds released today by Ireland’s largest bookmaker Paddy Power inserted actor Matt Damon into the mix, listing him at 100/1 to become president and 66/1 to receive the Democratic Party nomination.

The oddsmaker said in a news release that it brought Damon into the mix after the actor, who is outspoken on some political subjects, received “a glittering endorsement for the role from fellow Hollywood star Michael Moore! Damon has proven far more articulate on Liberal issues than his Team America puppet would suggest.”

Other notable figures listed by Paddy Power to become president are 25/1 Hilary Clinton, 40/1 John Boehner, 40/1 Paul Ryan, 50/1 Ron Paul, 66/1 Rudolph Giuliani, 500/1 Laura Bush, 500/1 Paris Hilton, 500/1 Jimmy McMilan, and 500/1 Will Smith.

So will Damon become president? I'm not betting on it.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com
Twitter: newsheraldjah

There may be a scenario in the works if term-limited state Sen. Tim Grendell isn’t appointed Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court judge by Gov. John Kasich.

State Rep. Richard R. Hollington Jr., R-Hunting Valley, filed petitions prior to Wednesday’s filing deadline to run for Hunting Valley mayor.

With Hollington slated to become Hunting Valley mayor next year, there eventually would be a need for an appointment to replace Hollington in the Ohio House of Representatives.

Hollington was appointed earlier this year to represent the 98th Ohio House District, which consists of Geauga County and portions of eastern Cuyahoga County.

He was appointed after Grendell, R-Chester Township, decided — without precedent — to stay in the Ohio Senate rather than become state representative after he was elected to that position last November.

Because no other candidates filed to run for Hunting Valley mayor, it’s Hollington’s if he wants it.

Might Hollington resign soon, thus opening the door for Grendell to be quickly appointed state representative — if he doesn’t get Kasich’s appointment to the bench?

What if Sen. Grendell becomes Rep. Grendell? Then who might get appointed to the Ohio Senate seat for the next several months until the term expires next year? How about Judge Diane V. Grendell or state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township?

Regardless, it appears there may be some options for Sen. Grendell if he isn’t appointed judge by Kasich.

With that said, if Grendell still wants to be judge but isn’t appointed to any position, he could always run against whomever is appointed judge to fill the unexpired term of former Judge Chip “Charles” Henry.

Stay tuned.

Troy named committee chairman

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy was named chairman of the National Association of Counties Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs committee. NACo represents 3,068 county governments on issues before the federal government, works to improve the public’s understanding of county government, assists counties to find and share innovative solutions through education and research and provides value-added services to save counties and taxpayers money.

Fundies

n State Rep. Lorraine M. Fende hosts her sixth annual steak roast from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Wickliffe Italian American Club. See Nick Cindric.

n Summertime Cookout for Chuck Hillier, a candidate for Painesville Township trustee, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Lake Erie Shores Beach Park in Painesville Township. See Ken Fitzsimmons or Diana Hillier.

n Kirtland mayoral candidate and City Councilman Doug Davidson will host an outdoor coffee and doughnut social at The Kirtland Community Center Soccer Field on Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. See Sean McGreal, Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

n Fundraiser for Karen Lutz Kowall, candidate for Willoughby Municipal Court judge, from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at Pranzo Restaurant in Willoughby. See hosts Jack or Marlene Cornachio.

n Concord Township trustees Chris Galloway and Paul Malchesky, celebrate their birthdays with a fundraiser for fellow Trustee Connie Luhta from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Galloway or Malchesky.

n Geauga County Auditor Frank J. Gliha will host a Chinese dinner and auction fundraiser from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Pineview Lake in Munson Township. See Frank or Bernadette J. Gliha.

n Fundraiser dinner for Katie Jenkins, Painesville City Council candidate, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 27 at Jackie’s Sports Bar in Painesville. See Christine Hart Howlett.

n Labor Day picnic for Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Wickliffe Italian American Club Picnic Pavilion with special guest entertainer Tom Todd. See Sue Margalis.

n Lake County Coroner Dr. Lynn Smith, a picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Painesville Elks Club. See Dr. Ron Taddeo or Sheila Smith.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Although it’s very early, Jamie Callender already is in full campaign mode for a run at the Ohio Senate next year.

Callender, a Concord Township Republican and former state representative, wants to represent Lake County in Columbus, and it remains uncertain due to reapportionment whether the current 18th Ohio Senate District will keep Geauga County or move east to include Ashtabula County instead of Geauga.

Callender’s campaign raised $35,688, and has $21,438 available for the period ending June 30, according to the campaign’s semi-annual spending report filed with Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s office.

Other local candidates/incumbents filing this period are state Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, who raised $14,229 and has $1,227.84 available, according to his campaign’s semi-annual report.

It’s possible Young could be appointed as a state senator if Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, is appointed by Gov. John Kasich to become Geauga County’s new Probate/Juvenile Court judge. Spectators and interested parties are keeping a close eye on what happens with that appointment.

Term-limited Grendell has raised $8,950, has $11,124 available, and has $16,700 in loans owed by his committee, according to his campaign’s semi-annual report.

State Rep. Lorraine M. Fende, D-Willowick, also term-limited, and has raised $17,138, has $8,222.83 available and has $5,000 in loans owed by her committee, according to her semi-annual report.

We’ll know after the Aug. 10 filing deadline for candidates to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot whether Fende has any intention to run for Willowick mayor again. Many of her fans want her to run for Ohio Senate next year.

State Rep. Richard Hollington, R-Hunting Valley, who represents Geauga County and a small portion of eastern Cuyahoga County, did not file a report.

Concord Township Trustee Christopher Galloway, who has announced plans to run for Ohio Senate, did not report any funds raised prior to June 30 deadline because he didn’t officially activate his campaign until July 1.

           

Candidate happenings

Willowick Mayor Richard Bonde announced he filed petitions to run for re-election with the Lake County Elections Board. He cites renovation to the city’s two major shopping centers and finishing four years of aggressive city street repair and resurfacing while maintaining a healthy general fund for the city.

Deadline chat

Join us and feel free to ask questions as I conduct a live chat Thursday at noon on www.News-Herald.com with a local Democrat and Republican. We’ll discuss who filed for what races by Wednesday’s 4 p.m deadline for candidates and issues to appear on the Nov. 8 ballot.

Fundies

* Brian Wollet, a candidate for Mentor Ward 2 City Council, will hold a fundraiser from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at Toth’s Place in Mentor. See Carolyn Anderson or Wollet.

* Willoughby Hills Councilman at-large David Fiebig will host a free All American Family Picnic with a special guest from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Campbell Park in Willoughby Hills.

* State Rep. Fende hosts her sixth annual steak roast from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Wickliffe Italian American Club. See Nick Cindric.

* Summertime Cookout for Chuck Hillier, a candidate for Painesville Township trustee, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Lake Erie Shores Beach Park in Painesville Township. See Ken Fitzsimmons or Diana Hillier.

* Kirtland mayoral candidate and City Councilman Doug Davidson will host an outdoor coffee and doughnut social at The Kirtland Community Center Soccer Field on Aug. 27 from 9 a.m. to noon. See Sean McGreal, Jim Yarborough or Gina Davidson.

* Fundraiser for Karen Lutz Kowall, candidate for Willoughby Municipal Court judge, from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at Pranzo Restaurant in Willoughby. See hosts Jack or Marlene Cornachio.

* Geauga County Auditor Frank J. Gliha will host a Chinese dinner and auction fundraiser from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at Pineview Lake in Munson Township. See Frank or Bernadette J. Gliha.

* Labor Day picnic for Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Wickliffe Italian American Club Picnic Pavilion with special guest entertainer Tom Todd. See Sue Margalis.

* Lake County Coroner Dr. Lynn Smith, a picnic from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 7 at Painesville Elks Club. See Dr. Ron Taddeo or Sheila Smith.

Deadline

For candidates who wish to submit items for this column, my weekly deadline is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Email and faxes are preferred.

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

If you think you would have a knack for creating congressional districts, here's your opportunity to do it.

Plain Dealer guest columnist (and manager of the Ohio Campaign for Accountable Redistricting) Jim Slagle wrote this weekend about Draw the Line Ohio, which lets voters create their own maps - and have a chance at winning some money.

From drawthelinemidwest.org/ohio/competition:

You can draw state legislative and congressional districts for Ohio – using the same population and election data used by public officials.
Plans will be scored by objective criteria: preserving county boundaries; compactness; competitiveness; and representational fairness.
Winning plans will be eligible for $5000 in cash prizes and will be submitted to the Legislature and Apportionment Board for their consideration.

Sounds easy enough, right?

If you want in, visit drawthelinemidwest.org/ohio and click on "Join the Contest to Draw a Better Map". Sign up for an account to draw a map, or enter the site as a guest to see what other Ohioans have come up with.

I've blogged before about redistricting, and I can't stress enough how important this topic is going to be in the next year. Ohio currently has 18 congressional districts (click here for the map), and two of those are disappearing for the 2012 election because of the state's population loss.

If you're not sure what goes in to redistricting, check out The ReDistricting Game for a fun explanation of the process. (If you like puzzles, you'll seriously enjoy this.) For a more thorough explanation of the process, see Draw the Line Midwest's Redistricting 101 page.


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