The Geauga County Republican Women will host the annual spaghetti dinner from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 10.

The event will take place at Munson Town Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, and donations are $10 per person. Those age 10 and younger eat free.

For reservations, call Dorothy Fromhercz at 440-729-7275, though walk-ins also are welcome.


View Munson Town Hall in a larger map

As expected, Lake County commissioners voted to raise the county’s piggyback sales rate by 0.5 percent, but there are other critical components to the overall package.

One is commissioners intend to reduce the user fees rates paid into the county Stormwater Management Department next year by 50 percent.

Fourteen communities are part of the county department that helps them comply with federal regulations to improve stormwater quality.

Fees from these communities currently generate about $2.043 million annually for the department, which in turn uses the revenue to fund, partially fund, or leverage additional dollars to pay for projects designed to clean stormwater runoff.

Cutting those fees in half would mean about $1.021 million annually for the program.

Residential parcel owners now pay $9.60 annually in communities that participate in Level 1 service and $30 annually for residential parcel owners in communities that have Level 2 service.

So next year, those fees would be cut in half to make it $4.80 annually for Level 1 and $15 annually for Level 2.

That means stormwater officials will prioritize the projects that are the most critical and which are the most cost-effective. Maybe a project (or a few) won’t go forward.

Despite the loss of revenue to the department, there’s a possibility of an unforeseen effect.

If you remember, one early criticism of the program when it first was implemented was that the fees were too expensive for people to pay, so some communities decided to comply with the federal requirements on their own.

Maybe with the fees cut in half next year, other communities might consider joining the county program?

The other component of the package is that commissioners agreed to reduce the property tax inside millage dedicated to the county’s general fund.

Currently, the rate is 2.1 mills, and commissioners will reduce the rate for residential and commercial property owners to 1 mill. For each $100,000 of property valuation, 2.1 mills generates $64.31 per year; 1 mill would generate $30.63 per year.

What that means is property owners within the county get a break. They will pay an estimated $7 million less overall to the county’s general fund based on current values beginning next year, according to the county Auditor’s Office.

For Mentor, Lake County’s largest community, property owners within the city would pay an estimated $1.658 million less annually than they would based on current values. Concord Township property owners would pay an estimated $690,656 less overall, and those in Eastlake would pay $509,872 less overall.

Broken down by cities, villages and townships, the amount of savings combined for residential and commercial property owners based on current values is $4.611 million, $588,392, and $1.75 million respectively.

Special event

Retirement party for Willoughby resident Barry Feathers, who for 34 years has run the snack shop in the basement of the Lake County Courthouse in Painesville. Festivities will be held at the snack shop from noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, his last day on the job.

Fundies

n Christine Page, candidate for Lake County auditor, will host a Groundhog Day Party from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Stadium Grille in Mentor. See Michele Woltman.

n Fundraiser for James Helmink, candidate for state representative Ohio House District 60, with special guest state Sen. Capri Cafaro, 6 to 8pm. Feb. 9, at Cappelli’s in Mentor. See Michael Wagner or Helmink.

n Leap Day event for 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Kathy DiCristofaro or Mike Apicella.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Campaign season is in full swing for local partisan candidates who will appear on the March 6 primary ballot.

As of Tuesday, there will be just seven more weeks until party voters select who to nominate to appear on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The Lake County Democratic Party conducted a meeting last week and endorsed candidates for various races.

Here is what transpired, according to party officials.

For commissioner term commencing Jan. 3, 2013, incumbent Robert E. Aufuldish was endorsed over challenger Daniel W. Tharp. For the commissioner term commencing Jan. 2, Willowick Council President Judy Moran was endorsed over Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski.

Three Democratic candidates will appear on the ballot for county treasurer — state Rep. Lorraine M. Fende, Perry Township Fiscal Officer Christine Page and Mentor-on-the-Lake Mayor John Rogers — with each endorsed by the party.

For Ohio House of Representatives District 60, Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy was endorsed over Eastlake Councilwoman Laura A. DePledge and James Helmink of Willowick.

Unopposed primary candidates who received the county party’s blessing were incumbent county Clerk of Courts Maureen G. Kelly, Susan McGuinness for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, Jim Mueller for Ohio Senate District 18 and Ann Radcliffe for county recorder.

Republican candidates for Lake County commissioner, also last weekend, attended a candidates forum hosted by the Lake County Tea Party.

After the program, a straw poll was conducted. For commissioner term commencing Jan. 2, 2013, Willoughby Hills Councilman at large David Fiebig got 33 votes, North Perry Village Councilman Richard Shreve received 14. For commissioner term commencing Jan. 3, 2013, Leroy Township Trustee Linda Burhenne received 27 votes, Madison Village Council President John Hamercheck received 20.

State central committees

Also on the ballot for this primary are races for Ohio Democratic and Republican state central committee members.

People are elected to this position by party voters and they are instrumental in shaping party policies and direction as well as helping their respective candidates be successful.

Each state central committee is divided by Ohio Senate District boundaries with a male and female representing each district. The Ohio 18th District’s boundary beginning in 2013 will consist of half of Lake County, two-thirds of Geauga County, plus all of Portage County.

Here’s a look at who’s on the ballot. I’ll try to include some other districts in a future column.

For Democratic male, it’s former state Rep. Mark A. Schneider of Mentor and Craig Stephens of Atwater. For Democratic female, it’s state Rep. Kathleen Clyde of Kent.

For Republican male, it’s former state Rep. Jamie Callender of Concord Township and Andrew Manning of Ravenna. Lake County Republican Party Chairman Dale H. Fellows of Willoughby Hills had been a candidate but withdrew Jan. 5. 

For Republican female, it’s Heidi Callender of Concord Township vs. Amy Sabath of Concord Township.

Fundies

n Campaign social for Hamercheck, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Cornerstone Brewing Company in Madison Village. See Susan Hamercheck.

n Campaign kickoff for Bob Patterson, candidate for Lake County treasurer, 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Hellriegels in Painesville Township. See Sandy Patterson.

n Fundraiser for Shreve, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday at Mentor Beach Park. See Richard or Susie Shreve.

n Page will host a Groundhog Day Party from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2 at Stadium Grille in Mentor. See Michele Woltman.

n Leap Day event for 11th District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Kathy DiCristofaro or Mike Apicella.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah

It came as no great surprise that Lake County commissioners decided to raise the county sales tax rate to help solve a budget crisis.

However, I had wondered if the rate was to be raised by 0.5 percent rather than 0.25 percent, exactly how commissioners would reach a bipartisan decision, but even more so, I was curious how it would be sold to the public.

The decision to lower the county’s inside millage, or non-voted property tax, to the general fund down to 1 mill from 2.1 mills was something I’m not sure many people had considered an option. Heck, I didn’t even know it was possible.

But giving property owners a sizable break on their taxes and cutting the stormwater management fee rates by 50 percent in communities that are part of the county program apparently was the balance needed for commissioners to go with a 0.5 percent increase.

For each $100,000 of property valuation, 2.1 mills generates $64.31 per year; 1 mill would generate $30.63 per year, according to the county Auditor’s Office.

As part of the stormwater program, residential parcel owners in communities that participate in Level 1 service now pay $9.60 annually — as of April 1 it would be $4.80. Residential parcel owners in communities that have Level 2 service now pay $30 annually — as of April 1 it would be $15.

With their overall proposal, commissioners decided to shift the major sources of county revenue to one that is more consumption based and less reliant on property owners.

An 0.5 percent increase in sales tax collections would bring in an estimated $14 million additional each year for a total of about $28 million annually or about half the county’s general fund budget, which in 2011 was just below $53 million.

The other major sources of revenue for the county are investment earnings, state funding and property taxes.

It’s no secret that many property owners say they are tired of being the group asked to pay more to help their local government and/or schools make up budget shortfalls.

In this proposal, the property owner gets a break and the sales tax increase will be paid by everyone who shops in the county. It doesn’t matter if you’re a renter or live outside the county.

In essence, the increased revenue will come from a larger group of people rather than concentrated on property owners.

Here’s some perspective on how much the sales tax hike would affect a consumer:

n A $20 toaster would cost 10 cents more.

n A $200 trip to the store (not counting food purchases, which are nontaxable in Ohio) would cost $1 more.

n A $1,000 appliance would cost $5 more.

n A $20,000 car would cost an extra $100.

Remember that sales tax on vehicle purchases are charged at the rate of the county in which the buyer lives, so there is no advantage to   shop by county to try to pay lower sales tax on the purchase.

Commissioners also felt there was a sufficient balance in place for funding the Lake County Stormwater Management Department and projects it conducts — at least for the next few years — to reduce the fees collected by half and still accomplish the main objectives that the program is required to do.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Ted Andrzejewski, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Croatian Lodge in Eastlake. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

n Campaign kickoff for Lori DiNallo, candidate for state representative District 60, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Wickliffe Italian-American Club. See Vince DiNallo.

n Campaign social for John R. Hamercheck, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at Cornerstone Brewing Company in Madison Village. See Susan Hamercheck.

n Campaign kickoff for Bob Patterson, candidate for Lake County treasurer, 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 25 at Hellriegels in Painesville Township. See Sandy Patterson.

n Fundraiser for Richard Shreve, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Jan. 28 at Mentor Beach Park. See Richard or Susie Shreve.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah

PADDY POWER PRESS RELEASE

ROMNEY HEAVILY FAVOURED TO MAKE IT 3 IN A ROW

(11 January 2012) Europes largest betting company Paddy Power have installed Mitt Romney as 2/5 favourite for the South Carolina primary after the former Massachusetts Governor romped home to victory in the New Hampshire primary.

Romney’s nearest rival in the betting is Newt Gingrich at 7/2 followed by Rick Santorum at 11/2 and Ron Paul at 25/1 with Rick Perry and John Huntsman propping up the market at 33/1 and 100/1 respectively.

Paddy Power now have Romney as the clear favourite for the Republican nomination at a miniscule price of 1/8 with his closest contenders Texan libertarian Ron Paul and former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich both available at 14/1.

Paddy Power a spokesperson for Paddy Power said “Having scraped to victory in Iowa, Romney will be keen to build momentum on the back of his convincing win in New Hampshire. The race is far from over but it’s fair to say that the chasing pack have an awful lot of catching up to do.”

South Carolina Primary
2/5    Mitt Romney
7/2    Newt Gingrich
11/2    Rick Santorum
25/1    Ron Paul
33/1    Rick Perry
100/1    John Huntsman

Republican Presidential Nomination
1/8    Mitt Romney
14/1    Ron Paul
14/1    Newt Gingrich
25/1    Rick Santorum
33/1    John Huntsman
66/1    Rick Perry

Next President
8/11    Barack Obama
6/4    Mitt Romney
25/1    Ron Paul
25/1    Newt Gingrich
40/1    Hilary Clinton
40/1    John Huntsman
50/1    Rick Santorum
125/1    Rick Perry

Winning Party
8/11    Democrats
Evens    Republicans
66/1    Any other

Ends

All prices remain subject to fluctuation.

Paddy Power is Ireland’s largest bookmaker and a leading provider of gaming services in the UK, Australia and Ireland. Founded in 1988 Paddy Power is a publicly quoted company and is listed on both the Irish and London Stock Exchanges (www.paddypowerplc.com)



Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
JFrischkorn@News-Herald.com
Twiter: @Fieldkorn

It’s not a major surprise that Lake County commissioners have set two public hearing dates to discuss a potential raise of the county’s sales tax rate.

Last year, commissioners were reluctant to consider an increase, saying they would look to cut until it got to the point where they felt the county couldn’t cut anymore or perform statutory functions.

But with additional layoffs anticipated and the budget likely to shrink even further in 2012 from 2011, commissioners appear more interested in discussing the possibility of an increase.

It’s worth noting that even though two public hearings are scheduled — which is a requirement of state law if a sales tax increase were to be implemented or placed on the ballot by commissioners — such an increase is still something that might not happen.

However, I’m doubtful that public hearings would have been scheduled if that was the case.

So perhaps the more interesting questions are exactly how much may it increase — likely either 0.25 percent or 0.50 percent — and if an increase would be done as an emergency measure or placed on the countywide ballot.

Elections Board director?

With the retirement of Janet F. Clair as director of the Lake County Elections Board, there remains a Republican Party opening for someone to be appointed either director or deputy director of the county department.

Democrat Scott E. Daisher is currently the deputy director. He could either be moved up to director or remain as deputy director, depending what the bipartisan four-member Elections Board decides.

State law dictates that the chairman of the four-member board must be the opposite party of the director.

Plus, the director and deputy director must be of the opposite party.

Democrat Thomas A. Tagliamonte is now board chairman, so if Daisher is moved up to director, Tagliamonte would have to step down as chairman. The two Republicans on the board are Dale H. Fellows and David A. Vitaz and if Daisher becomes director, then either Fellows or Vitaz would be named board chairman.

Look soon for these decisions.

Ohio Senate District 25

State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, represents Ohio Senate District 25, which in 2013 will consist of Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, parts of Painesville Township, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick in Lake County, plus Euclid, Richmond Heights and other eastern Cuyahoga County communities.

Turner had aspirations to run in an 11th Congressional District Democratic primary against U.S. Rep. Marcia L. Fudge, D-Warrensville Heights, but for now decided to stay in the Ohio Senate. Keep in mind, Turner could always run as an independent with a filing deadline of March 5.

Deadline

The weekly deadline for information to appear in this column is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Email or faxes are preferred.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Jason Wuliger, candidate for Lake County recorder, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday at Gavi’s in Willoughby. Special guest is Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel. See Susan Culotta.

n Campaign kickoff for Linda Burhenne, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Spats Cafe in Concord Township. See Jack Burhenne.

n Fundraiser for Ted Andrzejewski, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 19 at Croatian Lodge in Eastlake. See Ted or Patricia Andrzejewski.

n Campaign kickoff for Lori DiNallo, candidate for state representative District 60, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at Wickliffe Italian-American Club. See Vince DiNallo.

n Campaign social for John R. Hamercheck, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 24 at Cornerstone Brewing Company in Madison Village. See Susan Hamercheck.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: newsheraldjah