Let’s just go ahead and call the three-way battle for Eastlake mayor as the most interesting candidate race this year in Lake County.

Incumbent Mayor Ted Andrzejewski and Council President Dennis Morley filed to run a while back before the July 19 deadline and already started fundraising for their campaigns. It appeared initially this would be a showdown between the two men.

Councilwoman Cindy Quinn-Hopkins surprised many with her decision to run, and she eventually filed to run for mayor less than two hours before the deadline.

So what we have here is a special nonpartisan primary to be held on Sept. 17 in Eastlake. It will be the only one this fall in the county because other races with a July 19 filing deadline did not have enough candidates file to trigger a special primary.

What makes the Eastlake mayor race so intriguing is the top two finishing candidates in the primary will advance to appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. Whomever finishes third is out.

To handicap the race as of right now, I would consider Andrzejewski a slight favorite, followed closely by Morley and Quinn-Hopkins.

Campaign issues obviously include managing city finances and — more recently — whether the city pool should have been opened this summer.

Some residents might support Andrzejewski for his desire to use a projected city surplus to open the pool, while City Council cited financial concerns in their decision to keep the pool closed.

Before the race rounded into shape, Morley and Quinn-Hopkins previously had seemed to be on the same page in opposition to Andrzejewski as mayor, so it will be interesting to see how that relationship evolves as the campaign ensues.

Some whisper Quinn-Hopkins entered the race because it provides an additional chance to oust Andrzejewski by forcing a three-way primary. If the mayor finishes third, then he isn’t re-elected.

Others say although the mayoral race is nonpartisan and political parties aren’t listed on the ballot, Quinn-Hopkins gives Republicans a candidate. Andrzejewski and Morley are both registered Democrats.

Quinn-Hopkins told me after she filed that she is excited to become a leader in the community and noted it’s been a long time since a woman was mayor.

Regardless of why they run, the candidates are certified and there is little time for them to waste.

Absentee voting for the primary for uniformed and overseas citizens begins Aug. 3 (45 days before the election). The general public can start to vote Aug. 13 (35 days before the election). Voter registration for the primary race closes Aug. 19.

Event

Lake County Democratic Party Summer Picnic will be noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 11 at Lake Metroparks Farmpark in Kirtland. No cost to attend, but RSVP required by contacting the county Democratic Party.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. today at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. today at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n State Rep. John Rogers hosts a golf outing Aug. 9 at Madison Country Club. See Rogers or Kip Molenaar.

n Mentor-on-the-Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran, first annual golf outing scramble, 11:30 a.m. lunch Aug. 15 at Madison Country Club. See Kevin Malecek or Paul Miller.

n Fundraiser for Riverside School Board Member Belinda Grassi and Jennifer Harden, a candidate for Riverside School Board, 3 to 6 p.m. Aug. 18 at Pickle Bills in Grand River. See Grassi or Harden.

n Lake County Treasurer-elect Lorraine M. Fende hosts 8th annual Steakroast from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at the Wickliffe Italian American Club. See Diane Fox.

n Kenny Yuko, a candidate for Ohio Senate District 25, hosts a Gala Reception with special guest state Rep. Connie Pillach who is a candidate for Ohio Treasurer, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 22 at The Patrician in Eastlake. See Yuko or Pamela Yuko.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

It appears the U.S. Senate finally came together this past week to get something accomplished that was long overdue.

Former Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray was confirmed as the first director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

It was nearly two years ago that President Barack Obama nominated Cordray to head the agency that the White House says will lead consumer watchdog efforts.

Various reports previously noted that Senate members didn’t have an overwhelming objection to Cordray himself, but rather concerns were mostly about the agency and what it would be allowed to do.

There were also other concerns by Senate Republican leaders about how Cordray was nominated during a congressional recess.

However, compromises were finally made and the Senate was allowed to move forward with procedure, and Cordray was confirmed by a 66-34 vote.

All 54 Democratic senators voted to confirm Cordray, and 12 Republican senators, including Sen. Rob Portman from Ohio, joined them.

Regardless of one’s opinion, a yes or no vote was needed on this matter, and it finally happened. Two years was long enough.

One other thing the nomination does is eliminate Cordray as a potential Democratic candidate for Ohio governor.

Yes, Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald has already announced he is running for governor and is actively campaigning against Gov. John Kasich.

But there was always that slight chance that Cordray might enter the race if he was no longer involved with the federal position.

One of the first emails I received from politicians and organizations was from FitzGerald’s campaign congratulating Cordray.

It was a sincere congratulations and statement, I’m sure, but my hunch is there might be just the tiniest bit of relief from the FitzGerald camp that this possibility of a serious primary opponent was pretty much eliminated.

No labels

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township was one of more than 80 members of Congress from both parties who came together in Washington Thursday to announce a reform package of nine bills aimed to improve efficiency and curb spending.

The bipartisan group is called the No Labels’ Congressional Problem Solvers Coalition, which is honorarily chaired by former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, a Republican, and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.

Joyce called the announcement and group’s formation “monumental,” and hopes that it can lead to passing bills that at first may be considered common sense, low-hanging fruit and with that building more trust and bipartisanship to help end Washington gridlock.

More about the coalition can be found at www.nolabels.org.

Event

Willoughby Hills Councilman David Fiebig hosts a free All American Family Picnic including a special guest from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Ohio, 5:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 7 at Campbell Park in Willoughby Hills.

Fundies

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Painesville Township trustee, hosts an “Old-Time Backyard Barbecue” fundraiser 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 25 at her home. See Susan or Ray McGuinness.

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. July 29 at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 31. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran, first annual golf outing scramble, 11:30 a.m. lunch Aug. 15 at Madison Country Club. See Kevin Malecek or Paul Miller.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges recently stopped by The News-Herald to discuss some of his vision for the party’s future.

Borges was elected to the post in April and is making his way around the state looking to receive as much input as possible to take back to Columbus.

The 2012 election was disappointing for Ohio Republicans at the top of the ticket, with President Barack Obama’s re-election, but Borges believes there has to be a way to appeal to voters and draw them into the coalition.

Borges said the method is to work hard and to have better candidates, with a better message and to run better campaigns.

He also wants to guard against complacency as Republicans hold so many statewide offices.

“It takes an all-in effort and I want us not to forget that,” Borges said.

If the issue of gay marriage is placed on the November 2014 ballot, it will be up to the Ohio GOP’s executive committee on how the party would weigh in on the issue.

But Borges is unsure whether the issue will be on the ballot or what exactly the language would be.

“If this campaign is one about discriminating against Americans, I don’t want to be apart of that,” Borges said. “If it’s a campaign about values, mothers and fathers and the sanctity of marriage, I think that’s a campaign I could be part of and proud of.”

He defended the party’s reputation and disagreed with narratives from Democrats who say a war was declared on women by the GOP after the state budget was passed.

Borges noted that 12 of 18 staffers who worked on the budget were women and the measure also received good support in the Ohio General Assembly from Republican women who voted for the budget.

When it comes to potential expansion of Medicaid, Borges isn’t certain what exactly will transpire as Gov. John Kasich has continued to push, while the GOP leadership in the Ohio General Assembly refused to put it in the state budget.

He added that the discussion about Medicaid reform is one that likely would not have happened if the issue had not been brought forward.

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Mark Cicero for North Perry Village Council; and Philip Haskell Sr. for Perry Township trustee.

In Geauga County: Claudine Steinfurth and Michael Troyan for Auburn Township trustee; Mark Saric for Chester Township trustee; Edward W. Kaminski and Nadine Pope for Hambden Township trustee; Al Vontorcik for Huntsburg Township trustee; Lu Ann Burger for Montville Township trustee; Carl Sanborn for Troy Township trustee; Mark Porter for South Russell Council; Dennis A. Battles for Geauga County Educational Service Center board; and Barbara Raikes for Ledgemont School Board,

Taking out petitions

Recently taking out candidacy petitions with the Elections Board in Lake County are Albert Paolino and Frank Sarosy for Fairport Harbor Council, J. Jay Fabian for Madison School Board, Jack Miley for Riverside School Board, and Andrew Roberts for Perry School Board.

In Geauga County: John Eberly and Karen E. Quay for Auburn Township trustee; Charles H. Nichols for Bainbridge Township trustee; Kenneth C. Burnett for Burton Township trustee; Michael Brown for Chardon Township trustee; Judy Caputo, Ward L. Kinney and Michael Petruziello for Chester Township trustee; John Bryant for Hambden Township trustee; Jon A. Hunter and Chris Whitney for Huntsburg Township trustee; Robert A. Evans for Middlefield Township trustee; James Marsic for Montville Township trustee; Jan Blair for Newbury Township trustee; Roger Anderson for Parkman Township trustee; Kristina Port for Russell Township trustee; Colleen Goebelt for Aquilla Village Council; Diane Lillibridge for Burton Village Council; Andrew K. Blackley, John Mallen, James Pruce and Thomas E. Ray for Chardon Council; William Blue and Brandon Reed for Middlefield Village Council; Mike Carroll, John Dishong and Bill Koons for South Russell Council; Lois Jeffrey and Janice Koster for Geauga County Educational Service Center board; John J. Manfredi for Berkshire School Board; Kenneth J. Klima for Cardinal School Board; Beth Krause for Kenston School Board; Carol A. Geisman for Ledgemont School Board; Susan Arnold, John Gingerich and Guy Mann for Newbury School Board; and William W. Beers and Sally Gillmore for West Geauga School Board.

Fundies

n Eastlake Mayor Ted Andrzejewski hosts his ninth annual golf outing, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start Friday at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Andrzejewski.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Painesville Township trustee, hosts an “Old-Time Backyard Barbecue” fundraiser 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 25 at her home. See Susan or Ray McGuinness.

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. July 29 at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 31. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran, first annual golf outing, 11:30 a.m. lunch Aug. 15 at Madison Country Club. See Shirley Vesel.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

A regional liaison for Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted will conduct office hours from 9:30 to 11 a.m. July 18 in Lake County at Morley Library in Painesville.

The goal of open office hours is to give local citizens an opportunity to learn more about, and stay connected with, the Secretary of State’s office in an informal and accessible setting.

In addition to making voter registration forms and election information available, regional representatives will be on hand to answer questions and distribute materials to those interested in learning more about the other functions of the office such as the business services division and initiatives including the Ohio Business Profile and Military Ready-to-Vote program.

These meetings are one of many the Ohio Secretary of State’s regional field representatives will be hosting across Ohio as a way to provide residents with resources and information on all issues and matters related to the responsibilities and operations of the office of Secretary of State.

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

When Gov. John Kasich chose not to veto items in the state budget that related to abortion it meant that Ohio will have some of the most restrictive regulations in the country.

Ohio Right to Life quickly applauded the governor’s decision to keep five pro-life amendments in the budget and said the state’s two-year spending plan has been referred to as the “most pro-life in history” thanks to the leadership of Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Bill Batchelder and Ohio Senate President Keith Faber.

The organization cited the amendments that it endorsed: reprioritization of family planning funds away from Planned Parenthood, heartbeat informed consent requirement, establishment of new funding for pregnancy centers, a ban on public hospitals from entering into transfer agreements with abortion clinics, and strengthening of abortion clinic regulation.

After the governor signed the budget a week ago he did not take questions from reporters, various media outlets reported.

Pro-choice groups along with the Ohio Democratic Party blasted the new regulations regarding abortion.

Kasich’s likely challenger in the Nov. 2014 is Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat, who said the governor refused to stand up for Ohio women and escalated attacks on women’s health care by defunding Planned Parenthood.

FitzGerald also said the new regulations force doctors to perform medically unnecessary procedures that interfere with the privacy between a woman and her doctor and that jeopardize women’s health.

As I have written before, the state budget often defines a governor’s term in office and it can provide an issue for the opposite party to rally behind for the next election.

A picture of the governor signing the budget with six men around him quickly has circulating the Internet and was placed front and center while FitzGerald gave remarks recently during a rally in Cleveland.

The governor repeatedly has said that he considers himself pro-life, so his decision not to veto the abortion provisions was not a shock.

Will the subject of abortion become a major issue when voters go to the polls to vote next year?

Filed petitions

Recently filing candidacy petitions in Lake County were Charles C. Hillier, Josh Pennack and Susan McGuinness for Painesville Township trustee, Jennifer Harden and Belinda Grassi for Riverside School Board, Laura DePledge and Mary F. Matala for Eastlake Council at large, Dennis Dicki for Timberlake Council, David J. Krych for Wickliffe Council president, Mark Iafelice and Sherry Koski for Wickliffe Council at large, Edward C. Matyja for Wickliffe Council Ward 2, Stephen Norris for Willoughby Council Ward 2, Robert E. Carr for Willoughby Council Ward 4, Lauren Reichard for North Perry Council.

Taking out petitions

Recently taking out candidacy petitions with the Elections Board in Lake County are Frank Zalek Jr. for Painesville Township trustee, Tom Fitzgerald for Painesville Council Jan. 1, 2014 term, Katherine Paolino for Fairport School Board, Robert J. Dawson for Perry Township trustee, Kenneth Zalar for Timberlake Council, and Cindy Quinn-Hopkins for Eastlake mayor.

It’s worth noting that if Quinn-Hopkins eventually files there would be a nonpartisan primary Sept. 17 with the two top voter-getters then appearing on the Nov. 5 ballot. Others who already filed for the office are Mayor Ted Andrzejewski and Council President Dennis Morley. The deadline to file for this race is July 17.

Fundies

n Andrzejewski hosts his ninth annual golf outing, 8:30 a.m. shotgun start July 19 at Pine Ridge Golf Course in Wickliffe. See Andrzejewski.

n Fundraiser for Mentor Councilman Ray Kirchner, 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 29 at Cabanas Restaurant in Mentor. See George Maier or Kirchner.

n State Rep. Ron Young hosts Summer Sizzle fundraiser with special guest U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, 6 to 8 p.m. July 29 at South River Winery in Harpersfield Township. See Young.

n Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, 10th Annual Ferrante Winery Celebration in Harpersfield Township. 5:30 to 8 p.m. July 31. See Ernie Koenig or Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour.

n Mentor on the Lake Councilwoman Desirea Thompson hosts a spaghetti dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 10 at Amvets Post 109 in Mentor on the Lake. See Desirea or John Thompson.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Eastlake Ward 3 Councilwoman Cindy Quinn-Hopkins pulled petitions Wednesday from the Lake County Elections Board to run for Eastlake mayor.

The filing deadline to run for mayor in Eastlake is July 17 and if three candidates or more have filed to run there would be a nonpartisan primary election on Sept. 17.

The top two vote-getters would then face each other during the Nov. 5 election.

So far Mayor Ted Andrzejewski and Eastlake Council President Dennis Morley have filed to run for the position.

Quinn-Hopkins has not yet filed for the position, but it will be interesting to see if she does and, if so, how it would impact the race for mayor.

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