U.S. Rep. David P. Joyce, R-Russell Township, announced Wednesday that he voted for the Require a Plan Act.

The legislation, H.R. 444, would require the White House to either produce a balanced budget within a 10-year window or by April 1, 2013, provide a supplemental budget plan that identifies what year their plan would achieve a balanced budget.

“Today, I voted to put the U.S. on a path toward balancing our budget,” Joyce said in a statement. “No more budget tricks. No more accounting gimmicks. No more empty promises. Every year, Northeast Ohio families sit down to write a budget, why shouldn't Washington do the same?  It’s my hope that this starts a serious conversation in Washington about controlling spending to provide a more stable and secure future.”

The Require a Plan Act passed by a vote of 253-167 and the current U.S. debt is more than $16.5 trillion.

Joyce also commented on introduction of the bipartisan Protect Medical Innovation Act, which would repeal a nearly $30 billion tax on medical devices.

The legislation was introduced by U.S. Reps. Erik Paulsen, R-Minn. and Rep. Ron Kind, D-Wisc.
“Now is not the time to be raising taxes on American manufacturing,” Joyce said. “Congress should make it easier, not harder for American businesses to create more high-paying jobs and careers for qualified Americans ready to work. We need to protect jobs, not threaten them.”

Ohio’s 14th Congressional District is home to several device manufacturers including Mentor-based STERIS Corp. and Philips Healthcare in Highland Heights, Joyce noted.

He said that according to The Lewin Group, Inc., national health care and human services consulting firm based in Virginia, the tax puts at risk the 422,778 American jobs in the medical device industry.

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

U.S. Rep. David P. Joyce, R-Russell Township, announced he will serve as co-chair to the U.S. House of Representatives Nursing Caucus for the 113th Congress.

The caucus meets on a regular basis to discuss issues related to the nursing profession and help develop ideas and solutions to any challenges facing nursing professionals.

Joyce noted that his wife Kelly has been an Registered Nurse at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center for 22 years.

“I’m thrilled to announce that I will co-chair the bipartisan House Nursing caucus along with Rep. Lois Capps, D-Calif. Our district has several world-class health care and research facilities including Summa, University of Akron polymer program, Cleveland Clinic, Case and University Hospitals and it’s crucial that these institutions have a voice in Washington.

“The nursing profession is especially dear to my family as my wife Kelly has been an RN at UH Geauga for the last 22 years and we've seen first-hand the critical role nurses play in their patients’ and patients’ families’ lives. I look forward to co-chairing this important caucus and working with my colleagues to address the needs of the nursing community.”

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

U.S. Rep-elect David P. Joyce announced he has hired John Miceli to be his legislative director.

Joyce, R-Russell Township, who will begin his first term in Congress in January, represents Ohio’s 14th Congressional District that consists of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, plus parts of Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties.

“Now more than ever, it’s crucial that the laws coming out of Washington empower small businesses to create jobs,” Joyce said in a news release. “I’m looking forward to working with John to create a pro-growth policy agenda that brings jobs to northeast Ohio.”

Miceli graduated from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2008 and Ohio University in 2004.

Prior to working for Congressman-elect Joyce, he worked for U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette for four years, starting off as a staff assistant giving Capitol tours. In 2012, Miceli was named one CQ Roll Call’s 30 Hill aides to know.

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

U.S. Rep.-elect David P. Joyce announced that he has hired Streetsboro resident Nick Ciofani to serve as his district director.

Joyce, R-Russell Township, who will begin his first term in Congress in January represents Ohio’s 14th Congressional District that consists of Lake, Geauga and Ashtabula counties, plus parts of Cuyahoga, Summit, Portage and Trumbull counties.

“Nick has worked in the district for several years and his extensive knowledge of northeast Ohio will allow our office to provide the best constituent services possible,” Joyce said in a news release.

Ciofani graduated from Hillsdale College in 2002 and Solon High School in 1998.

Prior to accepting his new position with Joyce’s office, Ciofani ran the Twinsburg office of U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette and worked in the finance department for the city of Solon.

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

With about six weeks to go until the Nov. 6 election, many voters now start to pay attention.

Unless you live under a rock though, most everyone knows that President Barack Obama seeks re-election and the Republican challenger is Mitt Romney.

The race for U.S. Senate in Ohio pits incumbent Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, against Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel, a Republican.

But what many people don’t realize is there are other people running for these positions as well. They come from “minor” parties or are nonpartisan. A lot of times when a voter goes to cast his or her ballot they might think ‘Who are these people?’”.

In Ohio, there actually are seven candidates on the ballot for president including Obama and Romney. The other five are Stewart Alexander, Socialist; Richard Duncan, nonpartisan; Virgil Goode, Constitution; Gary Johnson, Libertarian; and Jill Stein, Green Party.

For the U.S. Senate race, Scott A. Rupert is a nonpartisan candidate on the ballot running against Brown and Mandel.

There are four people on the Nov. 6 ballot for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District. You know, the one from which U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette decided to retire.

They are Democrat Dale Virgil Blanchard, Republican David P. Joyce, Libertarian David Macko, and Green Party candidate Elaine R. Mastromatteo.

So why do minor parties or nonpartisan candidates run when it seems so often they don’t win or have a realistic chance?

Minor party or nonpartisan candidates who run in partisan contests usually want their voice to be heard. They also want to offer voters another choice.

Perhaps their platform is a combination of what the major parties offer or maybe what they believe and stand for is far different than the mainstream and they want people to know about it.

However, it can be difficult to get that message out because so often it takes money and/or name recognition to accomplish that.

Whenever free opportunities for publicity are provided they must take advantage of that, such as a newspaper like The News-Herald asking candidates to return an election questionnaire. For this election, each of the four 14th Congressional District candidates did that.

Mastromatteo and Macko also plan to conduct their own “Third Party Candidate” debate at 7 p.m. Thursday at Elm Street School in Painesville.

Events

n John and Terri Hamila of Eastlake host an meet and greet 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday for candidates David Fiebig, John Hamercheck, Bob Patterson, Lori DiNallo and John Eklund.

n The Western Reserve Women’s Republican Club hosts a luncheon at the Hillbrook Club in Russell Township on Friday with Joyce as featured speaker. Contact Mary Ellen Schron.

Candidate forums

n The News-Herald, League of Women Voters, and Lake County Chambers of Commerce will co-host a forum for the four Lake County commissioner candidates at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Lake Erie College in Painesville.

n Painesville Area Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual luncheon with candidates and issue representatives Friday at Hellriegel’s Inn in Painesville Township.

n The League of Women Voters of Geauga County will host four candidates nights: 7 p.m. Sept. 26 at West Geauga High School, 6:30 p.m. Oct. 3 at Geauga County Senior Center in Claridon Township, 7 p.m. Oct. 4 at Chardon Middle School, and 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at Kenston School in Auburn Township.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for John Patterson, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 99, with U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan as featured speaker, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at Grotto Hall in Ashtabula Township. See Michael Triozzi.

n Heidi and Jamie Callender will host a fundraiser for Ohio House of Representative Republican candidates in Lake and Geauga counties, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27 at their home in Concord Township. See Heidi.

n Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy hosts his Fall Classic and Clam Bake, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start, 5 p.m. dinner Oct. 1 at Lost Nation Municipal Golf Course in Willoughby. See Troy or Kip Molenaar.

n Werner Barthol, candidate for Lake County prosecutor, hosting Oktoberfest 5:30 to 9 p.m. Oct. 5 at Lake Metroparks Painesville Township Park Community Center/Ballroom. See Kelly Barthol or James Falvey.

n Fall clambake for John Rogers, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 11 at Mentor Beach Park in Mentor-on-the-Lake. See Rogers or John Crocker.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The Lake and Geauga Area Association of Realtor’s Legislative Committee announced it supports the following candidates for these races:

U.S. House of Representatives, Ohio 14th Congressional District: David Joyce
Ohio Senate District 18: John Eklund
Ohio House of Representative District 76: Matt Lynch
Ohio House of Representative District 61: Ron Young
Ohio House of Representative District 60: John Rogers
Geauga County Commissioner: Tracy Jemison
Geauga County Recorder: Sharon Gingerich
Geauga County Clerk of Courts: Denise Kaminski
Lake County Commissioner: John Hamercheck 
Lake County Commissioner: David Fiebig
Lake County Prosecutor: Charles Coulson
Lake County Treasurer: Bob Patterson
Lake County Recorder: Jason Wuliger
Lake County Clerk of Courts: Maureen Kelly

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

Doesn't it seem like there have been a lot of appointments lately?

I’m not talking about the ones you make with your doctor or business associate.

On Wednesday, the Lake County Republican Party appointed Jason Wuliger as the new county recorder.

That’s because there was a vacancy left by the resignation of former Recorder Frank Suponcic.

Before that, John Rogers was appointed as the Democratic Party’s nominee for Ohio House of Representatives District 60 after Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy decided to drop out as the candidate to finish his last two years on his current term as commissioner.

Shockingly, U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette decided to retire and drop out from running again effective Aug. 8 after he won the Republican Party’s nomination in March. David Joyce was then appointed as the new nominee by the seven county party chairman and central committee secretaries.

To replace Joyce on the Nov. 6 ballot for Geauga County prosecutor, the county GOP last month appointed Jim Flaiz as the new nominee.

At the same meeting, Dr. Robert S. Coleman was appointed as the new Republican nominee for coroner after Dr. John Urbancic dropped out.

In June, former Geauga County Commissioner Bill Young retired and that created two appointments.

First, Geauga Republicans appointed Walter “Skip” Claypool as commissioner to serve until after the Nov. 6 election.

Then at the same meeting, Mary Samide, who lost in a primary for re-election, was appointed as the GOP nominee to run Nov. 6 to fill the unexpired term of Young. Geauga Democrats selected Jim Dvorak as their nominee and he’ll run against Samide.

Matt Lynch was appointed by Ohio House Republicans to serve as state representative to replace Mary Brigid “Bridey” Matheney for Ohio House of Representatives 98th District. Lynch got the nod after it was agreed that the Ohio House GOP would appoint the winner of the 76th House District’s four-way primary. Matheney had been appointed prior to that to replace Richard Hollington, who became Hunting Valley mayor.

State Sen. John Eklund was appointed last year to represent Ohio’s 18th Senate District after Tim Grendell left the Ohio Senate to be appointed as Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court judge.

Going back in time, there are a few more appointments in Geauga County that all seemed to start when former state Rep. Matt Dolan resigned to run for Cuyahoga County executive.

Appointments are a necessary part of the political process because it’s inevitable that positions become vacant.

But again, doesn’t it seem like there have been more than usual in Lake and Geauga counties within the past year or so?

I wonder how, or if, this might resonate with voters on Nov. 6. Will it really matter?

Candidate forum

Lake County Chambers of Commerce will host a Legislative Candidates Forum and Breakfast to highlight candidates running for the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate at 7:30 a.m. Friday at Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites LaMalfa in Mentor. Contact your local respective chamber for registration details.

Meet-and-greet

Candidates David M. Fiebig, John Hamercheck, Bob Patterson, Ron Young, Wuliger, and Eklund will be at the Willoughby Hills home of Bob and Carolyn Patton, at 3 p.m. Saturday for a meet-and-greet event in conjunction with the Heritage Club of Northeast Ohio.

Fundies

n Fifth Annual Oktoberfest for Judy Moran, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Regovich’s in Eastlake. See Kathy Russo or Robert Leach.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, hosts a fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Hellriegel’s Inn in Painesville Township. See Lindsay Baruffa.

n Golf Outing and Dinner fundraiser for Nancy McArthur, candidate for Ohio Senate District 32, lunch at noon, tee-off at 1 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Fowlers Mill in Chester Township. See Jim Flaiz or Mike Petruziello.

n Troy hosts his Fall Classic and Clam Bake, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start, 5 p.m. dinner, Oct. 1 at Lost Nation Municipal Golf Course in Willoughby. See Troy or Kip Molenaar.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Before David Joyce was named as the new Republican Party nominee for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District, there were several others who could have been selected.

However, Joyce, who has served as Geauga County prosecutor for 24 years, worked to earn unanimous support from party leaders to get the nomination. He will be a good candidate and I consider him the favorite against Democrat Dale Virgil Blanchard.

I believe if some others had expressed they wanted the nomination it would have been very interesting when the seven party chairman and seven county central committee secretaries met to cast their votes.

Judges Diane and Tim Grendell and Vincent Culotta were among those initially under consideration when U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette decided to retire.

Ultimately, they each passed on the chance to head to Washington.

One reason I think each declined is because they’d have had to step down from the bench in order to run for Congress, as they would not be allowed to run while in office.

That means they’d have to give up a paycheck for several months without any guarantee of winning, although each likely would have been the frontrunner.

Judges like Culotta and the Grendells normally are on the ballot every six years. But, Tim Grendell has an election this fall to keep his seat on the Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court bench for the next few years, because he’s filling an unexpired term.

Those serving in Congress face re-election every two years, so just as you get settled in, it’s time to think about campaigning.

I also think LaTourette’s chief of staff Dino DiSanto would have gotten strong consideration had he wanted the position, but he decided against it.

Others who were interested in the nomination such as former state Rep. Matt Dolan and state Rep. Ron Young apparently didn’t get enough support from the party chairman and central committee secretaries.

But in two years, when the position is up again, it will be all hands on deck. No matter who wins this November, Joyce or Blanchard, I think there will be primaries on both the GOP and Democratic sides in 2014, and look for some of the same names I’ve mentioned.

Lake County recorder update

With Lake County Recorder Frank A. Suponcic’s resignation effective on Friday, the county Republican Party will need to make an appointment to fill the vacant position.

Suponcic said when he announced his resignation that he recommended Jason Wuliger be appointed as the new recorder. Wuliger is the Republican Party’s nominee for the position Nov. 6 and he faces Democrat Ann Radcliffe.

The Republican Party has a meeting set Wednesday for other purposes but once Suponcic’s resignation is official it is likely the party will add making an appointment to fill the vacancy to the agenda.

Although stranger things have happened, look for Wuliger to get that appointment.

Political event

The Bolton Republican Women’s Club invites all interested ladies to attend the Cupcakes and Candidates Social from 5:30 to 7:30 Sept. 12 at The Confectionary Cupboard in Mentor. Attendees will an opportunity to meet candidates and discuss issues.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for Lori DiNallo, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 60, with guest Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Bill Batchelder, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the home of Tonja Schleicher in Willoughby. See Jan Clair or Sally DiNallo.

n Fundraiser for state Rep. Casey Kozlowski, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 99, 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the home of Tom and Melissa Pope in Saybrook Township. See Kozlowski.

n Fifth Annual Oktoberfest for Judy Moran, candidate for Lake County commissioner, 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 13 at Regovich’s in Eastlake. See Kathy Russo or Robert Leach.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, hosts a fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 19 at Hellriegel’s Inn in Painesville Township. See Lindsay Baruffa.

n Golf Outing and Dinner fundraiser for Nancy McArthur, candidate for Ohio Senate District 32, lunch at noon, tee-off at 1 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. Sept. 22 at Fowlers Mill in Chester Township. See Jim Flaiz or Mike Petruziello.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

There surely has been a lot of attention and partisan discussion regarding Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted’s recent directive to ensure in-person absentee voting is uniform for each of the state’s 88 counties.

Two Democratic Montgomery County Elections Board members were recently suspended by Husted because they failed to vote to implement his directive.

Critics say part of what Husted has done is aimed to suppress voting by making it tougher for some people to cast a ballot because there no longer will be in-person absentee voting on weekends or the Monday before the Nov. 6 election.

Some point to voting on the weekend and Monday before the election as a key in 2008 for President Barack Obama to win Ohio, and they say Husted, a Republican, wants to eliminate that.

Husted’s directive did extend weekday hours, when voters can cast a absentee ballot in-person at a county elections board.

He dismisses talk of voter suppression and says voting starts 35 days before the election and there are more than 750 hours to vote by mail and 230 hours to vote in person, plus 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

For the first time, the state of Ohio also will mail out absentee ballot applications to all registered voters for the Nov. 6 election.

That means if people are too busy working, or otherwise, or just don’t want to vote in person, then they can complete the application and mail it back or drop it off to their county election board, which will then mail back or give an absentee ballot to the voter to complete.

Once finished, the voter can then mail back or drop off a ballot to their election board prior to election day.

With all the enthusiasm in 2008 across Ohio regarding the presidential election one would think there was a large increase in voting turnout percentage compared to similar elections.

Plus, the Ohio General Assembly also approved no-fault absentee voting in 2005 across the state, which meant voters in 2008 no longer needed to provide a reason to cast an absentee ballot.

It turns out that in Ohio the voter turnout percentage for the 2008 presidential election was 2.14 percent lower than it was in 2004 before no-fault absentee voting was allowed. In 2008, the statewide percentage was 69.63, down from 71.77 percent in 2004.

The 2008 presidential election also ranked sixth in voter turnout percentage out of the eight presidential elections in Ohio since 1980.

Those elections generated turnout percentages of 63.73 percent (2000), 67.83 (1996), 77.15 (1992), 71.79 (1988), 73.65 (1984), and 73.87 (1980).

Hard numbers show in November 2008 that there were 5,773,387 out of 8,291,239 registered voters in Ohio who cast a ballot; 5,722,443 of 7,972,826 registered voters did in November 2004.

The data also shows the same pattern held true in Lake, Geauga and Cuyahoga counties.

In 2008, the voter turnout in Lake County was 122,793, or 76.44 percent, down slightly from 122,862, or 76.69 percent, in 2004. In Geauga County, the voter turnout was 51,674, or 77.45 percent, in 2008 compared to 51,059, or 78.00 percent, in 2004.

In Cuyahoga County, voter turnout was 672,750, or 61 percent, in 2008, down from 687,260, or 68 percent, in 2004.

Do claims of potential voter suppression really have merit? I’m not sure they really do, at least in this part of the state.

Candidate forums

n The Lake County TEA Party announced it will conduct a candidates forum for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District with Republican nominee David Joyce and Democratic nominee Dale Blanchard at 7 p.m. Sept. 11 at Harvey High School in Painesville.

Fundies

n Fourth annual Labor Day Picnic for Wickliffe Mayor Bill Margalis, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Friday at Wickliffe Italian American Club Picnic Pavalion. See Sue Margalis.

n Fundraiser for state Rep. Casey Kozlowski, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 99, 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 8 at the home of Tom and Melissa Pope in Saybrook Township. See Kozlowski.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah