Ohio Gov. John Kasich has a 12 percent lead over his challenger Cuyahoga County Exeucitive Ed FitzGerald, according to a poll released by Quinnipiac University.

Ed FitzGerald/John Kasich

The poll suggests that FitzGerald remains mostly unknown and continues to be, according to this and previous polls by the university.

In May, Quinnipiac showed Kasich with a 50-35 percent lead over FitzGerald indicating the challenger has made up a little ground.

The governor also received a 46-30 percent favorability rating and 50-37 percent say he deserves re-election, down from 53-37 percent in May.

The poll indicated 65 percent of Ohio voters don’t know enough about FitzGerald to form an opinion about him.

Collective bargaining for government employees appears to remain an important or somewhat important issue to 80 percent of Ohio voters, the poll said. The issue makes 31 percent of voters less likely to vote for Kasich, with 19 percent more likely and 45 percent who say it will not affect their vote.

Quinnipiac said it conducted the poll from July 24-28 and surveyed 1,366 registered voters by calling landlines and cell phones with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

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

Three  Democratic Party statewide candidates announced July 29 that they have received endorsement by the Fraternal Order of Police of Ohio.

Endorsed were Ed FitzGerald for governor and John Patrick Carney for auditor, and David Pepper for attorney general.

Ed FitzGerald

FitzGerald, who is Cuyahoga County executive is running against incumbent Gov. John Kasich.

Carney is a state representative and is running against incumbent Auditor Dave Yost.

John Patrick Carney

Pepper is running against incumbent Attorney General Mike DeWine.

The FOP is Ohio’s largest organization of sworn law enforcement officers, with more than 25,000 members in more than 180 lodges.

FOP President Jay McDonald cited FitzGerald’s eight years in law enforcement and his promise to restore funding cuts to public safety in the endorsement.

David Pepper

“Communities across Ohio are experiencing an unprecedented heroin epidemic, but Ohio’s police have been left to fight that battle without state support,” McDonald said in a statement. “The reduction of the Local Government Fund has also severally impacted public safety across the board. We look forward to working with Governor FitzGerald to restore the local government fund, and to having a true partner in state government once again.”

The state Auditor’s Office is an important watchdog for Ohio taxpayers and an endorsement the FOP takes seriously, McDonald said.

“John Patrick Carney has proven to be a true friend of law enforcement during his time as State Representative,” McDonald said in a statement. “He is a man of integrity, honesty, and has a work ethic we believe will make him an outstanding Auditor of State.”

Pepper is tough, smart, and independent, McDonald said.

“He has vast experience partnering with law enforcement to fight crime. We know Pepper is the best choice to keep Ohioans safe as our next attorney general,” McDonald said in a statement.

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

Republican Gov. John Kasich has lanuched his first TV commercial for the 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

The ad is titled "Deliver" and highlights Kasich's upbringing and his family. The piece does not mention Democrat Ed FitzGerald, who is likely the main challenger to Kasich in the Nov. 4 election.




The FitzGerald campaign responded to the commercial calling it "Kasich's Etch-A-Sketch Moment".

A full response by the campaign can be found here.

Here's a snippet from that page:

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

Cuyahoga County Ed FitzGerald, also a Democratic candidate for governor, wasn’t happy April 7 when he learned Ohio House of Representatives Republicans want to cut local government funding by 10 percent to any county that sends unsolicited absentee ballot requests to registered voters.

“Any opportunity to make voting more difficult for the poor, seniors, African Americans and working Ohioans is consistently and enthusiastically embraced by the Republicans in the General Assembly. And their plan to now punish the residents of communities who simply want to make voting easier is not only politics at its worst, it is a direct attack on how local governments pay for police, fire and other vital services,” FitzGerald said in a statement.

The Columbus Dispatch reported April 8 that Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, a Republican who is up for re-election this year, said he plans to send absentee ballot requests to all Ohio voters and that this issue is something counties don’t need to worry about.

Meanwhile, FitzGerald was in Willoughby April 7 for a campaign fundraiser at the Willoughby Brewing Company.

“As governor, Ed FitzGerald will make the economy work for all Ohioans. Lake County’s unemployment rate is 7.9 percent, over a full point above the national average,” his campaign spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said. “Before he make anther cross country trip to tout the Ohio Miracle, Gov. (John) Kasich should spend sometime talking to Ohioans in Lake County.”

Submitted photos are from the FitzGerald campaign.

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

Gov. John Kasich believes state income tax rates continue to be too high and he proposes lowering the rates by 8.5 percent during the next three years for all income levels.

Kasich unveiled the tax cut as a key part of his mid-biennium review, and it will be up to state lawmakers to pass legislation to carry out his proposals.

The governor also wants to expand the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit and target new increases to the income tax’s personal exemption for low- and middle-income families.

He said that would help ensure that all Ohioans share in our state’s on-going economic recovery.

The campaign for Ed FitzGerald, the Cuyahoga County Executive and likely Democratic Party nominee for governor, responded in an unusual way to make its point that the proposed income tax cut wouldn’t do much to help lower income people.

Campaign spokeswoman Lauren Hitt said pizzas were delivered to newsrooms (including The News-Herald) and TV stations across the state to illustrate their message that the tax proposal mostly benefits the wealthy.

“We are sending it not just because we care, but also to remind you that John Kasich’s income tax cut plan only amounts to a couple of pizzas for middle class families,” Hitt wrote in an email. “However, if you fall within the top one percent, his tax cut could fund a round trip to Rome to eat pizza under the Colosseum. Not to say we don’t have great pizza here in Ohio, but that just doesn’t seem fair.”

FitzGerald also told the Associated Press in a statement that he would “focus on growing our economy from the middle out, rather than top down.”

Kasich campaign spokeswoman Connie Wehrkamp replied to a Twitter post by me regarding the delivered pizza that the governor’s “tax cuts would give a single mom making $30k more than $350 in tax relief per year — 66% cut since 2011.”

The nearly $2.2 billion reduction would be made up through increases in taxes on commercial activity, cigarettes and drilling, according to the Associated Press.

What is proposed for the commercial activity tax is an increase from 0.26 to 0.30 percent on gross receipts and inventory.

That cost of cigarettes would also rise with a 60-cent per pack on cigarettes and other tobacco products and it would include subjecting electronic cigarettes to the tax.

Lake GOP Lincoln Day

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce is slated to be the keynote speaker for the Lake County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner and Silent Auction on March 19 at the American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake.

Deadlines

Got information to send in for this column? Email, fax or snail mail is preferred. The weekly deadline is each Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Fundies

• Chris Galloway, candidate for Lake County commissioner, hosts St. Patrick’s Day fundraiser, starts at 5 p.m. March 15 at home of Dave and Beverly Vitaz in Concord Township. See Galloway.
• Geauga County Democratic Party hosts pre-St. Patty’s Day Dinner, 6 to 9 p.m. March 15 at party headquarters in Newbury Township. See Janet Carson.
• Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 20 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.
• Kenny Yuko, candidate for Ohio Senate District 25, hosts fundraiser, 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 23 at Tizzano’s Party Center in Euclid. See Pamela Yuko.
• Willoughby Hills Councilman David M. Fiebig hosts annual Spring Fever fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 24 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig or John Plecnik.
• Michael Wager, candidate for 14th Congressional District, hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 27 at Little Mountain Brewing Company in Mentor. See Ashton Narzisi.
• Ron Graham, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court judge, hosts cocktail party fundraiser, 5:30 to 7 p.m. March 27 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Gabe Cicconetti or David Eva.
• Mitchell D’Amico, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court judge, host fundraiser at 5:30 p.m. April 10 at the Patrician Party Center in Eastlake. See Lynn D’Amico.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

@newsheraldjah

I think it would be great for Northeast Ohio if Cleveland is selected to host the 2016 Republican National Convention.

It would be a chance for the city to shine in the national spotlight and to show off so many of the great things Cleveland has to offer.

Seven other cities also are finalists: Cincinnati, Columbus, Denver, Dallas, Kansas City, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

It would be equally magnificent if Cleveland instead was part of the mix for the 2016 Democratic National Convention. However, that’s not the case.

Aside from the politics, a convention would bring in millions of dollars in tourism to not only the city, but also to the region.

Visitors would need places to stay, eat, and spend some cash to enjoy a little bit of entertainment during their down time.

Along with a new convention center, there are several amenities like Lake Erie, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Great Lakes Science Center, Horseshoe Cleveland casino and Progressive Field all right there downtown.

Branch out a little farther and you’ll find places such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Natural History Museum, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and The Rainforest, and West Side Market.

Inevitably visitors will need places to stay outside of Cleveland and they will likely go to places outside the city such as Lake and Geauga counties, where there also is much for a tourist to see and do.

Let’s also not forget the weather in Northeast Ohio is among the best in the country in June when you compare the average temperatures that feature a daily high temperate near 80 degrees.

Politically speaking, wouldn’t it be fun to have the big GOP players in town in what likely shapes up to be a presidential election with Ohio again a battleground state that could determine who wins the White House?

Democrats also would be energized as they would use the event to help contrast the differences between the two major parties and I would expect lots of planned activities as part of that effort.

How interesting would it be for Ohio gubernatorial front runners John Kasich or Ed FitzGerald?

Think about this, if the Republican Kasich is re-elected, wouldn’t be fascinating if he put his hat into the ring as a presidential candidate and the convention was held in his home state? Even if he didn’t run for president or figure to be nominated for the position, he likely would be an important player at the convention.

If the Democrat FitzGerald is elected governor, the convention would take place in his back yard where he served as a Lakewood mayor and as Cuyahoga County’s first county executive. It would give him the opportunity to showcase how much different the city and region truly is from some nationally negative perspectives that I don’t need to go into here.

For me, and other people who have never attended a convention, this would be a chance to see what it is all about. It would be great to cover as a journalist along with my Digital First Media colleagues and there would be many different angles for us to pursue.

Lynch staying in race

State Rep. Matt Lynch told me late last week that he is has no plans to drop out of the GOP primary against U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce in Ohio’s 14th Congressional District. Lynch said during an interview “I’m in it to win it” and he has no intentions of doing anything other than to win.

Visit my previous blog post http://bit.ly/1dIWA9e to read more.

Lake GOP Lincoln Day

Joyce is slated to be the keynote speaker for the Lake County Republican Party Lincoln Day Dinner and Silent Auction on March 19 at the American Croatian Lodge in Eastlake.

Fundies

• Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy hosts Mardi Gras Party on Fat Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 4 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kip Molenaar.
• Dennis LoConti, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court judge, hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 11 at LaMalfa Party Center. See LoConti.
• Chris Galloway, candidate for Lake County commissioner, hosts St. Patick’s Day fundraiser, starts at 5 p.m. March 15 at home of Dave and Beverly Vitaz in Concord Township. See Galloway.
• Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 20 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.
• Willoughby Hills Councilman David M. Fiebig hosts annual Spring Fever fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 24 at Willoughby Hills Community Center. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig or John Plecnik.

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

It will be interesting to see what policy goals Gov. John Kasich unveils Feb. 24 during his annual State of the State speech in Medina.

But another key thing I’ll be watching to see is how the Republican governor portrays himself personally especially because he is up for re-election in November and the event will provide an early spotlight for him before Ohio voters.

After being elected in November 2010, Kasich appeared to lean more toward conservative ideology at first, but as his term evolved he’s taken some moderate positions, such as his push for Medicaid expansion in Ohio.

Kasich had work to do on his image and political standing after a statewide referendum repealed Senate Bill 5 in November 2011 that had aimed to strip many collective bargaining rights from workers.

Some say an apparent move toward the center that has angered some conservatives is part of an effort by the governor to attract more independent or moderate voters and even may be part of a strategy to perhaps run for president in 2016.

A Quinnipiac University poll released Feb. 19 that can be viewed online at http://bit.ly/1p1ziUh showed a majority think Kasich is doing a good job and he enjoys a 51-36 percent job approval rating, virtually unchanged in the last 12 months.

Surveyed were 1,370 registered voters from Feb. 12-17, with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. Interviewers called land lines and cell phones.

The poll also showed the gap has slightly narrowed between Kasich and his main challenger Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat.

It revealed Kasich has a slim 43-38 percent lead over FitzGerald, closing a gap from a Nov. 26 poll by the university that showed Kasich with a 44-37 lead.

Of course, this is just one poll and still very early in the campaign so perhaps voters aren’t yet fully paying attention, but there are some other interesting points the survey highlights.

For example, it showed Kasich leads 82-6 percent among Republicans and 43-31 percent among independent voters, while Democrats go to FitzGerald 74-11 percent. Men back the Republican 49-33 percent while women back the Democrat 42-37 percent.

Ohio voters say 61-31 percent that Kasich is a strong leader and say 52-35 percent that he is honest and trustworthy, but are divided on whether he cares about their needs and problems, as 43 percent say he cares and 47 percent say he doesn’t care.

The governor gets a 42-30 percent favorability rating and voters say 46-42 percent he deserves to be re-elected.

For FitzGerald, the poll revealed that 70 percent didn’t know enough about him now to form an opinion.
But the encouraging news for FitzGerald is he still has plenty of time to make his case and he’s not likely that far behind.

Lake County Dems endorsements

Officially endorsed Feb. 15 by the Lake County Democratic Party were Thaddeus Jackson, Ed Jerse and Kenny Yuko for Ohio Senate District 25; John Rogers for Ohio House District 60; Rick Walker for Ohio House District 61; Daniel P. Troy for commissioner; Timothy P. Cannon and Cynthia Westcott Rice for 11th District Court of Appeals; Colleen A. Falkowski for Domestic Relations Court judge; Ron Graham and Dennis N. LoConti for Common Pleas Court judge; Lisa Klammer for Probate Court judge; and Mark Schneider for state central committee 18th Senate District.

Geauga GOP Lincoln Day

State Auditor Dave Yost will be the featured speaker March 29 for the Geauga County Republican Party Lincoln Day event at the E.O.U.V. in Russell Township. Further details are forthcoming.

Fundies

• Troy hosts Mardi Gras Party on Fat Tuesday, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. March 4 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kip Molenaar.
• Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish hosts St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, 5 to 7:30 p.m. March 20 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Kathie Aufuldish-Freshour or Ernie Koenig.

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

Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald’s selection of Sharen Neuhardt as his running mate in a gubernatorial run emphasized a message that women’s health issues won’t be ignored in this gubernatorial election.

FitzGerald, a Democrat, picked the Dayton-area attorney after his first choice, State Sen. Eric Kearney of Cincinnati, left the ticket after news of unpaid business taxes.

The selection of Neuhardt seems to have taken a page out of the November gubernatorial race in Virginia in which women’s rights were a central focus and helped pave the way to the election of Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

FitzGerald said in an email to supporters that Neuhardt is a “steadfast champion of women’s health and shares my outrage at the current Governor’s attempt to dictate to women what should be private medical decisions and restrict access to critical health care services.”

FitzGerald, likely to win a Democratic Party primary on May 6, would likely face Gov. John Kasich, who most likely wins the Republican Party primary.

Ohio Republican Party spokesman Chris Schrimpf criticized FitzGerald’s pick of Neuhardt, saying he put in the “third-string backup to his original choice” and that “he simply doesn’t have what it takes to lead a state.”

After FitzGerald accepted the endorsement of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio on Wednesday — the 41st anniversary of Roe vs. Wade — Ohio Republican Party Chairman Matt Borges issued a news release to criticize the news.

“Ohio Democrats are joining the likes of Democrat New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and saying that those who believe in life are not welcome in the Democratic Party or in a state they would govern,” he said.

Filed petitions

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, a Russell Township Republican, has filed candidacy petitions with the Lake County Elections Board to seek re-election for Ohio’s 14th Congressional District. Lake County Probate Court Judge Mark J. Bartolotta, a Concord Township Republica, has filed candidacy petitions to retain his seat. Lake County Auditor Edward H. Zupancic, a Painesville Township Republican, has filed to run for re-election.

Geauga County Auditor Frank J. Gliha has filed candidacy petitions with the Geauga County Elections Board to seek re-election. Geauga County Commissioner Blake Rear has filed petitions to run to complete the unexpired term for commissioner ending Jan. 1, 2017.

Pulled petitions

Richard J. Walker, a Perry Village Democrat, has taken out candidacy petitions to run for Ohio House of Representatives District 61. Geoff Kent, a Painesville Township Democrat, has pulled petitions to run for Lake County Auditor.

Influential

Inside Business Magazine recently named its top 100 most influential CEOs, politicians, and civic leaders in Northeast Ohio.

Selected for Lake County were Lakeland Community College President Morris Beverage Jr.; Classic Auto Group president and owner Jim Brown; Lubrizol president and CEO James Hambrick; Lake Health president and CEO Cynthia Moore-Hardy; and Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy.

NOACA leaders selected

The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency in Cleveland is a planning agency that addresses the transportation, air quality, and water quality needs of Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain and Medina counties.

Among the recently elected officers for the agency’s Governing Board in 2014 were Geauga County Commissioner Mary E. Samide, president; Troy, second vice president; Lake County Commissioner Robert E. Aufuldish, an assistant secretary; and FitzGerald, treasurer.

Correction

Last week, I wrote that Ellen Foley Kessler was the first woman to serve as a Lake Metroparks Park Board commissioner. I was informed after publication that she was the third woman to serve in the position. Martha F. Tyler was a Park Board commissioner from 1961 through 1971; and Nina Wright served from 1973 through 1976.

Fundies

• Lake County Domestic Relations Court Judge Colleen A. Falkowski hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 Jan. 30 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Brian Falkowski.
• Lisa Klammer, candidate for Lake County Probate Court judge, hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Randy Klammer.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

A interesting choice by Lake County Probate Court Judge Mark Bartolotta to appoint Gretchen Skok DiSanto as the newest member to the Lake Metroparks Park Board of Commissioners.

When publicly announcing his decision to the board, which is an unpaid position, Bartolotta said his selection was carefully completed after a thorough investigation to select who the best person would be.

It must not have been easy decision and Bartolotta even apologized for the length of time the appointment took as the term of former Park Board Commissioner Ellen Foley Kessler expired Dec. 31.

It’s worth mentioning that Kessler, a Democrat, was the first woman and longest serving Park Board commissioner after she was appointed years ago by DiSanto’s father, the late former Probate Court Judge Fred V. Skok, who was a Democrat.

Bartolotta cited DiSanto’s lengthy résumé and experience along with her high level of education and a lifetime involvement with the park system that began with her parents and continued into her childhood and adult life.

The Concord Township Democrat is well respected within the many circles and she should be quite capable in her new role on the Park Board.

DiSanto, who has two children, also brings with her to the board a perspective of someone with a young family who utilizes the park system on a regular basis.

For Bartolotta, a Republican appointed to the bench in September by Gov. John Kasich, the appointment was his first decision that truly would fall under public scrutiny.

Yes, the judge makes multitudes of important decisions and judgments on Probate Court matters, but when the time comes to make Park Board selections the responsibility is one that typically captures greater public attention.

It did in this case, because it was the first board appointment made by the new judge who is running this year to retain the seat.

If Bartolotta, who was hired years ago as an assistant county prosecutor years ago by former Lake County Prosecutor and U.S. Rep. Steve C. LaTourette had selected a Republican, critics from the other side likely would have emerged for selecting someone in his political party. Because DiSanto is a lifelong Democrat, that wasn’t the case here.

But an interesting connection is DiSanto is married to Dino DiSanto, chief of staff for U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Russell Township, and who held the same position with Congressman LaTourette.

Some may say that Gretchen Skok DiSanto’s appointment by the judge looks like a political decision.

The truth is, board appointments are usually political — at least in some capacity — because they are made by politicians.

This appointment to me seems based on strong credentials — with a little bit of politics sprinkled in — and will ultimately be judged by how DiSanto performs in her appointed role.

One vote does matter

Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted recently revealed that a review of 110 recounts following the Nov. 5 election showed 35 local races and eight local issues in Ohio were decided by one vote or through breaking a tie.

Husted correctly points out that just one person could have made the difference to decide whether local taxes would go up and whether someone else would have served in important local offices, including township trustee, city or village council and school board.

That was the case in Middlefield Village where the council race for the fourth place — in this case the final spot on council — was decided by just one vote.

Event

Geauga County Democratic Party monthly Spaghetti Dinner Served with Hot Top is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the party headquarters in Newbury Township. State Sen. Capri Cafaro, D-Hubbard, plans to discuss a new bill being introduced by Ohio Senate Democrats to re-instate the Homestead tax exemption.

Fundies

• Bartolotta hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See John Redmond or Amy Sabath.
• John P. O’Donnell, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court, hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at LaMalfa Party Center. See Mike Lucas, Mike Bucci or Ann Bergen.
• Lake County Domestic Relations Court Judge Colleen A. Falkowski hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 Jan. 30 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Brian Falkowski.
• Lisa Klammer, candidate for Lake County Probate Court judge, hosts a fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 20 at LaMalfa Party Center. See Randy Klammer.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Now that 2013 is winding down and the Ohio General Assembly is on recess, two local state lawmakers discussed some of the bigger legislative highlights for the year.

State Sen. John Eklund, R-Munson Township, and state Rep. John Rogers, D-Mentor-on-the-Lake, touched on three items in particular during separate interviews with The News-Herald this week.

Both legislators felt the passage of the state’s biennial budget was among the top pieces of legislation because it sets the direction of state policy and spending for the next two years.

Eklund, who was the only state legislator representing Lake or Geauga counties to vote in favor of the measure, pointed to the overall tax burden that was reduced by $2.7 billion. He said most of the tax relief is in the form of state income tax cuts during the next three years.

Rogers said almost no one enjoys paying taxes, but the tax cuts didn’t do much to help the middle class and lower-income workers.

He also said the expansion of the state sales tax might cause some taxpayers to pay a higher percentage of their income because the income tax cuts favor people who are wealthier.

Another major bill passed this year was the state’s $7.6 billion transportation budget that allows the state to issue $1.5 billion in bonds leveraged from the Ohio Turnpike revenue for transportation projects mostly in the northern half of the state.

Eklund, who voted in favor of the legislation, said the utilization of these funds should bring more than $3 billion worth of infrastructure projects and the bill should create an estimated 65,000 jobs in Ohio.

Rogers, who voted against the bill, said his chief concern was that the promised funds for projects in northern Ohio weren’t clearly defined in the legislation and that tolls for the roadways have increased.

When it comes to job creation, Rogers has concerns about the state’s JobsOhio, which is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes job creation and economic development for Ohio.

He said there is a lack of transparency for the organization. He said because it is considered to be private in nature there is very little scrutiny that can be utilized by the public to see how successful JobsOhio is doing and if it is spending taxpayer funding wisely.

Eklund touted legislation designed to spur job creation called the Common Sense Initiative.

It reviews Ohio’s regulatory system to eliminate excessive and duplicative rules and regulations that stand in the way of job creation.

Eklund said the idea is to look at whether regulations are justified given the potentially good outcomes they produce.

He said the legislation helps to make the state a more friendly business community.

Tighter race?

Public Policy Polling’s newest survey of the Ohio governor’s race finds Republican John Kasich polling at 40 percent, Democrat Ed FitzGerald at 38 percent, and Libertarian Charlie Earl at 6 percent. Sixteen percent of voters remain undecided.

The poll can be viewed at http://bit.ly/1c7IWyH and was sponsored by Freedom Ohio, an organization that describes itself as a movement dedicated to end marriage discrimination in Ohio as soon as November 2014.

Deadlines

The weekly deadline to submit information for this column is each Wednesday by 5 p.m. Email or fax is preferred.

Fundies

• Campaign kickoff for Lake County Juvenile Court Judge Karen Lawson, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Lu Dunlap.
• John P. O’Donnell, candidate for Lake County Common Pleas Court, hosts a fundraiser 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 23, at LaMalfa Party Center. See Mike Lucas, Mike Bucci or Ann Bergen.
• Lake County Domestic Relations Court Judge Colleen A. Falkowski hosts a fundraiser from 5:30 to 7:30 Jan. 30 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Brian Falkowski.

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

The race for governor in 2014 came into a sharper focus this week when Democratic candidate Ed FitzGerald announced state Sen. Eric Kearney would serve as his running mate.

FitzGerald, who next year will finish up his term as the first elected Cuyahoga County executive, picked the lifelong Cincinnati resident as his choice for lieutenant governor.

Kearney has served as an Ohio state senator since 2005 and is currently the Ohio Senate’s minority leader. He is subject to term limits and is not eligible to run next year for another term in the Ohio Senate.

In a campaign email, FitzGerald said Kearney is known as someone who can get things done and is able to reach across party lines.

After the announcement, the FitzGerald campaign made stops across the state as part of a two-day tour visiting Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo on day one. The next day stops were in Youngstown, Cleveland and Columbus.

The Ohio Republican Party issued a statement from Party Chairman Matt Borges stating the next election will offer a clear contrast between Gov. John Kasich and his running mate Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor.

Borges criticized Kearney for opposing the state budget and the tax cuts contained within it and that he supports the Affordable Care Act.

In a campaign email, state Sen. Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat who represents Ohio Senate District 25 that includes half of Lake County, applauded the choice of Kearney.

Turner also will be part of the Ohio Democratic Party’s statewide ticket next year as she has announced plans to run for Ohio Secretary of State most likely against incumbent Jon Husted.

One of the biggest challenges FitzGerald will have next year is to broaden his name recognition across the state, especially south of the Cleveland media market.

Kearney may help FitzGerald. Kearney, who is black, also provides the ticket with racial diversity.

So perhaps the selection of Kearney will help awaken additional support for FitzGerald in a race that a recent poll sponsored by the Ohio Democratic Party suggests is a dead head.

It also remains to be seen how or if online reports Friday in publications such as the Cleveland Plain Dealer and Cincinnati Enquirer that discussed Kearney owing thousands of dollars on a tax lien will hurt the campaign.

It’s important to note that when people vote for governor they typically are voting for the candidate at the top of the ticket, not for the lieutenant governor.

However, it is the job of the running mate to help the gubernatorial candidate win.

Happy trails

Congratulations to Painesville Township Trustees Jeanette Crislip and Jim Falvey as each rounds up a lengthy career as a trustee.

Neither trustee sought re-election earlier this month and will retire from their respective office.

Falvey attended his last trustee meeting this past week, and Crislip is slated to attend her last meeting next month.

Taken out petitions

Lake County Auditor Edward H. Zupancic has taken out candidacy petitions from the county Elections Board to seek re-election in 2014.

Recently signing in with the Elections Board on behalf U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce to take out petitions for U.S. House of Representatives District 14 was Dino DiSanto, chief of staff for Joyce.

The filing deadline to run for partisan primaries next year is Feb. 5.

Event

The Geauga County Democratic Party will host a Thanksgiving potluck dinner at 6 p.m. Saturday at party headquarters in Newbury Township.

Fundies

• Fundraiser for state Rep. Ron Young, 6 p.m. Dec. 5 at Quail Hollow Resort in Concord Township. See Young.
• Geauga County Republican Party Christmas Party, Dec. 6 at Chagrin Valley Athletic Club in Bainbridge. See Ed Ryder or Frank Gliha.

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

President Barack Obama once again made an appearance in Cleveland, stopping Thursday at steelmaker ArcelorMittal for what was intended to be a speech about the economy.

However, the president earlier in the day had made a statement from Washington about his plan to allow health care insurers to extend current plans that would otherwise be canceled next year and to allow people whose plans have been canceled to re-enroll in the same kind of plan.

So when he came to the friendly confines of Cleveland, where he has traditionally enjoyed tremendous support in the past, Obama spent a significant part of his speech focusing on the new health care law.

No surprise, but it was interesting to see the president gave praise to Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who pushed for Ohio to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid coverage to provide an estimated 275,000 people health care coverage.

Obama said that it was the right thing for the governor to do and that sometimes leaders need to put politics aside and do what is best for the people.

Conservative Republicans have criticized the effort to expand Medicaid in Ohio and a lawsuit is pending that challenges the authority of the Ohio Controlling Board, which voted earlier to accept the federal funding.

Plus, the Ohio Republican Party has begun to ramp up efforts to make health care a central focus during the 2014 election in Ohio.

State GOP leaders will look to hold Ohio Democrats responsible for the new health care law and urge people who believe they have been harmed by the changes to share their story by visiting www.ohiogop.org/obamacare.

What I think will be interesting is how Republicans plan to push out that message while at the same time work to get Kasich elected.

It may be a delicate situation, but how the economy goes next year in Ohio will likely be an important issue and critical to Kasich as he seeks a second term.

The governor has said that he opposes Obamacare in principal, but he also felt expanding Medicaid in Ohio was the best decision for the state.

The Ohio Democratic Party this week touted a recent poll they sponsored that suggests the race for governor next year is in a dead heat between Kasich and Cuyahoga County Executive Ed FitzGerald, a Democrat.

It suggests that if the election were held now, Kasich and FitzGerald would each receive about 41 percent, and Libertarian Charlie Earl would receive 6 percent.

About 13 percent of those who responded said they weren’t sure for whom they’d vote.

The margin of error in the poll was plus or minus 4 percent, but again keep in mind it was sponsored by the state Democratic Party.

A lot will happen before next year’s election that will affect the governor’s race, but something I will find interesting is just exactly how the national focus on health care reform will play a role.

Would a successful implementation of Obamacare hurt or help Kasich?

Acting Geauga commissioner

A week ago, Geauga County Republicans appointed Blake Rear to serve as a new county commissioner to replace Tracy Jemison, who retired effective Oct. 31.

Rear, who is the county GOP vice president and former Chardon School Board member, learned Thursday morning that his fellow commissioners wanted to swear him in as acting county commissioner at their meeting.

At that time, the paperwork hadn’t been completely processed by the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office to official make Rear a commissioner.

So by swearing him in as an acting commissioner, the Board of Commissioners would have each of the three seats filled.

The idea was that if something should happen to either Commissioners Mary Samide or Ralph Spidalieri, the county would be able to continue have a quorum at meetings with at least two commissioners in office.

It wasn’t an unprecedented move, as Geauga County commissioners also did the same last year when Spidalieri was sworn-in as an acting commissioner prior to beginning his term in January.

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

The decision Monday by the Ohio Controlling Board to accept federal funding to expand Medicaid to a larger group of Ohio residents garnered national headlines and was noticed by the White House, which devoted a blog post to the news.

Gov. John Kasich, a Republican who pushed for the expansion to cover those who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level despite resistance from the Ohio General Assembly, was applauded by many people and groups across the state and nation for finding a way to get it done.

In Lake County, an estimated 5,000 more people would be eligible to receive Medicaid health care coverage through the expansion, according to Deputy Health Commissioner Ron Graham of the Lake County General Health District.

Policy Matters Ohio, which says it is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy research organization, estimates the expansion would also save the state $404 million and that money would free up resources that could be used to provide funding for things like hiring police, firefighters, teachers, increasing college aid and providing caseworkers for seniors.

Some state lawmakers have also suggested using any potential savings to provide an additional state income tax cut.

However, not everyone is pleased by the Ohio Controlling Board action. Among those unhappy locally are Republican state Reps. Ron Young of Leroy Township and Matt Lynch of Bainbridge Township.

Both state legislators are among the complainants who after the decision filed legal action with the Ohio Supreme Court against the Ohio Controlling Board and the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

Their argument is not based on Medicaid expansion as a public policy issue, rather the matter essentially is whether the executive branch can implement a major policy over the objections of the General Assembly.

Young distributed a report on Oct. 15 (six days before the Ohio Controlling Board decision) that he titled “The Myths of Medicaid Expansion” and it discusses five items followed by paragraphs of what he terms are reality and his sources of research.

In a nutshell, Young’s report aims to debunk claims that Medicaid offers good health care and that expanding it will save countless lives, Ohio would be foolish to turn down federal dollars to expand the program, people should trust the federal government to live up to its promises, if the expansion doesn't work the state can shut it down and walk away, and Medicaid expansion is an opportunity to reform the program.

The state legislator has opposed Obamacare from the beginning and has not wavered on his stance. His report also says — contrary to what Kasich has previously indicated — that it is impossible to oppose Obamacare and yet support a Medicaid expansion.

Time will tell if the lawsuit has merit and if it will present any change to the decision in Ohio to expand Medicaid.

Politically, it also will be interesting to see if positions on Medicaid prompt any serious challenges next year when all members of the Ohio House of Representatives are up for re-election.

Taken out petitions

Dennis N. LoConti has taken out candidacy petitions to run for Lake County Common Pleas Court judge in 2014. LoConti, a Democrat, has until Feb. 5 to file to run for the office. LoConti also ran for Common Pleas Court judge in the Democratic Party primary in March 2008.

Bar Association blessing

The Lake County Bar Association recently announced Mentor Municipal Court Judge John Trebets received a “highly recommended” endorsement. Trebets is unopposed for re-election to a full six-year term commencing Jan. 1. The endorsement was given after a poll was conducted by the organization’s membership. Trebets received 133 votes, and 132 were favorable.

Event

Geauga County Democratic Party hosts a progressive dinner will be held Nov. 2. It begins at the party headquarters in Newbury Township. Schedule and location directions are sent to those interested after registrations are made.

Fundies

• Geauga County Engineer Joe Cattell hosts fall fundraiser 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Geauga County Historical Society in Burton Village. See Frank Antenucci.
• Geauga County Republican Party Christmas Party, Dec. 6 at Chagrin Valley Athletic Club in Bainbridge. See Ed Ryder or Frank Gliha.

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

Lake County officials remain concerned about a state law that could force the county to purchase additional voting machines.

A ratio that requires each county to have one voting machine per 175 registered voters was enacted in 2006 and is slated to go into effect next year.

Eliminating that ratio had been discussed as part of the two-year state budget that was passed June 30, but it ultimately did not happen.

Earlier this year, Lake County elections officials estimated the county would have to purchase an additional 54 voting machines based on a voter registration level of more than 152,000.

The cost would be $100,000 to $200,000, depending on if the equipment was new or used.

Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy said during a meeting this week that spending that money to purchase additional machines was an “unnecessary expenditure.”

Troy also recalled that county Elections Board Director Scott E. Daisher previously stated to commissioners publicly that the longest anyone had to wait to vote in the November 2012 election was a report of a 30-minute wait when the polls opened in one precinct.

Otherwise, there have been no long wait times so purchasing additional machines simply isn’t needed, officials said.

Troy said the County Commissioners Association of Ohio and Lake County officials will continue to speak with state lawmakers, including state Sen. Nina Turner, a Cleveland Democrat who represents half of Lake County as part of District 25 in the Ohio Senate.

Turner also is running for Ohio Secretary of State next year and likely will face incumbent Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted.

When the law was enacted in 2006, it came as memories were fresh about reports of voters across the state who weren’t able to cast a ballot or had to wait for so long to vote that they decided not to bother.

Troy and other election officials in Lake County now argue the ratio is no longer necessary to implement because voters have more options available to them to vote absentee and that has helped alleviate long lines and made it easier to vote.

An interesting question to ponder is what would happen if the law isn’t changed or a solution isn’t reached in time and the county decided not to go ahead and purchase additional machines? Perhaps a potential legal challenge?

It will be interesting to see what develops.

Medicaid expansion

Gov. John Kasich continues to push for an expansion of Medicaid for people who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level.

The Columbus Dispatch reported Friday that the governor will ask the seven-member Ohio Controlling Board to approve spending about $2.56 billion in federal money to cover an estimated 275,000 low-income Ohioans under Medicaid.

With four Republicans, two Democrats and Board Chairman Randy Cole, who is a policy advisor for the state Office of Budget Management, it will be interesting to see if a Medicaid expansion basically skips past the Ohio General Assembly.

Candidate endorsements

Candidates in Lake, Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga counties who appear on the Nov. 5 ballot may send in listings of endorsements they receive for the upcoming election via email, fax or standard mail. They will appear online periodically on The News-Herald’s Northern Ohio Politics blog.

Deadline reminder

The weekly deadline for information to appear in this column is each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Email or fax is preferred.

Fundies

n Matt Jaworski, candidate for Wickliffe Council at large, hosts a bowling fundraiser, noon to 3 p.m. today at Wickliffe Lanes. See Jaworski or Matt Gallik.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran hosts Oktoberfest 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at American Legion Hall in Willowick. See Paul Miller or Kevin Malecek.

n Lake County Recorder Ann M. Radcliffe hosts spaghetti dinner fundraiser 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Park Road Grill in Painesville Township. See Terri Conley.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

The potential ballot in November 2014 looks like it might be a little less crowded now that a group that had opposed a new law to ban storefront sweepstakes parlors has dropped its fight to place a repeal up for a statewide vote.

The Committee to Protect Ohio jobs wanted to repeal Ohio House Bill 7, and the group said it had gathered thousands of additional signatures after falling short of the required number earlier this month.

Ultimately the committee decided not to submit any more to Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted by a Thursday night deadline.

House Bill 7 gives the state Attorney General’s Office regulatory authority over sweepstakes terminal devices used by internet sweepstakes cafés, according to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine’s office. Cafés are required to obtain a certificate of registration from the Attorney General’s Office and file monthly reports.

The Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation also now will have explicit authority to investigate gambling law violations alleged to occur at internet sweepstakes cafes. DeWine also plans to send letters to each of the 88 county prosecutors in Ohio on the issue.

Another group called Healthy Ohioans Work aims to have the Ohio General Assembly approve Medicaid expansion for people who earn up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level. Democrat lawmakers appear to be mostly united on this issue, but so far leading Republican lawmakers have declined to support the issue even with Gov. John Kasich urging them to do so.

It’s a lengthy process to submit the language and appropriate number of signatures to force the Ohio General Assembly to consider a proposal, but if the group is successful and state lawmakers don’t act, an initiative could be part of the November 2014 ballot.

Other possible initiatives that have been mentioned in publications across the state could include the so-called right to work issue, legalizing gay marriage and legalizing marijuana either for medicinal purposes and/or recreational use.

Next year will really be interesting on the statewide level as the governor’s race will be on the ballot along with most statewide officeholder positions.

It’s entirely possible that whatever issues do appear on the ballot would have a significant impact on how the candidates races go.

To provide just a quick example, Medicaid expansion in Ohio has proved to be a divisive issue especially between conservatives and most Democrats. Even some in the Republican Party aren’t unified against expansion — like Kasich, who supports it and top Republican lawmakers who apparently don’t.

In big races that involve statewide issues and candidates, getting loyal party voters and even independents interested can often mean the difference for a candidate’s chances of winning and losing. We’ll see how it shakes out.

Candidate endorsements

Candidates in Lake, Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga counties who appear on the Nov. 5 ballot may send in listings of endorsements they receive for the upcoming election via email, fax or standard mail. They will appear online periodically on The News-Herald’s Northern Ohio Politics blog.

Event

Dennis Morley, candidate for Eastlake mayor, will host a meet and greet event, 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 10 and Oct. 24 at Trader Jacks in Eastlake.

Deadline reminder

The weekly deadline for information to appear in this column is each Wednesday at 5 p.m. Email or fax is preferred.

Fundies

n State Rep. John Rogers hosts fall clambake, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Mentor Beach Park in Mentor-on-the-Lake. See Rogers or Kip Molenaar.

n Matt Jaworski, candidate for Wickliffe Council at large, hosts a bowling fundraiser, noon to 3 p.m. Oct. 12 at Wickliffe Lanes. See Jaworski or Matt Gallik.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran hosts Oktoberfest 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at American Legion Hall in Willowick. See Paul Miller or Kevin Malecek.

n Lake County Recorder Ann M. Radcliffe hosts spaghetti dinner fundraiser 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 20 at the Park Road Grill in Painesville Township. See Terri Conley.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

Now that state Rep. John Patrick Carney has announced he will run for Ohio Auditor, Democrats have filled most of their slate of statewide candidates who will challenge Republican incumbents in 2014.

Carney is a Columbus-based healthcare attorney who grew up in Bay Village and has served in the Ohio General Assembly for three two-year terms.

He will challenge incumbent state Auditor Dave Yost, a Republican who is finishing his first term in office.

Other races shape up for now to pit Gov. John Kasich vs. Cuyahoga County Executive Ed Fitzgerald; Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel vs. state Rep. Connie Pillach; Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted vs. state Sen. Nina Turner; and Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine vs. former Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper.

Ohio Supreme Court Justice Sharon Kennedy also will be on the ballot next year. No Democrat opposition has announced so far.

Carney said during an interview with The News-Herald that he believes his experience in the health care field would serve him well as he would aim as auditor to carefully examine the large percentage of the state’s revenue that is spent on health care.

Other issues Carney will use as campaign talking points are to protect Lake Erie and waterway assets and what he says is the gerrymandering of legislative districts that eliminates bipartisanship on the state level.

He also believes that JobsOhio needs to be more transparent and said Ohioans deserve to know where public tax money is spent in the effort to help create jobs.

It should be an interesting election season next year to see if Republicans continue to dominate state politics or whether Democrats make any headway.

Welcome to the bench

Congratulations to Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Mark Bartolotta, who was appointed by Kasich to become the new Lake County Probate Court judge. I’ll write a little bit more on this development in a future column.

Events

Geauga County Democratic Party hosts a spaghetti dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday and a speaker will discuss the new federal health care law. Former Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner will talk about women’s issues and her new book at 2 p.m. Sept. 22. The party’s annual clambake will be at 6 p.m. Oct. 5. Each of the events will be at party headquarters in Newbury Township.

Geauga County Republican Party hosts GOP Steak Roast with a mystery guest speaker at 2 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Troy Township Pavilion.

Lake County Democratic Women’s Club hosts 75th anniversary luncheon and Woman of the Year award on Sept. 21 at Dino’s Party Center in Willoughby.

Candidate endorsements

Candidates in Lake, Geauga and eastern Cuyahoga counties who appear on the Nov. 5 ballot may send in listings of endorsements they receive for the upcoming election via email, fax or standard mail. They will appear online periodically on The News-Herald’s Northern Ohio Politics blog.

Change in publication date

Starting with the Sept. 21 edition, this column will be published on The News-Herald’s editorial page on Saturdays instead of on Sundays.

Fundies

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Painesville Township trustee, hosts a ’60s Night fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Susan or Ray McGuinness.

n Geauga County Auditor Frank J. Gliha hosts Chinese Dinner fundraiser, 6:30 p.m. Sept. 20 at Pineview Lake in Munson Township. See Gliha.

n Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy hosts Fall Classic golf outing and Clam Bake, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start Sept. 27 at Lost Nation Municipal Golf Course in Willoughby. See Kip Molenaar.

n Dennis Morley, candidate for Eastlake mayor, hosts Steak Roast Fundraiser, 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 6 at Boracs Landing in Eastlake. See Donna Vaughn or Dale Bradley.

n State Rep. John Rogers hosts fall clambake, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10 at Mentor Beach Park in Mentor-on-the-Lake. See Rogers or Kip Molenaar.

n Lake County Commissioner Judy Moran hosts Oktoberfest 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 17 at American Legion Hall in Willowick. See Paul Miller or Kevin Malecek.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce reflected on issues such as immigration, health care, jobs and Syria during a visit this week with The News-Herald.

Joyce, R-Russell Township, has completed his first eight months as a congressman.

When comes to immigration, Joyce acknowledges that this is a big issue especially in Lake and Ashtabula counties, which are part of the seven-county 14th Congressional District.

Joyce believes that for any bill to have a realistic chance to pass through Congress it must address border security, and the process must be improved when issuing visas.

The congressman said he continues to hear from businesses and his constituents about concerns they have about uncertainty of the nation’s new health care law often called Obamacare.

He said people are genuinely concerned about whether they will continue to receive health care from their employer and that some businesses are considering or have already dropped coverage because it may be cheaper for them to pay a fine and let employees buy their own coverage on health exchanges.

Joyce doesn’t believe that defunding Obamacare or shutting down the government is the right approach to address the issue.

Rather, he believes it’s time for President Barack Obama, Republicans and Democrats to work together on health care and find common solutions.

The economic recovery remains soft and there is apprehension about what the future may hold, Joyce believes, adding the number of jobs in the 14th Congressional District remain about the same since the beginning of the year because businesses in general aren’t planning much expansion due to an uncertain feeling as to what their costs are going to be.

He thinks the economy will get better when people feel more secure and can spend their money.

Joyce would like to see the Obama Administration lay out an overall strategy for what to do in Syria after the government there apparently launched a chemical attack.

He feels that the United States shouldn’t launch an air strike to just do it without a greater plan to move forward and to have an end strategy.

Lake County Probate Court update

An appointment by Gov. John Kasich for the Lake County Probate Court bench inches closer and could happen this week.

Candidates said to be under consideration are Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Mark Bartolotta; Lake County Probate Court Magistrate Lora Lynne Krider; Lake County Assistant Prosecutor John O’Donnell; and Jim O’Leary, a Painesville Township attorney.

In the meantime, retired Stark County Probate Court Judge R.R. Denny Clunk has been filling the seat on the bench until Kasich makes the appointment.

Events

n Former U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette is the headliner speaker for the 20th anniversary reception for the behavioral health care service provider Bridges from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Dino’s in Willoughby. Others featured are Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services Director Tracy Plouck, Ohio Council of Behavioral Health and Family Services Provider CEO Hubert Wirth, and Lake County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board Director Kim Fraser.

n Bolton Women’s Club Cupcakes Social is 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the The Confectionary Cupboard, Mentor.

Fundies

n Fundraiser for John Popelka, candidate for Willoughby Council Ward 2, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at Mullarkey’s Irish Pub in Willoughby. See Popelka, Geoff Weaver or John Bowers.

n Kimberly Evers, candidate for Eastlake Council, hosts his fundraiser 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 7 at The Captains Club in Eastlake. See Diane Goss or Mary Evers.

n Susan McGuinness, candidate for Painesville Township trustee’,  hosts a “ ’60s Night” fundraiser, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Susan or Ray McGuinness.

n Lake County Commissioner Daniel P. Troy hosts his Fall Classic golf outing and Clam Bake, 12:30 p.m. shotgun start Sept. 27 at Lost Nation Municipal Golf Course in Willoughby. See Kip Molenaar.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah