State Rep. Ron Young, who seeks re-election to Ohio House of Representatives District 61, announced he’s received endorsements by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business, Ohio Association of Certified Public Accountants, Lake & Geauga Association of Realtors, Ohio Right to Life, National Rifle Association, Ohio Restaurant Association and Ohio State Chiropractic Association.

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

Recent news that Ohio’s unemployment rate has increased for the past three months and now exceeds the national unemployment rate wasn’t great to hear.

It’s also worth noting that the number of workers considered unemployed in Ohio in October was 427,000, up 2,000 from 425,000 in September, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. The number of unemployed has increased by 31,000 in the past 12 months, up from 396,000.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported the state’s unemployment rate in October rose to 7.5 percent, up from 7.4 in September and 7.3 percent in August.

The October unemployment rate for Ohio was up from 6.9 percent in October 2012.

The U.S. unemployment rate for October was 7.3 percent, up from 7.2 percent in September, but down from 7.9 percent in October 2012.

The unemployment rates generally counts only those actively looking for work. For instance, it doesn’t include those who exhaust unemployment benefits and haven’t looked for work in a long time.

Of course, many people assume when the unemployment rate is released it is a reflection of layoffs or businesses failing.

I think an interesting way to see how the economy is faring is to look at industries and job sectors in terms of recent job losses and gains.

Ohio’s seasonally adjusted nonagricultural wage and salary employment increased 2,400 in October, according to the ODJFS.

The total showed goods-producing industries gained 2,300 jobs during October and were added in construction (1,300), manufacturing (900), and mining and logging (100).

The private service-providing sector gained 6,400 jobs, as employment increased in trade, transportation, and utilities (3,500), leisure and hospitality (3,000), financial activities (1,000), and other services (1,000); with job losses in professional and business services (1,200), educational and health services (600), and information (300).

Government employment lost 6,300 jobs and the declines were posted in local (4,300), state (1,400), and federal (600) government.

One vote does make a difference

Don’t tell Middlefield Village Council candidates Ronald W. Wiech and Brandon M. Reed that one vote isn’t important.

Wiech officially finished in fourth place with 279 votes during the Nov. 5 election, and Reed received 278 votes to officially finish fifth. The top four vote-getters earn a spot on council.

Because the race is so close — just one vote — an automatic recount is needed by the Geauga County Elections Board.

That will take place Monday. If there is a change and a tie ensues, a coin flip or another way to cast lots would be chosen to declare a winner.

Pulling petitions

State Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, has taken out petitions from the Lake County Elections Board to seek re-election. Lake County Juvenile Court Judge Karen Lawson has also done the same.

Campaign mode

Euclid Democrat and former state Rep. Ed Jerse, who is Cuyahoga County director of regional collaboration, plans to resign from the post effective Nov. 30 to focus on his campaign for Ohio Senate District 25.

The district includes Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, parts of Painesville Township, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick in Lake County, plus Euclid, Richmond Height, South Euclid and other eastern Cuyahoga County communities.

Swearing in

Richmond Heights mayor-elect Miesha Headen begins her new term Sunday and takes the oath of office at 4:30 p.m. at Faith United Church of Christ in Richmond Heights.

Fundies

• Fundraiser for 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.
• Campaign kickoff for  Lawson, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 16 at LaMalfa Party Center in Mentor. See Lu Dunlap.

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

How Lake County is represented in the Ohio General Assembly in Columbus will have a slightly different look next year.

Filling the seat for Ohio House of Representatives District 60 will be John Rogers, a Mentor-on-the-Lake Democrat, newly elected Nov. 6 when he defeated Painesville Councilwoman Lori DiNallo, a Republican.

Communities in the district are Kirtland, Kirtland Hills, Mentor Wards 1-3, North Perry Village, Perry Village, Waite Hill, Willoughby Hills, the townships of Concord, Leroy, Madison, Perry and parts of Painesville Township.

According to final unofficial results (used for all information in this column, as provisional votes will be added next week), Rogers won 25,964 to 21,141 or 55.12 percent to 44.88 percent.

Rogers won each precinct in Eastlake, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Willowick, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, and Lakeline. He also prevailed in Painesville, winning nine of 10 precincts, seven of nine precincts in Wickliffe and nine of 15 precincts in Willoughby.

Meanwhile, DiNallo won each precinct in Timberlake and the two Painesville Township precincts that are part of the district. She also won six of nine precincts in Mentor.

Overall, Rogers won 67 precincts and DiNallo won 16.

State Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, will remain in the Ohio House, where he’ll represent the new 61st District. He defeated Painesville Township Democrat Susan McGuinness. Young won 31,491 to 26,420, or 54.38 percent to 45.62 percent.

Communities in the district are Eastlake, Fairport Harbor, Grand River, Lakeline, Mentor Ward 4, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, parts of Painesville Township, Timberlake, Wickliffe, Willoughby and Willowick.

Young, who won his second consecutive term, won each precinct in Kirtland, Kirtland Hills, Leroy Township, North Perry Village, Perry Village, Perry Township and Waite Hill.

He also was the victor in seven of 10 precincts in Painesville Township, 16 of 25 precincts in Mentor, four of seven precincts in Willoughby Hills and 13 of 14 precincts in Concord Township.

McGuinness won six of 10 precincts in Madison Township. Both candidates won one of two precincts in Madison Village and tied with 433 votes each in Willoughby Hills Precinct CC. Overall, Young won 59 precincts and McGuinness won 22 precincts, plus the one tied precinct.

In the race for Lake County recorder, Concord Township Democrat Ann Radcliffe defeated appointed Recorder Jason Wuliger, a Kirtland Republican.

Radcliffe won 52,502 to 47,353, or 52.58 percent to 47.42 percent.

She also won each precinct in Eastlake, Mentor-on-the-Lake, Painesville, Willowick, Fairport Harbor, Lakeline, Madison Village and Timberlake. Radcliffe was the victor in 18 of 34 precincts in Mentor, eight of nine precincts in Wickliffe, 12 of 15 precincts in Willoughby, eight of 10 precincts in Madison Township, eight of 11 precincts in Painesville Township.

Wuliger won each precinct in Kirtland, Concord Township, Kirtland Hills, North Perry Village, Perry Village and Waite Hill. He also won four of seven precincts in Willoughby Hills.

Both candidates won two of four precincts in Perry Township, one of two precincts in Leroy Township, and tied with 296 votes each in Mentor Precinct 4H.

Overall, Radcliffe won 103 precincts and Wuliger won 53 precincts.

Lake County’s new state senator

Some Lake County residents may not realize that starting in January there will be a second state senator representing the county in Columbus.

State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, represents Ohio’s 25th Senate District that will be comprised of Ohio House Districts 8, 12 and 60. Her term expires at the end of 2014, so she was not on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Turner attracted some national attention this past week with her criticism of Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted, accusing him of enacting policies of voter suppression and hinting she might run for the office in 2014, and with what she views as a war by Republicans on women’s reproductive rights, specifically citing a state bill that would ban abortions after doctors can detect a fetal heartbeat.

Prior to reapportionment, all of Lake County was all within Ohio Senate District 18, which is represented by state Sen. John Eklund, R-Munson Township, who retained his seat Nov. 6 after defeating Democrat Jim Mueller.

Now the Ohio 18th Senate district will consist of House Districts 61, 75, 76, which is half of Lake County, two-thirds of Geauga County and all of Portage County. It no longer includes any of Cuyahoga County.

John Arthur Hutchison

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

With President Barack Obama set to speak Saturday morning at Mentor High School, campaign officials urged voters to cast their ballots early.

Robert Schiebli, vice-chairman of the Lake County Democratic Party, spoke during a press conference Friday afternoon at the Obama campaign’s Mentor field office.

He urged people not to forget their right to vote and to support the president.

“We’re fighting to restore the values that built the largest middle class and the strongest economy the world has ever known — the promise that hard work will pay off, responsibility will be rewarded, and that everyone gets a fair shot, does their fair share and plays by the same rules,” Schiebli said.

Obama’s appearance comes just three days before the election as both Republican candidate Mitt Romney and Obama know how important Ohio is to each’s chance for victory.

Meanwhile, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives John Boehner, R-Ohio, will begin a statewide get-out-the-vote bus tour on Saturday in support of Romney, Josh Mandel and Ohio Republicans running for Congress.

Boehner will appear at Lake County Republican Party headquarters in Painesville for an event that begins at 6 p.m.

At each stop, Boehner will thank volunteers, tout local candidates, and draw a clear contrast between Romney’s plan to create jobs.

State Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, will also give a speech at the Boehner event in Painesville and he plans to discuss the relationship between the Declaration of Independence and this year’s elections.

In-person absentee voting is set to conclude Monday as voters may go to their respective county elections boards from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday.

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

State Rep. Ron Young, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, announced he recently received endorsements from the Ohio Manufacturing Association, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Association of Certified Public Accountants, and Ohio State Medical Association.

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

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

U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette’s announcement to not seek re-election sent shockwaves around political circles in Northeast Ohio.

With LaTourette saying he will formally submit his decision Wednesday, it is up to seven county party chairmen and central committee secretaries within the 14th Congressional District to nominate another Republican to run Nov. 6.

The quick race behind the scenes to gain party favor for that nomination is in full force.

Depending on who is named, it could create a domino effect.

Sources say 15 to 20 already have expressed interest. Among the early names are Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Tim Grendell and his wife, 11th District Appeals Court Judge Diane Grendell; Lake County Common Pleas Court Judges Vincent A. Culotta and Eugene A. Lucci; Geauga County Prosecutor Dave Joyce; former state Rep. Matt Dolan; state Rep. Ron Young; and LaTourette’s chief of staff, Dino DiSanto.

Willoughby-Eastlake School Board Member Paul Brickner and Cuyahoga County District Councilman Jack H. Schron, both Republicans, each have publicly expressed an interest.

Getting early buzz is Dolan, who also ran unsuccessfully for Cuyahoga County executive.

Now living in Chagrin Falls, Dolan would have the means to be able to spend his own money to run a campaign with so little time left in the election cycle.

Joyce’s name continues to float around, as do the Grendells. What if it was Tim Grendell, who was just appointed as the Geauga County Probate/Juvenile Court judge? No secret he’s always wanted to run for Congress, but never against LaTourette. Well, that stumbling block is removed. Despite angering some people prior to his bench appointment by staying in the Ohio Senate rather than move over to the Ohio House of Representatives after he won election to that seat, he would be tough to beat.

At least 15 people expressed an interest to sit on the bench before Grendell was appointed and maybe they still would be interested if he left.

Among those names were Chardon Mayor Phil King; Geauga County Public Defender R. Robert Umholtz; Daniel Bond; county GOP Party Chairman Ed Ryder; South Russell Village Councilman Jim Flaiz, Pearce Leary of Chagrin Falls; former state Rep. Mary Brigid (Bridey) Matheney of Bainbridge Township; Robert E. Zulandt; Benjamin Calkins of Newbury Township; James G. Dickinson of Russell Township; Patricia Schraff of Chester Township; David Ondrey of Chardon; Brad Somogyi; and Dan Bagley.

Young also has gained some buzz to seek the congressional nomination. He’s running for re-election as a state representative, but would have time to drop out of that race.

Perhaps former state Rep. Jamie Callender or Concord Township Trustee Christopher Galloway would have an interest to Young’s seat if he left? Both had previous interest in an appointment to the Ohio Senate before state Sen. John Eklund got the nod.

Meet-n-greet

Lorraine Fende, Lake County Treasurer candidate, and Susan McGuinness, Ohio House of Representatives District 61 candidate, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Madison Township Park.

 

Fundies

n Reception for Geauga County Recorder Sharon C. Gingerich, 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Chagrin Valley Athletic Club, with U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette. See Gingerich.

n David Fiebig, candidate for Lake County commissioner, backyard barbecue, 4 to 7 p.m. Aug. 11 at home of David and Pauli Bokor in Concord Township. See Joyce Hribar Fiebig or John Plecnik.

n Judy Moran, candidate for Lake County commissioner, fundraiser hosted by Dan Mcurdy with special guest U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Mentor Beach Park. See Kathy Russo or Robert Leach.

n Fundraiser for Emilee Teresczuk, candidate for Lake County Clerk of Courts, 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 13 at Harry Buffalo in Painesville Township. See Emilee orMatthew Teresczuk.

n Fundraiser for McGuinness, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Aug. 14 at home of Joyce Fitzpatrick. SeeLindsay Baruffa or Carol Roe.

John Arthur Hutchison 

JHutchison@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @newsheraldjah

State Rep. Ron Young, candidate for Ohio House of Representatives District 61, announced he received endorsement from the Lake & Geauga Association of Realtors, Ohio Restaurant Association and from Save American’s Free Trust (SAFE Trust Ohio), the political action committee of the National Federation of Independent Business/Ohio.

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

There is no shortage of critics for the proposed state budget that lawmakers and Gov. John Kasich need to approve before July 1.
As state leaders work to fill an $8 billion hole with a variety of changes and cuts in funding, many groups are unhappy.
Among them is the Ohio Fraternal Order of Police, which the Columbus Dispatch reports recently voted to retract its 2010 endorsement of Sen. Shannon Jones, R-Springsboro, who is the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 5, the new law that limits collective bargaining for public employees.
Other groups have formed, such as We Are Ohio, which says on its website, www.weareohio.com, that “Ohioans know Gov. John Kasich and extreme politicians in the state legislature went too far.” The group is leading a referendum effort to repeal Senate Bill 5.
This week a new group that supports the proposed state budget emerged: One United Ohio.
The organization says Ohioans need to understand the budget crisis facts and unveiled a television commercial Monday to promote its message.
The advertisement can be viewed at www.oneohiounited.com/ad-facts.
One United Ohio says “By closing an $8 billion structural deficit, offering $34 million in job-creating tax incentives, pursuing major reforms and significantly reducing spending in principled, thoughtful ways, the Ohio Jobs Budget helps create the jobs friendly environment that Ohio needs and transforms complex, ineffective programs into sustainable efforts that deliver better services at a better value to the taxpayer.”
State representatives passed their version of the proposed budget last week, 59-40, in the Ohio House, and not surprisingly, the vote followed strict party lines.
Lake County’s two state representatives don’t exactly see eye to eye on the budget.
In fact, they couldn’t be farther apart.
State Rep. Ron Young, R-Leroy Township, says the legislation, House Bill 153, was the product of 57 committee hearings, 811 witnesses and nearly 200 hours of testimony.
He believes it maintains a commitment to Ohio’s job climate and fiscal sustainability and successfully makes significant reductions in the size of state government.
State Rep. Lorraine M. Fende, D-Willowick, says rarely was she as disappointed with her colleagues in the Ohio General Assembly. She also said she was unhappy there was no common ground during the budgeting process.
She blasted the budget and said the bill “is a farce and could prove downright dangerous for the future of Ohio.”
Now the legislation moves to the Ohio Senate, where state Sen. Tim Grendell, R-Chester Township, and 32 other state senators will have their chance to shape the bill.
After reading the entire bill, Grendell says he’s got a list of at least 26 items that need to be addressed before he will take a position on the bill.
He’s also concerned that Ohio’s 18th Senate District, which comprises Lake, Geauga and portions of eastern Cuyahoga counties, will lose $41 million in school funding.

Brunner to headline
Former Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner will speak at the Geauga Democratic Party Headquarters, 12420 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township, to discuss Senate Bill 5, redistricting and other election issues on May 21 during the party’s annual dinner event.
Tickets for admission to the headquarters are $45 in advance ($50 at the door).
A private reception with Brunner will be held at the home of Janet and Terry Carson prior to the dinner.
Visit www.geaugadems.org for more information.

Candidate announcements
Kirtland Mayor Mark A. Tyler announced that he is seeking re-election. In the announcement, he cited leadership, experience and the completion of several major projects within the city.

Lake, Geauga candidate filings

• Sean Blake has filed petitions to run as a candidate for Mentor Council Ward 1.
• For Chardon Municipal Court, Timothy H. Synder of Burton Township has filed as an independent candidate.

Fundies

• Fende will host “Families for Fende” spaghetti dinner 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday at Dino’s Restaurant in Willoughby. See Nick Cindric.
• Desirea Thompson, a candidate for Mentor-on-the-Lake Council, hosts a spaghetti dinner 5 to 9 p.m. July 16 at the Stadium Grill in Mentor. See John Thompson.

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

The Madison-Perry Area Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Meet the Candidates Luncheon Forum on Oct. 7. Chamber members, guests and the public are invited to attend at DeRubertis Party Center, 6521 North Ridge Road in Madison Township.

Doors open 11 a.m., lunch is served at 11:45, and the program begins at noon.

Candidates that legislate on behalf of the business community will answer questions from the Chamber moderator in a panel format.

Candidates scheduled to participate include:

• State Representative 63rd District — Mark Schneider (D) and Ron Young (R)
• Representative to Congress 14th District — Bill O’Neil (D)
• Lake County Commissioner — Dan Troy (D) and Bob Murphy (R).

Cost is $12 per person and reservations are required no later than Sept. 30 by calling 440-428-3760 for reservations.