More political ads means more money for Ohio businesses

 

It means more revenue for media outlets.  That's about it.

 

Since Ohio is a premere swing state it would be nice if we had a viable candidate for President in 08'. If he got the backing of his own state he would be sure to win thereby bringing all the pork to Ohio...Look what Bush and Delay did with Texas, I vacationed in Houston and Dallas late last year and those cities look amazing they also have great economy. Coincidence, I think not!

 

Those cities have been booming since before Bush and Delay got into office.  It has little to do with them bringing home pork.

Voinovich, DeWine rip Blackwell's tax limits

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Sabrina Eaton

Plain Dealer Bureau

 

Washington- Ohio Republican Sens. George Voinovich and Mike DeWine spoke out Tuesday against a controversial spending measure on November's election ballot that is championed by GOP gubernatorial candidate Ken Blackwell.

 

Voinovich said the proposed Tax and Expenditure Limitation (TEL) Amendment to Ohio's constitution is "not in the best interests of the people of Ohio," because it removes gubernatorial and legislative discretion in dealing with problems confronting the state, "and puts it on automatic pilot."

 

DeWine added, "From what I've seen about it, it would hurt local governments and hurt education." DeWine and Voinovich said they are not endorsing a candidate in the heated gubernatorial primary between Ohio Secretary of State Blackwell and Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro.

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/114362479456070.xml&coll=2

 

© 2006 The Plain Dealer

 

Opponents challege petitions on amendment to limit spending

Thursday, March 30, 2006

Mark Niquette

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Challenges filed in at least 24 counties seeking to knock a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit state spending off the fall ballot are expected to be consolidated in a Franklin County court.

 

Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell’s office is seeking the move, which is consistent with how other such challenges have been handled, spokesman James Lee said. He said he expects the consolidation to occur soon.

 

The issue already has been certified for the Nov. 7 ballot, but opponents of the proposed Tax and Expenditure Limitation, or TEL, are targeting about 20,000 petition signatures.

 

http://dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/03/30/20060330-B4-01.html

From the 4/1/06 Dispatch:

 

HYPOTHETICAL QUESTION

Elections commission avoids request for ‘pay-to-play’ ruling

Saturday, April 01, 2006

James Nash

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Columbus lawyer Rick Brunner won’t be getting an answer to his question of whether Attorney General Jim Petro can award unbid contracts to law firms whose partners collectively give more than $1,000 to Petro’s campaigns.

 

Brunner posed the question in November to the Ohio Elections Commission, which frequently issues advisory opinions on matters of campaign finance. But the commission decided this week not to take up Brunner’s question because it was hypothetical rather than based on a specific case.

 

Brunner said yesterday that he wanted an opinion to determine whether the state’s "pay-to-play" laws prevent law firms from funneling contributions to the attorney general through lawyers. Without such a provision, the law is meaningless, Brunner said.

 

Full article at http://www.dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/04/01/20060401-C5-03.html

 

House candidate faces back taxes after vote to block collections

4/1/2006, 2:14 p.m. ET

By DAVID HAMMER

The Associated Press   

 

 

WASHINGTON (AP) — The leading Republican candidate in an up-for-grabs U.S. House race faces a potential tax delinquency of thousands of dollars, even as a bill he voted for that would limit the state's ability to collect back taxes is poised to become law.

 

State Rep. Charles Blasdel, who is running for an open southern Ohio seat targeted by both national parties, seemed to be sailing toward a major victory for the GOP after Democratic Rep. Ted Strickland left the seat to run for governor and his heir-apparent, state Sen. Charlie Wilson, was forced to run as a write-in...

 

 

Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

http://www.cleveland.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/politics-1/1143919168326500.xml&storylist=cleveland

Article published Apr 2, 2006

Tax and expenditure limitation - Spending cap amendment causes concern, questionsBy JOHN JARVIS

The Marion Star

 

MARION - A proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would cap state and local funding has government officials raising concerns and asking questions.

Sponsored by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, Republican candidate for governor, the tax and expenditure limitation amendment has stirred opposition from the Ohio Township Association, the Ohio Municipal League, the Ohio School Boards Association and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, among others.

 

Anyone who wants to learn more about the TEL amendment that troubles public officials such as Mayor Jack Kellogg and Marion Township Trustee Dick Rasmussen is invited to attend a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in the Tri-Rivers Career Center auditorium.

 

http://www.marionstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060402/NEWS01/604020323/1002

Blackwell reports shares in Diebold

By Mark Niquette

The Columbus Dispatch

Tuesday, April 4, 2006 1:20 AM

 

Ohio Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell revealed yesterday that he owned stock in Diebold, a voting-machine manufacturer, at the same time his office negotiated a deal that critics have said was an attempt to steer business to the company.

 

But Blackwell said his investments were handled by a financial manager without his advice or review, and after he discovered during the past weekend that he owned stock in Diebold Inc., he sold his shares yesterday at a loss.

 

More at:

 

http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=177123

Four Democrats see chance to upset Tiberi

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Catherine Candisky

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Political scandals, an unpopular president and opposition to the war in Iraq could spell trouble for majority Republicans in Congress in this year’s midterm elections.

 

With voters seemingly ready for change, Democrats appear poised to pick up some seats across the country.

 

Four Franklin County Democrats — a former congressman, a perennial candidate and two political newbies — hope the trend extends to central Ohio. Each in the quartet is seeking the party’s nomination in the May 2 primary for the seat in the 12 th Congressional District. The winner will try to topple three-term Republican Rep. Pat Tiberi, of Genoa Township.

 

More at:

 

http://dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/04/20060404-D1-03.html

“If he doesn't know what's going on with his own checkbook, why in the world would voters want him to be in charge of the checkbook as governor?” said Brian Rothenberg, state Democratic spokesman.

 

I hate Blackwell as much as the next guy, but this just plain looks desperate.  Dude's honestly going to steer state contracts in the hopes that maybe he can turn his $10K investment into what, $15K?  When he's worth millions and millions?  And has the extremely plausible explanation that, among the probably hundreds of companies he owns probably thousands of shares in, he wasn't told about this one?  Look, I've got a 401(k), and if it was investing in the John Wayne Gacy Foundation's NAMBLA Fund, I'd have no frickin' idea.  If Blackwell owned half a million dollars in it, sure - but c'mon, this is stupid.

 

There's plenty to work Blackwell over about...if they decide this is where they want to focus, I'll be extremely disappointed...how about we beat his ideas?

Democrats take back the governor's mansion this term as they did in 1970's.  We need to take back control in the capital, if we are to usher in all these political reforms to Ohio politics and school funding.  Right now we all should be getting students signed up to vote and work on changing the minds of middle Ohio to come on over to a new day of thinking.  Ohio has been held down to long by the right wing nuts who are controlling the State through Jesus and their the pocket books.  Cities in ohio need to unite and stand up!! We need better support and more organized protest state wide to make a difference this election.  The republicans draw the voting distrcits to overcome this we need to win over swing voters and take back our state.  Jesus is great but he has no place in the political affairs of the Great State of Ohio.  Jesus, did say "give to Caesar what is Caesar's give to God what is Gods"  I'm tired of right trying to cling to the cross.  Gov Taft has made this state a joke.  We are losing people and jobs everyday.  Instead of combating these issues they are debating gay marriage and right s of minorities instead of making this state a powerhouse for progress.  Columbus get your priorities right. WAKE UP OHIOANS AND TAKE BACK OUR STATE

 

 

<http://red-state.com/>

 

 

 

^ When have political campaigns ever been about ideas?  ;)

 

---

From the 4/6/06 Dayton Daily News:

 

 

Foes, watchdog say Blackwell wrong

Democrats, Petro critical of him on Diebold stock case

By William Hershey

Dayton Daily News

 

COLUMBUS | Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell's disclosure that he owned shares last year in voting-machine manufacturer Diebold sparked criticism from political opponents and a government watchdog.

 

Robert Paduchik, chairman of Attorney General Jim Petro's campaign for governor, said Tuesday the Ohio Ethics Commission should consider looking into the investment, which Blackwell said he has disposed of at a loss.

 

Read more at:

 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0405blackwellreax.html

 

From the 4/5/06 Dayton Daily News:

 

 

Elected officials fear spending-curb proposal

Blackwell plan may appear on November ballot

By Ismail Turay Jr.

Dayton Daily News

 

GOP gubernatorial hopeful J. Kenneth Blackwell's proposed Tax and Expenditure Limitation constitutional amendment, or TEL, aimed at curbing government spending and boosting the economy, is too restrictive and will devastate local governments, several Miami Valley elected officials said.

 

"I think it's well-intentioned and I do support small government, but I don't support tying the hands of local governments," Charles J. Curran, a Montgomery County commissioner said.

 

http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0405telamendment.html

 

^ When have political campaigns ever been about ideas?

 

...yeah, I've gotta give you that...

I had a conversation with a good friend yesterday who is a life-long Republican and was once an aide to an Ohio member of Congress (also a Republican).  He told me he would seriously consider leaving the state if someone like Blackwell was elected Governor and will likely be voting Democratic in November, because (his words) " the Republican Party has been hijacked by the religious right."

I had a conversation with a good friend yesterday who is a life-long Republican and was once an aide to an Ohio member of Congress (also a Republican).  He told me he would seriously consider leaving the state if someone like Blackwell was elected Governor and will likely be voting Democratic in November, because (his words) " the Republican Party has been hijacked by the religious right."

 

How many other Republicans do you think will actually notice how bad Blackwell is and that the Republican party has long been taken over by theocratic Christians if they haven't already? I think a good number will vote for him simply because of the ® next to his name. I think he'll get at least over 33% of the vote and it really is sad that there are that many people willing to vote for someone who couldn't be much more un-American. These people need to read the Constitution. Forget about posting the 10 commandments everywhere, we desperately need (at least) the first 10 amendments posted because so many people don't even know what this country stands for. It's sad that we have to rely on South Park for a lesson on free speech (That would be last nights episode if you caught it).

I would vote for petro, but never for blackwell.

The Republic has survived far, far worse in the past, don't worry...and we've always had blowhards, and theocrats, and people who supported them.  In the throes of Watergate, a bad economy, and appalling fashions, Nixon still had 24% approval when he was driven from office - 24% of the people still answered the question, "yeah, I think the dude's doing a good job."  In the midst of stagflation, with old folks' life savings being devoured by inflation, super high unemployment, an energy crisis, Americans being held hostage, and frickin' disco, Jimmy Carter never once dropped below 30% approval.  30% of the people said, "go, Jimmy, you're doing a good job."  Not "Reagan's going to eat my children, I'd rather keep Jimmy in office" - no, objectively, I'm happy with Carter.

 

That's insanity.  And yet, we survived just fine, thank you.  And we survived far, far worse - far more devisive times, far more incivility (when's the last time cabinet members got into a fist fight?), far more theocracy, far more suppression of personal liberty, far more everything that's decried as abominable today.

 

That doesn't mean we ought not fight injustice et al - just that we really shouldn't hyperventilate over it...it's assuredly not the end of the Republic...

No, it's not the end of the Republic. However, we had little economic competition in the world during those tough times and could recover from them more quickly without a major stimulus from governmental sources. Today we do have competition, and its not just due from cheap labor in places like China, India, Malaysia and other emerging economies. It's about the quality of the infrastructure of education, communications, transportation and sustainable energy. Despite the fact that these systems are the economic foundations for all nations, our infrastructure is becoming outdated, ill-maintained and unnecessarily costly to operate. The emerging nations are making the investments that we aren't. Sometimes we act as if we’re still a Wild West frontier that believes the free market will solve all our problems and government and the increased tax burdens that come with big government are evil … just listen to Mr. Blackwell.

^^I hear what you're saying, but I don't want to go one step back before taking two steps further. The "golden days" of the morals and values of the 50's are over and I'd like to keep it that way. If anything, we haven't been hyperventilating enough and grabbing the spotlight like the attention whores on the right. At least if we were shouting over the opposition we'd at least make sense.

Slots opponent Blackwell owns stock in manufacturer

Friday, April 07, 2006

Mark Niquette and Joe Hallett

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Although he opposes potential November ballot initiatives to permit slot machines at Ohio’s horse-racing tracks, Republican gubernatorial candidate J. Kenneth Blackwell holds stock in the world’s leading maker of slot machines.

 

Critics say Blackwell’s investment in Reno, Nev.-based International Game Technology is inconsistent with his views on gambling because he could profit if the company ever puts slots in Ohio.

 

More at:

http://dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/07/20060407-A1-05.html

Blackwell holdings prompt questions

Makers of slots, morning-after pill among his stocks

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Mark Niquette

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

The leader of a state antiabortion group said yesterday that she doesn’t doubt J. Kenneth Blackwell’s "pro-life" beliefs but doesn’t think he should own stock in a company that makes the controversial morning-after pill.

 

"We think he should divest of any company that supports the culture of death," said Denise Mackura, executive director of the Ohio Right to Life Society.

 

More at:

 

http://dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/08/20060408-C1-01.html

Yeah, dude should probably get a frickin' handle on his investments...I don't think it really means much, but it sure makes him look stupid, and it's easily fixed...(much more easily than changing his stated policies, at least!)

THE INSIDE STORY

By his silence, Blackwell hurts himself, voters

Sunday, April 09, 2006

BENJAMIN J . MARRISON 

 

It appears our reporters won’t be quoting J. Kenneth Blackwell any time soon. The guy who wants to be governor isn’t talking to Dispatch reporters anymore. Nor is his campaign staff.

The Blackwell campaign staff told us Thursday that our reporters are unfair, so we’ll get the silent treatment.

 

In their eyes, it was wrong of us to write a front-page story detailing that Blackwell owned stock in votingmachine manufacturer Diebold at the same time his elections office negotiated a deal that critics have called an attempt to steer business to the company.

 

Full column at:

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/09/20060409-B1-00.html

From the 4/9/06 Enquirer.  You know, if I were looking for a reasonable opinion on something, my first stop would not be Phil Burrass!

 

 

Blackwell defensive about stocks

Inside Columbus

BY JON CRAIG | ENQUIRER COLUMBUS BUREAU

 

COLUMBUS - Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's campaign for governor was in defensive mode last week when his annual financial-disclosure statement revealed he owns stock in companies that produce slot machines, voting machines, tobacco and the morning-after pill.

 

Blackwell's opponents quickly cried foul, since the Cincinnatian is against abortion and gambling.

 

In addition to Diebold, the election-machine vendor from North Canton, and International Game Technology of Nevada, Blackwell's multi-million-dollar portfolio includes stock in Halliburton; Weatherford International, a Houston-based oilfield company that moved to Bermuda to avoid paying U.S. taxes; Altria, the tobacco-producing company formerly known as Philip Morris; and Barr Pharmaceuticals, maker of Plan B, the morning-after pill.

 

More at:

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060409/NEWS01/604090398/1056

 

So in addition to being an ultra-conservative nut, Blackwell is also a self-dealing hypocrite.

Taft accused of violating professional code

By Mark Niquette

The Columbus Dispatch

Monday, April 10, 2006 2:40 PM

 

Gov. Bob Taft violated his code of professional responsibility as a lawyer when he failed to report free golf outings that were the subject of an ethics conviction last summer, a complaint made public this morning concludes.

The governor could face sanctions ranging from a public reprimand to permanent disbarment if a three-member panel and the Ohio Supreme Court agrees.

 

Full story at:

 

http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=178729

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060410/BREAKINGNEWS/60410010

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article published April 10, 2006

 

Taft facing discipline from Ohio Supreme Court over free golf

 

BY JAMES DREW

BLADE COLUMBUS BUREAU CHIEF

 

 

COLUMBUS — Gov. Bob Taft should be disciplined for failing to report golf outings and others gifts while in office, according to a complaint filed by a state agency that regulates attorney conduct.

 

Mr. Taft, a Republican, pleaded no contest in August to four misdemeanor violations of state ethics laws. He was fined $4,000, and ordered to apologize to all Ohioans for failing to report 45 golf outings each exceeded $75 over the past seven years, as well as failing to disclose gifts.

 

Read more at above link:

Taft is a lawyer?!  :-o Another low mark for that profession.  :roll:

^...and a frickin' moron.  Picking a fight with one of the big three newspapers, as early as the primaries?  And doing it acting like a child?  Good Lord...

As you can see, the Columbus Dispatch isn't going to stop covering the story just because Sec. Blackwell refuses to do interviews with their reporters.  The arrogance of Blackwell is his own un-doing.

 

Blackwell in blind-trust bind

Ohio has no provision to mask stock holdings

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Mark Niquette

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Republican gubernatorial candidate J. Kenneth Blackwell has said he’s moving his investment portfolios to a blind trust to avoid any potential conflicts of interest.

 

But there’s a problem with that plan: Ohio law doesn’t allow fully blind trusts, according to a 2005 Ohio Ethics Commission advisory opinion.

 

The issue surfaced last week after Blackwell, the secretary of state, disclosed he owned stock in voting-machine maker Diebold — as well as in companies that make slot machines and the so-called morning-after pill, even though Blackwell is opposed to abortion rights and the expansion of state-sponsored gambling.

 

Read more at:

 

http://dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/11/20060411-C1-00.html

 

Ballot proposal opponents: Wording would block most school levies

JULIE CARR SMYTH

Associated Press

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The broad wording of a proposed cap on government spending would have spelled defeat for 90 percent of November 2004 school levies passed in Ohio, an analysis by opponents of the measure shows.

 

A legal opinion obtained by the Coalition for Ohio's Future says the Tax and Expenditure Limitation, or TEL, backed by Republican gubernatorial hopeful Kenneth Blackwell would require a majority of all registered voters to pass, not just a majority of those who vote on election day.

 

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/14317875.htm

Opposition to tax limits grows

Blackwell sticks by initiative as opposition grows

Saturday, April 15, 2006

Alan Johnson and Catherine Candisky

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Despite rising opposition that includes churches, business organizations and local government officials, Republican gubernatorial candidate J. Kenneth Blackwell is standing by his plan to limit government spending.

 

Blackwell’s campaign acknowledges feeling the heat 2 1 /2 weeks before the primary election but insists he won’t back off the Tax Expenditure Limitation initiative he has championed for the past year. 

 

[email protected]

http://dispatch.com/?story=dispatch/2006/04/15/20060415-A1-00.html

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060416/NEWS09/604160656/-1/NEWS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Article published April 16, 2006

 

Blackwell defends campaign donations

Governor hopeful: Firms got no favors

By STEVE EDER

and JAMES DREW

BLADE STAFF WRITERS

 

COLUMBUS - Kenneth Blackwell, a Republican candidate for governor, has accepted more than $1 million in contributions from employees of firms seeking business with the statewide offices he's held over the past 12 years, a Blade investigation shows.

 

The Blade's analysis also found that financial institutions contributing to the campaigns of Mr. Blackwell, who became secretary of state in 1999 after nearly five years as state treasurer, have given at least $1.34 million to the Ohio Republican Party. In turn, the party has shipped at least $1.29 million to Mr. Blackwell's campaigns.

 

...

 

Contact Steve Eder at: [email protected] or 419-724-6272.

 

In not having read the above posts- here’s my take on the TEL. It’s scary. This will have huge budgetary implications and will cause some major program cuts and in all likelihood layoffs. Its kind of funny how this whole thing is packaged- its known as the TABOR/TEL…Taxpayers Bill Of Rights/Tax Expenditure Limitation. When John Q. Sixpack bellies up to the polls in November he’ll read this and say “hey I’m a taxpayer its about time some legislation is introduced for my rights as a taxpayer and its about time government limits what I’m paying in taxes.” Well John local governments prime objective is not profit motivated- those taxes your paying actually go to usefull services that you do directly benefit from, most importantly public school funding, but also street improvements, garbage collection, public safety and such. The less you pay in taxes the less services you receive. This looks like the State trying to justify cutting the local government payments.

This has made the front page of the Dayton Daily News as well.

From the 4/18/06 PD:

 

 

Blackwell's wife silent on plan's school impact

Many local officials oppose proposal to limit spending

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Sandy Theis and Michael Scott

Plain Dealer Reporters

 

Columbus -- Ohio's county commissioners are officially opposed to an amendment that would restrict government spending.

 

The townships and libraries are against it, too.

 

So are many public schools. 

 

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1145349738302720.xml&coll=2

 

From the 4/19/06 Dispatch:

 

 

Lobbying begins for share of Ohio’s welfare surplus

Proposals include college tuition aid, help on housing

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Catherine Candisky

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

Like an out-of-towner with a cash-filled wallet strolling through Times Square late at night, Ohio’s bulging welfare surplus is drawing attention.

 

Unsurprisingly, there is no shortage of ideas on how to spend more than $750 million.

 

The proposals include college tuition and work training, afterschool and prison-release programs, monthly transportation allowances for working welfare recipients, and housing down payments for single mothers.

 

Read More...

 

How can we just spend money on new projects when it was given for a different purpose?  Why aren't we sending it back to the Federal government?  I guess that's how it works, and I don't know that it's necessarily a bad thing if it's going to help the folks it was intended to help - I just wonder how this works...

Ah, I see, it wasn't earmarked for welfare, but just for helping the poor...and given that we still have poor, having unspent money means we're doing something very wrong, not something very right...

From the 4/21/06 Toledo Blade:

 

 

Regents endorse changing formula to fund colleges

By JOSHUA BOAK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

 

BOWLING GREEN - The Ohio Board of Regents endorsed changes to the state formula that funds colleges and discussed using part of an unspent federal grant for a $63.6 million voucher program to help low-income college students.

 

In the state budgets for 2006 and 2007, legislators asked the regents to study government funding for higher education, prompting the recommendations approved yesterday by the board's resources and system efficiency committee.

 

http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060421/NEWS21/604210366/-1/NEWS

 

Fiscal officers fret over tax plan

Will Blackwell’s amendment block capital improvements?

Sunday, April 23, 2006

Mark Niquette and Joe Hallett

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

The city of St. Marys questions whether it would be able to build a new sewage-treatment plant. Franklin County leaders wonder how the county’s $116 million courthouse project could be affected.

 

And Ohio State isn’t sure it would have been able to renovate its library, or revamp its heart hospital or Ohio Stadium.

 

That’s the picture being painted by many local government officials opposed to the Tax and Expenditure Limitation constitutional amendment on Ohio’s ballot in November.

 

http://dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/23/20060423-A1-01.html

From the 4/21/06 Marietta Times:

 

 

Support for ARC gathered

By Diana DeCola

 

U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, presided over a hearing at Washington State Community College Thursday which examined the need for continued funding for a federal agency that has helped keep Appalachia from falling behind the rest of the country.

 

It’s the goal of Voinovich and others to reauthorize the Appalachian Regional Commission for another five years...

 

 

http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/new21_421200672828.asp

 

Primary could hinge on tax issue

Some Blackwell backers fear backlash from TEL initiative

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Joe Hallett and Mark Niquette

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

 

 

SHEFFIELD, Ohio — David Arredondo says the changing demographics of Lorain County make the Democratic stronghold ripe for conservative Republican gubernatorial candidate J. Kenneth Blackwell to make inroads, save for one factor.

 

"I have a great fear that people won’t vote for the TEL and then they won’t vote for Blackwell," the chairman of the Lorain Area Republican Party said yesterday.

 

It’s too early to tell whether Blackwell’s Tax and Expenditure Limitation proposal on the Nov. 7 ballot will be a boon or bane for his campaign, but it clearly has some of his supporters worried, virtually on the eve of Tuesday’s primary election.

 

http://dispatch.com/news/news.php?story=dispatch/2006/04/29/20060429-D1-00.html

From Gannett, 4/29/06:

 

Perry Co. may sue Blackwell over voting machine plan

By KATHY THOMPSON

Staff Writer

 

NEW LEXINGTON - Perry County commissioners are looking into the possibility of the county suing Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell over electronic voting machines.

 

Commissioners Thad Cooperrider and Lonnie Wood presented a letter to Perry County Prosecutor Joseph Flautt this week asking for his opinion as to whether the county could sue Blackwell.

 

According to the letter, commissioners are questioning Blackwell's connection to the Diebold Corporation, the Canton company that supplied many of Ohio's election offices with new voting machines. The letter states that future costs associated with the machines were never disclosed which is causing financial stress on the county.

 

Read more at:

http://www.zanesvilletimesrecorder.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060429/NEWS01/604290307/1002/rss01

 

This was posted originally over at Detroityes.com. I find it sad when cadidates feel they have to bash other cities to get votes, especially in Toledo of all places.

 

Candidates traverse county in final drive for commissioner job

By JOSHUA BOAK

BLADE STAFF WRITER

April 30, 2006

 

Wherever voters were yesterday - shopping in East Toledo, enjoying a weekend at home, watching Little League baseball, or accelerating between stop lights along Reynolds Road - a candidate for Lucas County commissioner was sure to be nearby. The ballots for Tuesday's primary election will list two Republicans, Pam Haynam and George Sarantou, and three Democrats, Phil Copeland, Ben Konop, and Tim Wagener, all of whom were looking for that last-minute advantage at the polls.

 

http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060430/NEWS09/604300416/-1/NEWS

Contact Joshua Boak at: [email protected] or 419-724-6728.

 

Detroit always gets bashed here, during the 05' mayoral debates some candidates scared people by claiming Jack Ford would make Toledo into the "Next Detroit". I remember saying to myself, that would be a good thing.  :mrgreen:

 

Detroit just simply isnt as bad as its reputation. Some areas yes, but the downtown area is relatively safe from what I undersand.

typical detroit boosterism says "Studies show that detroit has one of the safest downtowns in the nation"

I really liked the voting machine I used to day.  Very easy to use. 

 

 

So.... if you voted in today's (May 2nd) Ohio Primary and used one of the new electronic / computerized voting machines.... what was your impression?  Feel free to add comments.

New voting machines cause delayed start in Columbus

By Robert Vitale

The Columbus Dispatch

Tuesday, May 2, 2006

 

High-tech voting got off to a slow start this morning in dozens of Franklin County precincts as poll workers struggled to produce start-of-the-day printouts from new touch-screen machines.

 

About 50 people who showed up to cast ballots at 6:30 a.m. left their polling places without voting, county elections officials said. About 20 percent of precincts -- more than 160 -- opened as late as 7 a.m., they said.

 

Read more at:

 

http://dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=183376