CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Hamilton County Commissioner David A. Pepper has released a statement about Mary Taylor's decision to quit the auditor's race. Taylor is running for lieutenant governor. She is the only Republican who holds a statewide non-judicial office in Ohio. Democrat Pepper expected to face her in the November general election:
"In one way, though, this week's announcement underscores what I've long emphasized about the unfortunate direction of today's State Auditor office. At the top levels, the work and tone of the office have become overtly political and partisan, designed to get headlines and score political points. Multiple newspapers have highlighted this trend. And unfortunately, I have no doubt it will continue, now through the end of the year. This all comes at a huge cost. Not only has it led to thousands of taxpayer dollars being wasted on frivolous spending. But it has sacrificed the central and necessary element of any good audit operation--objectivity and independence. Without that, the mission and effectiveness of the Auditor's work is entirely undermined."
Friday, January 15, 2010
A Federal Court Fight in Ohio Hangs Over Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority: Judge Lets Lawsuit Go Forward
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A federal judge's ruling in Ohio may be dimming Founder's Day festivities for Alpha Kappa Alpha, the original Greek-lettered sorority for African American women. U.S. District Judge Christoper A. Boyko ruled the 250,000-member sorority can be sued for breach of contract, negligence and violation of due process claims and declined to dismiss the case The lawsuit was filed last March by Pamela Redden, a Cleveland physician who claims she was targeted for acts of retribution by the sorority's national leadership. Redden contends she was investigated because she intended to run for first vice president in 2010. Boyko dismissed individual charges against Barbara A. McKinzie, the president (Supreme Basileus), and other leaders of the Chicago-headquartered organization.
The case is 1:09-cv-0070 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. In his ruling, the judge said Redden was not defamed by the sorority actions against her, which included a fine and suspension. He also said there wasn't a conspiracy. But he said there was enough material to allow the case to go forward:
"Ultimately [Dr. Redden] was suspended for one year and fined $9,500 as a condition of reinstatement . . Imposing a fine of $9,500 on plaintiff, without providing a fair proceeding as outlined in defendant's Constitution and Bylaws,, substantially affects Plaintiff's economic rights. Therefore, the Court denies the Defendant's Motion to Dismiss with regard to Plaintiff's due process claim."
Judge Boyko said the inter-sorority dispute dated back to 2006, when Redden was campaigning for national office in the sorority. The Cleveland physician aired concerns about financial issues that included conflicts of interest at the top. The judge said Redden "contends that Defendant McKinzie and others viewed the legitimate discussion of these financial issues as a personal attack on Defendant McKinzie's integrity. This allegedly prompted Defandant McKinzie to make an effort to stifle such discussions, including acts of retrituion against Plaintiff because she was identifiably vocal."
January 15 (today) is Founder's Day and there is more here about that important date in Alpha Kappa Alpha's history. Perhaps the litigation hanging over the sorority won't spoil is parties at the 900 chapters around the nation.
The case is 1:09-cv-0070 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. In his ruling, the judge said Redden was not defamed by the sorority actions against her, which included a fine and suspension. He also said there wasn't a conspiracy. But he said there was enough material to allow the case to go forward:
"Ultimately [Dr. Redden] was suspended for one year and fined $9,500 as a condition of reinstatement . . Imposing a fine of $9,500 on plaintiff, without providing a fair proceeding as outlined in defendant's Constitution and Bylaws,, substantially affects Plaintiff's economic rights. Therefore, the Court denies the Defendant's Motion to Dismiss with regard to Plaintiff's due process claim."
Judge Boyko said the inter-sorority dispute dated back to 2006, when Redden was campaigning for national office in the sorority. The Cleveland physician aired concerns about financial issues that included conflicts of interest at the top. The judge said Redden "contends that Defendant McKinzie and others viewed the legitimate discussion of these financial issues as a personal attack on Defendant McKinzie's integrity. This allegedly prompted Defandant McKinzie to make an effort to stifle such discussions, including acts of retrituion against Plaintiff because she was identifiably vocal."
January 15 (today) is Founder's Day and there is more here about that important date in Alpha Kappa Alpha's history. Perhaps the litigation hanging over the sorority won't spoil is parties at the 900 chapters around the nation.
From Rodent to Racy: 'Beaver' Joins the List of Politically Incorrect Words
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- So far, officials in Beavercreek in SW Ohio aren't following in the wake of Canada's History Society, which this week scrapped the title of its magazine "The Beaver" due to sexual connotations. HA! That was the reaction from a Beavercreek official reached on the phone yesterday. The Canadian magazine is 90-years-old, and was monikered when beaver meant swimming rodents who built dams. Ohio has a host of communities and school districts that use the word beaver in their names, including three townships in Pike, Noble and Mahoning counties. There is at least one waterway called Beaver Creek, plus the SW Ohio city of 38,000 in Greene Township near Dayton. Years ago, the Native American word squaw, which was widely used in English, fell into disfavor for similar reasons as beaver -- it described the genitals of a female.
The official news release in Canada announcing the switch from The Beaver to Canada's History was carefully worded and avoided mentioning the risque linguistic evolution that prompted the change. But officials were candid in interviews with the Canadian Press, that nation's wire service. Deborah Morrison is president and CEO of Canada's National History Society:
"Because of the sexual connotations that this next generation of Canadians have adopted for the name, 'The Beaver,' there were some very practical challenges. Every once in awhile we would have readers call and say: 'You know, you've got to do something about the name.' We noticed monitoring our web traffic that the average visitor time to our website was eight seconds. And I have a feeling that might be because a lot of people going to the site weren't exactly looking for Canadian history content."
Attention!! Examine Your Paycheck: Did The IRS Just Rake More Off The Top?
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Paychecks subject to the federal income tax seem to be shaved by new withholding rates that took effect this month. A $50,000 plus salary gives about about 2% more in weekly withholding to the government, even though the IRS said last year that most Americans would see less taken off the top. Many are scratching their heads. The Bellwether's friends and colleagues are noticing amounts from $5 to $35 -- and everything in between -- missing on 2010 paydays. Tabular matter on the paychecks shows the money has gone to the IRS, making the takehome net less not more.
What's up? The Internal Revenue Service adopted new tax tables last year that imposed minimal increases in federal withholding in 2010. Payroll and human resources offices imposed the change on Jan. 1. But a lot of people who receive salaries for wages never got the word. Aaron Johnson at Automatic Payroll Systems Inc. noted last week that "employee take home pay will decrease . . ."
Johnson created a chart showing how much the withholding increase is by percentage in some wage brackets for single and married taxpayers:
What's up? The Internal Revenue Service adopted new tax tables last year that imposed minimal increases in federal withholding in 2010. Payroll and human resources offices imposed the change on Jan. 1. But a lot of people who receive salaries for wages never got the word. Aaron Johnson at Automatic Payroll Systems Inc. noted last week that "employee take home pay will decrease . . ."
Johnson created a chart showing how much the withholding increase is by percentage in some wage brackets for single and married taxpayers:
- Salary and % Withholding Increase
$18,000 annual 7% single, 100% married.
$22,000 annual 5% single, 33% married.
$26,000 annual 4% single, 18% married.
$30,000 annual 3% single, 12% married.
$40,000 annual 2.5% single, 6% married.
$50,000 annual 1.7% maried, 4% single.
Sarah Palin's Not So Amazonian Numbers: Her Book Sales Rankings Are All Over The Place, Trending Down
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Amazon puts "Going Rogue" in its top 20 but says Sarah Palin's 432-page memoir is slipping at the moment: "17. Ranking has gone down in the past 24 hours 109 days in the top 100." 109 days in the top 20? That seems a bit of a stretch because HarperCollins published the book on Nov. 17, 2009, not yet even 60 days ago. Palin is still No. 1 on The New York Times list of bestsellers, the same spot she holds in Cincinnati at the independent Joseph-Beth booksellers store she visited on her author's tour in December. Both lists put the publication date of "Going Rouge" in November 2009 -- which means she hasn't been on either's bestseller list for as long as Amazon.com.
Barnes & Noble's online list of bestsellers put Palin at 36th, but the company revises its list hourly and that could change. Borders ranks her at 48th. It, too, said Palin's book was published on Nov. 17.
Barnes & Noble's online list of bestsellers put Palin at 36th, but the company revises its list hourly and that could change. Borders ranks her at 48th. It, too, said Palin's book was published on Nov. 17.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Rob Portman Camp Unveils New Nickname for Fisher: It's Not 'Landslide Lee'
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The sobriquet for Ohio's lieutenant governor appeared today in a Portman for Senate press release. Lee Fisher was branded "Ohio Job Czar." It's a disparaging description dripping in sarcasm and rooted in truth about Fisher's abdication as state development director during a recession. It's shorthand meant to convey the state's workforce has cratered and the unemployment rolls have soared while Fisher headed the Ohio Department of Economic Development. Portman would not be able to make that case against Jennifer Brunner, Ohio's current secretary of state and Fisher's foe in the May Democratic primary. But from this day forward, Portman will be hammering Fisher on this anvil: the "Ohio Job Czar" quit as economic development director during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Portman is targeting Fisher's greatest flaw as a candidate in 2008, the fact that Fisher bailed out when the times turned toughest for Ohioans. Portman is saying Fisher abandoned his post to look for another job, a seat in the U.S. Senate. It's a narrative perfect for 30-second attack commercials.
Matt Hurley at Weapons of Mass Destruction posted the Portman press release on his blog. Hurley chose not to write any commentary, nor did he mention the "Ohio Job Czar" taunt. He ran the straight news that Portman's campaign spokesperson Jessica Towhey said the Republican will report stronger 4th quarter fundraising numbers than Fisher. Portman, of course, has his own spots for pot shots. Portman was the trade representative under George W. Bush, when thousands of American manufacturing jobs vanished into China. Portman ran the budget office for Bush when federal deficits began exploding. Brunner could make those arguments without being tarred as the "Ohio Job Czar" who was supposed to lead the state's economic recovery efforts. In an election year when the economy is going to be the dominant issue, Fisher is running as the job czar who abdicated.
Matt Hurley at Weapons of Mass Destruction posted the Portman press release on his blog. Hurley chose not to write any commentary, nor did he mention the "Ohio Job Czar" taunt. He ran the straight news that Portman's campaign spokesperson Jessica Towhey said the Republican will report stronger 4th quarter fundraising numbers than Fisher. Portman, of course, has his own spots for pot shots. Portman was the trade representative under George W. Bush, when thousands of American manufacturing jobs vanished into China. Portman ran the budget office for Bush when federal deficits began exploding. Brunner could make those arguments without being tarred as the "Ohio Job Czar" who was supposed to lead the state's economic recovery efforts. In an election year when the economy is going to be the dominant issue, Fisher is running as the job czar who abdicated.
Strickland Gets Big Win on Jobs Front: 1,339 Averaging $70,192 Moving To Cincinnati
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Kentucky got shut out, and Ohio gets a new corporate headquarters for its growing medical research industry. An incentive package that locks Medpace Inc.'s corporate headquarters into Ohio was approved Monday by the state Controlling Board. Medpace, founded in 1992, is an expanding pharmaceutical research company that plans to have 1,339 employees on its new corporate campus in Cincinnati by 2014. It will be adding more than 800 new jobs to its workforce. Public records available in Columbus show the company considered moving into Kentucky. But incentives from from Ohio and Cincinnati cut its estimated tax load by about $7.5 million over the next 8 years. Officials estimate $41.7 million in corporate and income taxes will be generated for Cincinnati and the state. Gov. Ted Strickland's administration helped nail down the deal. His GOP opponent, John Kasich, spent Tuesday claiming Ohio was killing jobs with red tape, high taxes and an unfriendly business climate. Kasich didn't mention Medpace, and may not even know about the state's efforts to snag the corporate headquarters from Kentucky.
Medpace's new campus will be on 29 acres that had been the site of Nutone Inc., a manufacturing company that closed and left the property. The state's aid package includes $3 million in Clean Ohio funds for remediation. The packet submitted to the Controlling Board for approval Jan. 11 shows:
"Upon completion of remediation, the currently vacant 29.14-acre site will be turned into the development at Red Bank and Madison [a major intersection on Cincinnati's east side]. Medpace, a drug research company, will relocate and expand its operations on the project property. The redevelopment will result in the creation of 800 new jobs and retention of 535 existing jobs by 2014. The development plan also includes 430,000 square feet of mixed use space, 50,000 square feet of retail space, and eight to 10 towhhomes. The project plans are in alignment with the GO Cincinnati plan. The development partner, RBM Development Company LLC, will contributed $6, 543,686 in matching dollars for prior expenses, acquisition and remediation activities."
Medpace's new campus will be on 29 acres that had been the site of Nutone Inc., a manufacturing company that closed and left the property. The state's aid package includes $3 million in Clean Ohio funds for remediation. The packet submitted to the Controlling Board for approval Jan. 11 shows:
"Upon completion of remediation, the currently vacant 29.14-acre site will be turned into the development at Red Bank and Madison [a major intersection on Cincinnati's east side]. Medpace, a drug research company, will relocate and expand its operations on the project property. The redevelopment will result in the creation of 800 new jobs and retention of 535 existing jobs by 2014. The development plan also includes 430,000 square feet of mixed use space, 50,000 square feet of retail space, and eight to 10 towhhomes. The project plans are in alignment with the GO Cincinnati plan. The development partner, RBM Development Company LLC, will contributed $6, 543,686 in matching dollars for prior expenses, acquisition and remediation activities."
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Ohio House GOP Leaders Fish or Cut Bait: Casting to Name Smallmouth Bass 'Official ' State Fish
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- This news may be hard for some to swallow on the shores of Lake Erie, where a billion dollar tourist industry flourishes as the walleye capital of the world. But some of the Republican lawmakers who joined forces last month in a plan to repeal Ohio's state income tax have now launched an effort to declare the smallmouth bass the official state fish. The bill was filed in the House by Minority Whip John Adams a former Navy Seal who ranks third in the GOP's leadership. Adams is from Sidney in western Ohio and owns furniture stores. A co-sponsor is Cheryl Grossman, No. 4 in the GOP House leadership. She was once the mayor of Grove City, a suburb of Columbus.
Ohio does not have an official state fish. It has a bird, the cardinal, and a rock song, Hang On Sloopy, and a fossil, the Trilobite. It has a tree, the Buckeye. Tennessee declared the smallmouth bass a state fish in 2005. Texas declared a cousin, the Guadalupe bass, its state fish in 1989. Oklahoma has the sand bass. The list of official state fish is available here. Most Ohioans would probably consider walleye as the most likely candidate to snare any movement to become Ohio's fish. It's already recognized widely as the most important gamefish in state waterways. Lake Erie fishermen have been known to catch them at the rate of eight per hour. The Ohio Historical Society notes:
"Without a doubt, walleye are one of the most prized game fish in Ohio. Ohio’s 2003 sport harvest of walleye totaled 2,771,697 pounds. They are the most important game fish in Lake Erie. The lake is often called the "Walleye Capital of the World." Walleye are no longer harvested commercially but there are a number of charter boats that will take walleye fishermen out on the lake for a day or more fishing. During the 1980s and 90s, over three million walleyes are harvested each year throughout Ohio."
Ohio does not have an official state fish. It has a bird, the cardinal, and a rock song, Hang On Sloopy, and a fossil, the Trilobite. It has a tree, the Buckeye. Tennessee declared the smallmouth bass a state fish in 2005. Texas declared a cousin, the Guadalupe bass, its state fish in 1989. Oklahoma has the sand bass. The list of official state fish is available here. Most Ohioans would probably consider walleye as the most likely candidate to snare any movement to become Ohio's fish. It's already recognized widely as the most important gamefish in state waterways. Lake Erie fishermen have been known to catch them at the rate of eight per hour. The Ohio Historical Society notes:
"Without a doubt, walleye are one of the most prized game fish in Ohio. Ohio’s 2003 sport harvest of walleye totaled 2,771,697 pounds. They are the most important game fish in Lake Erie. The lake is often called the "Walleye Capital of the World." Walleye are no longer harvested commercially but there are a number of charter boats that will take walleye fishermen out on the lake for a day or more fishing. During the 1980s and 90s, over three million walleyes are harvested each year throughout Ohio."
Sluts and Sleaze: Tribune Co. Cooking Up TV Political Show With Two Cincinnati Hams
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- This is what passes for creativity in today's corporate media executive suites: Let's match Jerry Springer against Bill Cunningham in an unruly political debate show. They can rhetorically mudwrestle about which political party is responsible for Tiger Woods' tastes in women, which they did (see below). Springer is a liberal former Cincinnati mayor who made it big as the ringmaster of an afternoon TV freak show. He was famously reelected after he paid a hooker with a check. Cunningham is a Cincinnati radio talker who makes the most rabid conservatives on earth sound reasonable -- he may be to the right of the Taliban. Chicago-based Tribune Co. is experimenting with a pilot that is airing in Midwest markets. The first one was screened in Cincinnati Sunday night. Few noticed.
Blogger Chris Johnson caught the first show and his review said it wasn't much. Johnson wondered why anybody would think the broadcast world needs another talk show pitting a Democrat vs. a Republican. It's a tired concept that started on CBS' 60 Mnutes nearly 40 years ago, then gained traction on CNN's Crossfire, a show that came to grow so boring and predictably talking head the cable network killed it off. The Cincinnati Beacon spotted Johnson's post and linked to it, for which the Bellwether is grateful. Johnson was struck by the abject lack of reasoning displayed by Cunningham. It involved Tiger Woods:
"In perhaps the most incoherent moment of the show, Cunningham claimed that Lyndon Johnson is responsible for the whole Tiger Woods mess because Welfare took fathers out of the home. Therefore, children have had no role models in the home and have had to look to celebrities like Tiger Woods for inspiration.
The show closed with both of their hopes for the new year. Springer wants health care for all and Cunningham wants Obama to be impeached so Biden can become President. Can someone tell me why we need this show? Real conversations about important issues are already few and far between within the corporate media, I don’t think that we need more of this nonsense on the airwaves."
Jeb Bush In SW Ohio Campaigning for Kasich: Hey, Isn't Bush On The Board Of Giant Hospital Chain?
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The chain's CEO has been hailing Washington's health care reform efforts as "a step in the right direction." Yes, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush sits on the board of directors of Tenet HealthCare, a multi-billion corporation that owns and operates about 50 for-profit hospitals nationwide. The company's CEO, Trevor Fetter, supports federal healthcare reform, particularly the measure known as America's Healthy Future's Act. It's largely the Senate version. Bush, of course, says publicly that he does not support anything that is going through the Democratically controlled Congress. He's hewing to the Republican Party line while serving on the board of a corporation that has been very public in stating that health care reform would benefit both its business model and customers.
Last October, Tenet CEO Fetter was on the PBS business show Nightly Business Report and said the Senate legislation was a positive movement on the health care reform front:
"It certainly is a step in the right direction. As you know, hospitals across America are the places where the uninsured are treated, generally in our emergency rooms. Even people with insurance have a hard time paying for the services that we offer them. So it is certainly a step in the right direction to cover more Americans that are covered today. We'd just like to see more covered under this legislation."
Fetter is talking about Democratic legislation. The Republicans took a hike. Bush is decamped with his party. This morning, Bush is in downtown Cincinnati for a invitation-only breakfast reception at the private Queen City Club. Then he joins GOP candidate for governor John Kasich at a forum in suburban Mason, then its back to the Queen City Club for a Kasich fundraiser.
None of the money being raised today is going to help the uninsured. Is there not irony in the fact that Bush collects a director's fee from a large corporation that supports healthcare reform? He takes the money, but disparages the reform measures his company sees as beneficial.
Last October, Tenet CEO Fetter was on the PBS business show Nightly Business Report and said the Senate legislation was a positive movement on the health care reform front:
"It certainly is a step in the right direction. As you know, hospitals across America are the places where the uninsured are treated, generally in our emergency rooms. Even people with insurance have a hard time paying for the services that we offer them. So it is certainly a step in the right direction to cover more Americans that are covered today. We'd just like to see more covered under this legislation."
Fetter is talking about Democratic legislation. The Republicans took a hike. Bush is decamped with his party. This morning, Bush is in downtown Cincinnati for a invitation-only breakfast reception at the private Queen City Club. Then he joins GOP candidate for governor John Kasich at a forum in suburban Mason, then its back to the Queen City Club for a Kasich fundraiser.
None of the money being raised today is going to help the uninsured. Is there not irony in the fact that Bush collects a director's fee from a large corporation that supports healthcare reform? He takes the money, but disparages the reform measures his company sees as beneficial.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Hamilton County GOP Chair To Tea Partiers: 'Welcome' Even If You Hate Our Guts
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- He must have a dagger behind his back. Hamilton County GOP Chair Alex Triantafilou thinks the Tea Partiers can be his kind of traditional Republicans even though they've filed candidates to run against 11 GOP congress people in Texas. Chairman Alex welcomes them in SW Ohio while there's a civil war under way. Of course, he hasn't put any of the insurgents into office locally, nor has he given them any choice party leadership spots. Down in Texas, establishment figures like the head of the National Republican Congressional Committee are being challenged. Even Ron Paul is among those being challenged. Maybe Alex figures they are right and his party has been wrong all along. About Texas, TPM notes:
"Around 20 candidates identifying with the Tea Party movement are running for Congress in Texas, most of them against Republicans. More than half of the Republican incumbents in Texas face primary opponents who claim to be affiliated with the Tea Party movement. That includes big names in Republican conservatives like Rep. Pete Sessions and even Rep. Ron Paul.The tea partiers are [also] taking on NRCC-selected candidates in elections where the seats are held by Democrats, making it tougher for the GOP to focus on flipping the seats to their side."
But Triantafilou extended an olive branch today in Cincinnati:
"I am pleased to report that we have an influx of new energy and excitement coming to our Republican party. Many of those energized by the Tea Party movement are coming into our party and seeking to become precinct executives and to become involved in other ways. My message to these great conservatives is very simple: WELCOME! The energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by this movement is important to what we are trying to accomplish in Hamilton County. While many Tea Party activists are unhappy with the direction of the GOP, I believe that our local effort to recruit, retain, and promote strong local candidates can only benefit from new energy and new ideas from strong conservatives."
Who is Triantafilou kidding? The Tea Party is a grass roots conservative movement begun by people who are fed up with the corporatist wing of the Republican Party, the people who put Bob Taft and his ilk on the ballot and into office. They aren't going to be fooled by the 4th Street Gang that runs the GOP. These people are storming the Bastille.
"Around 20 candidates identifying with the Tea Party movement are running for Congress in Texas, most of them against Republicans. More than half of the Republican incumbents in Texas face primary opponents who claim to be affiliated with the Tea Party movement. That includes big names in Republican conservatives like Rep. Pete Sessions and even Rep. Ron Paul.The tea partiers are [also] taking on NRCC-selected candidates in elections where the seats are held by Democrats, making it tougher for the GOP to focus on flipping the seats to their side."
But Triantafilou extended an olive branch today in Cincinnati:
"I am pleased to report that we have an influx of new energy and excitement coming to our Republican party. Many of those energized by the Tea Party movement are coming into our party and seeking to become precinct executives and to become involved in other ways. My message to these great conservatives is very simple: WELCOME! The energy and enthusiasm demonstrated by this movement is important to what we are trying to accomplish in Hamilton County. While many Tea Party activists are unhappy with the direction of the GOP, I believe that our local effort to recruit, retain, and promote strong local candidates can only benefit from new energy and new ideas from strong conservatives."
Who is Triantafilou kidding? The Tea Party is a grass roots conservative movement begun by people who are fed up with the corporatist wing of the Republican Party, the people who put Bob Taft and his ilk on the ballot and into office. They aren't going to be fooled by the 4th Street Gang that runs the GOP. These people are storming the Bastille.
Obama's Campaign Headquarters Re-Opens In Cleveland: Heralds 2012, Never-Ending Election Cycle
Written by Anastasia Pantsios and crossposted at Ohio Daily
I know a lot of people are confused or conflicted about Organizing for America, whose mission is described as “building on the movement that elected President Obama by empowering communities across the country to bring about an agenda of change.” Its e-mails focus on “supporting President Obama’s agenda,” which, particularly during the health-care debate, had a lot of recipients asking “What exactly are we supporting?”
Basically, the group is a new campaign paradigm: an election cycle that lasts four years, that never ends. It is, in effect, Obama’s 2012 campaign. So in a sense, the Cuyahoga County headquarters that OFA has opened on the corner of the southwest quadrant of Shaker Square (13100 Shaker Sq.) — the same space where Obama headquarters was last year — is a permanent campaign office. That’s an untried strategy in presidential campaigning.
It will clearly have its ups and downs, judging from the soft opening event held there in December. While field organizers spoke enthusiastically, attendees in a crowd that skewed older and African-American asked pointed questions about how health-care legislation was actually going to help people get health care. People are still clearly hungry for some change; they’re just wary at what they see going down in Washington, D.C. Yet hands-on involvement is still probably the best way to tilt things in our favor.
The headquarters will have its official opening Monday, January 11 from 4:30-7 p.m. Governor Ted Strickland and 11th District Congresswoman Marcia Fudge are both expected to attend, along with OFA state director Greg Schlutz and regional field coordinator David Cooke. It’s open to anyone who’d like to get involved or just wants to find out what is going on.
I know a lot of people are confused or conflicted about Organizing for America, whose mission is described as “building on the movement that elected President Obama by empowering communities across the country to bring about an agenda of change.” Its e-mails focus on “supporting President Obama’s agenda,” which, particularly during the health-care debate, had a lot of recipients asking “What exactly are we supporting?”
Basically, the group is a new campaign paradigm: an election cycle that lasts four years, that never ends. It is, in effect, Obama’s 2012 campaign. So in a sense, the Cuyahoga County headquarters that OFA has opened on the corner of the southwest quadrant of Shaker Square (13100 Shaker Sq.) — the same space where Obama headquarters was last year — is a permanent campaign office. That’s an untried strategy in presidential campaigning.
It will clearly have its ups and downs, judging from the soft opening event held there in December. While field organizers spoke enthusiastically, attendees in a crowd that skewed older and African-American asked pointed questions about how health-care legislation was actually going to help people get health care. People are still clearly hungry for some change; they’re just wary at what they see going down in Washington, D.C. Yet hands-on involvement is still probably the best way to tilt things in our favor.
The headquarters will have its official opening Monday, January 11 from 4:30-7 p.m. Governor Ted Strickland and 11th District Congresswoman Marcia Fudge are both expected to attend, along with OFA state director Greg Schlutz and regional field coordinator David Cooke. It’s open to anyone who’d like to get involved or just wants to find out what is going on.
Proof Today That Cincinnati Is Not Silicon Valley: Don't Those Kindles Bite?
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A city councilman has confused Amazon.com's popular Kindle e-book readers with a breed of dogs. "It could be a German shepherd for all I know," said Republican Charlie Winburn, who was quoted in this morning's Cincinnati Enquirer. Some city officials wanted Cincinnati to distribute government documents to council members via Kindle to cut down on the costs of paper and copying records. Winburn was not among them.
Mike DeWine vs. David Pepper for State Auditor: The Buzz is Building in Columbus
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Republicans are speculating today that former U.S. Sen. Mike DeWine could abandon his comeback race for Ohio attorney general and switch to the contest for state auditor. That would put DeWine up against Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper, who apppears to have the Democratic nomination locked up. But here's the twist: Current State Auditor Mary Taylor is seeking reelection and for DeWine to run she'd have to go somewhere else. Where? Taylor reportedly is being courted as the lieutenant governor running mate for John Kasich. She is the only Republican who holds a statewide non-judicial office.
Third Base Politics, a right-leaning blog that is not friendly to Ohio's Democrats, raises what it believes are some possible ramifications of a Kasich-Taylor ticket, and notes effects down the line:
". . . if Kasich selects Taylor, a serious candidate must be chosen to run for Auditor. With Pepper only able to raise about 140k a month in his first two months of running, he isn't a threat to spend his way to victory - especially considering the Pepper family funded a little over 1/5 of his slight fundraising haul. So a Republican able to quickly raise money, or self-fund the race, seems essential. That leaves someone like Josh Mandel moving over from the Treasurer's race or DeWine moving over from AG to take over. Either would be ridiculously difficult for Pepper to beat." Of course, that last bit about the GOPers being difficult to beat should be taken with a grain of salt. Without having to face an incumbent on the ballot for auditor, Pepper's chances actually improve.
Third Base Politics, a right-leaning blog that is not friendly to Ohio's Democrats, raises what it believes are some possible ramifications of a Kasich-Taylor ticket, and notes effects down the line:
". . . if Kasich selects Taylor, a serious candidate must be chosen to run for Auditor. With Pepper only able to raise about 140k a month in his first two months of running, he isn't a threat to spend his way to victory - especially considering the Pepper family funded a little over 1/5 of his slight fundraising haul. So a Republican able to quickly raise money, or self-fund the race, seems essential. That leaves someone like Josh Mandel moving over from the Treasurer's race or DeWine moving over from AG to take over. Either would be ridiculously difficult for Pepper to beat." Of course, that last bit about the GOPers being difficult to beat should be taken with a grain of salt. Without having to face an incumbent on the ballot for auditor, Pepper's chances actually improve.
U.S. Air Force Shifting 3 GPS Satellites: Will Lake Erie Walleye Be Easier To Map?
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- The answer is yes. Adjusting a few of the global positioning satellites in orbit is intended to improve the accuracy and reliability of GPS devices around the world by April 2010. The shift will help travellers and make it easier to track 911 cellphone calls. But its real purpose is meant to aid troops in the field, especially those now fighting in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan. The Air Force controls 30 GPS satellites, a system that maps the globe. There are blank spots, particularly in remote areas and sometimes in cities with tall buildings.
Matt Hansen at the Omaha World Herald reported over the weekend that civilian users will benefit "because the project will make it less likely they'll lose a signal and scream helplessly at their Garmin while driving in downtown Chicago or through the Rocky Mountains." The satellites are being moved by the Air Force Strategic Command (Stratcom), which expects the task to take no longer than four months. More information can be found here. When the satellites are moved, there will be better connections and even more accuracy. Commercial users are expected to benefit -- surveyors will have precise property lines for real estate. Firemen and police will have improved locations for 911 calls on cell phones.
David Guckman, an Air Force colonel at the Space Command, said the military's
GPS program has been a navigational marvel: "This is a free service to the world . . . to billions of civilians around the world."
Matt Hansen at the Omaha World Herald reported over the weekend that civilian users will benefit "because the project will make it less likely they'll lose a signal and scream helplessly at their Garmin while driving in downtown Chicago or through the Rocky Mountains." The satellites are being moved by the Air Force Strategic Command (Stratcom), which expects the task to take no longer than four months. More information can be found here. When the satellites are moved, there will be better connections and even more accuracy. Commercial users are expected to benefit -- surveyors will have precise property lines for real estate. Firemen and police will have improved locations for 911 calls on cell phones.
David Guckman, an Air Force colonel at the Space Command, said the military's
GPS program has been a navigational marvel: "This is a free service to the world . . . to billions of civilians around the world."
Sunday, January 10, 2010
John Boehner's Top Aide Dies Suddenly of Heart Attack: Pelosi On Down Shocked
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Paula Nowakowski was the 46-year-old chief of staff to House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Butler County. She passed away late Saturday from apparent heart attack, a death that shocked the Washington political establisment on both sides of the aisle. President Obama phoned Boehner to offer condolences and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi remembered Nowakowski as someone who was loyal to her political beliefs but still deeply loved the House, an institution with many political foibles. Nowakowski was from Michigan and Boehner said she was devoted to sports teams and her Catholic faith, which she inherited from that state. Former GOP Speaker Newt Gingrich remembered her as a "warrior" and Republican activist. Current Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi recalled Nowakowski as a dedicated government worker:
"The entire Capitol Hill community is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Paula Nowakowski. As Chief of Staff to Republican Leader John Boehner, Paula earned the respect not only of her Leadership and Conference, but all House Members on both sides of the aisle. She served Leader Boehner both in his current position as well as previously at the Committee on Education and the Workforce with great distinction.
"Paula was a thorough professional who loved the House and worked in a constructive and bipartisan fashion to implement policies to help the Congress function efficiently. On behalf of the entire House, I express our deep sadness to Paula's family, friends and our colleague, Leader John Boehner."
"The entire Capitol Hill community is shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of Paula Nowakowski. As Chief of Staff to Republican Leader John Boehner, Paula earned the respect not only of her Leadership and Conference, but all House Members on both sides of the aisle. She served Leader Boehner both in his current position as well as previously at the Committee on Education and the Workforce with great distinction.
"Paula was a thorough professional who loved the House and worked in a constructive and bipartisan fashion to implement policies to help the Congress function efficiently. On behalf of the entire House, I express our deep sadness to Paula's family, friends and our colleague, Leader John Boehner."
There is 1 African-American Judge On the Ohio Court of Appeals In Cincy: GOP Wants It All White
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- There are fewer than a dozen African-American state court of appeals judges now holding office in Ohio. Cincinnati has one -- its first and only. Ohio became a state in 1803. But two centuries had to pass before a black citizen could take a seat on the local appeals court bench. Judge Bill Mallory was appointed last fall by Gov. Ted Strickland, a Democrat who noted that breaking the color barrier was long overdue. The seat on Ohio's 1st District Court of Appeals opened up because a veteran Republican, Judge Mark Painter, stepped down to accept a legal post at the United Nations. Painter was enthusiastic about the addition of Mallory. He said his successor -- although of the opposite political party -- would bring needed diversity to an important institution that had remained all white for far too long; that stasis should end with the 21st Century. The times had changed, racial attitudes had thawed, but the court's racial composition remained frozen until Mallory's transformative arrival.
Mallory has filed his petitions to run for election to the seat this year. The local Hamilton County Republican Party, however, appears determined to run a candidate against him, a white candidate. It is a peculiar disjunction that seems to indicate the GOP has a recurring aversion against black appeals judges in Cincinnati. In 2006, Hamilton County Republicans had a qualified judge in John Andrew West, who was prepared to move up from Common Pleas Court. He was passed over for a white man. West thought he was going to be the first African American, but the Cincinnati Enquirer reported "party leaders had other ideas." There is no link available to the Feb. 2006 story, but here are a few of the pertinent paragraphs:
"The dispute between party officials and West, 63, a Common Pleas judge, has prompted some black Republicans to question how the GOP makes decisions. It is also stirring up old criticisms that neither Republicans nor Democrats do enough to promote diversity in the courts. 'The courts should be representative of the community,' West said. 'This offends me a great deal, not just as a judge, but as a citizen.'
Why such aversion to paradigm-busting? At his swearing in ceremony, Mallory said West deserved to be there first, reminding everyone present that the GOP had given the back of its hand to one of its own, a widely respected African American jurist. This year, Mallory's expected opponent is a lawyer -- a white lawyer -- from a major downtown law firm with a long list of corporate clients. In 2004, this lawyer was involved in a federal court case aimed at implementing Karl Rove's efforts to re-election George W. Bush by stationing poll watchers in voting precincts with large numbers of African American voters. These poll watchers were supposed to challenge blacks. The plan was never implemented.
I should disclose here that Bill Mallory is my friend, and has been for more than two decades. When I retired from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he invited me to be his law clerk (a job with the archaic title "constable") for a time while he served on the Common Pleas bench. He thought it would be enlightening for a journalist to see how things worked from the inside. He was right. But I also got to see him at work -- how he was consistently conscientious and conscious of his responsibility to society, all levels or society. He knew the world wasn't perfect. But he was adamant in his pursuit of justice.
Mallory has filed his petitions to run for election to the seat this year. The local Hamilton County Republican Party, however, appears determined to run a candidate against him, a white candidate. It is a peculiar disjunction that seems to indicate the GOP has a recurring aversion against black appeals judges in Cincinnati. In 2006, Hamilton County Republicans had a qualified judge in John Andrew West, who was prepared to move up from Common Pleas Court. He was passed over for a white man. West thought he was going to be the first African American, but the Cincinnati Enquirer reported "party leaders had other ideas." There is no link available to the Feb. 2006 story, but here are a few of the pertinent paragraphs:
"The dispute between party officials and West, 63, a Common Pleas judge, has prompted some black Republicans to question how the GOP makes decisions. It is also stirring up old criticisms that neither Republicans nor Democrats do enough to promote diversity in the courts. 'The courts should be representative of the community,' West said. 'This offends me a great deal, not just as a judge, but as a citizen.'
Why such aversion to paradigm-busting? At his swearing in ceremony, Mallory said West deserved to be there first, reminding everyone present that the GOP had given the back of its hand to one of its own, a widely respected African American jurist. This year, Mallory's expected opponent is a lawyer -- a white lawyer -- from a major downtown law firm with a long list of corporate clients. In 2004, this lawyer was involved in a federal court case aimed at implementing Karl Rove's efforts to re-election George W. Bush by stationing poll watchers in voting precincts with large numbers of African American voters. These poll watchers were supposed to challenge blacks. The plan was never implemented.
I should disclose here that Bill Mallory is my friend, and has been for more than two decades. When I retired from the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he invited me to be his law clerk (a job with the archaic title "constable") for a time while he served on the Common Pleas bench. He thought it would be enlightening for a journalist to see how things worked from the inside. He was right. But I also got to see him at work -- how he was consistently conscientious and conscious of his responsibility to society, all levels or society. He knew the world wasn't perfect. But he was adamant in his pursuit of justice.
University of Cincinnati's Top News Stories Surprise: Carbon Nanotubes Beat Sugar Bowl Bearcats
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- A whole lot of people seem interested to know that Cincinnati holds the world record for the world's longest carbon nanotubes. School officials have been counting clicks at Ohio's second largest university. And they're reporting that its scientists got more interest on the university's online portal than its football team, which finished 8th in the national gridiron polls. The Bearcats' trip to the Sugar Bowl this month ranked fourth on the click list. That was topped by interest in the school's design programs in architecture,industrial and interior design. And then there was this item, No. 2: "UC Researchers Shatter World Records with Length of Carbon Nanotube Arrays." It's great to have someone in Ohio breaking world records.
Joe Deters' Nemesis In Cleveland Facing DUI Scandal: Bill Mason Drove Deters From Statewide Office
CINCINNATI (TDB) -- Upstate bloggers are having a field day over the current tribulations of Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason. Mason was riding in a car with a fellow officeholder who got picked up for drunk driving. Mason contends he didn't notice his pal was intoxicated. Hamilton County Prosecutor Deters, who served as state treasurer until Mason drove him from that office with a corruption probe, ought to be buckled up with laughter. His nemesis now looks like an imbecile. After all, prosecutors are supposed to see that drunk drivers go to jail. They aren't suppose to hitch rides with them.
For those who don't recall, Cuyahoga County's Mason, a Democrat, went after Deters and ended the Hamilton County Republican's dream of becoming Ohio attorney general. There were issues about pay to play and dealings with Lehman Bros., the Wall Street investment bank that collapsed in 2008. Here are a few excerpts from an archived Cincinnati Enquirer story about the 2004 scandal :
"COLUMBUS - State Treasurer Joe Deters insists that nothing is going to stop him from becoming Ohio attorney general in 2006.
But a public corruption probe linked to his office threatens to derail the political ambitions . . . The source of Deters' trouble is his relationship with Frank Gruttadauria, a former Cleveland stockbroker serving prison time for swindling investors around the country out of $125 million over 15 years.
Gruttadauria was introduced to Deters in 1999, shortly after Deters became state treasurer. Gruttadauria was trying to help his employer land the lucrative job of managing some of the state's $150 billion investment portfolio. He succeeded.
From 1999 to 2001, Gruttadauria's two employers, SG Cowen Corp. and Lehman Brothers Inc., did a combined $5.9 billion in investment trades with Deters' office.
Gruttadauria also worked to develop a relationship with Deters, giving him rides on his Lear jet and donating thousands of dollars to Deters' campaign as well as to the Hamilton County Republican Party, which Deters chaired in 2000 and 2001.
But the case didn't end there. It caught the attention of William Mason, the Democratic prosecutor in Cleveland, who launched his own investigation.
In March, Gruttadauria, 46, pleaded guilty to bribing an unnamed person from 1999 to 2002 to get state investment business, racketeering, theft, money laundering, forgery and election law violations.
He also admitted to making a $50,000 donation to Deters' campaign that he masked as a contribution to the Hamilton County Republican Party. And he admitted to making illegal campaign donations to Deters by funneling $7,000 through clients and employees to Deters' campaign."
For those who don't recall, Cuyahoga County's Mason, a Democrat, went after Deters and ended the Hamilton County Republican's dream of becoming Ohio attorney general. There were issues about pay to play and dealings with Lehman Bros., the Wall Street investment bank that collapsed in 2008. Here are a few excerpts from an archived Cincinnati Enquirer story about the 2004 scandal :
"COLUMBUS - State Treasurer Joe Deters insists that nothing is going to stop him from becoming Ohio attorney general in 2006.
But a public corruption probe linked to his office threatens to derail the political ambitions . . . The source of Deters' trouble is his relationship with Frank Gruttadauria, a former Cleveland stockbroker serving prison time for swindling investors around the country out of $125 million over 15 years.
Gruttadauria was introduced to Deters in 1999, shortly after Deters became state treasurer. Gruttadauria was trying to help his employer land the lucrative job of managing some of the state's $150 billion investment portfolio. He succeeded.
From 1999 to 2001, Gruttadauria's two employers, SG Cowen Corp. and Lehman Brothers Inc., did a combined $5.9 billion in investment trades with Deters' office.
Gruttadauria also worked to develop a relationship with Deters, giving him rides on his Lear jet and donating thousands of dollars to Deters' campaign as well as to the Hamilton County Republican Party, which Deters chaired in 2000 and 2001.
But the case didn't end there. It caught the attention of William Mason, the Democratic prosecutor in Cleveland, who launched his own investigation.
In March, Gruttadauria, 46, pleaded guilty to bribing an unnamed person from 1999 to 2002 to get state investment business, racketeering, theft, money laundering, forgery and election law violations.
He also admitted to making a $50,000 donation to Deters' campaign that he masked as a contribution to the Hamilton County Republican Party. And he admitted to making illegal campaign donations to Deters by funneling $7,000 through clients and employees to Deters' campaign."
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