OH-14 Dem William O'Neill: Does Athens County Lawsuit Signal Trouble Ahead?

ATHENS, Ohio (TDB) -- Could a lawsuit filed last week over a January 2007 stabbing outside an Ohio University fraternity house impact a Cleveland area congressional race where Democrats have high hopes? The litigation comes after local authorities chose not to prosecute an individual who has been identified as the son of Democratic congressional candidate Bill O'Neill, a former state appeals court judge. The civil case seeks $1 million damages and was first reported by the Athens Messenger. O'Neill is running against two other Dems for the OH-14 nomination. The seat is currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Steven C. LaTourette.

The Messenger reported that Athens County Prosecutor C. David Warren chose not to handle the case because he knew Bill O'Neill through state Democratic politics; Warren, too, is a Dem. O'Neill's son was apparently represented by lawyer Susan Gwinn, chair of the Athens County Democratic Party. She is now challenging Warren in the Dem primary for the prosecutor's job.

According to Messenger reporter Elizabeth Gousettis, the Athens cops recommended a felonious assault charge be filed against O'Neill's son. She said charges were never filed and the case was closed:

"The Athens Police Department documents also indicate that about an hour after the fight, O'Neill's father, Judge William O'Neill, called the police department and allegedly said that his son Brandon called him and told him he had been in a fight outside the Delta Upsilon house, and that someone had been badly injured and taken to the hospital. Judge O'Neill allegedly told to the dispatcher Megan Dowler that his son saw what happened and that he had advised him to go to the police department."

As the civil lawsuit slogs through the courts, it could have an impact on the congressional race. Bill O'Neill has a long history of public service, including Vietnam and the Ohio National Guard. He has been a journalist, a lawyer, a union official, a judge and works weekends and evenings as an RN in a pediatric emergency center. He is a distinguished, dedicated public servant. According to the Messenger, Athens County Prosecutor Warren said he would keep an eye on the legal proceedings:

"Warren said Thursday that sometimes evidence comes out in a civil case that wasn't available before, so there is a possibility of opening the case at any time."

Oh-02's Rep. Jean Schmidt: Make English 'Official' Language

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- U.S. Rep. Jean Schmidt signed up last week to cosponsor two bills that make English the nation's official language. One eliminates the Voting Rights Act requirement that some elections be bilingual. In areas with large Hispanic populations -- South Florida, for example -- there now are Spanish/English ballots. And also Creole for Haitians. But the measure, HR 769, would forbid the practice.

[UPDATE: Check out THIS take on language laws about Singapore. Clever satire, right?]

Schmidt became a co-sponsor March 8. She joined two other Ohioans, U.S. Rep. Steve LaTourette, R-Oh-14, and Ralph Regula, R-Oh-16. The measure is called the "National Language Act of 2007" and more information is HERE. The measure has been referred to committee and probably won't go very far.

Schmidt also put her name on HR 997, another bill that make English official. Rep. Steve Chabot, R-Oh-01, already was a co-sponsor. This bill specifically says the states and the District of Columbia must use English, and says anyone seeking naturalization as an American citizen will have to pass a test showing they can comprehend English. One of the requirements: "All citizens should be able to read and understand generally the English language text of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the laws of the United States."

But that last clause is a doozy -- could it open the door to questioning potential citizens about the tax code? Imagine being tested about the IRS rules? They are written in English, but everybody knows they are nearly impenetrable for average Americans.

There are details about the measure HERE.

Schmidt is a conservative pro-life, pro-gun lawmaker whose district starts in Cincinnati and stretches east along the Ohio River to Scioto County. She may have opposition in the GOP primary from State Rep. Tom Brinkman Jr., an ultra-conservative from Cincinnati, and the bills to require English will play well in her district. Whether the measures become law or not, her decision to co-sponsor was a canny political move and shows that Schmidt -- a marathon runner -- is toughening up for a potential race with Brinkman.