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Ohio residents ready for election
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| Campaign signs seem to be everywhere in Ohio. With the election less than a week away, these signs can be seen as motorists approach Ripley. -- Terry Prather/Staff |
Casinos remain a hotbutton issue
By MISTY MAYNARD, Staff Writer
GEORGETOWN, Ohio -- Ohio voters will decide Tuesday the fate of candidates running for various offices as well as several other ballot issues, including whether casinos can be located in four of the state's largest cities.
Kathy Long, deputy director of the Brown County Board of Elections, said nearly 1,400 absentee ballots have already been cast.
Turnout in a 2007 general election with similar issues on the ballot was 53 percent, Long said. She is expecting about the same turnout Tuesday. In that election, a total of about 1,800 absentee ballots were cast.
Registered voters in the county total 28,725. Of that, 7,941 are registered as Democrat, 5,430 are Republican and the remaining 15,354 are registered as nonpartisan.
"It should pass," said Harold Fultz, a Ripley resident, of Issue 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would allow casino gambling.
Walking out of Ripley's IGA Wednesday was David Gray and 2-year-old Lillian Gray. Gray agreed with Fultz that the casino gambling amendment should pass, though he noted the issue is "controversial."
"I think the state needs revenue," Gray said.
Gray said Indiana has casinos and many people go out of state to gamble. Instead of sending that money out-of-state, Gray said Ohio should have a portion of those funds.
"It's better than raising property taxes," he said.
Many asked about the casino gambling issue preferred not to comment. One man, who did not want to give his name, said he would vote no on the issue, though he offered no reason.
The proposed amendment would allow one casino facility at a specifically designated location within each of the cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. It would levy a fixed tax of 33 percent of gross casino revenue received by each casino and would distribute the tax as follows: 51 percent among all 88 Ohio counties in proportion to populations with half of the county's distribution going to its largest city if the city's population is above 80,000, 34 percent among all public school districts, 5 percent among all host cities, 3 percent to the Ohio casino control commission, 3 percent to the Ohio state racing commission fund, 2 percent to a state law enforcement training fund and 2 percent to a state problem gambling and addictions fund.
If the proposal passes, it would also require each licensed casino operator to pay a single $50 million fee to be used for state job training and make a minimum investment of $250 million in its facility.
The constitutional amendment would also all types of gaming authorized by Michigan, West Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania and would authorize casinos to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the casino operator's discretion. It also stipulates the facility would be subject to all state and local laws related to health and building codes, but no local zoning or land use laws would prohibit the casino from the designated sites in the four cities.
Lastly, the constitutional amendment would create an Ohio casino control commission to license and regulate casino operators.
Gray said another issue he is especially concerned about on the ballot is that of the 1 mill levy to provide additional funds to Brown County Public Library and Union Township Library.
"People should vote yes for the libraries," Gray said. "I know it's hard times and all that, but libraries are definitely worth it."
If it passes, the 1 mill levy will be in effect for five years commencing in 2009.
A message left at the Brown County Public Library's business office was not returned by press time.
The Brown County Board of Developmental Disabilities is seeking to replace two existing half mill levies which generate about $72,000 each year in revenue. They are based on property valuations of 1978 and 1980, when the two half mills were passed.
The two half mills would be replaced by a 1 mill levy based on current property values, said Lena Bradford, superintendent of the Board of Development Disabilities. If it passes, the 1 mill would generate $665,000 each year for the board.
Bradford said the board has faced increasing cuts. Already this year, $120,000 has been cut out of the budget and Bradford said she has been told state subsidies of $300,000 will be gone in the next couple of years. Also, Brown County is phasing out taxes on personal tangible property, which would eliminate another $100,000 in funding.
Total annual operating budget for the Brown County Board of Development Disabilities is $1.8 million, Bradford said.
A person with a home worth $100,000 currently pays $2.60 per half mill levy, for a total of $5.20 per year. If the half mills were replaced by the 1 mill, the same property owner would pay $25.51 each year.
The Brown County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves 194 individuals with mental retardation. It provides i-home services for infants and toddlers and supervised jobs and training for adults. It also assists individuals to increase independence in areas of daily living and helps families with respite, adaptive equipment and special supplies, among other services.
Four of the six council seats in the Aberdeen are up for election. Only council members Robert Hutchison and Hugh Hall retain their seats. Lorna Julian with the village of Aberdeen said their term does not expire for two years.
Council members Terry Phillips, Peter Chamness and R.V. Blankenbickler did not file for re-election.
Billie Eitel was selected as a council member after a seat was vacated several weeks ago and is running for election.
Joining Eitel on the ballot are Jerry Applegate, J. Castle, Jason Taft Phillips, Gregory L. Whicker and David Wireman.
Voters will select four of the six candidates to serve on the village council.
In Ripley, four will be selected from a candidate pool of five.
Those running for council in Ripley include Nowana Ward Bingaman, Scotty L. Eagan, Charles Poole, Roberta Sidwell and Karen Spires.
Also on the ballot Tuesday:
-- Aberdeen Village, renewal of the current 5 mill levy for current expenses for five years beginning in 2009.
-- Byrd Township, renewal of the 1 mill levy for five years commencing in 2010. Levy funds go to maintaining and operating lands for the cemetery.
-- Perry Townshp, renewal and additional funds for fire protection of 2.5 mills for five years commencing in 2010.
-- Perry Township, renewal emergency medical services 2 mill levy for three years beginning in 2010.
-- Hamersville Village, additional 2 mill levy for current expenses for five years beginning in 2009.
-- Higginsport Village, replacement with 1.6 mill levy for current operating expenses for five years beginning in 2009.
-- Sardinia Village, replacement with 2 mill levy for five years beginning in 2009 for volunteer firefighters or fire fighting companies payment and supplies.
-- Sardinia Village, additional 2.5 mill levy to maintain and operate a cemetery beginning in 2009 for five years.
-- Bethel-Tate Local School District, additional 4.34 mill levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the district for five years beginning in 2009.
-- Constitutional amendment to authorize the state to issue bonds of up to $200 million to provide compensation to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.
-- Constitutional amendment to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board to establish and implement standards of care for livestock and poultry.
-- Byrd Township trustee, two to be elected: Michael R. Copple, Steve Evans, Shannon W. Wagoner.
-- Clark Township trustee, two to be elected: William H. Neal, Dennis Schneider.
-- Eagle Township trustee, two to be elected: Thomas Bradley, Chester Eyre, Mark Sanders.
-- Franklin Township trustee, two to be elected: Nicholas Dailey, Mike Kress, Tim Steinman
-- Green Township trustee, two to be elected: Gary R. Frye, Jay Holden, Frank Young.
-- Huntington Township trustee, two to be elected: Kenneth Chamberlain, Randy Dugan, John A. Gorman, Rick Kragler.
-- Jackson Township trustee, two to be elected: Mark Dotson, James Rau, David Watson.
-- Jefferson Township trustee, two to be elected: Aaron Moran, Gary E. Pickerill.
-- Lewis Township trustee, two to be elected: Ronald E. Bolender, Tom Kellum, Randy Waterfield, Danny Wisby.
-- Perry Township trustee, two to be elected: David Brinkman, Louis Johnson.
-- Pike Township trustee, two to be elected: Jay Anderson, Roger D. Griffith.
--Pleasant Township trustee, two to be elected: Dennis Daulton, Frank Helbling, Rex Loudon, Michael Napier.
-- Scott Township trustee, two to be elected: Dale Anderson, David H. Smiley.
-- Sterling Township trustee, two to be elected: Wanda M. Back, Adam Cowan, Darren Franklin, Joseph H. Horton, Steve Mezger, William S. Mountain, William Thomas, Barbara Watson.
-- Union Township trustee, two to be elected: Myron L. Flaugher, Mark W. Kinder, Stanley McCleese, Martin Plymesser.
-- Washington Township trustee, two to be elected: Matthew Latham, Kenneth O. Martin, Janie Willis.
-- Fayetteville Village member of council, four to be elected: Tina M. Houk, Joseph E. Huber, Harriett L. Kleemeyer, Frank E. South.
-- Georgetown Village member of council, four to be elected: Daryll R. Gray, Kris Porter, Christopher S. Renshaw, Jan Staubach, Steven Triplett, Drew Watson.
-- Hamersville Village member of council, four to be elected: Ragan Ernst, Betty J. Kirkpatrick, W. Keith Staggs, Harry E. Tolliver, Jr.
-- Hamersville Member of Board of Trustees of Public Affairs, one to be elected: Janet A. Talbott.
-- Higginsport Village member of council, four to be elected: James M. Adams, Eddie Crawford, Jr., Patrick E. Elliott, Jim Ferguson, Carol Hines, Melissa Kirschner, Judith A. Lloyd, Lawrence Chuck Vonderhaar.
-- Mount Orab Village member of council, four to be elected: David Brenner, Frederick W. Hansen, Joe W. Howser, Daniel S. Reed, Herm Scott.
-- Russellville Village member of council, four to be elected: Don Salisbury.
-- Sardinia Village mayor, unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2011: Todd Bumbalough, Juanita Watson.
-- Sardinia Village member of council, four to be elected: Arthur R. Hoovler, Jr., Thomas Reifenberger.
-- St. Martin Village mayor, unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2011: no candidate filed.
-- St. Martina Village member of council, four to be elected: no candidate filed.
-- Mount Orab member of Board of Trustees of Public Affairs, one to be elected: no candidate filed.
-- Brown County Educational Service Center for member of governing board, three to be elected: Betty A. Burwinkel, James Castle, Kenneth L. Snider.
-- Eastern Local School district board of education, two to be elected: Phillip Cady, Mark D. Durbin, Brian Garrett, Mike Hoskins, Vernon A. Taylor, Vicki Worley.
-- Fayetteville-Perry local school district board of education, two to be elected: Joseph L. Castell, Jim R. Holden, Betty F. Rowlands.
-- Georgetown Exempted Village School board of education, three to be elected: Dick Colwell, Steven R. Dunkin, Jimmie R. Gifford, Jr., Ralph Sininger.
-- Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington Local School board of education, three to be elected: Richard D. Applegate, Robert Carpenter, Glenda Huff.
-- Western Brown Local School board of education, two to be elected: Lynette Garrett, Michael Kirk, Dennis Wright.
-- Clermont County Educational Service Center for member of governing board, three to be elected: Paul Young, Paul T. Russell, Jonathan K. Kraus.
-- Bethel Tate Local School for board of education, three to be elected: Scott Hobart, Mark A. Rose, Brian Ward, Kathy Adams, Robert Ernest Nealan, Tammy Kenneda.
-- Clermont-Northeastern Local School for board of education, two to be elected: David Pennington, Danny Ilhardt, Carl C. Hoerth III, Karen Ortega.
-- Williamsburg Local School board of education, three to be elected: Greg Wels, Brent Keeton, Robert J. Healey.
-- Blanchester Local School board of education, three to be elected: Marvin Earley, Joseph C. Falgner, Jack Fisher, Donald W. Gephart, Claire V. Ledford.
-- Lynchburg-Clay Local School board of education, two to be elected: Kristen L. Greenawalt, Stanley W. Markey, Vince Pitzer.
Contact Misty Maynard at misty.maynard@lee.net or by calling 606-564-9091, ext. 272.
For more area news, visit www.maysville-online.com.
Kathy Long, deputy director of the Brown County Board of Elections, said nearly 1,400 absentee ballots have already been cast.
Turnout in a 2007 general election with similar issues on the ballot was 53 percent, Long said. She is expecting about the same turnout Tuesday. In that election, a total of about 1,800 absentee ballots were cast.
Registered voters in the county total 28,725. Of that, 7,941 are registered as Democrat, 5,430 are Republican and the remaining 15,354 are registered as nonpartisan.
"It should pass," said Harold Fultz, a Ripley resident, of Issue 3, the proposed constitutional amendment that would allow casino gambling.
Walking out of Ripley's IGA Wednesday was David Gray and 2-year-old Lillian Gray. Gray agreed with Fultz that the casino gambling amendment should pass, though he noted the issue is "controversial."
"I think the state needs revenue," Gray said.
Gray said Indiana has casinos and many people go out of state to gamble. Instead of sending that money out-of-state, Gray said Ohio should have a portion of those funds.
"It's better than raising property taxes," he said.
Many asked about the casino gambling issue preferred not to comment. One man, who did not want to give his name, said he would vote no on the issue, though he offered no reason.
The proposed amendment would allow one casino facility at a specifically designated location within each of the cities of Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo. It would levy a fixed tax of 33 percent of gross casino revenue received by each casino and would distribute the tax as follows: 51 percent among all 88 Ohio counties in proportion to populations with half of the county's distribution going to its largest city if the city's population is above 80,000, 34 percent among all public school districts, 5 percent among all host cities, 3 percent to the Ohio casino control commission, 3 percent to the Ohio state racing commission fund, 2 percent to a state law enforcement training fund and 2 percent to a state problem gambling and addictions fund.
If the proposal passes, it would also require each licensed casino operator to pay a single $50 million fee to be used for state job training and make a minimum investment of $250 million in its facility.
The constitutional amendment would also all types of gaming authorized by Michigan, West Virginia, Indiana and Pennsylvania and would authorize casinos to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, at the casino operator's discretion. It also stipulates the facility would be subject to all state and local laws related to health and building codes, but no local zoning or land use laws would prohibit the casino from the designated sites in the four cities.
Lastly, the constitutional amendment would create an Ohio casino control commission to license and regulate casino operators.
Gray said another issue he is especially concerned about on the ballot is that of the 1 mill levy to provide additional funds to Brown County Public Library and Union Township Library.
"People should vote yes for the libraries," Gray said. "I know it's hard times and all that, but libraries are definitely worth it."
If it passes, the 1 mill levy will be in effect for five years commencing in 2009.
A message left at the Brown County Public Library's business office was not returned by press time.
The Brown County Board of Developmental Disabilities is seeking to replace two existing half mill levies which generate about $72,000 each year in revenue. They are based on property valuations of 1978 and 1980, when the two half mills were passed.
The two half mills would be replaced by a 1 mill levy based on current property values, said Lena Bradford, superintendent of the Board of Development Disabilities. If it passes, the 1 mill would generate $665,000 each year for the board.
Bradford said the board has faced increasing cuts. Already this year, $120,000 has been cut out of the budget and Bradford said she has been told state subsidies of $300,000 will be gone in the next couple of years. Also, Brown County is phasing out taxes on personal tangible property, which would eliminate another $100,000 in funding.
Total annual operating budget for the Brown County Board of Development Disabilities is $1.8 million, Bradford said.
A person with a home worth $100,000 currently pays $2.60 per half mill levy, for a total of $5.20 per year. If the half mills were replaced by the 1 mill, the same property owner would pay $25.51 each year.
The Brown County Board of Developmental Disabilities serves 194 individuals with mental retardation. It provides i-home services for infants and toddlers and supervised jobs and training for adults. It also assists individuals to increase independence in areas of daily living and helps families with respite, adaptive equipment and special supplies, among other services.
Four of the six council seats in the Aberdeen are up for election. Only council members Robert Hutchison and Hugh Hall retain their seats. Lorna Julian with the village of Aberdeen said their term does not expire for two years.
Council members Terry Phillips, Peter Chamness and R.V. Blankenbickler did not file for re-election.
Billie Eitel was selected as a council member after a seat was vacated several weeks ago and is running for election.
Joining Eitel on the ballot are Jerry Applegate, J. Castle, Jason Taft Phillips, Gregory L. Whicker and David Wireman.
Voters will select four of the six candidates to serve on the village council.
In Ripley, four will be selected from a candidate pool of five.
Those running for council in Ripley include Nowana Ward Bingaman, Scotty L. Eagan, Charles Poole, Roberta Sidwell and Karen Spires.
Also on the ballot Tuesday:
-- Aberdeen Village, renewal of the current 5 mill levy for current expenses for five years beginning in 2009.
-- Byrd Township, renewal of the 1 mill levy for five years commencing in 2010. Levy funds go to maintaining and operating lands for the cemetery.
-- Perry Townshp, renewal and additional funds for fire protection of 2.5 mills for five years commencing in 2010.
-- Perry Township, renewal emergency medical services 2 mill levy for three years beginning in 2010.
-- Hamersville Village, additional 2 mill levy for current expenses for five years beginning in 2009.
-- Higginsport Village, replacement with 1.6 mill levy for current operating expenses for five years beginning in 2009.
-- Sardinia Village, replacement with 2 mill levy for five years beginning in 2009 for volunteer firefighters or fire fighting companies payment and supplies.
-- Sardinia Village, additional 2.5 mill levy to maintain and operate a cemetery beginning in 2009 for five years.
-- Bethel-Tate Local School District, additional 4.34 mill levy to provide for the emergency requirements of the district for five years beginning in 2009.
-- Constitutional amendment to authorize the state to issue bonds of up to $200 million to provide compensation to veterans of the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan and Iraq conflicts.
-- Constitutional amendment to create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board to establish and implement standards of care for livestock and poultry.
-- Byrd Township trustee, two to be elected: Michael R. Copple, Steve Evans, Shannon W. Wagoner.
-- Clark Township trustee, two to be elected: William H. Neal, Dennis Schneider.
-- Eagle Township trustee, two to be elected: Thomas Bradley, Chester Eyre, Mark Sanders.
-- Franklin Township trustee, two to be elected: Nicholas Dailey, Mike Kress, Tim Steinman
-- Green Township trustee, two to be elected: Gary R. Frye, Jay Holden, Frank Young.
-- Huntington Township trustee, two to be elected: Kenneth Chamberlain, Randy Dugan, John A. Gorman, Rick Kragler.
-- Jackson Township trustee, two to be elected: Mark Dotson, James Rau, David Watson.
-- Jefferson Township trustee, two to be elected: Aaron Moran, Gary E. Pickerill.
-- Lewis Township trustee, two to be elected: Ronald E. Bolender, Tom Kellum, Randy Waterfield, Danny Wisby.
-- Perry Township trustee, two to be elected: David Brinkman, Louis Johnson.
-- Pike Township trustee, two to be elected: Jay Anderson, Roger D. Griffith.
--Pleasant Township trustee, two to be elected: Dennis Daulton, Frank Helbling, Rex Loudon, Michael Napier.
-- Scott Township trustee, two to be elected: Dale Anderson, David H. Smiley.
-- Sterling Township trustee, two to be elected: Wanda M. Back, Adam Cowan, Darren Franklin, Joseph H. Horton, Steve Mezger, William S. Mountain, William Thomas, Barbara Watson.
-- Union Township trustee, two to be elected: Myron L. Flaugher, Mark W. Kinder, Stanley McCleese, Martin Plymesser.
-- Washington Township trustee, two to be elected: Matthew Latham, Kenneth O. Martin, Janie Willis.
-- Fayetteville Village member of council, four to be elected: Tina M. Houk, Joseph E. Huber, Harriett L. Kleemeyer, Frank E. South.
-- Georgetown Village member of council, four to be elected: Daryll R. Gray, Kris Porter, Christopher S. Renshaw, Jan Staubach, Steven Triplett, Drew Watson.
-- Hamersville Village member of council, four to be elected: Ragan Ernst, Betty J. Kirkpatrick, W. Keith Staggs, Harry E. Tolliver, Jr.
-- Hamersville Member of Board of Trustees of Public Affairs, one to be elected: Janet A. Talbott.
-- Higginsport Village member of council, four to be elected: James M. Adams, Eddie Crawford, Jr., Patrick E. Elliott, Jim Ferguson, Carol Hines, Melissa Kirschner, Judith A. Lloyd, Lawrence Chuck Vonderhaar.
-- Mount Orab Village member of council, four to be elected: David Brenner, Frederick W. Hansen, Joe W. Howser, Daniel S. Reed, Herm Scott.
-- Russellville Village member of council, four to be elected: Don Salisbury.
-- Sardinia Village mayor, unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2011: Todd Bumbalough, Juanita Watson.
-- Sardinia Village member of council, four to be elected: Arthur R. Hoovler, Jr., Thomas Reifenberger.
-- St. Martin Village mayor, unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2011: no candidate filed.
-- St. Martina Village member of council, four to be elected: no candidate filed.
-- Mount Orab member of Board of Trustees of Public Affairs, one to be elected: no candidate filed.
-- Brown County Educational Service Center for member of governing board, three to be elected: Betty A. Burwinkel, James Castle, Kenneth L. Snider.
-- Eastern Local School district board of education, two to be elected: Phillip Cady, Mark D. Durbin, Brian Garrett, Mike Hoskins, Vernon A. Taylor, Vicki Worley.
-- Fayetteville-Perry local school district board of education, two to be elected: Joseph L. Castell, Jim R. Holden, Betty F. Rowlands.
-- Georgetown Exempted Village School board of education, three to be elected: Dick Colwell, Steven R. Dunkin, Jimmie R. Gifford, Jr., Ralph Sininger.
-- Ripley-Union-Lewis-Huntington Local School board of education, three to be elected: Richard D. Applegate, Robert Carpenter, Glenda Huff.
-- Western Brown Local School board of education, two to be elected: Lynette Garrett, Michael Kirk, Dennis Wright.
-- Clermont County Educational Service Center for member of governing board, three to be elected: Paul Young, Paul T. Russell, Jonathan K. Kraus.
-- Bethel Tate Local School for board of education, three to be elected: Scott Hobart, Mark A. Rose, Brian Ward, Kathy Adams, Robert Ernest Nealan, Tammy Kenneda.
-- Clermont-Northeastern Local School for board of education, two to be elected: David Pennington, Danny Ilhardt, Carl C. Hoerth III, Karen Ortega.
-- Williamsburg Local School board of education, three to be elected: Greg Wels, Brent Keeton, Robert J. Healey.
-- Blanchester Local School board of education, three to be elected: Marvin Earley, Joseph C. Falgner, Jack Fisher, Donald W. Gephart, Claire V. Ledford.
-- Lynchburg-Clay Local School board of education, two to be elected: Kristen L. Greenawalt, Stanley W. Markey, Vince Pitzer.
Contact Misty Maynard at misty.maynard@lee.net or by calling 606-564-9091, ext. 272.
For more area news, visit www.maysville-online.com.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of maysville-online.com.
blackjack wrote on Nov 2, 2009 12:58 AM:
" I myself will have to vote yes on issue 3 .I see the number of ohio and kentucky cars at the casinos when i visit and i dont see why that money couldnt be kept within the state Ive not seen crime,vice or gansters on any of my visits. also somebody tell me EXACTLY where its written in the constitution ohio wont get the revenue and also which jobs will be LOST? "
ChristianVoter wrote on Oct 29, 2009 8:32 PM: