Kalin discusses in theis letter a problem facing Lorain that many other urban cities face ~ The expensive dispatch of police to non-emergency events. Kalin nails the 'rule of law' issue. Many people forget that 'Libertarian' does not mean 'disregard the law and do whatever you wish'.
To the Editor:
This is an open letter to Mayor Anthony Krasienko.As a resident of the area of Lorain that has seen a rash off gunfire, I can attest that the residents around me are on edge. I have not been in combat, but I believe the tension is comparatively palpable.Anything is causing panic, especially the local use of fireworks. The assumption has now become that any fireworks explosion is gunfire. People scramble, duck behind furniture in their home and have similar reactions. It also, rightfully, demands a Code 2 response from the police. This is taking the patrols from areas they are needed and also creates a dangerous situation with speeding police cars on neighborhood streets.Another factor is the occasional closing of the east side fire station. We have a dangerously dry situation, especially with the vacant homes and unmowed grass.
I beg that you implement a "no excuse — zero tolerance" for the use of fireworks this summer. City code 549.11 currently states: (c) No owner, occupant, or person in control of any property shall permit the discharge, ignition or explosion of fireworks on said property.
"Fireworks" means any composition or device prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, deflagration or detonation, except ordnance matches and except as provided in Ohio Revise Code. 3743.80.
Whoever violates subsections (a), (b) or (c) hereof is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Ord. 115-05. Passed 7-5-05.) Fine: For a misdemeanor of the first degree, not more than $1,000.
Sean Kalin Stipe, Lorain
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Kurt Liston Will 'Kick The Door In' on Sept 17th.
Kurt Liston, and empassioned and engergized Libertarain candidate will publically kick off his campaign to free Ohio's 44th district on September 17th, Constitution Day. Those of us who know Kurt know that he's bad news for Republicans and Democrats. Kurt is the LAST person you want to see at the other podium critiquing your views on liberty.
Kurt is in the Akron area, an area frought with disenchantment with elected officials and recall election efforts. This area is ripe for the Libertarian message and Kurt is the man to deliver it to Summit County.
Kurt is in the Akron area, an area frought with disenchantment with elected officials and recall election efforts. This area is ripe for the Libertarian message and Kurt is the man to deliver it to Summit County.
Ken Matesz Describes his Vision in Ohio's 5th Congressional District
I am sure that Ken would not mind me copying his letter to me detailing his passions and positions in politics. He certainly can describe his journey better than I. Below is an excerpt from his letter.
I am a entrepreneur here in Northwest Ohio. In order to survive, I must SELL my unusual product. I am a self-trained salesman and learn more each day about how this all works.
What I have learned is that selling a product, especially a high-end, unconventional product, is that half of the battle is first selling myself. Once I have sold myself to the customer, then I stand a chance at selling the product.
When it comes to running for office, it strikes me that exactly the same rules apply. The very first requirement to selling myself (or selling anything) is to sell credibility. I have to show my proposed constituents that I really know my stuff – that I understand the issues, difficulties, challenges, choices, and responsibilities with which I will be faced. (NOTE: understanding the issues is NOT the same as having a STANCE on the issues.) It is my belief that incumbents almost always win not just because of name recognition and rarely because the voters agree in principle with how that incumbent has performed. Rather, I think incumbents are reelected because they have credibility. They won the seat once and now they’re running again. The thought is, “I not only recognize his name, but I know that he has won and can win again.” Sad as it is, people like to vote for the winner, as if they were betting on a horserace. Similarly, those who have held other elective offices are perceived to be more credible candidates, even though there is not a shred of proof that that person will perform admirably or has any of the best skills for the new position.
Selling my credibility will be the biggest challenge in running against a two-term Republican Congressman in the Fifth District of Ohio. He gets to start out with 100% credibility AND name recognition throughout the district. I have to start out with zero credibility and near zero name recognition. UNTIL I ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY, VERY FEW PEOPLE WILL EVEN CARE ABOUT MY STANCE ON THE ISSUES.
When I am selling my product, I have to prove to the potential client that I understand their situation, their needs, and their wants. I have to show them that I am a professional who can comprehend and address their situation right away and ask intelligent questions of them to determine the best way to “solve their problems.” It is ONLY when they are completely comfortable with my credibility that they can really hear what I have to say about my product. In running for office, the same rules apply. Most people are not going to be impressed with my assertions about how to solve high-level problems UNTIL they have some reason to believe me; in other words, they will listen to me after I have established credibility.
Credibility equals comfort. When a customer (voter) feels comfortable with me, he also feels comfortable listening to me. THIS IS HALF THE JOB! When I have established credibility by understanding the customer’s plight, he is willing to listen to how my product can solve his problems. Now, here’s the next important point. I don’t sell my product, most of the time, because I have the best product on the market at the lowest price. Rather, I sell my product because I have credibility and I can show how my product fills an EMOTIONAL need of my customer. Though my product has perhaps dozens of physical and reason-oriented benefits to customers, they buy it for emotional reasons and get to enjoy the physical benefits as well. I succeed in selling when I have discovered the principle needs of the customer and have successfully shown the customer how my solution fulfills that need better than any other product on the market. In this way, they develop an attachment to the vision they have of how this product will help them AND they have developed an emotional relationship with me because I established my credibility. So once credibility is established, one must work toward knowing the deep emotional needs of the buyer.
I bring this up because of the suggestion that candidates establish websites. Websites are fantastic advertising tools. However, they can also be a way to lose potential voters right away. In my opinion, any website for a candidate should in every possible way make visitors welcome and feel “at home.” It’s when they feel at home, unthreatened, welcome, excited, happy, and see things to which they can respond, “Yes!” that will keep them and make them want to read more. When the web environment makes someone feel welcome, included, and happy or excited, they become comfortable with the candidate’s name and generate EMOTIONAL attachment to the candidate or, at least, to the website. Then they want to learn more.
IF THEY SEE DIVISIVE STATEMENTS, STATEMENTS OF ANGER, STATEMENTS OF FRUSTRATION OR STATEMENTS PROCLAIMING “ONLY I AM RIGHT,” they will be turned off – often even if they may agree with you on many issues. I am 100% sure that if you want a candidate website to be effective, it needs to have an emotional “grab.” It has to have some thing or some things that make people say to themselves, “I want to be a part of that,” or, ‘I want to be included in that,” or, “I want to have some of that.”
I think the website needs to show the person that you understand them at deeper levels. Anger with the uniparty, frustration with the current congress and general discontent are felt by many voters with regard to government and politics. But these are very base, surface emotions. Anger, frustration, and even hatred are shared by mobs who can vent their frustrations by getting together and having demonstrations. But I could never sell my product by showing my customer how angry I am about how poorly their last product purchase met their needs. Instead, I need to show them I understand why they are so upset (which establishes credibility and comfort) then show them how my product will better fulfill them. As a candidate, I need to show that I understand my fellow citizens and that I want to have a deeper connection than shared anger and frustration. They need to think we’re alike.
Think of it this way: Would the average person vote for himself? Yes. He would vote for himself because each person believes he has the answers. It is our duty as elected representatives, and our task as candidates, to show the voters how much alike we are. We need to have them pointing at us and saying, “He wants to solve the problems the same way I do.” Now, granted, there are some people and some issues with which that just won’t happen. But most people are libertarian at heart, they just don’t realize it. Your website and advertising is your chance to show the voters how much like them you are. Get them excited about voting for something they cannot disagree with. From there, the trip is downhill straight into the new office.
I am a entrepreneur here in Northwest Ohio. In order to survive, I must SELL my unusual product. I am a self-trained salesman and learn more each day about how this all works.
What I have learned is that selling a product, especially a high-end, unconventional product, is that half of the battle is first selling myself. Once I have sold myself to the customer, then I stand a chance at selling the product.
When it comes to running for office, it strikes me that exactly the same rules apply. The very first requirement to selling myself (or selling anything) is to sell credibility. I have to show my proposed constituents that I really know my stuff – that I understand the issues, difficulties, challenges, choices, and responsibilities with which I will be faced. (NOTE: understanding the issues is NOT the same as having a STANCE on the issues.) It is my belief that incumbents almost always win not just because of name recognition and rarely because the voters agree in principle with how that incumbent has performed. Rather, I think incumbents are reelected because they have credibility. They won the seat once and now they’re running again. The thought is, “I not only recognize his name, but I know that he has won and can win again.” Sad as it is, people like to vote for the winner, as if they were betting on a horserace. Similarly, those who have held other elective offices are perceived to be more credible candidates, even though there is not a shred of proof that that person will perform admirably or has any of the best skills for the new position.
Selling my credibility will be the biggest challenge in running against a two-term Republican Congressman in the Fifth District of Ohio. He gets to start out with 100% credibility AND name recognition throughout the district. I have to start out with zero credibility and near zero name recognition. UNTIL I ESTABLISH CREDIBILITY, VERY FEW PEOPLE WILL EVEN CARE ABOUT MY STANCE ON THE ISSUES.
When I am selling my product, I have to prove to the potential client that I understand their situation, their needs, and their wants. I have to show them that I am a professional who can comprehend and address their situation right away and ask intelligent questions of them to determine the best way to “solve their problems.” It is ONLY when they are completely comfortable with my credibility that they can really hear what I have to say about my product. In running for office, the same rules apply. Most people are not going to be impressed with my assertions about how to solve high-level problems UNTIL they have some reason to believe me; in other words, they will listen to me after I have established credibility.
Credibility equals comfort. When a customer (voter) feels comfortable with me, he also feels comfortable listening to me. THIS IS HALF THE JOB! When I have established credibility by understanding the customer’s plight, he is willing to listen to how my product can solve his problems. Now, here’s the next important point. I don’t sell my product, most of the time, because I have the best product on the market at the lowest price. Rather, I sell my product because I have credibility and I can show how my product fills an EMOTIONAL need of my customer. Though my product has perhaps dozens of physical and reason-oriented benefits to customers, they buy it for emotional reasons and get to enjoy the physical benefits as well. I succeed in selling when I have discovered the principle needs of the customer and have successfully shown the customer how my solution fulfills that need better than any other product on the market. In this way, they develop an attachment to the vision they have of how this product will help them AND they have developed an emotional relationship with me because I established my credibility. So once credibility is established, one must work toward knowing the deep emotional needs of the buyer.
I bring this up because of the suggestion that candidates establish websites. Websites are fantastic advertising tools. However, they can also be a way to lose potential voters right away. In my opinion, any website for a candidate should in every possible way make visitors welcome and feel “at home.” It’s when they feel at home, unthreatened, welcome, excited, happy, and see things to which they can respond, “Yes!” that will keep them and make them want to read more. When the web environment makes someone feel welcome, included, and happy or excited, they become comfortable with the candidate’s name and generate EMOTIONAL attachment to the candidate or, at least, to the website. Then they want to learn more.
IF THEY SEE DIVISIVE STATEMENTS, STATEMENTS OF ANGER, STATEMENTS OF FRUSTRATION OR STATEMENTS PROCLAIMING “ONLY I AM RIGHT,” they will be turned off – often even if they may agree with you on many issues. I am 100% sure that if you want a candidate website to be effective, it needs to have an emotional “grab.” It has to have some thing or some things that make people say to themselves, “I want to be a part of that,” or, ‘I want to be included in that,” or, “I want to have some of that.”
I think the website needs to show the person that you understand them at deeper levels. Anger with the uniparty, frustration with the current congress and general discontent are felt by many voters with regard to government and politics. But these are very base, surface emotions. Anger, frustration, and even hatred are shared by mobs who can vent their frustrations by getting together and having demonstrations. But I could never sell my product by showing my customer how angry I am about how poorly their last product purchase met their needs. Instead, I need to show them I understand why they are so upset (which establishes credibility and comfort) then show them how my product will better fulfill them. As a candidate, I need to show that I understand my fellow citizens and that I want to have a deeper connection than shared anger and frustration. They need to think we’re alike.
Think of it this way: Would the average person vote for himself? Yes. He would vote for himself because each person believes he has the answers. It is our duty as elected representatives, and our task as candidates, to show the voters how much alike we are. We need to have them pointing at us and saying, “He wants to solve the problems the same way I do.” Now, granted, there are some people and some issues with which that just won’t happen. But most people are libertarian at heart, they just don’t realize it. Your website and advertising is your chance to show the voters how much like them you are. Get them excited about voting for something they cannot disagree with. From there, the trip is downhill straight into the new office.
Victor Waken Declares to the LPO his intent in Ohio's 18th
I spoke with Victor Waken a few weeks ago about his run at office in 2010. I later posted that he was mulling over the information provided by the LPO and we were anxiously awaiting his decision. Well, the jury is in!
Victor will publically declare shortly, but has informed me that his run for office in Ohio's 18th is a done deal! We all wish Victor congratulations and cannot wait till the press release hits the media. As his campaign begins, stay tuned for website addresses and opportunities to help this US Navy representative bring liberty to Ohio's 18th.
Victor will publically declare shortly, but has informed me that his run for office in Ohio's 18th is a done deal! We all wish Victor congratulations and cannot wait till the press release hits the media. As his campaign begins, stay tuned for website addresses and opportunities to help this US Navy representative bring liberty to Ohio's 18th.
2009 Endorsed Libertarian Joyce Early is 'Full Steam Ahead' in Lorain
I recently spoke with Joyce Early in Loarin about the progress of her campaign for Lorain City Council. Her campaign is 'full steam ahead'. Joyce remains involved in community projects as well as campaigning door to door. Her campaign is planning a public 'revving up' as November approaches where her yard signs will dominate the landscape. Her website and biography can be seen at www.joyceearly.com. Please visit the page an support this endorsed Libertarian candidate.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
2010 Candidate Contact Efforts Reveals the Horrible Economic State of Ohio
Over the past weekend, I have made every effort to contact candidates for 2010 to take inventory of their immediate needs. Long story short, several have dropped off of the radar, and in some cases out of the state, due to economic hardships. While we still have nearly 30 candidates with more contacting us each week, we all feel for those who are having a rough go of it in today's harsh enviornment.
The most we as Libertarians can do is to remind candidates falling on hard times that running for office is only one small thing that can be done to defend Liberty in Ohio. Please reach out to friends and family and contact http://www.lpo.org/ for more information about ways to make your voice heard in Ohio.
Each committee has need for volunteers to do 'busy work' that does not require one to spend a dime on gasoline or even leave the computer. Research and writting is a huge part of the LPO experience and the list of candidates needing this type of help is ever growing.
Again, please contact http://www.lpo.org/ or me directly at 614-266-2298 to discuss your low-impact volunteer activities.
The most we as Libertarians can do is to remind candidates falling on hard times that running for office is only one small thing that can be done to defend Liberty in Ohio. Please reach out to friends and family and contact http://www.lpo.org/ for more information about ways to make your voice heard in Ohio.
Each committee has need for volunteers to do 'busy work' that does not require one to spend a dime on gasoline or even leave the computer. Research and writting is a huge part of the LPO experience and the list of candidates needing this type of help is ever growing.
Again, please contact http://www.lpo.org/ or me directly at 614-266-2298 to discuss your low-impact volunteer activities.
Author of this Blog and LPO Candidate Committe Chair William (Butch) McDowall Issues an Essay on Libertarian Social Positions
Ron Paul was nearly drawn and quartered by his Republican Party at the mere suggestion that 911 was the result of “blowback”, the result of a decades long aggressive U.S. foreign policy. This notion is now all but mainstream and is a widely accepted public position today, even among conservatives.
Similarly, the idea that the relationship between Congress and the Federal Reserve is the single most destructive association in America, and possibly the world, was virtually an unknown concept ten years ago. The education of the populous regarding our monetary system is still deficient, but it is progressing.
Why is this? It is not as if Democrats began to see the evils in insuring poor people remain poor through their abuse of the Federal Reserve system, nor is it that Republicans suddenly decided to abandon their affection for invading countries whose residents are not white Christians. It is because Libertarianism is mainstream, which is where most Americans live their lives.
These above mentioned ideals were exclusive to Libertarian thought at one point. However, as the Republicans loose power, they are commandeering these messages. That is good, to the small degree that it brings the topics to discussion. It is bad because there is no chance that an elected Republican would act out from self interest to shepherd reform legislature through Congress, with the noted exception of Ron Paul.
It is my opinion that there is ZERO chance of any Libertarian winning office in any race above the municipal level that does not place the Libertarian social policy front and center. And yes, I do mean in front of the Libertarian position of conservative fiscal responsibility. (I will pause while you catch your breath and get a cold glass of water). A recent article described the Libertarian Party as the “attack Chihuahuas of the Republican Party”. While I do not agree, I understand where that perception comes from.
“Pragmatism” is a buzzword being used frequently by Libertarians. It describes the idea of branding ourselves as mainstream and stiff-arming those who seek to return the Libertarian Party to a glorified debate society. However, it is important to insure that the word “Pragmatic” does not become interchangeable with the phrase “Like Republicans would do it”.
Here are examples of proper use of the word “pragmatic”:
- We must be pragmatic when lobbying Republican and Democratic committee leaders when dealing with ballot access issues.
- We must be pragmatic in deciding who receives the limited contributions we can make to Libertarian candidates based on their chances of success.
- We must be pragmatic when selecting Party leaders based on their abilities to get things done.
Here are examples of poor use of the word “pragmatic”:
- We must be pragmatic when dealing with the drug issue, because that will not be popular with some voters.
- We must be pragmatic when attracting candidates to make sure they are middle of the road conservatives who are much like major party candidates.
- We must be pragmatic in our efforts to reach out to gay and minority communities because visibly aligning ourselves with controversial groups will irritate traditional voters.
As you can see, the words “like Republicans would do it” is completely interchangeable with “pragmatic” in the second example list.
Elections will not be won in Ohio by saying, “We’re fiscally conservative.” or by saying, “We’re really fiscally conservative” nor by saying “We’re really, really fiscally conservative” and not even by blurting out “Audit the FED!” Elections at the State and Local level will only be won once we as a party and our candidates become comfortable in our own skin.
- Show me candidates that say that the war on drugs is actually a war on the poor and blacks in America and drug laws are designed to control and incarcerate as many of them as possible.
- Show me candidates that will say that government has no business in the institution of marriage.
- Show me candidates that say that there are two political parties in Ohio: The Libertarian Party and the Incumbent Party, and point out the statistic that between 94-99% of all Federal elections result in incumbent wins.
- Show me candidates that take our social agenda and demonstrate that each position is mainstream to voters.
- Show me all of that and secondarily a message of fiscal responsibility, and I will show you wins at the ballot box. Without an interlaced progressive and tolerant social agenda front and center, we will appear to be “Republican concentrate”. True, we will not be the old style “debate society”, but the end result at the ballot box will forever be pretty much the same.
William (Butch) McDowall
Chair, Candidates and Campaign Committee
Libertarian Party of Ohio
Similarly, the idea that the relationship between Congress and the Federal Reserve is the single most destructive association in America, and possibly the world, was virtually an unknown concept ten years ago. The education of the populous regarding our monetary system is still deficient, but it is progressing.
Why is this? It is not as if Democrats began to see the evils in insuring poor people remain poor through their abuse of the Federal Reserve system, nor is it that Republicans suddenly decided to abandon their affection for invading countries whose residents are not white Christians. It is because Libertarianism is mainstream, which is where most Americans live their lives.
These above mentioned ideals were exclusive to Libertarian thought at one point. However, as the Republicans loose power, they are commandeering these messages. That is good, to the small degree that it brings the topics to discussion. It is bad because there is no chance that an elected Republican would act out from self interest to shepherd reform legislature through Congress, with the noted exception of Ron Paul.
It is my opinion that there is ZERO chance of any Libertarian winning office in any race above the municipal level that does not place the Libertarian social policy front and center. And yes, I do mean in front of the Libertarian position of conservative fiscal responsibility. (I will pause while you catch your breath and get a cold glass of water). A recent article described the Libertarian Party as the “attack Chihuahuas of the Republican Party”. While I do not agree, I understand where that perception comes from.
“Pragmatism” is a buzzword being used frequently by Libertarians. It describes the idea of branding ourselves as mainstream and stiff-arming those who seek to return the Libertarian Party to a glorified debate society. However, it is important to insure that the word “Pragmatic” does not become interchangeable with the phrase “Like Republicans would do it”.
Here are examples of proper use of the word “pragmatic”:
- We must be pragmatic when lobbying Republican and Democratic committee leaders when dealing with ballot access issues.
- We must be pragmatic in deciding who receives the limited contributions we can make to Libertarian candidates based on their chances of success.
- We must be pragmatic when selecting Party leaders based on their abilities to get things done.
Here are examples of poor use of the word “pragmatic”:
- We must be pragmatic when dealing with the drug issue, because that will not be popular with some voters.
- We must be pragmatic when attracting candidates to make sure they are middle of the road conservatives who are much like major party candidates.
- We must be pragmatic in our efforts to reach out to gay and minority communities because visibly aligning ourselves with controversial groups will irritate traditional voters.
As you can see, the words “like Republicans would do it” is completely interchangeable with “pragmatic” in the second example list.
Elections will not be won in Ohio by saying, “We’re fiscally conservative.” or by saying, “We’re really fiscally conservative” nor by saying “We’re really, really fiscally conservative” and not even by blurting out “Audit the FED!” Elections at the State and Local level will only be won once we as a party and our candidates become comfortable in our own skin.
- Show me candidates that say that the war on drugs is actually a war on the poor and blacks in America and drug laws are designed to control and incarcerate as many of them as possible.
- Show me candidates that will say that government has no business in the institution of marriage.
- Show me candidates that say that there are two political parties in Ohio: The Libertarian Party and the Incumbent Party, and point out the statistic that between 94-99% of all Federal elections result in incumbent wins.
- Show me candidates that take our social agenda and demonstrate that each position is mainstream to voters.
- Show me all of that and secondarily a message of fiscal responsibility, and I will show you wins at the ballot box. Without an interlaced progressive and tolerant social agenda front and center, we will appear to be “Republican concentrate”. True, we will not be the old style “debate society”, but the end result at the ballot box will forever be pretty much the same.
William (Butch) McDowall
Chair, Candidates and Campaign Committee
Libertarian Party of Ohio
Victor Waken eyes a state Representative run in 2010
Victor Waken, a naval representative for the U.S. Navy is evaluating Libertarian candidate literature and to possibility to run for office in 2010 from North Royalton. Victor realizes the undying dedication that the Libertarian Party has for our military and that we honor their service and defense of this country. Please join the LPO in wishing Victor the best and our hope that he sees the wisdom in running for office as a Libertarian in 2010.
Travis Irvine’s Solution? Run for Congress in Ohio’s 12th District
2007 Bexley, Ohio mayoral candidate Travis Irvine is contemplating a run for Congress in Ohio’s 12th district. Travis intends to meet with Libertarian leaders at Columbus, Ohio’s ComFest (Community Festival) regarding his plans for Ohio. While it certainly appears that Travis will be announcing soon, we at the LPO have our fingers crossed that we will get such a diligent and dedicated candidate to run under the Libertarian banner.
Spencer Phelps, Endorced Libertarian Candidate for Marion City Council President Issues a Stinging and Hilarious Op-Ed
Laws are written to keep stupid people from doing stupid things, and by “stupid things” I mean “things I don’t like.”
Perfect example, you can’t smoke in a private bar in Ohio because a bunch of people decided they don’t like it. Never mind the fact that it’s a privilege to go to a bar, not a right. Never mind that if someone really had cared enough they could’ve opened their own smoke-free bar. Besides, you’re stupid if you smoke. Nope, I don’t like smoke, so you’re not allowed. By the way, please buy another pack of cigs so kids can keep their state-run health care, okay?
What if you wanted to get a lap dance at a strip club? That’s illegal for you own good. Educated people decided that you shouldn’t be allowed to help a single mother of six get through beauty academy by giving her five bucks for a little gyration to Kid Rock’s “Bawitdaba.” It’s apparently immoral and a few people in the Ohio Legislature decided the entire industry should be crippled. Besides, you’re stupid if you like strip clubs. I don’t agree with exotic dancing, so you shouldn’t be allowed to see it.
I’m running for city council president in Marion, and I can’t wait to get elected. I’m going to author so many new ordinances that Marion will be the safest and smartest city in Ohio! I’ll make sure my city realizes that I’m the only thing keeping them alive. Then, my legacy will be complete, and I can just sit back and look out among my adoring, responsible, smart, fans. As we all know, it’s the law that keeps people from being stupid, and you LOLbertarians are apparently a bunch of anarchists or something..
First thing I plan to do is ban sarcasm. I don’t like it. Also, go to http://www.spencerphelpsdotcom.com/ for more sass and donations!
Perfect example, you can’t smoke in a private bar in Ohio because a bunch of people decided they don’t like it. Never mind the fact that it’s a privilege to go to a bar, not a right. Never mind that if someone really had cared enough they could’ve opened their own smoke-free bar. Besides, you’re stupid if you smoke. Nope, I don’t like smoke, so you’re not allowed. By the way, please buy another pack of cigs so kids can keep their state-run health care, okay?
What if you wanted to get a lap dance at a strip club? That’s illegal for you own good. Educated people decided that you shouldn’t be allowed to help a single mother of six get through beauty academy by giving her five bucks for a little gyration to Kid Rock’s “Bawitdaba.” It’s apparently immoral and a few people in the Ohio Legislature decided the entire industry should be crippled. Besides, you’re stupid if you like strip clubs. I don’t agree with exotic dancing, so you shouldn’t be allowed to see it.
I’m running for city council president in Marion, and I can’t wait to get elected. I’m going to author so many new ordinances that Marion will be the safest and smartest city in Ohio! I’ll make sure my city realizes that I’m the only thing keeping them alive. Then, my legacy will be complete, and I can just sit back and look out among my adoring, responsible, smart, fans. As we all know, it’s the law that keeps people from being stupid, and you LOLbertarians are apparently a bunch of anarchists or something..
First thing I plan to do is ban sarcasm. I don’t like it. Also, go to http://www.spencerphelpsdotcom.com/ for more sass and donations!
Richard Balint is studying a run for Ohio’s General Assembly in the 38th district
Richard Balint, a unix systems engineer, is contemplating a run for Ohio’s 38th House district. In these times, a logical approach to state government is what is needed. This is a concept that seems to be in short supply at the statehouse. We all wish Richard well and hope that he decides the Libertarian Party is the last, best hope for Ohio.
Mike Johnston announces a campaign chairman and holds a strategy meeting for his Ohio representative race in the 19th district
Mike Johnston has announced fellow Libertarian Scott Urquhart as his campaign manager. On June 7th, Mike held a strategic planning session with a dozen campaign volunteers and supporters to outline his plan to win election in 2010. The brainstorming lasted for hours which included media strategies as well as peer evaluation exercises. First and foremost, Mike wishes to study each position and vote cast by the incumbent to determine its affect on his district. While Mike’s work is indeed cut out for him, he may well be far ahead of other candidates in structure and management. We have little doubt that his efforts will pay off at the ballot box in 2010.
Marcus Johnston will participate in the Ohio’s 2nd Congressional District
Marc is one of those candidates that make one want to move into their district! To quote Marc, “Voters deserve a choice other than Republican or Democrat. Americans won't support Libertarians unless they see us on the ballot for more than Presidential campaigns. When we're represented on the ticket at all levels, then we'll be taken seriously as a political force, and have a chance to change this country's government for the better. I want to be a part of pushing America in that direction by getting my name on the ballot for 2010. Unless people are willing to run third party, voters will keep electing the same two parties every year. Americans deserve better.”
Having Libertarian views is important, but Marcus backs up his positions with his lifetime of experience. Marc writes, “I'm a former high school / middle school teacher, so I understand the problems that are facing our schools today. As a husband and a father, I relate to the difficulties that families are facing in regards to day care, taxes, and pressures against working couples. Having worked several jobs between teaching, I know the difficulties in getting and staying employed. In that respect, I am no different than many hard-working Americans, and I want to let them know they have someone who wants to ease the government restrictions that limit their life.”
Marc has filled out his treasurer documents, so we are sure to see him in 2010.
Having Libertarian views is important, but Marcus backs up his positions with his lifetime of experience. Marc writes, “I'm a former high school / middle school teacher, so I understand the problems that are facing our schools today. As a husband and a father, I relate to the difficulties that families are facing in regards to day care, taxes, and pressures against working couples. Having worked several jobs between teaching, I know the difficulties in getting and staying employed. In that respect, I am no different than many hard-working Americans, and I want to let them know they have someone who wants to ease the government restrictions that limit their life.”
Marc has filled out his treasurer documents, so we are sure to see him in 2010.
Ken Matesz Brings Liberty to Ohio's 5th Congressional District
Ken Matesz of Swanton, Ohio in Lucas County is seeking the Libertarian nomination for Ohio’s 5th congressional district. Ken feels that, “The U.S. House is overrun by the uniparty members who basically ignore the Constitution. I would like the opportunity to help redirect the House to the document that once made us great.”
Ken is a member of Toastmaster and the Maumee Valley Unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians and teaches classes about the Constitution. Ken is an example of what principled leadership looks like when Libertarians take part in Federal elections. We all wish Ken the best and I am looking forward to working closely with him in 2010 and beyond.
Ken is a member of Toastmaster and the Maumee Valley Unit of the National Association of Parliamentarians and teaches classes about the Constitution. Ken is an example of what principled leadership looks like when Libertarians take part in Federal elections. We all wish Ken the best and I am looking forward to working closely with him in 2010 and beyond.
Sean 'Kalin' Stipe Press Release ~ Endorsed Libertarian Candidate for Lorain City Council at-large
"Sean Kalin Stipe, Libertarian candidate for Lorain Council at Large has taken his campaign where a local candidate never has. Instead of a simple webpage, Mr. Stipe has dynamic campaign site which connects with *MySpace*, his *WordPress* blog, *Facebook* and even his own *YouTube* channel.
There is also the ability to make donations over the internet using *Pay-Pal*, checking account or credit/debit card. Using all these tools, Mr. Stipe is able to disseminate vast amounts of information, encourage personal dialogue and allow for social networking between supporters of both himself and libertarians across the country.
Following are the links to each site, which can be found on www.SeanStipe.com
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/seanstipe
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/seanstipe
Word Press Blog http://seanstipe.wordpress.com/
Facebook http://profile.to/seanstipe
There is also the ability to make donations over the internet using *Pay-Pal*, checking account or credit/debit card. Using all these tools, Mr. Stipe is able to disseminate vast amounts of information, encourage personal dialogue and allow for social networking between supporters of both himself and libertarians across the country.
Following are the links to each site, which can be found on www.SeanStipe.com
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/seanstipe
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/seanstipe
Word Press Blog http://seanstipe.wordpress.com/
Facebook http://profile.to/seanstipe
Josh Winkler to Unseat Kilroy in 2010
Kilroy won election in 2008 by beating Republican Steve Stivers by approximately 3,500 votes. Mark Noble, Libertarian candidate for that same seat won 14,500 votes. Now, Josh Winkler is seeking to unseat the very congressional representative that benefited from Libertarian participation in 2008. Perhaps it is best for Josh to explain his campaign:
“I've always loved this country. When I was 8, I would sing My Country Tis Of Thee, The Star Spangled Banner, and others in the shower. I'm feeling more and more disappointed by the system every election. I've always been one to try to act rather than just talk, so I thought running for office was the best way to help put things right in this country.
I'm not a rich man, but I am a hard working man. I do what I can to support my family. I'm not a religious man, but I do believe in the power of religion.What I see wrong with this country was recently typified by my own brother. He works as a youth minister for a Methodist church in Perrysburg (our hometown). He and his wife split the duties, and he also works part time at Fed Ex. They receive Medicaid and food stamps for their son, currently 8 months old. On Easter weekend, one of the members of his church asked the minister who needed a food basket, and he suggested my brother. My brother was too embarrassed to take it. I was astounded. He has no problem taking welfare for his child and wife, who, at Thanksgiving, said she was thankful that she could get assistance so she could stay home, but was too embarrassed to receive charity from the church. It is easier for him, in every regard, to get benefits from tax dollars, than from people who know and love him.
This has to change. I've had hard times, financially. I have two rental properties in foreclosure, because I could not get them rented. I could get them occupied, but not by people willing to actually pay rent. I didn't try to spend more money to get myself out of this mess, I decided to cut back what I could at home, and pay off everything that I could. This is what our government needs to do. I've been so poor, growing up, that we had to walk, not drive, to Big Lots to buy clothes. I've been so well off that my wife and I drive a Benz and a brand new Charger, in a 4 bedroom house with only 1 child. I've seen the whole spectrum.
I am also a realist. I know that this country can't just cut aid programs overnight, nor balance the budget on a whim. However, I strongly believe that every effort must be made to do so, with actual, achievable goals made, and more importantly, met. As a software engineer, I work with people from all walks of life, all beliefs, and all sides of the political spectrum. Even the former member of the Russian Communist Party said he would vote for me, based on integrity alone.I used to identify myself with the Republican party, but I always said that I voted Republican as long as they were conservative. They've clearly thrown that out the window, and the Libertarians are a party I've been looking at for several years.
I have worked on one campaign, for Andy Bowers running for Ohio House in 2004. I saw how hard he worked. I was with him in his hotel quite on election night. I stayed until 2 in the morning, despite having just arrived back from Las Vegas at 2AM on election day. I heard his voice, strained and cracked from last minute door-to-door campaigning. I watched as the number kept pushing him farther and farther behind his opponent. I watched his family try to comfort him. I don't want to put my family thru that.
If I didn't honestly believe (not think, believe) that I could win, and make a difference, I would not be writing to you.For campaigning, I am not afraid of crowds or public speaking. I'm pretty quick on my feet. I have a sense of humor. I have no skeletons in my closet, I've done nothing in my past that I am ashamed to admit. I can, and will, do what it takes to win.”
If those words do not sound like Libertarian leadership for Ohio, I do not know what does. Josh is a patriot and the LPO is ecstatic that he is seeking the party nomination for Ohio’s 15th.
“I've always loved this country. When I was 8, I would sing My Country Tis Of Thee, The Star Spangled Banner, and others in the shower. I'm feeling more and more disappointed by the system every election. I've always been one to try to act rather than just talk, so I thought running for office was the best way to help put things right in this country.
I'm not a rich man, but I am a hard working man. I do what I can to support my family. I'm not a religious man, but I do believe in the power of religion.What I see wrong with this country was recently typified by my own brother. He works as a youth minister for a Methodist church in Perrysburg (our hometown). He and his wife split the duties, and he also works part time at Fed Ex. They receive Medicaid and food stamps for their son, currently 8 months old. On Easter weekend, one of the members of his church asked the minister who needed a food basket, and he suggested my brother. My brother was too embarrassed to take it. I was astounded. He has no problem taking welfare for his child and wife, who, at Thanksgiving, said she was thankful that she could get assistance so she could stay home, but was too embarrassed to receive charity from the church. It is easier for him, in every regard, to get benefits from tax dollars, than from people who know and love him.
This has to change. I've had hard times, financially. I have two rental properties in foreclosure, because I could not get them rented. I could get them occupied, but not by people willing to actually pay rent. I didn't try to spend more money to get myself out of this mess, I decided to cut back what I could at home, and pay off everything that I could. This is what our government needs to do. I've been so poor, growing up, that we had to walk, not drive, to Big Lots to buy clothes. I've been so well off that my wife and I drive a Benz and a brand new Charger, in a 4 bedroom house with only 1 child. I've seen the whole spectrum.
I am also a realist. I know that this country can't just cut aid programs overnight, nor balance the budget on a whim. However, I strongly believe that every effort must be made to do so, with actual, achievable goals made, and more importantly, met. As a software engineer, I work with people from all walks of life, all beliefs, and all sides of the political spectrum. Even the former member of the Russian Communist Party said he would vote for me, based on integrity alone.I used to identify myself with the Republican party, but I always said that I voted Republican as long as they were conservative. They've clearly thrown that out the window, and the Libertarians are a party I've been looking at for several years.
I have worked on one campaign, for Andy Bowers running for Ohio House in 2004. I saw how hard he worked. I was with him in his hotel quite on election night. I stayed until 2 in the morning, despite having just arrived back from Las Vegas at 2AM on election day. I heard his voice, strained and cracked from last minute door-to-door campaigning. I watched as the number kept pushing him farther and farther behind his opponent. I watched his family try to comfort him. I don't want to put my family thru that.
If I didn't honestly believe (not think, believe) that I could win, and make a difference, I would not be writing to you.For campaigning, I am not afraid of crowds or public speaking. I'm pretty quick on my feet. I have a sense of humor. I have no skeletons in my closet, I've done nothing in my past that I am ashamed to admit. I can, and will, do what it takes to win.”
If those words do not sound like Libertarian leadership for Ohio, I do not know what does. Josh is a patriot and the LPO is ecstatic that he is seeking the party nomination for Ohio’s 15th.
Joseph (Joe) Jaffe Begins his Campaign and Appears at the LPO Conference
Joe Jaffe’s campaign contributions have already begun to roll in. Joe is running for the Congress in Ohio’s 9th district. As Joe emailed me, “You may be pleased to know that i have gotten a few Toledo area businessmen to agree to donate to my campaign after i officially get it underway.”
Joe Jaffe was also at he LPO 2009 Conference and attended both the candidate workshops as well as the Wayne Allyn Root fundraisers. As many know, Toledo is a hotbed of Libertarian activity thanks largely in part to Andrea Benson and her leadership efforts in the Toledo area. Joe is one of the most energetic candidates for 2010 and his campaign promises to be an exciting one.
Joe Jaffe was also at he LPO 2009 Conference and attended both the candidate workshops as well as the Wayne Allyn Root fundraisers. As many know, Toledo is a hotbed of Libertarian activity thanks largely in part to Andrea Benson and her leadership efforts in the Toledo area. Joe is one of the most energetic candidates for 2010 and his campaign promises to be an exciting one.
Clifford Snyder has Zach Space in his Crosshairs
Clifford Snyder, a small business owner from St. Louisville, Ohio is seeking to unseat 18th district congressional representative Zach Space. Mr. Snyder is active in his community and an NRA member. As Cliff Snyder wrote in his application for office, "I want to run because I do not believe Mr. Space represents the people of the 18th district and I believe that we need a change. I feel the country is headed in the wrong direction and if we do not take a stand now it will be too late.”
We could not agree more with Clifford and are looking forward to his campaign. I’m sure Mr space will have his hands full in 2010.
We could not agree more with Clifford and are looking forward to his campaign. I’m sure Mr space will have his hands full in 2010.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Jeffrey Blevins Solidifies his Intentions in Ohio's 16th.
I just received a nice note from Jeffrey Blevins detailing his intentions in Ohio's 16th Congressional District. In relation to the events of the past week, Jeffrey writes: "After attending the recent Tea Parties and seeing how they were received by the "main stream" media, I am more concerned for the future of our nation and feel we need a major overhaul on a federal level, as well as on a state level in many states."
Well said by a candidate with Liberty for Wadsworth, Akron and the rest of Ohio's 16th on his mind.
Well said by a candidate with Liberty for Wadsworth, Akron and the rest of Ohio's 16th on his mind.
Sean Kalin Stipe ~ A Dynamic Presence For the City of Lorain
Sean Kalin Stipe, Libertarian candidate for Lorain Council at Large has taken his campaign where a local candidate never has. Instead of a simple webpage, Mr. Stipe has dynamic campaign site which connects with :*MySpace*, his *WordPress* blog, *Facebook* and even his own *YouTube* channel.
There is also the ability to make donations over the internet using *Pay-Pal*, checking account or credit/debit card.
Using all these tools, Mr. Stipe is able to disseminate vast amounts of information, encourage personal dialogue and allow for social networking between supporters of both himself and libertarians across the country.
Following are the links to each site, which can be found on www.SeanStipe.com
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/seanstipe
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/seanstipe
Word Press Blog http://seanstipe.wordpress.com/
Facebook http://profile.to/seanstipe
There is also the ability to make donations over the internet using *Pay-Pal*, checking account or credit/debit card.
Using all these tools, Mr. Stipe is able to disseminate vast amounts of information, encourage personal dialogue and allow for social networking between supporters of both himself and libertarians across the country.
Following are the links to each site, which can be found on www.SeanStipe.com
YouTube http://www.youtube.com/seanstipe
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/seanstipe
Word Press Blog http://seanstipe.wordpress.com/
Facebook http://profile.to/seanstipe
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Kilroy Dodges a Bullet. Matt Cantrell Focuses on LPO Fundraising
Matt Cantrell has decided to suspend his campaign to defeat Mary Jo Kilroy in Ohio's 15th Congressional District to concentrate on fundraising efforts for the LPO. Matt would have likely 'mopped the floor' with Kilroy in a debate, which I will be sad to miss. However, Matt feels that his education and professional background will help make the LPO a more economically viable entity with his efforts allocated in that pursuit. Matt has an MBA from The Ohio State University, a top 10 school for business according to US News and World Reports.
It is important that the LPO maintain a presence in Congressional races. Our candidates are solid and viable, with more common sense than any current officeholder. However, they are long shots for election. A times, it takes a huge leap of self sacrifice as well as the ability to shelve one's ambitions for the good of the movement. We all owe Matt a debit of gratitude. Thank you, Matt for making the tough decisions and we're behind you now and in the future.
It is important that the LPO maintain a presence in Congressional races. Our candidates are solid and viable, with more common sense than any current officeholder. However, they are long shots for election. A times, it takes a huge leap of self sacrifice as well as the ability to shelve one's ambitions for the good of the movement. We all owe Matt a debit of gratitude. Thank you, Matt for making the tough decisions and we're behind you now and in the future.
Robert Vollmer Makes LPO History
Last weekend, I had the pleasure of meeting Atty. Robert Vollmer. Robert practices law in Newark, Ohio and is steeped in a traditional and Libertarian appreciation for the rule of law as well as the Ohio and Federal Constitutions. Robert and I met at a coffee house just off the campus of Dennison University, 'behind the lines' to be sure, and chatted for over 2 hours. Robert will be the first judicial candidate in the history of the Libertarian Party of Ohio. Robert Volmer is seeking a seat on Ohio's 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
I am not an attorney, so detailing Robert Vollmer's qualifications for the post would surely not do his resume justice, so I will leave that to his campaign. Suffice to say, he is eminently qualified for the post. We will back him with all of our energy, but his candidacy faces a geographic struggle. Robert hails from Newark, Ohio. The 5th Circuit Court District stretches from Stark County south through Muskingum. It includes Licking County and then extends eastward heading toward the West Virgina line. The issue at hand is that the candidate that wins the Canton/Stark County vote inevitably wins the election. The rest of the district is largely rural and, as one can imagine, is grossly underrepresented. A candidate could conceivably win each of the district's counties except Stark county and lose the election in a landslide.
Robert is hoping to emphasize his positions on the 2nd amendment, eminent domain, and other sensible positions to appeal to the counties that are largely ignored by the campaigns of his competitors. Let's all be there for Robert. His campaign is what the LPO is all about.
I am not an attorney, so detailing Robert Vollmer's qualifications for the post would surely not do his resume justice, so I will leave that to his campaign. Suffice to say, he is eminently qualified for the post. We will back him with all of our energy, but his candidacy faces a geographic struggle. Robert hails from Newark, Ohio. The 5th Circuit Court District stretches from Stark County south through Muskingum. It includes Licking County and then extends eastward heading toward the West Virgina line. The issue at hand is that the candidate that wins the Canton/Stark County vote inevitably wins the election. The rest of the district is largely rural and, as one can imagine, is grossly underrepresented. A candidate could conceivably win each of the district's counties except Stark county and lose the election in a landslide.
Robert is hoping to emphasize his positions on the 2nd amendment, eminent domain, and other sensible positions to appeal to the counties that are largely ignored by the campaigns of his competitors. Let's all be there for Robert. His campaign is what the LPO is all about.
A June/July Newsletter Essay Preview
I hope to have the essay below published in the June/July 'Buckeye Libertarian':
Has anyone noticed that Tax Day is about as far away from Election Day as possible on the calendar? There’s a reason for that phenomenon and it was on display in each city throughout Ohio on April 15th, 2009. At the risk of crediting CNBC financial analyst Rick Santelli with starting the modern Tea Party movement, it was his on-air rant during the firestorm of the most recent stock market collapse that sent concerned citizens to ‘Facebook’, ‘Meetup’ and ‘Linkedin’ among other social networking sites, to organize their own political protests.
Politicians from both major political parties have adopted the same disregard for the rule of law as well as for those who elected them to office. While the official platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties may describe ideological differences between them, the actions of their elected officials have made them indiscernible from one another. The homogeneousness goes deeper than their communal social intolerances, ‘tax and spend’ fiscal policies and an apparent bipartisan affection for war. Leaders of both major political parties have launched a unified effort to extort the livelihood from the American taxpayer and retain power over them though fear and unconstitutional laws.
Tea Parties across America on April 15th showed us that Americans are beginning to understand that neither the Republicans or Democrats are singularly to blame, but more importantly, neither major political party is likely to craft a viable solution. When people are abused, however that violation occurs, the first step to recovery is to say: ‘Enough! We can argue over who’s to blame, who’s right and who has the solution shortly, but for right now Just Stop!’
Throughout these times, the Libertarian Party has remained constant. Libertarians do not lick their fingers to test the direction of political winds. The Libertarian Party of Ohio supporters attended and participated in the events of April 15th, but we know that very little is likely to change unless another choice is offered at the ballot box in 2009, 2010, 2011 and the years beyond. Change is available to Ohioans, but not in the form of crafty bumper stickers and stylish T-shirts. For change to work, policies must make sense and not seek to divide Americans into warring camps. Real political change is rooted in the spirit of America as manifested in the articles of our State and Federal Constitutions. That is what the Libertarian Party of Ohio has to offer.
Join us as we save Ohio. We will volunteer, we will rally, we will spread Liberty and whenever possible, we will contribute. But we will work within the legal framework of the law to achieve these ends.
What is needed right now are Ohioans with courage. Can you vote outside of the two party system that has a stranglehold on Ohio and your country? Will you believe that a vote for a major party candidate is ultimately a forfeit of your Liberty? It takes courage to change. Vote for and Support Libertarian Candidates for Office. Watch what happens. You will be proud. That’s an election promise Ohio can believe in.
Has anyone noticed that Tax Day is about as far away from Election Day as possible on the calendar? There’s a reason for that phenomenon and it was on display in each city throughout Ohio on April 15th, 2009. At the risk of crediting CNBC financial analyst Rick Santelli with starting the modern Tea Party movement, it was his on-air rant during the firestorm of the most recent stock market collapse that sent concerned citizens to ‘Facebook’, ‘Meetup’ and ‘Linkedin’ among other social networking sites, to organize their own political protests.
Politicians from both major political parties have adopted the same disregard for the rule of law as well as for those who elected them to office. While the official platforms of the Republican and Democratic parties may describe ideological differences between them, the actions of their elected officials have made them indiscernible from one another. The homogeneousness goes deeper than their communal social intolerances, ‘tax and spend’ fiscal policies and an apparent bipartisan affection for war. Leaders of both major political parties have launched a unified effort to extort the livelihood from the American taxpayer and retain power over them though fear and unconstitutional laws.
Tea Parties across America on April 15th showed us that Americans are beginning to understand that neither the Republicans or Democrats are singularly to blame, but more importantly, neither major political party is likely to craft a viable solution. When people are abused, however that violation occurs, the first step to recovery is to say: ‘Enough! We can argue over who’s to blame, who’s right and who has the solution shortly, but for right now Just Stop!’
Throughout these times, the Libertarian Party has remained constant. Libertarians do not lick their fingers to test the direction of political winds. The Libertarian Party of Ohio supporters attended and participated in the events of April 15th, but we know that very little is likely to change unless another choice is offered at the ballot box in 2009, 2010, 2011 and the years beyond. Change is available to Ohioans, but not in the form of crafty bumper stickers and stylish T-shirts. For change to work, policies must make sense and not seek to divide Americans into warring camps. Real political change is rooted in the spirit of America as manifested in the articles of our State and Federal Constitutions. That is what the Libertarian Party of Ohio has to offer.
Join us as we save Ohio. We will volunteer, we will rally, we will spread Liberty and whenever possible, we will contribute. But we will work within the legal framework of the law to achieve these ends.
What is needed right now are Ohioans with courage. Can you vote outside of the two party system that has a stranglehold on Ohio and your country? Will you believe that a vote for a major party candidate is ultimately a forfeit of your Liberty? It takes courage to change. Vote for and Support Libertarian Candidates for Office. Watch what happens. You will be proud. That’s an election promise Ohio can believe in.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
John Ridder, Libertarian Candidate in St. Paris is Published
John has started an organization in St. Paris, Ohio that aims to raise funds equal to the funds given to Champaign county for infrastructure imporvements so that the meager federal dollars sent to the rurual county can be shipped back with a 'thanks, but no thanks' note attached. Below is John's published letter in the Urbana newspaper.
Stimulus Transportation Funds
By John Ridder, Libertarian Candidate for St. Paris Township trustee
The name of our group is OUT-CAST: Ohio United Taxpayers Campaigning Against Stimulus & TARP.
We believe the stimulus and TARP programs are a terrible idea, but since both happened in spite of taxpayer opposition, we demand the goals of both be achieved. Our mission is to raise local funds to eliminate the need to accept the $49,700 transportation stimulus money designated to Champaign County, Ohio and demand more equitable funding from state and federal government. If you share our sense of outrage that less than $50,000 came back to Champaign County out of hundreds of billions of stimulus money (our tax dollars) being spent to “create or save” jobs, that our representative government is failing to represent us, we ask for your support to help us send that message to Columbus and Washington. Donations to this cause may be made at Peoples Savings Bank in Urbana (both 10 Monument Square and 618 Scioto St.) to OUT-CAST. Ideally, if each adult in Champaign County gives $1.25, we will reach our goal. Our group’s intent is communicate two main points to the State of Ohio and the U.S. federal government by rejecting the $49,700 transportation stimulus money in full view of the massmedia
1. The amount of stimulus transportation dollars designated by the State of Ohio for Champaign County is completely inequitable in relation to the $774,000,000 sent back to Ohio from Washington to be used for “shovel ready” transportation projects. This discrimination at the hands of our State government is not new. Champaign County, Ohio is the larger of two remaining counties in Ohio without a limited access highway passing through it. The structure of the non-elected TRAC (The Transportation Review Advisory Council) makes it a tool of Ohio’s metro areas and its supposedly “fair” criteria in choosing what transportation projects get funded, forever delegates Champaign County to “third world” status in Ohio.
2. The benefit of these so-called transit stimulus dollars…one handicap van, some maintenance dollars for oil changes, and a pressure washer, hardly justify the mortgaging of the future of Champaign County’s children.
Mr. President, Governor Strickland, please show us how this is good for our community. If Champaign County is any example of how these “shovel ready” transportation projects are being funded Mr. President, your plan is going to fail.
Champaign County has had a “shovel ready” highway project ready for over 50 years, the U.S. Route 68 Bypass. The County Engineer is sitting on a $2 million earmark for this project and the local community has $1 million set aside in matching dollars. Rights of ways are secured, environmental impact studies (EAS) were done (though the foot dragging by the State of Ohio and bureaucratic rules, which could be waived, seem to point to doing a third EAS).
President Obama, Governor Strickland, if you have any sense of equity, you will not waste another transportation dollar on sound barriers along highways and railroads, fancy decorated artwork in the concrete on bridges, or other non-pavement capital expenses until every Ohio county has a proper divided highway connecting it with its communities of interest. Prove you want to create or save jobs here in Champaign County.
John Ridder of rural St.Paris is organizer of OUT-CAST.
Stimulus Transportation Funds
By John Ridder, Libertarian Candidate for St. Paris Township trustee
The name of our group is OUT-CAST: Ohio United Taxpayers Campaigning Against Stimulus & TARP.
We believe the stimulus and TARP programs are a terrible idea, but since both happened in spite of taxpayer opposition, we demand the goals of both be achieved. Our mission is to raise local funds to eliminate the need to accept the $49,700 transportation stimulus money designated to Champaign County, Ohio and demand more equitable funding from state and federal government. If you share our sense of outrage that less than $50,000 came back to Champaign County out of hundreds of billions of stimulus money (our tax dollars) being spent to “create or save” jobs, that our representative government is failing to represent us, we ask for your support to help us send that message to Columbus and Washington. Donations to this cause may be made at Peoples Savings Bank in Urbana (both 10 Monument Square and 618 Scioto St.) to OUT-CAST. Ideally, if each adult in Champaign County gives $1.25, we will reach our goal. Our group’s intent is communicate two main points to the State of Ohio and the U.S. federal government by rejecting the $49,700 transportation stimulus money in full view of the massmedia
1. The amount of stimulus transportation dollars designated by the State of Ohio for Champaign County is completely inequitable in relation to the $774,000,000 sent back to Ohio from Washington to be used for “shovel ready” transportation projects. This discrimination at the hands of our State government is not new. Champaign County, Ohio is the larger of two remaining counties in Ohio without a limited access highway passing through it. The structure of the non-elected TRAC (The Transportation Review Advisory Council) makes it a tool of Ohio’s metro areas and its supposedly “fair” criteria in choosing what transportation projects get funded, forever delegates Champaign County to “third world” status in Ohio.
2. The benefit of these so-called transit stimulus dollars…one handicap van, some maintenance dollars for oil changes, and a pressure washer, hardly justify the mortgaging of the future of Champaign County’s children.
Mr. President, Governor Strickland, please show us how this is good for our community. If Champaign County is any example of how these “shovel ready” transportation projects are being funded Mr. President, your plan is going to fail.
Champaign County has had a “shovel ready” highway project ready for over 50 years, the U.S. Route 68 Bypass. The County Engineer is sitting on a $2 million earmark for this project and the local community has $1 million set aside in matching dollars. Rights of ways are secured, environmental impact studies (EAS) were done (though the foot dragging by the State of Ohio and bureaucratic rules, which could be waived, seem to point to doing a third EAS).
President Obama, Governor Strickland, if you have any sense of equity, you will not waste another transportation dollar on sound barriers along highways and railroads, fancy decorated artwork in the concrete on bridges, or other non-pavement capital expenses until every Ohio county has a proper divided highway connecting it with its communities of interest. Prove you want to create or save jobs here in Champaign County.
John Ridder of rural St.Paris is organizer of OUT-CAST.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Welcome Austin Nichols and a New Look For the 'Buckeye Libertarian' Newsletter
The ‘Buckeye Libertarian’ will take on a new look late this summer. Please help us all welcome Austin Nichols to the ranks of Libertarian news contributors. Austin is a Journalism student at The Ohio State University and will serve as co-editor and contributor to the ‘Buckeye Libertarian’ newsletter. Austin is being groomed to become the sole editor for the newsletter as well as hone his skills to fill the role of Communications Director. Good luck Austin, and we’re all behind you!
The LPO Welcomes Scott Casey
Scott Casey has joined the Campaign and Candidate’s Committee. Scott works for the Franklin County Courts and is a dedicated Libertarian. Scott is anxious to work with candidates and you all might receive a call from him in the near future. While the LPO is encouraged and energized by the 30 candidates that intend to run in 2010, we understand that number might fluctuate slightly due to the poor economy and other unforseen life-changing events. Scott will help us sort out the field and help to assign candidates to the individual committee members to provide an easy contact point for each Libertarian running for office.
Andrew Rehner - Leadership for Ohio's 74th.
Andrew Rehner is prepared to bring his business experience to the table in his quest to win election in Ohio’s 74th district. Andrew may have had the quote of the week when he wrote: ” I would like to affect a change in American politics at the grass roots level.That being said, I have been interested in the Libertarian party since the first election that I voted in 1976. My belief is that any real effective change begins at the local level.I have arrived at a time in my life where it has become more important to me to focus my energy on personal goals vs. business or monetary ones.” Andrew assures that fundraising and self-promotion will be the last of his problems during his race in 2010. All the same, we will support him in every way possible as he looks to bring Liberty to Delta, Ohio.
Angela Williams Holds Fundraiser in Marion
Angela Williams, candidate for Marion City Council, held her first fundraiser. In attendance were friends, family and various LPO supporters, yours truly included. Also in attendance was Marion City Council President candidate Spencer Phelps. We all wish the both of them luck as they represent an excellent chance for Libertarians to make inroads into the Democratic Party controlled City of Marion.
Casey Borders Starts Off the 2010 Fundraising Season
Casey Borders wins the race to the Secretary of State’s office. Casey just filed his ‘Declaration of Treasurer’ document that will permit him to seek and spend money on his campaign to win the 31st. Ohio House district race. Casey is ready to get started with his first fundraising activities this summer. I guess that officially begins the 2010 fundraising season!
Dustin Gilroy ~ A Libertarian Home and Abroad
Dustin is back from a tour in Iraq only to be heading back again as part of the Army Corps of Engineers. But, will that stop Dustin from seeking office in Ohio? No way! After a 6 month stint in Iraq, Dustin will pilot his campaign to win the race for Ohio’s 31st. House district. We all wish him good health and security during his next trip to the region and look up to him as he displays what real Libertarian leadership looks like in action.
Eddie Florek Takes On Tiberi in 2010 - In His Own Words
Eddie Florek will enter the 2010 Congressional Race against Pat Tiberi next fall. Rather than interpret Eddie’s positions, I will let his words speak for themselves. Listed below is Eddie’s beliefs and positions in his own words.
“I would like to represent the Libertarian party in Ohio's 12th district for the House of Representatives in 2010. The current representative, Pat Tiberi, has supported government largess just as frequently as he has opposed it, oftentimes going back and forth on similar issues. He has supported continual funding to Iraq, wavers on Afghanistan, has sponsored government insurance in the SCHIP program, and has a knack for avoiding votes on controversial issues like TARP and Ledbetter. He has consistently sided with the Democrats against domestic energy production. After he voted against drilling for oil last year I had planned to vote for the Libertarian candidate, but was surprised to find no Libertarian ran in my district.
I greatly worry about the quality and status of the public education system. Despite attended a "good" school system (Dublin, OH) for K-12 I found the curriculum severely lacking. Assigned literature shamelessly pushed liberal agendas. History textbooks were filled with disinformation smearing conservatives and western civilization. Teachers I had were unaware of hugely influential philosophers like Tzu and Nietzsche and were unable to make any comparisons to Machiavelli's The Prince, which shockingly was the only part of the curriculum of which the teacher was ashamed. Even as a teenager I could not understand how they could avoid being fired. Were I as incompetent at delivering newspapers as my teacher's were in their specialized subjects I would have lost my newspaper route.
During my undergrad at Capital University I had the opportunity to compare education with liberal indoctrination side-by-side. Earning degrees in economics and communication I saw for the first time true education from the economics department; an attempt to disseminate valuable information and reasoning techniques without leading students to a liberal conclusion. In the communication department it was the exact opposite. Everything was the fault of whites, men and Europeans. Even literature about black television programs pushed that those were racist. I take great pride in my economics degree, although my communication degree is not worth the paper on which it is printed.
After I became an instructor myself I was determined to provide my students with information that would make them successful IT professionals. Not being protected by tenure or unions from personal incompetence I was required to maintain an 8.5/9 average from students on my skills as an instructor to maintain employment. That forced me to constantly evolve and go above and beyond to maintain student satisfaction. Government intrusion in the financial sector leading to last year's meltdown cost me my position, despite maintaining high feedback scores and being well regarded by fellow instructors and students alike. Now I laugh at the unemployment system, as I am paid more to sit at home doing nothing than I would to swallow my pride and accept a lesser position. Others must also be in positions where they would be willing to work, but unemployment benefits remove the incentive of temporarily accepting a lower station. My own situation is but one empirical example of the damage done by government intrusion, not only the loss of employment, but the removal of incentive to quickly replace that employment. “
“I would like to represent the Libertarian party in Ohio's 12th district for the House of Representatives in 2010. The current representative, Pat Tiberi, has supported government largess just as frequently as he has opposed it, oftentimes going back and forth on similar issues. He has supported continual funding to Iraq, wavers on Afghanistan, has sponsored government insurance in the SCHIP program, and has a knack for avoiding votes on controversial issues like TARP and Ledbetter. He has consistently sided with the Democrats against domestic energy production. After he voted against drilling for oil last year I had planned to vote for the Libertarian candidate, but was surprised to find no Libertarian ran in my district.
I greatly worry about the quality and status of the public education system. Despite attended a "good" school system (Dublin, OH) for K-12 I found the curriculum severely lacking. Assigned literature shamelessly pushed liberal agendas. History textbooks were filled with disinformation smearing conservatives and western civilization. Teachers I had were unaware of hugely influential philosophers like Tzu and Nietzsche and were unable to make any comparisons to Machiavelli's The Prince, which shockingly was the only part of the curriculum of which the teacher was ashamed. Even as a teenager I could not understand how they could avoid being fired. Were I as incompetent at delivering newspapers as my teacher's were in their specialized subjects I would have lost my newspaper route.
During my undergrad at Capital University I had the opportunity to compare education with liberal indoctrination side-by-side. Earning degrees in economics and communication I saw for the first time true education from the economics department; an attempt to disseminate valuable information and reasoning techniques without leading students to a liberal conclusion. In the communication department it was the exact opposite. Everything was the fault of whites, men and Europeans. Even literature about black television programs pushed that those were racist. I take great pride in my economics degree, although my communication degree is not worth the paper on which it is printed.
After I became an instructor myself I was determined to provide my students with information that would make them successful IT professionals. Not being protected by tenure or unions from personal incompetence I was required to maintain an 8.5/9 average from students on my skills as an instructor to maintain employment. That forced me to constantly evolve and go above and beyond to maintain student satisfaction. Government intrusion in the financial sector leading to last year's meltdown cost me my position, despite maintaining high feedback scores and being well regarded by fellow instructors and students alike. Now I laugh at the unemployment system, as I am paid more to sit at home doing nothing than I would to swallow my pride and accept a lesser position. Others must also be in positions where they would be willing to work, but unemployment benefits remove the incentive of temporarily accepting a lower station. My own situation is but one empirical example of the damage done by government intrusion, not only the loss of employment, but the removal of incentive to quickly replace that employment. “
Jason Champion Looks to Lead Ohio's 21st.
Jason Champion will look to unseat Kevin Bacon in Ohio’s 21st. district next fall. Jason’s particular issue if that Ohio tax and business law is overcomplicated, burdensome, and hinders the creation of new business. Jason will look to change that from the inside. Jason will bring to bear the intellect required to be a Software Engineering Manager to the issues that face the 21st. district as well as the rest of Ohio.
Machine Politics Does Not Sit Well With Jeffrey Blevins
Jeffrey Blevins will challenge for the 16th Congressional seat in 2010. Jeff has watched his district be represented by a mechanical party-line voter for some time and cannot stomach another term of Pelosi-led policy for Wadsworth and Akron. Jeff has worked extensively with the GOP in the past to defeat Don Plisquilic as Mayor of Akron and even held a Central Committee seat in the GOP while in college. Let’s just say that Jeff would be a significant upgrade from Boccieri, who is much more worried about pleasing party leaders than the people he represents.
Nicolas Lehmkule Joins the Youth Surge in the LPO
Nicholas Lehmkule will be fighting to represent Ohio’s 70th district in 2010. I’m sure Nicolas won’t mind if I quote directly from his application to run for office. It reads: “First off, thank you for taking your time to consider me. I hope you really will. I am Nicolas R. Lehmkuhle, I am 26 years old and I would like to run for either U.S. House of Representatives or the Ohio House of Representatives. It is high time to get people in office that are going to actually do what is best for the people they are representing rather than what is best for themselves. I obtained my Bachelors of Science in Education from The Ohio State University, which basically means I paid a lot of money for a piece of paper. I am currently a Manager in Training with Walgreens Pharmacy in the Dayton, OH district. I have held leadership roles my whole life. I grew up poor but have made the most of my life thus far with hard work and dedication. I am the best at everything I set my sights on. I'm tired of the corruption, greed and the unconstitutionalism that is being displayed by the members of Congress now.” We couldn’t agree more and we wish Nicolas well in his campaign.
Thomas Anderson Believes in Local Race's Impact
Thomas Anderson is contemplating a run for representative in the Village of Danville this year in 2009. Danville is a small municipality in Knox County, just east of Mt. Vernon. It’s officeholders are non-partisan, so Thomas will have until August to make his final decision. It’s races like these that provide Liberty at the most local level of politics and we welcome Thomas to the team.
Kurt Liston Begins the Countdown in Ohio's 44th.
Kurt Liston has just announced that his campaign to emancipate the 44th House district from single party rule will begin on July 4th, appropriately enough. Support Kurt in his effort to change Ohio from the inside-out.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Phill Clapham to Enter the 2010 Race in Ohio's 19th Setting Up a Libertarian Primary
I had the pleasure of meeting Phill this past Saturday at the LPO open house in Westerville, Ohio. Phill is the type of candidate that makes you wish the election were this week. He is on the right side of Liberty and seeks to improve the lot of those he will represent in Ohio’s 19th. While we are all looking forward to unseating Representative Marion Harris who has been tainted by years of public schooling support efforts much to the detriment of Ohio’s youth, we are also looking forward to a spirited debate between Phill and Mike Johnston, LPO Treasurer, who is also seeking the office. One thing is for sure, a great Libertarian will represent our Party in this race!
Kurt Liston is Ready to Lead Ohio’s 44th
Kurt’s energy is infections, as the Mayor of Akron is finding out. Community activist, horticulturist and all around Libertarian Superman, Kurt Liston has thrown his hat into the ring to emancipate Ohio’s 44th District. It is not possible to spend five minutes with Kurt and not come away energized in opposition to two-party rule. Kurt is the Northeast Ohio Liaison as for the LPO and has recently assisted in reorganizing the Libertarian Student Organization at Kent State University into an activist group of young people that have experienced a significant spike in membership and activist oriented meetings. As an Akron resident, Kurt seeks to loosen up Democratic control of his City and district in an effort to promote Liberty in a once proud city that has become a shadow of its former self. Join the LPO and rally around Kurt in his efforts to take back Northeast Ohio from arrogance and misappropriation of its greatest assets, its residents.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
The Implosion in Lorain is Unfortunate for Residents. Libertarians Will Rescue the City
A recent article in Lorain's local newspaper details the work ahead for Early and Stipe, Libertarians for City Council.
LORAIN *— After 14 months of gathering nearly every Monday to conduct the city's business, some of the 11 members of Lorain City Council complain the body is divided. Others say communication is lacking. Councilman Greg Holcomb, D-6, thinks City Council is divided in part
because newer members of council want to operate with more transparency, while those on council longer prefer to do more behind the scenes. "I think what you're seeing is exactly what the people asked for, (which) is they want to see a change in how our city government is run,"
he said. He thinks some members of council want to change things right away, and others are more inclined to run the city like they have been in the past.
The other issue, he said, is that, "The communication we have as a body is awful." He admits he doesn't call all the members of council all the time, but that he does talk to other members outside of the meetings. Councilwoman Melanie Szabo, I-1, agrees that "there's a lack of communication," she said.
"That starts from the top down, mayor's office down to us, there's a lack of communication," she said. She doesn't know why that is, she added. "There's certain things that we all want to accomplish, but I think the lack of communication creates the divide," she said.
Councilman Craig Snodgrass, D-8, said there has been a lot of turnover on City Council in recent elections, and "anytime you get change, you're going to get some differences of perspectives."
Some of the newer council members and some of the more tenured council members may have different ideas on how things should be done, but that's a good thing, he said. He thinks, however, that voters have said they don't think the city can continue down the same path, and that's why there has been so much turnover.
Snodgrass agreed there is room for improvement in council's communication, and suggested going on a retreat to get ideas for the next few years could help open the lines of communication. Councilman Eddie Edwards, D-5, said he thinks everyone on council has their own opinions. He does think, however, there could be a better line of communication between council and the mayor. That line will have to open up if the city wants to move things forward. Council members also have to talk to each other, he said. If not, the same results will keep happening.
"We've got to communicate," he said. "We've got to work together." Councilman Tim Howard, D-3, said he doesn't think there's a division on council, but rather there are different people coming up with different ideas on how to do things. He also agreed communication could always be
improved, much as in any organization or business.
Councilman Bret Schuster, D-4, said he's not aware of any active dissension on council, but he also would not be surprised by it. "As a whole, council really doesn't work that well together," he said. "I wouldn't call it a serious matter, but I would like to be able to think that sometimes we could sit down and work better together as a group." Unlike some of his colleagues, however, he thinks communication, for the most part, is open. He acknowledged there is always room to improve. Council woman Anne Molnar, D-at-large, said she doesn't know why there's some dissension on council, and she hasn't felt it during her other terms on council. She thinks there is a "wall" between the mayor and City Council.
"I don't like that wall," she said. Communication can be improved, she said, adding she is comfortable talking to many of her colleagues. All the council members, however,
come to the table with ideas.
"I'd like to see more harmony on council," Molnar said. Councilman Dan Given, D-at-large, said council members are from different age groups and have different educational and professional
experiences.
"Realistically, council should not be one unified voice," he said. He added he believes in debate and that it is good. "I don't think council is divided such that it can't work together,"
Given said.
Council members walk "a fine line" regarding communication because of the Sunshine Law, Given said. Discussions should be done in a public forum, he added.
Given acknowledged council is frustrated because money is tight and they have to make ecisions that affect people's livelihoods. Council members Mitchell Fallis, D-at-large, Dennis Flores, D-2, and Myroslaw Silecky, D-7, could not be reached for comment."
LORAIN *— After 14 months of gathering nearly every Monday to conduct the city's business, some of the 11 members of Lorain City Council complain the body is divided. Others say communication is lacking. Councilman Greg Holcomb, D-6, thinks City Council is divided in part
because newer members of council want to operate with more transparency, while those on council longer prefer to do more behind the scenes. "I think what you're seeing is exactly what the people asked for, (which) is they want to see a change in how our city government is run,"
he said. He thinks some members of council want to change things right away, and others are more inclined to run the city like they have been in the past.
The other issue, he said, is that, "The communication we have as a body is awful." He admits he doesn't call all the members of council all the time, but that he does talk to other members outside of the meetings. Councilwoman Melanie Szabo, I-1, agrees that "there's a lack of communication," she said.
"That starts from the top down, mayor's office down to us, there's a lack of communication," she said. She doesn't know why that is, she added. "There's certain things that we all want to accomplish, but I think the lack of communication creates the divide," she said.
Councilman Craig Snodgrass, D-8, said there has been a lot of turnover on City Council in recent elections, and "anytime you get change, you're going to get some differences of perspectives."
Some of the newer council members and some of the more tenured council members may have different ideas on how things should be done, but that's a good thing, he said. He thinks, however, that voters have said they don't think the city can continue down the same path, and that's why there has been so much turnover.
Snodgrass agreed there is room for improvement in council's communication, and suggested going on a retreat to get ideas for the next few years could help open the lines of communication. Councilman Eddie Edwards, D-5, said he thinks everyone on council has their own opinions. He does think, however, there could be a better line of communication between council and the mayor. That line will have to open up if the city wants to move things forward. Council members also have to talk to each other, he said. If not, the same results will keep happening.
"We've got to communicate," he said. "We've got to work together." Councilman Tim Howard, D-3, said he doesn't think there's a division on council, but rather there are different people coming up with different ideas on how to do things. He also agreed communication could always be
improved, much as in any organization or business.
Councilman Bret Schuster, D-4, said he's not aware of any active dissension on council, but he also would not be surprised by it. "As a whole, council really doesn't work that well together," he said. "I wouldn't call it a serious matter, but I would like to be able to think that sometimes we could sit down and work better together as a group." Unlike some of his colleagues, however, he thinks communication, for the most part, is open. He acknowledged there is always room to improve. Council woman Anne Molnar, D-at-large, said she doesn't know why there's some dissension on council, and she hasn't felt it during her other terms on council. She thinks there is a "wall" between the mayor and City Council.
"I don't like that wall," she said. Communication can be improved, she said, adding she is comfortable talking to many of her colleagues. All the council members, however,
come to the table with ideas.
"I'd like to see more harmony on council," Molnar said. Councilman Dan Given, D-at-large, said council members are from different age groups and have different educational and professional
experiences.
"Realistically, council should not be one unified voice," he said. He added he believes in debate and that it is good. "I don't think council is divided such that it can't work together,"
Given said.
Council members walk "a fine line" regarding communication because of the Sunshine Law, Given said. Discussions should be done in a public forum, he added.
Given acknowledged council is frustrated because money is tight and they have to make ecisions that affect people's livelihoods. Council members Mitchell Fallis, D-at-large, Dennis Flores, D-2, and Myroslaw Silecky, D-7, could not be reached for comment."
Spencer Phelps is Quoted Again in the Marion Controversy
MARION - Chastised for owning a business that owes more than $70,000 in delinquent utility bills and property taxes, City Council President Dave Edwards and Councilman Ralph Cumston on Monday said they will not resign their council positions.
Reading from a written statement before turning the meeting over to Council President-Pro Tempore Mike Thomas, Edwards told a gallery of about 45 people that neither would step down.
Four residents, prompting applause with their comments, urged the two council members and others to resign.
D&R Investments LLC and D&R Investments Ltd., two rental businesses owned by Edwards and Cumston, owe $60,081 in delinquent property taxes and approximately $11,000 in delinquent utility bills. After not responding to collection notices from the county treasurer's office in November 2008 and last month, D&R contacted the office March 3 to set up a payment plan. D&R also set up a payment plan with the law director's office to pay delinquent utility bills and as of Aug. 4, 2008, had paid $11,776.
Calling for Edwards and Cumston to resign, Ed Christian said city officials were misleading the public about the matter.
"You don't confuse all of us," Christian said, "because we know who you are."
Mona Miller called for Cumston to resign his position as chairman for council's finance committee, saying "he can't keep his own finances straight." She said she formerly owned rental properties and that the appropriate way to do business is to put aside money to pay property taxes and utility bills, not leave them unpaid for more than a year.
Spencer Phelps, who's running as a Libertarian candidate for council president, asked Edwards and Cumston if it was OK for residents who are behind on their sewer bills to not pay those bills until they have everything else "caught up."
Cumston responded, "We paid over $12,000 last year. I don't know where he's getting that."
City Law Director Mark Russell has said if D&R's delinquent utility bills are not paid in full by April 1, the law director's office will go to the next step of collection activity, referring to garnishing "any source of an asset. That's normal procedure."
In his statement, Edwards said neither he nor Cumston "have ever asked for, received or been offered any special treatment" from any governmental agencies. Saying they have done nothing "illegal, unethical or immoral," he added that they "will not be pressured by anyone to resign our positions on council."
Asked for a response to the criticism and calls for resignation, Cumston said Edwards' statement "kind of said it. ... I didn't do anything wrong. The last time I checked it wasn't against the law to owe a bill."
City Service Director Jay Shoup said D&R continues to owe approximately $10,000 to $12,000 in delinquent utility bills.
Joseph Scott and Councilman Ayers Ratliff joined Ralph Hill in criticizing council and the administration for having a police officer at the meeting.
Scott accused the city of treating D&R differently than other residents.
"We should all be treated fairly, equally and justly," he said. "There's been a conspiracy here and somebody should answer for it."
The Rev. Doug Ford, who often provides a prayer at the beginning of council meetings, said he supports the two council members, adding that "not everyone feels strongly against" them. He called for them to remain on council.
Sulu Kelly urged those criticizing the council members to run for council. "I'll even sign your petitions, but that doesn't mean I'll vote for you."
Reading from a written statement before turning the meeting over to Council President-Pro Tempore Mike Thomas, Edwards told a gallery of about 45 people that neither would step down.
Four residents, prompting applause with their comments, urged the two council members and others to resign.
D&R Investments LLC and D&R Investments Ltd., two rental businesses owned by Edwards and Cumston, owe $60,081 in delinquent property taxes and approximately $11,000 in delinquent utility bills. After not responding to collection notices from the county treasurer's office in November 2008 and last month, D&R contacted the office March 3 to set up a payment plan. D&R also set up a payment plan with the law director's office to pay delinquent utility bills and as of Aug. 4, 2008, had paid $11,776.
Calling for Edwards and Cumston to resign, Ed Christian said city officials were misleading the public about the matter.
"You don't confuse all of us," Christian said, "because we know who you are."
Mona Miller called for Cumston to resign his position as chairman for council's finance committee, saying "he can't keep his own finances straight." She said she formerly owned rental properties and that the appropriate way to do business is to put aside money to pay property taxes and utility bills, not leave them unpaid for more than a year.
Spencer Phelps, who's running as a Libertarian candidate for council president, asked Edwards and Cumston if it was OK for residents who are behind on their sewer bills to not pay those bills until they have everything else "caught up."
Cumston responded, "We paid over $12,000 last year. I don't know where he's getting that."
City Law Director Mark Russell has said if D&R's delinquent utility bills are not paid in full by April 1, the law director's office will go to the next step of collection activity, referring to garnishing "any source of an asset. That's normal procedure."
In his statement, Edwards said neither he nor Cumston "have ever asked for, received or been offered any special treatment" from any governmental agencies. Saying they have done nothing "illegal, unethical or immoral," he added that they "will not be pressured by anyone to resign our positions on council."
Asked for a response to the criticism and calls for resignation, Cumston said Edwards' statement "kind of said it. ... I didn't do anything wrong. The last time I checked it wasn't against the law to owe a bill."
City Service Director Jay Shoup said D&R continues to owe approximately $10,000 to $12,000 in delinquent utility bills.
Joseph Scott and Councilman Ayers Ratliff joined Ralph Hill in criticizing council and the administration for having a police officer at the meeting.
Scott accused the city of treating D&R differently than other residents.
"We should all be treated fairly, equally and justly," he said. "There's been a conspiracy here and somebody should answer for it."
The Rev. Doug Ford, who often provides a prayer at the beginning of council meetings, said he supports the two council members, adding that "not everyone feels strongly against" them. He called for them to remain on council.
Sulu Kelly urged those criticizing the council members to run for council. "I'll even sign your petitions, but that doesn't mean I'll vote for you."
Sunday, March 8, 2009
LPO Leaders on the Radio ~ 610 WTVN
Today, Kevin Knedler, Mike Johnston, Mark Noble and Paul Campbell were taking calls and spreading Liberty on 610 WTVN for almost two hours today as the guest of mid-day personality Dirk Thompson. Candidates Angela Williams and Spencer Phelps in Marion were noted callers during the show. It was riveting radio and will be posted on WTVN's website on Monday.
A number of topics were discussed such as drug prohibition, taxation and personal responsibility. The guys handled themselves with callers and put a face on the Libertarian Party that was populist and intriquing. Congratulations on a job well done.
A number of topics were discussed such as drug prohibition, taxation and personal responsibility. The guys handled themselves with callers and put a face on the Libertarian Party that was populist and intriquing. Congratulations on a job well done.
Spencer Phelps Publicly Calls for the Head of Marion City Council President
Spencer Phelps, Libertarian candidate for Marion City Council President has publically called for the removal of his opponent in the City of Marion. Below is the text lifted from The Marion Star Newspaper.
"Paying your taxes must be a lot harder than I realized. So many prominent people have had to resign or withdraw their names for consideration to extremely important positions because they can't seem to file their taxes properly. Of course, for some reason, Tim Geithner got a pass, but hey, he used Turbo Tax, so we can't blame him, right?
According to a news report that broke on TV 22 last week, apparently even our local officials, the people we voted into office, can't seem to get it right. According to the report, our city council president, Dave Edwards and our first-ward councilman, Ralph Cumston owe over $50,000 in delinquent property taxes on almost 40 properties they own. But forget about that atrocity for a second! They hadn't paid city sewer/garbage bills on these properties to the tune of over $10,000! Think about this for a second: These two guys haven't paid their city utilities and still collect a Marion paycheck!
Now, bless their hearts, they've been paying it back little by little. I know I have to see my name in the headline of a newspaper to remind me to pay my cable bill every month. But here's the thing, if you or I did what they did, we'd be forced to stack our trash bags in the backyard and bury our "people waste" in the front. I could understand if they missed one payment. We've all done that once or twice in our lives either on accident or because we got behind a little. But these guys stopped paying their taxes and bills in 2007 (from records of their properties on the County Auditor's Web site)! On top of that, according to a letter sent to them from the County Treasurer's office, they flat out ignored all communication from the county about it. But according to Ralph in his Marion Star interview, it was because of $4/gallon gasoline.
This has scandal written all over it, and I honestly don't feel like reading two to four weeks of headlines involving Sewer-gate. Dave Edwards and Ralph Cumston, what you have done disgusts me to the point that I've lost all respect for you. That may sound harsh, but to sit on our city's council as elected officials who are charged with the duty to serve us, knowing full well you haven't paid your utility bills and taxes since 2007 is a slap in the face of every citizen of Marion that pays their bills and taxes on time.
Dave Edwards, Ralph Cumston, and anyone else involved, please do yourselves and Marion a favor and resign before your disgusting actions leave a black eye on the Democrat party of Marion and Marion itself. You cannot officiate over a city to which you are not paying your taxes and bills. I realize being a candidate for city council president myself makes for a bit of a dual-motivation for this letter, but the unpleasantness remains. Actually, I was hoping for a fun, positive campaign where I could just do my silly stuff and have a good time, but I felt there was a need to address this situation.
Regardless of whether or not you do the right thing and resign, I hope you can repay those utility bills very soon. Marion needs all the help it can get in these tough times. Do what I and a lot of Marion's non-tax-dodging citizens do: Use your bank's mortgage escrow system. I pay my bills on time every month without even thinking about it! Why can't you?
Wow, that sounded mean. You know, maybe this whole mess is just a big misunderstanding. Who knows? Maybe Dave and Ralph were just using Turbo Tax to keep track of their expenses!"
"Paying your taxes must be a lot harder than I realized. So many prominent people have had to resign or withdraw their names for consideration to extremely important positions because they can't seem to file their taxes properly. Of course, for some reason, Tim Geithner got a pass, but hey, he used Turbo Tax, so we can't blame him, right?
According to a news report that broke on TV 22 last week, apparently even our local officials, the people we voted into office, can't seem to get it right. According to the report, our city council president, Dave Edwards and our first-ward councilman, Ralph Cumston owe over $50,000 in delinquent property taxes on almost 40 properties they own. But forget about that atrocity for a second! They hadn't paid city sewer/garbage bills on these properties to the tune of over $10,000! Think about this for a second: These two guys haven't paid their city utilities and still collect a Marion paycheck!
Now, bless their hearts, they've been paying it back little by little. I know I have to see my name in the headline of a newspaper to remind me to pay my cable bill every month. But here's the thing, if you or I did what they did, we'd be forced to stack our trash bags in the backyard and bury our "people waste" in the front. I could understand if they missed one payment. We've all done that once or twice in our lives either on accident or because we got behind a little. But these guys stopped paying their taxes and bills in 2007 (from records of their properties on the County Auditor's Web site)! On top of that, according to a letter sent to them from the County Treasurer's office, they flat out ignored all communication from the county about it. But according to Ralph in his Marion Star interview, it was because of $4/gallon gasoline.
This has scandal written all over it, and I honestly don't feel like reading two to four weeks of headlines involving Sewer-gate. Dave Edwards and Ralph Cumston, what you have done disgusts me to the point that I've lost all respect for you. That may sound harsh, but to sit on our city's council as elected officials who are charged with the duty to serve us, knowing full well you haven't paid your utility bills and taxes since 2007 is a slap in the face of every citizen of Marion that pays their bills and taxes on time.
Dave Edwards, Ralph Cumston, and anyone else involved, please do yourselves and Marion a favor and resign before your disgusting actions leave a black eye on the Democrat party of Marion and Marion itself. You cannot officiate over a city to which you are not paying your taxes and bills. I realize being a candidate for city council president myself makes for a bit of a dual-motivation for this letter, but the unpleasantness remains. Actually, I was hoping for a fun, positive campaign where I could just do my silly stuff and have a good time, but I felt there was a need to address this situation.
Regardless of whether or not you do the right thing and resign, I hope you can repay those utility bills very soon. Marion needs all the help it can get in these tough times. Do what I and a lot of Marion's non-tax-dodging citizens do: Use your bank's mortgage escrow system. I pay my bills on time every month without even thinking about it! Why can't you?
Wow, that sounded mean. You know, maybe this whole mess is just a big misunderstanding. Who knows? Maybe Dave and Ralph were just using Turbo Tax to keep track of their expenses!"
Friday, March 6, 2009
Statement from Matt Cantrell, Libertarian Candidate for Congress in Ohio's 15th.
By the time my daughter is an adult, there will be only three possibilities of the type of country she will inherit: one that has drastically reduced the size of its government and returned to its Constitutional principles, a country that taxes its citizens at rates we have never seen, or a country that is bankrupt.
Our job as Libertarians is twofold. First, we must convince voters that the premises above are true by knowing the facts of our economic situation. Second, we must passionately describe why the latter two possibilities are unacceptable alternatives that would signal the end of our Republic. I am ready and able to do both.
Over the next few months, I will share my vision for Ohio and America with others. I will use this time to ask myself, my family and fellow Libertarians whether I would make the strongest candidate in 2010 to defeat Mary Jo Kilroy and her Republican challenger. I look forward to embarking on this journey with you.
Our job as Libertarians is twofold. First, we must convince voters that the premises above are true by knowing the facts of our economic situation. Second, we must passionately describe why the latter two possibilities are unacceptable alternatives that would signal the end of our Republic. I am ready and able to do both.
Over the next few months, I will share my vision for Ohio and America with others. I will use this time to ask myself, my family and fellow Libertarians whether I would make the strongest candidate in 2010 to defeat Mary Jo Kilroy and her Republican challenger. I look forward to embarking on this journey with you.
Monday, March 2, 2009
March 14th Ex. Comm. Meeting is Extended to Include 2009 and 2010 Potential Candidates
The March 14th Ex. Comm. meeting will now be an open house complete with refreshments to introduce Ex. Comm. members to candidates for 2009 as well as potential candidates for 2010 elections. Please contact Paul Campbell @ paul.campbell@lpo.com to RSVP for this important meeting.
City Council Under Investigation in Marion
In a recent expose', the Marion City Council finds themselves in big trouble. The City Council President and real estate partner Ralph Cumston representing the 1st Ward, have been found to owe over $50,000 in real estate taxes and $10,000 in utility fees due to the City. Adding to the drama is the fact that the Prosecutor who is responsible for enforcement of these liens is related to the City Council President! But wait, there's more..... The Chair of the Democratic Party in Marion is also related to the City Council President. Marion TV Channel 22 is still investigating the situation.
The City Council President is running head-to-head with Libertarian Spencer Phelps. Angela Williams is running at-large in Marion, but her incumbent opponent is not named in any investigations so far, but that is likely to change. Her opponent sits on the City Utility Committee and may well have knowledge of wrongdoings.
The political season never seems to rest, at least in Marion!
The City Council President is running head-to-head with Libertarian Spencer Phelps. Angela Williams is running at-large in Marion, but her incumbent opponent is not named in any investigations so far, but that is likely to change. Her opponent sits on the City Utility Committee and may well have knowledge of wrongdoings.
The political season never seems to rest, at least in Marion!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Preview of Kalin Stipe's Campaign Material for his Race in Lorain.
As Kalin notes, "The way I'm going to make the spinning signs only will add about 14 cents per sign. If you take a coroplast sign and split the groove on just one side and then flip it over and split the other side of the sign, you create a windmill.
Kinda like this:
\______.______
......................\
There will be one metal stake with a "crimp" on it that will have a plastic washer sit on it. Then the sign will sit on that. It actually works quite well."
Kalin Stipe Issues a Solid Press Release in Lorain
SEAN ‘KALIN’ STIPE SEEKING LORAIN COUNCIL AT-LARGE SEAT
Lorain resident and community activist Sean “Kalin” Stipe has filed to run as a Libertarian candidate for a Lorain City Council at-large seat in the May 5, 2009, primary and has launched his campaign Web site, www.seanstipe.com.
Stipe says he is running because “it is time for well-thought-out fresh ideas to be intelligently debated.” Stipe brings a three-pronged approach to helping Lorain: strong principles, thorough research and intelligent debate.
The city of Lorain needs to be willing to look at a whole new way of approaching things, Stipe says. He has spent the past eight years attending Lorain council meetings and committee meetings and studying actions by similar “peer cities” around the country. “I find out what works and I make contact,” Stipe says. “I’ve heard firsthand what works and how it works.” Stipe says his years of observation and research make him ready to serve the community from day one.
Referring to a variety of administrative problems, including Lorain‘s budget problems and lack of an employee manual, he says, “We’re not being business-smart on a basic level. We don’t need to increase taxes, we need to restructure how Lorain does business.”
Stipe demands accountability with city funds. Lorain’s “shell game” with city funds is not only wrong but illegal, he says, and could make the city a target for lawsuits or action from the state. “Stop asking us for money without showing us what it’s going to be used for,” Stipe says.
Stipe proposes rethinking the city’s safety services and the city’s work force in general. Rather than a separate fire department and police department, he suggests “safety officers,” an idea that has been successful in Kalamazoo, Mich. “If there’s a fire, they go to a fire. If there’s not a fire, they can be patrolling the streets,” he says. “You take our largest chunk of payroll and restructure to meet our needs.” He also wants to look at pooling laborers in the general work force through a Public Works Division.
To combat crime, he wants to restore community resource officers and give full support to the Neighborhood Block Watch Program. A proactive approach “helps people take care of their neighborhoods” rather than just relying on a quality but reactionary police force.
There’s way too much red tape for a company to come in and do business in Lorain, Stipe says. “Let businesses do what they do,” he says. “Private enterprise is capable of doing these things if Lorain gets out of the way.” A simple-three part approach of planning, zoning and vision will make Lorain “a city where people will bring work and where people will want to work.”
The Libertarian Party’s motto, “Smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom,” is “a set of principles I already abide by,” Stipe says. “Instead of tending to the basics, government has grown into a bloated conglomerate of political services that gets larger every year with no end in sight.”
Stipe grew up in the Amherst area with a large close-knit family that has been in Lorain for more than a century. He attended Kent State University and Ohio University. He has spent his career in entertainment, working as an independent artist and technician at professional theaters around Cleveland and in teaching positions at Amherst High School and Baldwin-Wallace College. He has excelled at taking bare-bones budgets and finding creative methods to produce a final product for all to enjoy.
In January, the Libertarian Party of Ohio achieved ballot access in Ohio through the 2009 election and is now considered a minor in the state of Ohio. The Libertarian Party reaches out to voters who are tired of the politics as usual and see little difference between the major parties. Its basic philosophy is individual rights and personal responsibility, and its goal is reducing government to the minimum required to protect the rights of its citizens.
Lorain resident and community activist Sean “Kalin” Stipe has filed to run as a Libertarian candidate for a Lorain City Council at-large seat in the May 5, 2009, primary and has launched his campaign Web site, www.seanstipe.com.
Stipe says he is running because “it is time for well-thought-out fresh ideas to be intelligently debated.” Stipe brings a three-pronged approach to helping Lorain: strong principles, thorough research and intelligent debate.
The city of Lorain needs to be willing to look at a whole new way of approaching things, Stipe says. He has spent the past eight years attending Lorain council meetings and committee meetings and studying actions by similar “peer cities” around the country. “I find out what works and I make contact,” Stipe says. “I’ve heard firsthand what works and how it works.” Stipe says his years of observation and research make him ready to serve the community from day one.
Referring to a variety of administrative problems, including Lorain‘s budget problems and lack of an employee manual, he says, “We’re not being business-smart on a basic level. We don’t need to increase taxes, we need to restructure how Lorain does business.”
Stipe demands accountability with city funds. Lorain’s “shell game” with city funds is not only wrong but illegal, he says, and could make the city a target for lawsuits or action from the state. “Stop asking us for money without showing us what it’s going to be used for,” Stipe says.
Stipe proposes rethinking the city’s safety services and the city’s work force in general. Rather than a separate fire department and police department, he suggests “safety officers,” an idea that has been successful in Kalamazoo, Mich. “If there’s a fire, they go to a fire. If there’s not a fire, they can be patrolling the streets,” he says. “You take our largest chunk of payroll and restructure to meet our needs.” He also wants to look at pooling laborers in the general work force through a Public Works Division.
To combat crime, he wants to restore community resource officers and give full support to the Neighborhood Block Watch Program. A proactive approach “helps people take care of their neighborhoods” rather than just relying on a quality but reactionary police force.
There’s way too much red tape for a company to come in and do business in Lorain, Stipe says. “Let businesses do what they do,” he says. “Private enterprise is capable of doing these things if Lorain gets out of the way.” A simple-three part approach of planning, zoning and vision will make Lorain “a city where people will bring work and where people will want to work.”
The Libertarian Party’s motto, “Smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom,” is “a set of principles I already abide by,” Stipe says. “Instead of tending to the basics, government has grown into a bloated conglomerate of political services that gets larger every year with no end in sight.”
Stipe grew up in the Amherst area with a large close-knit family that has been in Lorain for more than a century. He attended Kent State University and Ohio University. He has spent his career in entertainment, working as an independent artist and technician at professional theaters around Cleveland and in teaching positions at Amherst High School and Baldwin-Wallace College. He has excelled at taking bare-bones budgets and finding creative methods to produce a final product for all to enjoy.
In January, the Libertarian Party of Ohio achieved ballot access in Ohio through the 2009 election and is now considered a minor in the state of Ohio. The Libertarian Party reaches out to voters who are tired of the politics as usual and see little difference between the major parties. Its basic philosophy is individual rights and personal responsibility, and its goal is reducing government to the minimum required to protect the rights of its citizens.
Voting For A City Councilman Has Never Been So Fun! Spencer Phelps Unleashes his Campaign Website on Marion!
Playing serious gamesmanship with Marion County's Republican party so that he will meet the incumbant Democrat head-tohead should not mislead you! Spencer Phelps is here to win, and have a damn good time doing it! Please check out: www.spencerphelpsdotcom.com. Who says smaller government, lower taxes and more freedom cannot be done in style? I cannot wait to see what Spencer dreams up for a fundraiser this summer! I know I'm in!
Mike Johnston Will Be Playing To Win in Ohio's 19th.
Mike intends on 'wearing out the soles of several pairs of shoes' through 2010! Mike is the guy who 'watches the store' for the L.P.O. and if a check is signed on behalf of our Party, it's likely that it was approved by Mike first. He has decided to bring his experience in campaign management and candidacy to bear on winning the 19th House seat. The ballot access we enjoy in 2009 and 2010 is due in large part to Mike dedication to Liberty. I have a feeling a great many of us will need new shoes by the time his campaign is over and he's sworn in at the State House! Thanks Mike, and good luck!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Michael Adkins Contemplates a 2010 State House Run in Darke County
Michael Adkins is contemplating a run at the Ohio House when he's not busy guarding our Freedom with the National Guard. At the time of the election in 2010, Mike will be just 20 years old. However, by that age, Alexander the Great had already conquored the known world.
We are energized how the Libertarian movement is motivating the youngest among us. Let's pull around patriots like Mike and make moves in the Statehouse in 2010. Good luck to Mike, and thank you for your ongoing service to us all!
We are energized how the Libertarian movement is motivating the youngest among us. Let's pull around patriots like Mike and make moves in the Statehouse in 2010. Good luck to Mike, and thank you for your ongoing service to us all!
Casey Borders Announces His Intent to Win in Ohio's 23rd.
Casey Borders, a fresh face in Ohio's Libertarian Party announces that he's prepared to represent his home district. Casey's dedication is sound and he will be assembling his team through the spring. We welcome Casey to crowded Libertarian field in 2010!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Joyce Early, an Ohio Libertarian Authority on Red Light Cameras
The more you learn about Joyce Early, candidate for Lorain City Council, the more impressed you become. Apparently, Joyce is the be-all/end-all authority on the Libertarian position regarding these municipal ATM machines. Please visit her blog which is entirely dedicated to this issue at: http://stoptrafficcams.blogspot.com/
Read the positings and memorize important passages for issue arguements. These machines are coming to a town near you!
Read the positings and memorize important passages for issue arguements. These machines are coming to a town near you!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Joe Garrett Seeks Treasurer in 55th Ohio House District
Joe Garrett, an energetic candidate for the General Assembly in 2010 is seeking a Treasurer for his 2010 race. As Joe recently mentioned to me, "Getting Libertarians on the local level is a great foundation for the party."
Please assist Joe in his search for a Treasurer.
Please assist Joe in his search for a Treasurer.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Angela Williams is Up to the Challenge in Marion 2009
As mentioned in other emails to the party, we all owe a debt of gratitude to Angela Williams. Angela, aside from running for City Council in Marion, is the Marion County Libertarian Party organizer. Angela will be facing stiff competition for a seat that traditionally goes uncontested. The LPO will be turning out in force for Angela in 2009 because of the viability of her campaign as well as the steadfastness of her beliefs.
Angela was the candidate seated across from the Secretary of State as the poster child for Libertarian Ballot access. Angela was the first candidate to turn in petition documents only to get turned away initially because she's a Libertarian. Angela has been the 'head of the spear' in Libertarian ballot efforts.
Angela's going to show them what she's made of! Stay tuned, as the Marion race ignites with two viable Libertarian candidates running for City Council!
Angela was the candidate seated across from the Secretary of State as the poster child for Libertarian Ballot access. Angela was the first candidate to turn in petition documents only to get turned away initially because she's a Libertarian. Angela has been the 'head of the spear' in Libertarian ballot efforts.
Angela's going to show them what she's made of! Stay tuned, as the Marion race ignites with two viable Libertarian candidates running for City Council!
We Cannot Wait to See Spencer Phelps in Action! Marion City Council President 2009
If you don't know Spencer Phelps...you will! Spencer is a frequent guest writer for the Marion Star and his writings have been stirring and occasionally controversial. But we are as pleased as can be that Spencer decided to run as a Libertarian in Marion. As Spencer put it last month in an email to me, "Although I plan on running a very unorthodox campaign, I do want to win. Behind the smoke and mirrors, there's a serious "dude" wanting to get elected into local politics. By the way, I've decided to run for City Council President instead. There's another lady in town, Angie Williams, planning on running for City Council At-Large as a Libertarian, and I decided it best that we don't run against each other. That way we can help each other from the comfort of separate races......I'm down for the "real talk." Even though I haven't been elected to an office yet, I know what it takes to get elected in this city. ...."
Spencer included in his email to me a radio spot that ran a few years back when he ran for office that was hysterical!
In case there is any doubt about Spencer's dedication ~ think about this: Spencer was approached by the Republican party who attempted to bribe him with a small campaign contribution in the form of a billboard. Spencer was also assured of not having to face another Republican in the May primary (how they'd legally do that is unknown!)
Not only did Spencer stiff-arm Republican advances, he strung them along until the filing deadline was too close to marshal another candidate. Spencer will be running against the seated Democrat for Marion Council President IN A TWO-WAY RACE!
Here is the Marion Online press release:
Short Ballot For May Election02-20-2009
The deadline for issues and candidates came Thursday and the result is a short ballot on May 5. Because of a lack of inter-party races, the only items on the agenda will be three tax levies.
Pleasant Local Schools will be seeking a 9.5 mill, 10 year emergency levy while Elgin Local Schools will ask voters to pass a .75% income tax.
Marion County Children Services will ask for a 2.5 mill, 10 year replacement levy.
There will be lots of things to vote on in November with the general election, including most of Marion City Council.
In the 2nd ward, it will be Democrat incumbent Ayers Ratliff running against Republican Bryan Potteiger.
The 3rd ward will see long-serving Democrat Mike Thomas against Eric Hines for the GOP.
The 4th ward features Deb Blevins for the Democrats against Nick Clarke and in the 5th ward, John Smith takes on Republican challenger Barry Wallace Jr.
Running for council-at-large are Democrats Imo Crow, Rebecca Gustin, and Sara Babich; Republicans Jason Schaber and Ryan Schertzer, and Libertarian Angela Williams.
Current council-woman Amy Pinnick will not seek reelection.
The Council President race will be between Dave Edwards, the Democratic incumbent, versus Spencer Phelps for the Libertarians.
City Treasurer will also be contested between incumbent Thomas Pannett and Republican challenger Paula Clarke.
Democrat Ralph Cumston in the 1st Ward and Dr. James Gilsdorf in the 6th will run unopposed.
The Marion County Board of Elections will hold a meeting for the certification of candidates on Tuesday, February 24th at 5:00 PM.
Spencer included in his email to me a radio spot that ran a few years back when he ran for office that was hysterical!
In case there is any doubt about Spencer's dedication ~ think about this: Spencer was approached by the Republican party who attempted to bribe him with a small campaign contribution in the form of a billboard. Spencer was also assured of not having to face another Republican in the May primary (how they'd legally do that is unknown!)
Not only did Spencer stiff-arm Republican advances, he strung them along until the filing deadline was too close to marshal another candidate. Spencer will be running against the seated Democrat for Marion Council President IN A TWO-WAY RACE!
Here is the Marion Online press release:
Short Ballot For May Election02-20-2009
The deadline for issues and candidates came Thursday and the result is a short ballot on May 5. Because of a lack of inter-party races, the only items on the agenda will be three tax levies.
Pleasant Local Schools will be seeking a 9.5 mill, 10 year emergency levy while Elgin Local Schools will ask voters to pass a .75% income tax.
Marion County Children Services will ask for a 2.5 mill, 10 year replacement levy.
There will be lots of things to vote on in November with the general election, including most of Marion City Council.
In the 2nd ward, it will be Democrat incumbent Ayers Ratliff running against Republican Bryan Potteiger.
The 3rd ward will see long-serving Democrat Mike Thomas against Eric Hines for the GOP.
The 4th ward features Deb Blevins for the Democrats against Nick Clarke and in the 5th ward, John Smith takes on Republican challenger Barry Wallace Jr.
Running for council-at-large are Democrats Imo Crow, Rebecca Gustin, and Sara Babich; Republicans Jason Schaber and Ryan Schertzer, and Libertarian Angela Williams.
Current council-woman Amy Pinnick will not seek reelection.
The Council President race will be between Dave Edwards, the Democratic incumbent, versus Spencer Phelps for the Libertarians.
City Treasurer will also be contested between incumbent Thomas Pannett and Republican challenger Paula Clarke.
Democrat Ralph Cumston in the 1st Ward and Dr. James Gilsdorf in the 6th will run unopposed.
The Marion County Board of Elections will hold a meeting for the certification of candidates on Tuesday, February 24th at 5:00 PM.
Kalin Stipe Jumps Out of the Gate in his Press Release for Lorain City Council 2009
SEAN ‘KALIN’ STIPE SEEKING LORAIN COUNCIL AT-LARGE SEAT
Lorain resident and community activist Sean “Kalin” Stipe has filed to run as a Libertarian candidate for a Lorain City Council at-large seat in the May 5, 2009, primary and has launched his campaign Web site, www.seanstipe.com.
Stipe says he is running because “it is time for well-thought-out fresh ideas to be intelligently debated.” Stipe brings a three-pronged approach to helping Lorain: strong principles, thorough research and intelligent debate.
The city of Lorain needs to be willing to look at a whole new way of approaching things, Stipe says. He has spent the past eight years attending Lorain council meetings and committee meetings and studying actions by similar “peer cities” around the country. “I find out what works and I make contact,” Stipe says. “I’ve heard firsthand what works and how it works.” Stipe says his years of observation and research make him ready to serve the community from day one.
Referring to a variety of administrative problems, including Lorain‘s budget problems and lack of an employee manual, he says, “We’re not being business-smart on a basic level. We don’t need to increase taxes, we need to restructure how Lorain does business.”
Stipe demands accountability with city funds. Lorain’s “shell game” with city funds is not only wrong but illegal, he says, and could make the city a target for lawsuits or action from the state. “Stop asking us for money without showing us what it’s going to be used for,” Stipe says.
Stipe proposes rethinking the city’s safety services and the city’s work force in general. Rather than a separate fire department and police department, he suggests “safety officers,” an idea that has been successful in Kalamazoo, Mich. “If there’s a fire, they go to a fire. If there’s not a fire, they can be patrolling the streets,” he says. “You take our largest chunk of payroll and restructure to meet our needs.” He also wants to look at pooling laborers in the general work force through a Public Works Division.
To combat crime, he wants to restore community resource officers and give full support to the Neighborhood Block Watch Program. A proactive approach “helps people take care of their neighborhoods” rather than just relying on a quality but reactionary police force.
There’s way too much red tape for a company to come in and do business in Lorain, Stipe says. “Let businesses do what they do,” he says. “Private enterprise is capable of doing these things if Lorain gets out of the way.” A simple-three part approach of planning, zoning and vision will make Lorain “a city where people will bring work and where people will want to work.”
The Libertarian Party’s motto, “Smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom,” is “a set of principles I already abide by,” Stipe says. “Instead of tending to the basics, government has grown into a bloated conglomerate of political services that gets larger every year with no end in sight.”
Stipe grew up in the Amherst area with a large close-knit family that has been in Lorain for more than a century. He attended Kent State University and Ohio University. He has spent his career in entertainment, working as an independent artist and technician at professional theaters around Cleveland and in teaching positions at Amherst High School and Baldwin-Wallace College. He has excelled at taking bare-bones budgets and finding creative methods to produce a final product for all to enjoy.
In January, the Libertarian Party of Ohio achieved ballot access in Ohio through the 2009 election and is now considered a minor in the state of Ohio. The Libertarian Party reaches out to voters who are tired of the politics as usual and see little difference between the major parties. Its basic philosophy is individual rights and personal responsibility, and its goal is reducing government to the minimum required to protect the rights of its citizens.
It cannot be put any clearer than that! Go get 'em Kalin!
Lorain resident and community activist Sean “Kalin” Stipe has filed to run as a Libertarian candidate for a Lorain City Council at-large seat in the May 5, 2009, primary and has launched his campaign Web site, www.seanstipe.com.
Stipe says he is running because “it is time for well-thought-out fresh ideas to be intelligently debated.” Stipe brings a three-pronged approach to helping Lorain: strong principles, thorough research and intelligent debate.
The city of Lorain needs to be willing to look at a whole new way of approaching things, Stipe says. He has spent the past eight years attending Lorain council meetings and committee meetings and studying actions by similar “peer cities” around the country. “I find out what works and I make contact,” Stipe says. “I’ve heard firsthand what works and how it works.” Stipe says his years of observation and research make him ready to serve the community from day one.
Referring to a variety of administrative problems, including Lorain‘s budget problems and lack of an employee manual, he says, “We’re not being business-smart on a basic level. We don’t need to increase taxes, we need to restructure how Lorain does business.”
Stipe demands accountability with city funds. Lorain’s “shell game” with city funds is not only wrong but illegal, he says, and could make the city a target for lawsuits or action from the state. “Stop asking us for money without showing us what it’s going to be used for,” Stipe says.
Stipe proposes rethinking the city’s safety services and the city’s work force in general. Rather than a separate fire department and police department, he suggests “safety officers,” an idea that has been successful in Kalamazoo, Mich. “If there’s a fire, they go to a fire. If there’s not a fire, they can be patrolling the streets,” he says. “You take our largest chunk of payroll and restructure to meet our needs.” He also wants to look at pooling laborers in the general work force through a Public Works Division.
To combat crime, he wants to restore community resource officers and give full support to the Neighborhood Block Watch Program. A proactive approach “helps people take care of their neighborhoods” rather than just relying on a quality but reactionary police force.
There’s way too much red tape for a company to come in and do business in Lorain, Stipe says. “Let businesses do what they do,” he says. “Private enterprise is capable of doing these things if Lorain gets out of the way.” A simple-three part approach of planning, zoning and vision will make Lorain “a city where people will bring work and where people will want to work.”
The Libertarian Party’s motto, “Smaller government, lower taxes, more freedom,” is “a set of principles I already abide by,” Stipe says. “Instead of tending to the basics, government has grown into a bloated conglomerate of political services that gets larger every year with no end in sight.”
Stipe grew up in the Amherst area with a large close-knit family that has been in Lorain for more than a century. He attended Kent State University and Ohio University. He has spent his career in entertainment, working as an independent artist and technician at professional theaters around Cleveland and in teaching positions at Amherst High School and Baldwin-Wallace College. He has excelled at taking bare-bones budgets and finding creative methods to produce a final product for all to enjoy.
In January, the Libertarian Party of Ohio achieved ballot access in Ohio through the 2009 election and is now considered a minor in the state of Ohio. The Libertarian Party reaches out to voters who are tired of the politics as usual and see little difference between the major parties. Its basic philosophy is individual rights and personal responsibility, and its goal is reducing government to the minimum required to protect the rights of its citizens.
It cannot be put any clearer than that! Go get 'em Kalin!
John Ridder has Seen Enough! A St. Paris Trustee Seat is the Target in 2009
John Ridder, a resident of St. Paris, has seen the mishandling of local laws regarding agricultural land use long enough. John has 'held down the fort' for Libertarians in Champaign County and is the lone Libertarian outpost at their local fairgrounds each year. His political views are known in the community and we are hopeful that he might receive a groundswell of support based largely on property rights issues in St. Paris.
As John puts it in his recent email to me, " I am considering running for Township Trustee in Mad River Township, Champaign County Ohio as a Libertarian Candidate. I am a member of the Libertarian National Party. I have been active in the Ohio Party's Ballot Access petition drives and have funded and manned a Libertarian Part Outreach booth at the Champaign County Fair for the last two years....... I will be opposing an incumbent Trustee with a pro-Liberty, pro-business, and sustainable local economic position against a group of pro-agriculture, anti-business trustees who try to use government power to preserve farmland by opposing most non agriculture land use. Zoning here smacks of social and economic discrimination. One whole section of their code appears to be in violation of the Ohio Revised Code."
We welcome John to the fight for Liberty via the ballot box!
As John puts it in his recent email to me, " I am considering running for Township Trustee in Mad River Township, Champaign County Ohio as a Libertarian Candidate. I am a member of the Libertarian National Party. I have been active in the Ohio Party's Ballot Access petition drives and have funded and manned a Libertarian Part Outreach booth at the Champaign County Fair for the last two years....... I will be opposing an incumbent Trustee with a pro-Liberty, pro-business, and sustainable local economic position against a group of pro-agriculture, anti-business trustees who try to use government power to preserve farmland by opposing most non agriculture land use. Zoning here smacks of social and economic discrimination. One whole section of their code appears to be in violation of the Ohio Revised Code."
We welcome John to the fight for Liberty via the ballot box!
Joe Garrett Plans a Run for Ohio's General Assembly in 2010 in Butler County
I had a nice conversation with Joe Garrett this past week at the behest of Brett Zwolinsky. Joe is the type of intriguing candidate that the LPO intends to field in the years to come to the benefit of all Ohioans. Joe's campaign is in the fledgelings stage, but he is clearly dedicated to making Ohio a better place for his kids. If I may, I will quote from Brett's email:
"I just met with Joe Garrett for lunch today. He seems like a really great, level-headed guy...and another recovering Republican. He is the guy who works for channel 5 here in Cincinnati and wants to use his marketing experience to help recruit and promote the LPO. He lives in Butler County in West Chester and expressed more than once that he is ready and really wants to get involved with the LPO and also wants to run for office......I think this is a great opportunity for the LPO and that having a guy like this on board could really be beneficial. Like I said, he expressed more than once that he is interested and really wants to get involved."
The LPO is fortunate to gain the attention of Joe and others like him. Those of us who are in the Butler County area: Please continue to reach out to Joe in support of his upcoming candidacy.
Welcome, Joe!
"I just met with Joe Garrett for lunch today. He seems like a really great, level-headed guy...and another recovering Republican. He is the guy who works for channel 5 here in Cincinnati and wants to use his marketing experience to help recruit and promote the LPO. He lives in Butler County in West Chester and expressed more than once that he is ready and really wants to get involved with the LPO and also wants to run for office......I think this is a great opportunity for the LPO and that having a guy like this on board could really be beneficial. Like I said, he expressed more than once that he is interested and really wants to get involved."
The LPO is fortunate to gain the attention of Joe and others like him. Those of us who are in the Butler County area: Please continue to reach out to Joe in support of his upcoming candidacy.
Welcome, Joe!
Jim Berns' Press Release for 2010 U.S. Congressional run in Ohio's 1st.
For additional information contact Jim Berns at 513-708-0815 or jaberns@hotmail.com
Berns to make 2010 Congressional race a 3 way.
Jim Berns of College Hill who is frequently seen around Cincinnati eating Chile at Skyline and Gold Star announce his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives First District saying “I think I will make it a 3 way”.
“I just had to enter the race. The thought of Steve Chabot and Steve Driehaus offering the same old stale ideas that don’t work was just too much for me to take” Berns said.
“They both support Economic Stimulus plans which have the Federal Government borrowing massive amounts of money to revive the economy. I don’t see how running up our debt so some bureaucrat can have a new Chevy will bring back jobs.
“They are Economic Poison Plans. Would Chabot and Driehaus offer an alcoholic another bottle of Jack Daniels to get him on the road to recovery?
My Economic Recovery Plan includes:
Replacing the Federal Reserve System with The Federal Monetary Stability Agency.
The Federal Monetary Stability Agency would maintain the value of the Dollar with 0 inflation. The Federal Reserve System has been stealing money from our savings, pay checks and retirement accounts for 60 years, it is time to stop that!
All Americans should support the Home Team by buying Made in the USA products. We support our sports teams, Olympians and School Athletic Associations we also need to support American Workers. I call for bigger Made in the USA stickers on U.S. made products and for retailers to have isles and displays featuring USA made products so it is easier for shoppers to find USA made products.
China needs to immediately become a trading partner by buying many more American Made Products. U.S. consumers buy 5 times as many China made products as the Chinese buy back. I have been to China twice and there are no USA made products on the shelves of their stores.
Too many U.S. citizens are in prison, especially young black men with an entrepreneurial spirit, who enter the business of selling drugs and end up in prison.
This must end. Drugs should be available either at State Stores or Pharmacies with a Doctors Prescription. The demand for these products will not go away. Farmers and U.S. companies might as well produce these commodities of know quality and concentration. Abuse programs should be paid for with taxes on the sales.
What I call Very Small Businesses should not have to report income or file returns on their enterprises if they gross less than $5000 per year, including for example: babysitting, lawn cutting, repair services, car washing, house cleaning, and cooking to name a few examples. Independent contractors do not need to report income under $5000 per year.
Cash earned from side jobs, barter exchanges, awards, prizes, contest winnings and gambling winnings up to $5000 should be tax exempt.
Businesses don’t pay taxes they only collect taxes from their customers and forward it to the government. Taxes on businesses should be eliminated.
Balanced Budget Amendment must pass. The Federal government should no longer be allowed to borrow allowing it to spend more than it takes in.
Disengage in Iraq and Afghanistan. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have nothing to do the strategic safety of the United States. The health of the United States economy is of strategic importance. The money wasted on these wars is needed to be spent here at home.
Drastic cuts in Military spending including spending on the bogus war on Terror.
Berns is 60 years old, works at the University of Cincinnati, DAAP as Shop Supervisor and is father to 9 children 8 of them adopted.
This is Berns 10th run for public office including runs for Cincinnati City Council, School Board, State Representative and twice for US Congress, once against Tom Luken and once against Steve Chabot.
Berns plans to seek the endorsement of the Libertarian Party.
Berns to make 2010 Congressional race a 3 way.
Jim Berns of College Hill who is frequently seen around Cincinnati eating Chile at Skyline and Gold Star announce his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives First District saying “I think I will make it a 3 way”.
“I just had to enter the race. The thought of Steve Chabot and Steve Driehaus offering the same old stale ideas that don’t work was just too much for me to take” Berns said.
“They both support Economic Stimulus plans which have the Federal Government borrowing massive amounts of money to revive the economy. I don’t see how running up our debt so some bureaucrat can have a new Chevy will bring back jobs.
“They are Economic Poison Plans. Would Chabot and Driehaus offer an alcoholic another bottle of Jack Daniels to get him on the road to recovery?
My Economic Recovery Plan includes:
Replacing the Federal Reserve System with The Federal Monetary Stability Agency.
The Federal Monetary Stability Agency would maintain the value of the Dollar with 0 inflation. The Federal Reserve System has been stealing money from our savings, pay checks and retirement accounts for 60 years, it is time to stop that!
All Americans should support the Home Team by buying Made in the USA products. We support our sports teams, Olympians and School Athletic Associations we also need to support American Workers. I call for bigger Made in the USA stickers on U.S. made products and for retailers to have isles and displays featuring USA made products so it is easier for shoppers to find USA made products.
China needs to immediately become a trading partner by buying many more American Made Products. U.S. consumers buy 5 times as many China made products as the Chinese buy back. I have been to China twice and there are no USA made products on the shelves of their stores.
Too many U.S. citizens are in prison, especially young black men with an entrepreneurial spirit, who enter the business of selling drugs and end up in prison.
This must end. Drugs should be available either at State Stores or Pharmacies with a Doctors Prescription. The demand for these products will not go away. Farmers and U.S. companies might as well produce these commodities of know quality and concentration. Abuse programs should be paid for with taxes on the sales.
What I call Very Small Businesses should not have to report income or file returns on their enterprises if they gross less than $5000 per year, including for example: babysitting, lawn cutting, repair services, car washing, house cleaning, and cooking to name a few examples. Independent contractors do not need to report income under $5000 per year.
Cash earned from side jobs, barter exchanges, awards, prizes, contest winnings and gambling winnings up to $5000 should be tax exempt.
Businesses don’t pay taxes they only collect taxes from their customers and forward it to the government. Taxes on businesses should be eliminated.
Balanced Budget Amendment must pass. The Federal government should no longer be allowed to borrow allowing it to spend more than it takes in.
Disengage in Iraq and Afghanistan. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have nothing to do the strategic safety of the United States. The health of the United States economy is of strategic importance. The money wasted on these wars is needed to be spent here at home.
Drastic cuts in Military spending including spending on the bogus war on Terror.
Berns is 60 years old, works at the University of Cincinnati, DAAP as Shop Supervisor and is father to 9 children 8 of them adopted.
This is Berns 10th run for public office including runs for Cincinnati City Council, School Board, State Representative and twice for US Congress, once against Tom Luken and once against Steve Chabot.
Berns plans to seek the endorsement of the Libertarian Party.
Libertarian Candidates Roll Call for 2009!
The February 19th partisan race filing deadline has come and gone.
This is our current slate of Libertarian candidates in partisan races in 2009:
Angela Williams - Marion City Council (At-Large)
Spencer Phelps - Marion City Council President
Joyce Early - Lorain City Council (Ward 3)
Sean Kalin Stipe - Lorain City Council (At-Large)
Alexander Haas - Canton City Council
Alexander will be running as an Independent
This is our current slate of candidates in non-partisan races in 2009:
Mike Burkholder - Troy City Council
John Ridder - St. Paris Trustee
Considering a run for office is:
Judith Horvath - Violet Township
Richard Stewart - Mason City Council
All of these candidates deserve our appreciation and support. They are part of the foundation on which future Libertarians will stand in Ohio. Each of them has decided to take a public stand for Liberty. Please suppoort and encourage to the fullest extent!
This is our current slate of Libertarian candidates in partisan races in 2009:
Angela Williams - Marion City Council (At-Large)
Spencer Phelps - Marion City Council President
Joyce Early - Lorain City Council (Ward 3)
Sean Kalin Stipe - Lorain City Council (At-Large)
Alexander Haas - Canton City Council
Alexander will be running as an Independent
This is our current slate of candidates in non-partisan races in 2009:
Mike Burkholder - Troy City Council
John Ridder - St. Paris Trustee
Considering a run for office is:
Judith Horvath - Violet Township
Richard Stewart - Mason City Council
All of these candidates deserve our appreciation and support. They are part of the foundation on which future Libertarians will stand in Ohio. Each of them has decided to take a public stand for Liberty. Please suppoort and encourage to the fullest extent!
Websites are Beginning to Pop Up for 2009 Candidates!
Please visit the following websites to learn about some of our 2009 candidates.
http://www.joyceearly.com/
http://www.seanstipe.com/
http://www.alexanderhaas.org/
Please email them with words of support and encouragement. If you are in a neighboring county, please keep in touch with their upcoming fundraising events this summer and consider attending them! Best of luck to all of our candidates!
http://www.joyceearly.com/
http://www.seanstipe.com/
http://www.alexanderhaas.org/
Please email them with words of support and encouragement. If you are in a neighboring county, please keep in touch with their upcoming fundraising events this summer and consider attending them! Best of luck to all of our candidates!
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