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!
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