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.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
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!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
