SCPR HONORS CAMPAIGN WORKERS - BUT SOME OF STARK COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T. HMMM?

Yesterday, an old friend stopped by to see the SCPR.

This friend worked tirelessly on many Stark County Democratic campaigns.

He had a complaint.

He is being treated like last week's stale bread by certain Stark County elected officials and party leaders.

Not long ago, former Stark County Party chairman Johnnie A. Maier, Jr appeared in a SCPR blog having made a phone call to Plain Township trustee Louis Giavasis on behalf of Lisa Jackson Campbell (wife of Stark County recorder Rick Campbell, daughter of former Stark County commissioner Gayle Jackson and brother to Stark County Democratic Party political director Shane Jackson).

The point of the Maier call?

To make sure that Lisa got treated fairly in her quest to become Plain Township administrator.

Such a call from the party chairman - at the time - was highly inappropriate.  Loyal Democrat Mike Stevens was also in the running for the positon.  Maier's role should have been one of neutraiity.  But Maier's relationship with the Jackson clan is so thick that he could not restrain himself.

Guess who got the job?

Of course, Lisa Jackson Campbell.

Think she got treated fairly?  Or, maybe more than fairly?

Here's an example of how inconsistent (being kind to him) that Maier is.

The SCPR's friend (hereinafter referred to as being "OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKER,") looked up some job offerings by the Ohio Department of Transportation listed on the Internet.

So the OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKER said to himself, "Gee, I have worked on a lot of Democratic campaigns over many years.  Maybe, just maybe, some of the influential people I have campaigned for, them knowing how conscientious and hardworking I am, will put in a good word for me so I get "a fair chance" at the job.

Inasmuch as former chairman Maier is for "fair chances," one would think he could not act soon enough for OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKER.

But did Maier?

Never did.

Maier is not the only person who would not help OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKER. Neither would current chairman Randy Gonzalez  nor former county commissioner Tom Harmon.

Gonzalez yes, but why did OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKER go to Harmon.

Because Commissioner Bosely suggessted such.

Harmon, being the big time political guy he is,  is known to have "close contacts" within ODOT.   Harmon acknowledged to OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKER that he does, indeed, have such contacts.

However, Harmon said he couldn't weigh-in without Gonzalez's approval. 

Apparently, Gonzalez had somebody else in mind.

And the basis for concluding such?

Because Harmon never did a thing for OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKER.

Remember, all OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKER wanted was:  "a fair chance."

He did not want the job given to him as a payoff for having worked on many Stark County Democratic campaigns, he only wanted "a fair chance."

OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKER did applaud Commissioner Todd Bosley for trying to help him in getting his fair chance.

The SCPR has heard numerous stories like OLD SHOE's.

Maier and Gonzalez have no problem at all helping "some" people.  For instance, The Report believes that Gonzalez is weighing-in big time (inappropriately so - in that he is supposedly a "neutral party chairman," for Steve Meeks to become the successor to Commissioner Harmon.

The SCPR is working on a number of stories about Stark County elected officials who use taxpayer money to help their friends, family and political loyalists to get "fair chances" at public jobs.  Moreover, these same officials are known to arrange for public jobs to be offered to troublesome public figures to shut them up or to move them on.

But OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKERS, they can forget it.

Never, ever will the Maier and Gonzalez type advocate for them to get their "fair chance."

OLD SHOE CAMPAIGN WORKERS, are,  after all, to be used, abused and ultimately sent to the political trash heap!

And party leaders wonder why less and less everyday citizens will do volunteer party work?  Hmm?

SCPR "ELECTION 2009 SERIES" (VOL 3): STARK COUNTY'S VERSION OF THE "GUNS OF NAVARONE" - REINBOLD & GONZALEZ? CAN THE STARK CITIZENS FOR THE RIGHT TO VOTE TAKE THE GUNS OUT?

 REVISED & UPDATED ON 09/30/2009 AT 3:30 P.M.

The SCPR has learned that former Stark County Common Pleas judge Richard Reinbold and Stark County Democratic Party chair Randy Gonzalez will be manning the effort for Stark County government to retain the "imposed" 0.50 percent sales/use tax imposed by Stark County commissioners (Harmon and Bosley; not Ferguson - he had not yet taken office) in December, 2008.

It is appropriate that this duo lead the effort for the government.

Both have benefited richly from the public purse in the individual, personal sense and in the family sense in terms of benefiting from local government employment.

The Reinbold/Gonzalez led campaign will focus on 9-1-1 and will attempt to diminish that part of the imposed tax that is designed to raise millions of dollars for the Stark County general fund.

For the commissioners, do not expect Todd Bosley to be front and center on this issue.  Tom Harmon and the unelected Mike Hanke (county administrator) has been designated to "fall on the sword" for the county.

Why not Bosley?

Isn't he the one who came up with the idea and pushed it through?

Indeed.  But he faces re-election next year and the SCPR believes he is now trying to distance himself from the issue hoping voters will forget his fatherhood of the imposed tax by the time November, 2010 rolls around - if the issue loses this November.

Yesterday, The Rep had the local G-man and the anti-tax people in for an endorsement interview.

The SCPR reads one county official's allusion to the session as being "not so good" (The Report's words) for Messers Marcelli and Snyder; the leaders of the Stark Citizens for the Right to Vote Committee.

Yours truly is leaning towards voting "yes - retain the tax" (Issue 5).  But in the end, the vote could turn "no, do not retain the tax" (Issue 5) because of a perceived lack of confidence in Stark County officials to properly manage the funds that flow into county coffers.

9-1-1 does need repaired and the county does need the money for basic and essential county government services.  Both needs, if satisfied, will benefit thousands of Stark Countians.

So the question for many Stark County voters is whether or not to overlook the few who will benefit, unfairly in the opinion of the SCPR, from increased public revenues so as to advantage the many.

Some will say that's an easy one to answer.  "It's a no-brainer, let's benefit the many; so what that a few take advantage of their political connections."

On the other hand, when does one say "enough is enough" and insist that the politicos quit the practice of taking care of themselves, their families and their political loyalists at public expense.

The point that may be the tipping point for a "no, do not retain the tax" (Issue 5) for yours truly is that there are too many politically connected folks like Reinbolds and Gonzalez and their families that have used Stark County government and its political subdivisions as an personal employment agency.  

These jobs are withheld from the Stark County general public as set asides for the  Stark County political class, both Democrats and Republicans.  However, the Democrats hold most Stark County elective offices and therefore are - by far  -the greater beneficiaries of this abuse of the public trust.

The self-serving do not seem to be able to "get it," that voters are quite aware of their working the system for themselves.  Perhaps the time to drive the point home is when the government they have attached themselves to is in dire need of additional revenues.  One way to deal with them is to keep government on "life support" and deny them the opportunity to pad the public payroll with political patronage.

Since this is an issue, either side of the of Issue 5  can legally solicit and accept corporate money.

Which side of Issue 5 do you think has the best chance of getting significant corporate money?

Of course, the "yes - retain the tax" (Issue 5) folks.  Presumably, any company who is doing business with the county or who may want to do business with the county will be targets of a contribution request.

If the "yes, retain the tax" committee people  (Issue 5)  are actively soliciting this type of corporate money, then such activity is an additional reason for Stark Countians to vote "no - do not retain the tax" on Issue 5.

Another reason to vote "no - do not retain the tax" (Issue 5) is the manner in which the Gonzalez-led SCOG has chosen to restructure 9-1-1.

Local government entities get a tax revenue windfall when the county actually relieves them of the dispatching function.  So not only was their "we know you are against it" (a la Tom Harmon) "and therefore we are going to impose it;" anti-democratic but also is their "we are aiding and abetting local governments to divert the former 'dispatching monies' into other local government programs and purposes" structure.

It would be easy to be knee-jerk on this issue and be like some of the leaders of the Stark Citizens for the Right to Vote:  perceived by yours truly as being irrational in their opposition to the increased tax.

In fact, it is as discomforting being associated with the perceived irrationality as it is in supporting the abuse of the public purse.

For responsible citizens, the decision on repealing or not repealing the sale/use tax increase is not an easy one.

Whatever call an individual voter makes should be based a thorough consideration of matter in all its aspects.

WHY DID FRANK MORRIS, III GO OUT AND CAMPAIGN? STARK DEMOCRATS TEACH COMMUNITY A LESSON IN DEMOCRACY?

The Stark County Political Report (SCPR/The Report) presumed that Frank Morris, III would be selected by Ward 9 Democrats (encouraged by Stark County Democratic Party chair Randy Gonzalez) to succeed recently deceased Joe Carbenia.

After all, Morris almost defeated Carbenia Democratic primary in early May.

Apparently, Morris is a suspect person in terms of party loyalty within the inner circles of the Stark Dems.

When you look at the succession process through political eyes, there probably was a lot of resentment within the party that Morris had the effrontery to challenge Carbenia in the first place.

And make no mistake about it. Gonzalez could have weighed in for Morris and he would have been selected. The SCPR believes Gonzalez did weigh in either directly or through intermediaries and the "weighing-in" was in the direction of punishing Morris.

What happened in Ward 9 is a former chairman Johnnie A. Maier, Jr-esque operation. Maier only brooked precinct committee persons who did as directed by the party chairman. It appears that Gonzalez will be more of the same.

In his tenure as chairman, Maier ran the Stark Dems in the model of the now-deceased Ohio Democratic kingpin (and Speaker of the Ohio House) Vern Riffe. Yours truly has seen Maier "tear-up" when reminiscing about his political mentor. Riffe ran the party in an autocratic way and richly rewarded his minions such as Maier for their unfettered personal loyalty.

But Morris is correct.

As he told The Repository as reported in Political newcomer named Ward 9 representative (August 18 - online) “Six people just told 341 people their vote didn’t mean a damn thing.”

For Gonzalez to stand by and let this happen without having lifted a finger to encourage voting precinct committee persons to pay attention to the wishes of 341 largely non-politically-connected citizens is indication to the SCPR that the new party chair is determined to drive independent minded Democratic political aspirants out of the process.

Just look at the Brian Horner connections (reference The Repository report augmented by yours truly's own knowledge).

1. He works (now for 12 years) for Stark County Court of Common Pleas clerk of courts Nancy Reinbold. Reinbold is the wife of former Common Pleas judge Dick Reinbold. Reinbold "inherited" the job from former clerk Phil Giavasis. Giavasis who heads of the "Giavasis wing," of the Stark County Democratic Party political machine, took offense when people such as Mike Stevens (Lawrence Township trustee) expressed an interest in the county clerkship. Giavasis ran for and won the Canton Municipal Court clerkship for the additional pay and to enhance his retirement. Who does Gonzalez work for? You've got it! Phil Giavasis. So Horner had a lot of powerful Democrats pushing for him but none so powerful and self serving as Chairman Gonzalez.
   
2. Taking a page out of the Reinbold playbook, Horner ingratiated himself to the Carbenia family by his campaign work for the family patriarch and put himself in position to get the "blessing" and support of the Carbenias. As good fortune would have it, he marries into the family (a cousin). Likely another reason the why the family would support him as successor councilman.
   
3. "Keeping it in the family" is a fine Stark County Democratic Party tradition (the Republicans did the same thing when they were in power). The Report has written previously about the numerous Johnnie A. Maier, Jr. connected relatives and political supporters who have found their way into government jobs (because they stood head and shoulders over other applicants?) In addition to working for Giavasis, Gonzalez is the elected clerk in Jackson Township and heads up the SCOG Governance Committee for 9-1-1. His wife works for the county and his son works for Stark County recorder Rick Campbell and he has at least one more relative that works for the county. So Horner is "a perfect fit" for continuing the family traditions of Democrats getting government jobs in Stark County.
   

It will be interesting to see if 9th Ward voters have the moxie to cut the Democrats out altogether come November.

If the Dems snub their own (341 voters), what will they do with independents and Republicans?

Perhaps voters in the 9th ward will redeem their self-respect and dignity come November 3, 2009?

IS NEW STARK COUNTY DEM CHAIRMAN RANDY GONZALEZ INTENT ON ENDING THE OLESLAGER/SCHURING GAME OF MUSICAL CHAIRS WITH THE 29TH & 51ST?

Could Stark County Democratic chairman Randy Gonzalez be a different cup of tea for Ohio General Assembly fixtures Scott Oelslager and Kirk Schuring, both Republicans in a county that former Dems chair Johnnie A. Maier, Jr., has declared to be s solidly Democratic county?

The SCPR has a conversation with Stark County commissioner Todd Bosley this past week in which he indicated that the Stark Dems are asking him to run against Oelslager.

Bosley is one Stark County Democrat who could defeat Oelslager. But why would he run? He has small children and the back and forth between Columbus and Marlboro Township would not play well with the Mrs. Moreover, there is very little chance that the Democrats can take control of the Ohio Senate and therefore he would be a back bencher - which, knowing Bosley, would not set well with him.

So, the SCPR thinks there is virtually no chance Bosley will take Oelslager on.

But the question remains: does this inquiry to Bosely mean that the "free passes' courtesy for former chairman Maier to Oelslager and Schuring" are coming to an end?

Both Oelslager and Schuring supported "term limits" as a way to get the Republicans in control in Columbus. Now in playing a game of musical chairs (ha, ha) with the 29th (the Ohio Senate) and the 51st (the Ohio House), in which they conspire to exclude fresh-minded Stark Citizens from the Legislature by the power of "transferred" incumbency; they damage Stark and, derivatively, the rest of Ohio (hence the tears flowing from the map of Stark County).

Though Oelslager and Schuirng obey the "letter of the law" on term limits; they violate the "spirit" of the law so that they can maintain their "entitlement" attitude that is inherent in looking after oneself first and foremost. No doubt, their old friend Johnnie A. Maier, Jr. (from the days he represented Ohio's 56th) as been a major asset in the "thumbing their noses" at the real intent of term limits.

Oelslager has been either the state representative from the 51st or state senator from the 29th since 1985 (24 years).

Here is is bio from VoteSmart:Schuring has been either the state representative from the 51st or state senator from the 29th since 1993 (16 years).

Here is is bio from VoteSmart:

Oelslager and Schuring: a combined 40 years of producing very little for Stark County and Ohio.

Note that both are on the education committees of their respective chambers of the Ohio General Assembly (OGA).

Has either made any progress over the combined 40 years to solve the problems the funding of public education?

Other than Oelslager's "open records" work, this duo has little to recommend themselves about.

And with these two Stark County remains without much of a voice in Columbus.