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Michael D. Pitman reports about Butler County, Ohio, politics, county government, countywide issues and Butler County people just like you for Cox Ohio Publishing (including the Hamilton JournalNews, Middletown Journal and several weekly papers in Butler County). He wants your suggestions and questions for more news stories. Leave a comment for him here or e-mail Michael at Home > Blogs > Butler County News and Issues > Archives > 2010 > March > 11
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Gmoser gets FOP endorsement for prosecutor
As I mentioned in this story, the race for the next Butler County prosecutor is already well under way, even though the seat isn’t yet open.
Below is a letter local attorney Michael Gmoser sent to members of the Butler County Republican Party central committee, which will likely appoint the next prosecutor next year. The current prosecutor, Robin Piper, is running unopposed for a judgeship, so his unexpired term will be filled by the local GOP if he wins. Gmoser’s GOP opponent is Jason Phillabaum, an assistant county prosecutor.
Here is the letter, in which he boasts of an endorsement he received from the union representing Butler County sheriff’s deputies:
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TweetCates wants increased fines on railroads for dilapidated crossings
Press release from state Sen. Gary Cates, R-Butler County:
The Ohio Senate recently approved Senate Bill 116, legislation which seeks to ensure railroad companies in Ohio properly maintain crossings and other areas near their tracks. State Senator Gary Cates (R-Butler County), who has received several complaints from residents in Butler County about poor maintenance at local grade crossings, co-sponsored the bill.
“I have heard from dozens of people in Butler County who are concerned that subpar maintenance at local rail crossings could damage their cars and is a threat to their safety and the safety of other motorists,” said Cates. “At the same time, many area officials have expressed frustration that they have no real clout to address these issues.”
For example, Sen. Cates noted that officials in Fairfield and Hamilton have had trouble getting the railroad company to simply clean up an overpass on the border of those two communities.
Under current state law, if a rail operator neglects to fix a damaged railroad crossing, local governments can only fine the company $30 a day. This minor penalty tends to produce little action from the railroad.
SB 116, which passed the Senate 33-0, would allow local government officials to file a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio if a rail company fails to make repairs to crossings and maintain other areas near its tracks within 30 days. If the rail operator still fails to perform necessary maintenance once the hearing and an inspection by the PUCO is complete, they could be subject to a fine of up to $5,000 per day.
“SB 116 would provide an important tool for local governments and concerned citizens to address their concerns with the safety and maintenance of local rail crossings and push rail operators to take action to fix these problems,” Cates added.
The bill would also allow local governments to file a complaint with the PUCO if a rail company fails to remove obstructive vegetation around a grade crossing after receiving a ten day written notice. The rail operator could be subject to fines for failing to comply.
SB 116 now moves to the Ohio House for further consideration.
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TweetElection updates: Ohio 8th District
I’ve received a few campaign announcements from the challengers to U.S. House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-West Chester Twp., this year. They are below.
First, this release came from Republican Tom McMasters:
Tom McMasters accepted an invitation to participate in the Republican Miami County Convention to be held Mar 21st.
Tom McMasters, “Besides bringing more attention to deficit spending, one of the main goals of my running is to inspire more political discussion. I’m impressed the leaders of the Miami County Republican party see the benefits of providing a forum for fresh political views even when the logical candidate is already determined.”
McMasters’ campaign stresses this country can no longer take the pendulum swings from radical right to radical left and back again. He believes bringing more independents into the party system will moderate the discussion and promote better solutions. Too often the parties try to limit discussion and candidate choice. This lack of competition leads to isolated candidates out of touch with normal everyday people.
Tom McMasters, “Incredibly we have Republican Party leaders saying things like, ‘I’m still trying to find the first American to talk to who’s in favor of the public option’.”
McMasters supports a different direction on healthcare reform. “I’m all for the leadership making us the Party of No if that’s what has to be done to get a healthcare reform bill that reduces costs and protects families from medical bankruptcy. But, I also believe at least 30% of the 8th district believes the current attempt might have some benefit. As a representative I hope I never get to the place where I didn’t even know 30% of my constituency existed.”
With an open door policy the parties will know the concerns of the people. When the Republican Party takes the time to listen and address the concerns of the population more independents and moderates will participate leading to innovations and a stronger United States.
Tom McMasters, “I want to commend the Miami County Republican Party for the enlighten leadership which set up a system allowing normal everyday people the opportunity to influence the political discussion and win their support for candidacy to public office. The residents of Miami County should be proud”.
Tom McMasters provides commentary, discussion and candidate information at www.tfmsview.com
And this is from Democrat Justin Coussoule:
In another example of putting heartless politics ahead of real people, Representative John Boehner yesterday backed Senator Jim Bunning in his efforts to block Senate action on a bill to extend unemployment benefits and health care coverage that would benefit Americans out of work.
“Representative Boehner and Senator Bunning are playing tiresome partisan games on the backs of real people across America, including families from Troy to Middletown and even West Chester, who are struggling to find a decent paying job in a desperate economy,” said Justin Coussoule (pronounced kuh-SOO-lee), the Democratic candidate for Congress.
As a result of Senator Bunning’s actions, nearly 1.2 million Americans Monday lost their unemployment benefits, including nearly 50,000 Ohioans and more than 3,000 families in the 8th Congressional District (source: McClatchy News Service). Nearly 2,000 federal workers also were placed on furlough as the bill provided funding for federal highway projects. Thankfully, after relentless pressure from members of both parties, Senator Bunning yielded yesterday and the Senate passed the extension with an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote.
Representative Boehner backed Bunning’s heartless actions, telling reporters in a press conference Tuesday that Bunning “has a legitimate argument.” Bunning demanded the Senate cut $10 billion from another program to pay for the extension of benefits. But Bunning and Boehner had no problem supporting appropriations bills under President Bush with more than $700 billion in annual deficits, or approving funding for two wars costing more than $944 billion that were never paid for, or supporting Bush tax cuts for the wealthy that have added more than $1.2 trillion to federal debt (source: MediaMatters).
“Where were Jim Bunning and John Boehner on pay-as-you-go when they voted to approve the Bush budgets for eight years,” asked Coussoule. “In fact, if pay-as-you-go is so important to Senator Bunning and Representative Boehner, why did they vote no on the bill when it reached the floor of their respective chambers last month?”
A West Pointer and former Army captain, Coussoule is the Democratic candidate for Congress in the Eighth Congressional District. Following his military service, Coussoule practiced law, fighting to ensure injured workers received compensation, and opened a small business in Massachusetts before moving to Southwest Ohio. He currently works for Procter and Gamble’s Global Business Solutions. Coussoule lives in Liberty Township with his wife, Amanda, and their two young children.
Any thoughts on any of this?
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