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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 > 2011 > June > 22 > Entry
What’s next with the Board of Elections?
This has been quite a week for Butler County.
I’m sure plenty of people are anxious to comment about this story involving Butler County Board of Elections Director Tippi Slaughter, but until today, June 22 — when actual charges were levied — many of the unanswered questions were speculative. But there is a more clear picture that’s happening, but there are still some unanswered questions that need answers.
Slaughter was indicted earlier today on two counts of theft of office. Slaughter — who was until last Thursday the Democratic Party’s treasurer — had taken what Democratic Party Chairwoman Jocelyn Bucaro called “unauthorized withdraws” from the party’s coffers. She said the party had not authorized Slaughter to take $1,700 from the party bank account, and it was not for party business.
On Thursday, the Butler County Board of Elections will meet to discuss the personnel actions taken last week. In light of today’s indictments, I cannot see the board keeping Slaughter as director. I think the only question is, will she resign or be fired?
The Board of Elections Chairman Tom Ellis had been tight-lipped about this, and likely rightfully so. But there are some questions out there. The first question is what does Chris Hatfield have to do with this? He’s the warehouse employee who was also placed on paid administrative leave at the same time as Slaughter.
GOP Party Chairman Dave Kern isn’t commenting on this, saying “it’s inappropriate” to comment.
Hopefully Thursday will shed some light on all the issues, such as the other outstanding questions, like why did James Schmidt break into the Board of Elections office and Fairfield title office and why did she take $1,700? What did she plan to use it for?
But regardless of all that has happened, it’s just another unfortunate bruise on Butler County politics’ blackened eye — a black eye that tries to heal itself, but for some reason cannot.
Thoughts?
Permalink | Comments (23) | Post your comment | Categories: Board of Elections, Butler County, Butler County Sheriff's Department, County Prosecutor, Democratic Party
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By javidmac
June 22, 2011 5:15 PM | Link to this
Maybe it is time to reform how we choose people for the Board of Elections. Wait, we don’t choose who regulates our elections and the process that should insure an honest vote. Each political party has two people on the board. Two IBEW members for the Democrats and one former, over staying, Republican Party Chair and one current chair. The time for “we the people” to discuss what is going on is now before 2012.
By Curious
June 22, 2011 9:34 PM | Link to this
Where is the outcry from either party for an ethics investigation? Just curious.
By george
June 23, 2011 1:46 AM | Link to this
I wonder if Butler County has more unethical government officials than other Ohio counties? Maybe its time for a new way of electing/selecting county officials.
By Rod
June 23, 2011 10:52 AM | Link to this
Maybe the BOE could consider the morals and ethics of those they are looking at hiring. The current and last director clearly lacked both.
By Just wondering
June 23, 2011 11:28 AM | Link to this
Were are our elected officials? Why isn’t anyone calling on this lady to resign and resign now? Don Dixon has never been bashful before about calling on people to resign, why not this time Little Donnie? The sheriff is always eager to point out any official who slips up, but he is silent on Ms. Slaughter. Commissioner Furmon has never had problems calling for investigations before. Rapid Roger the County Auditor claims to be watching out for financial mismanagement but not a word on this. What’s up folks?
By Carl
June 23, 2011 11:35 AM | Link to this
It’s time for the Board of Elections, Prosecutor and the Sheriff to come clean and tell the citizens of Butler County what’s really going on. It’s starting to look like they are hiding something or at least covering up something. All this leaves citizens wonder if our elections are really fair and not being manipulated by people behind the scenes. What was really going on out on the hill? I guess it’s left up to our imaginations.
By Monica
June 23, 2011 11:39 AM | Link to this
Dave Kern has no comment? That’s a first. Old Dave has never been bashful before about giving his idiotic opinion before. One of his political buddies must have something to hide.
By Fed Up
June 23, 2011 11:44 AM | Link to this
If this lady was a Republican would the Democratic party be as silent as our Republican Party Officials. It’s time to clean up the mess at the Board Of Elections and hire some solid people to work in that office instead of playing politics and hiring rift raft.
By Rose
June 23, 2011 1:34 PM | Link to this
What was the Board of elections thinking when they hired this lady? They weren’t thinking they just did what Betty Dixon-McGray told them to do.
By hmmm
June 23, 2011 1:59 PM | Link to this
Tippi has been running the BOE for the last few years, while double dipping Betty received all the credit, recognition and of course the fat paycheck. It sounds like Tippi has let her personal turmoil spill into the work place, which is sad b/c Tippi loved her job, has a great work ethic, and she worked long hard hours to finally achieve the role of director that was dangled in her face for so long by Betty. I’m sure Betty McGary has skeletons as well, the difference is that she surrounded herself by other county officials (Don Dixon) and others, to hide/cover her dirty dealings.
By Molly
June 23, 2011 2:32 PM | Link to this
Hummm, I guess what you’re saying is it’s better to shack up with a county commissioner and a convicted criminal.
By Zookeeper
June 26, 2011 8:35 AM | Link to this
I think you have a great page here… today was my first time coming here.. I just happened to find it doing a google search. anyway, good post.. I’ll be bookmarking this page for sure.
By Fast Five
June 26, 2011 7:15 PM | Link to this
Awesome, that’s exactly what I was scanning for! You just spared me alot of searching around
By concerned citizen
June 27, 2011 6:03 AM | Link to this
If they really investigate Chris Hatfields past, they will find out that he uses the county van,gas, and his time on the clock to run his own personal errands, including taking his wife to her doctor appts. I wonder if having someone clock you in when you arent there is theft? I wonder if the police will find this out in their investigation.
By puke
June 27, 2011 6:05 PM | Link to this
These comments make me puke. If they were truly honest hearted comments, then ok. But look @ “Rod” boy sounds like he/she really has good morals! Look @ “Just Wondering” he/she is so soured on everythink and obviously has a lot of political axes he/she is trying to grind. Oh and dear “Rose” - obviously just a McGary hater looking for an opportunity to vent and slam her. Oh, be sure and check out “hmmm” this one was probably written by Tippy Slaughter herself or one of her family members. Oh and look at Miss “Molly” obviously a low class foul mouthed individual.And let’s take a look @ “Concerned Citizen” very apparent a Board of Elections employee who is grumpled and all rumpled over something. No - readers are not stupid. For the most part we can all see right thru your comments. But ahh, you don’t have to worry about that because you can remain annonymous, that is until someone decides to subpeona the orgins of these comments!!
By Get Real
June 28, 2011 1:38 PM | Link to this
Puke, what world are you living in. The BOE is in a mess and you are defending the people who made the mess.
By Puke
June 28, 2011 9:52 PM | Link to this
Get Real, I have been a poll worker for the Bd of Elections for over 20 years so I know what I am talking about. The whole staff is an amazing hard working group of people. That is who I am defending. All four Board Members are good people and Betty McGary (former Director) for over 30 years was an awesome person. Be assured I am Not defending Tippy Slaughter, former Director who has admitted she is a thief! She simply layed down with a dog and stood up infested with fleas!!!
By Big Secret
June 29, 2011 10:12 AM | Link to this
What I find interesting about all these comments is that no one has mentioned the Deputy Director of the Board of Elections, Lynn Kinkaid. I am a Republican and all of us know He is knocking down $85,000. a year and could not pass a grade school test - the staff thinks he is a joke and resents working huge hours and watching him play all day. (Some have told me so) This is why the BOE is in a mess, because the Mr. Deputy Director Lynn Kinkaid cannot run it. Judy Shelton covers his ignorance and protects him. I want to know when is the REP. pARTY going to wake up and do something about this disgrace??? Are you listening Dave Kern?
By masterpapers.com
June 29, 2011 10:46 AM | Link to this
Thank for info! Author very cool!
By Tom
June 29, 2011 1:41 PM | Link to this
Big Secret is right Lynn Kinkaid, Deputy Director - People are gonna be raising that rock up you have been hiding under for 7 years and taking a big fat pay check home for doing nothing, and then the gig is up!!!!!!!!!!!!!! By By Lynn.
By Know Kinkaid
June 30, 2011 5:57 PM | Link to this
I have known Lynn Kinkaid for over 30 yrs. It does not suprise me that Judy Shelton covers for him. That is the way Lynn has made it thru life, always sucking up to the heads in charge to get a pay check. It sure has not been on qualifications. Judy and Ed Shelton are also who got him the big $82,000. a year job with Kay Rogers when she was County Auditor. I forget his “Title” but the County was really paying him to babysit her six kids. That is about the only level Lynn can do work at.
By Former AK Steel Employee
June 30, 2011 9:16 PM | Link to this
Just reading these comments on Lynn Kinkaid made me laugh. Especially when the one Board Member Tom Ellis tells the newspapers “now Lynn Kinkaid is in charge of the Board of Elections.” If Ellis is that stupid than he should be fired too. I see Lynn is still up to his old tricks. I know him from when we both worked at AK Steel and my wife worked for the County. Kinkaid sucked up to the powers that be at Ak also and got him like a file clerk job with good pay and benefits. How many checks does Lynn get a month? Let’s see he is about 71 years old now so he gets a #1. retirement check from Armco, a #2. social security check, #3. a retirement check from OPERS (PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT SYSTEM) yes, he is a double dipper. He retired with 10 years under Kay Rogers when she was county auditor. #4.& 5.. Two checks a month from the Board of Elections totaling approx. $5,500. a mth. His wife draws a #6. social security check. So, there is a whopping 6 checks a month (that we know about) running thru the Kinkaid household. Not bad for a guy that could not make $2.00 a day selling pop cans.
By Wake Up
July 2, 2011 8:45 AM | Link to this
If we want to prevent voter fraud it starts with the Board. Time for Mr. Ellis to go also.