In a case brought by the Libertarian Party US District Judge Edmund Sargus declared that the Ohio Legislature has done nothing to fix the problems with the unconstitutional way that candidates' political party affiliation is designated on the ballot this November. The ruling allows the Libertarian Party to affix their party's name along with their candidates listed. The judge did not prohibit other political parties' candidates from listing their choice as well. This may be HUGE! For the first time voters may see the word "GREEN" on the ballot with a candidates name. As of now, I am the only Green candidate on the November ballot. The letter below requests the "Green" designation.
Tim
July 24, 2008
Muskingum County Board of Election
205 North Seventh St.
Zanesville, Ohio 43701
Jennifer Brunner
Ohio Secretary of State
180 East Broad St.
Columbus, Ohio 43215
To the Board,
In light of United States District Court Judge Edmund Sargus’ recent ruling re: “party designation on November ballot” I hereby request that my name, Timothy J. Kettler, a qualified candidate in the November 4, 2008 election for Ohio Senate District 20 be listed with the party designation of “Green Party” (Green).
The Green Party is a national, state and locally recognized political party which has run candidates in Ohio, most recently in the 2006 Ohio Gubernatorial election. As a 2006 statewide candidate for Ohio Secretary of State I received over 2% of the official vote (78,075 votes) thereby demonstrating sufficient support among Ohio voters to be listed with the party designation.
Popular support notwithstanding the Hon. Judge Sargus ruled that the Ohio Legislature failed to act to establish party designation guidelines in compliance with constitutional requirements and this request should therefore be granted.
In a letter to the Muskingum County Board of Election, dated February 26, 2008 and submitted with the nominating petition supporting my candidacy I requested the party designation of “other party”. I now request and assert that the correct party designation be “Green Party”(Green). In the event that the Judge, Legislature or Secretary of State issues orders that determine I do not qualify for the “Green Party” designation I do not waive my rights to be listed as “other party” as previously requested.
Respectfully,
Timothy J. Kettler
29674 Township Road 30
Warsaw, Ohio 43844
(740) 824-3828
tmkettler@aol.com
Paid by Kettler for Senate 29674 Twp. Rd. 30 Warsaw, Ohio 43844 Roberta Kettler treasurer
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
My response to the Sierra Club questionaire
SIERRA CLUB OHIO STATE CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE – 2008
In order to ensure a timely evaluation of your responses as well as speed the endorsement process, we request that you answer all questions in an electronic format (Microsoft Word documents preferred). Please be sure to number your responses according to the question being answered.
Your responses will be considered privileged and confidential, and will only be seen by Sierra Club volunteers and staff.
Please email your completed questionnaire to: larry.schartman@ohio.sierraclub.org. Please direct any questions to Brandi Whetstone in our Columbus office: 614-461-0734 x311.
Good Governance
Ohio's state government must work to protect all of her residents and not be captive to a few special interests. Ohio has been the subject of a petition to the US EPA because of Ohio’s failures to implement and enforce environmental laws. Ohio also has major challenges in meeting ozone and particulate standards sufficient to protect human health and insuring our rivers meet water quality standards.
1. As a representative of Ohio’s government, will you work to protect Ohioan's health and our ecosystems by aggressively sponsoring and supporting environmental laws which are intended to protect public health?
Yes. As a self-employed small businessman for the past 22 years in the environmental field I am accustomed to and supportive of environmental laws and work well with those public employees working to enforce them. My experience has taught me not only the ecological benefits but also the economic benefits of strong environmental policy.
2. Will you protect the right of Ohio to pass environmental rules, permit regulations and laws that are more stringent than federal environmental standards?
Absolutely. Weakening of environmental regulation at the federal level has serious implications for Ohio’s future and must be resisted at the state level.
3. How will you work to change the culture at Ohio EPA and to insure that Ohio EPA enforces environmental laws?
Experienced leadership from those of us coming from the private sector will be instrumental in combining our common interests. A massive education effort to re-establish our priorities to recognize the challenges we face will be necessary and greatly facilitated by a legislator with my bsckground. OEPA must be guaranteed full enforcement capabilities and physically and financially supported in their mission.
Protecting Ohio’s Natural Heritage
Ohio ranks 47th lowest in the nation for the amount of public land per capita and needs to prioritize purchasing and protecting our natural heritage for future generations. Many of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources programs are intended to increase timbering and mineral extraction while there are few to protect natural resources. Current practices allow logging on state and federal forests of Ohio and highway projects threaten forests by seeking passage through these last remaining vestiges of wildness. Other projects also threaten Ohio’s wild and scenic rivers and water supplies.
For example, growing corn-based ethanol uses large amounts of herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers and the agricultural run-off poisons rivers, lakes and streams. Also, ethanol refineries require large quantities of fresh water – 4 gallons of fresh water input for every gallon of ethanol output – and, with no supply evaluation required in the permitting process, some Ohio communities could face fresh water starvation.
4. Would you support legislation that would require water surveys to be completed prior to permitting any new ethanol refineries?
Yes. As a wastewater professional I recognize the impact short-sighted development may have on our natural resources. It is also useful to mention the increased consumption of fuel required to raise these crops. If we are to successfully implement the increased production and use of alternative fuels we must place much weight on long-term sustainability. I favor increased funding for research and development of butanol rather than ethanol.
5. What initiatives would you undertake to protect Ohio’s natural resources for future generations?
Supporting the Ohio Department of Health’s plan for new rules for Household Sewage Treatment Systems, critical for compliance with the Clean Water Act, strict control of logging in Ohio’s state and national forests and guaranteed protection for Ohio’s old growth forests, Reconsideration of permits for gasification plants such as AMP Ohio’s proposed fossil fuel generation plant in Meigs County and coal mining along the Ohio River. I would work to initiate substantial tax credits for consumer’s using on-site renewable energy technology. Explore funding for ODNR through bottle deposit laws, earmarked funds and certain limited user fees, among other methods.
6. Will you oppose legislation to allow increased logging and drilling on lands controlled by ODNR?
Yes
7. Will you initiate/support legislation that encourages protections for forested lands while allocating funding for future land acquisitions that will act to increase forest resources for the future of Ohio?
Yes, but with insistence that “forest resources” are to benefit the general public and not solely private industry.
8. Would you support the withholding of highway funds for new or expanded projects that endanger Ohio’s designated state and national wild and scenic rivers?
Yes, to be considered on an individual basis, however economic development must learn to co-exist in a manner that guarantees protection for these irreplaceable public waterways. It is my perspective that protection of “our” wild and scenic rivers trumps the interests of corporations and special interests.
Healthy Ohio Cities
Ohio's cities are threatened from without by sprawl and from within by crumbling infrastructure. Many of Ohio’s 21st century cities have 19th century sewer systems that cannot support the growth that suburban development places on them. This results in untreated sewage in our rivers and streams. Ohio’s forest, farmland and green spaces are being destroyed by sprawl, while urban areas are losing housing, jobs and population to the sprawling exurbs.
9. How will you help to reverse these trends as a state legislator?
First we must secure funding. Considering that we are competing with a growing number of needs for finite resources we must consider how to redirect current financial resources and find new ones. Combined sewer systems (sanitary and storm sewers in one trunk line) are a current crisis and must be corrected. I do not favor privatizing our infrastructure services to raise capital for other needs. I do however favor prioritizing certain needs, infrastructure being one of them, and making funding decisions accordingly.
10. What programs will you promote to encourage cities to re-invest in our urban centers and in current infrastructures, rather than building new development outside our towns and cities?
First and foremost would be accelerated development of public transportation. Harsh economic realities, illustrated by runaway fuel prices will require rebirth of cities to minimize travel while creating more local and regional economies Greenovating inner-city neighborhoods will not only offer affordable housing and aesthetic social, economic and culture centers but can offer new opportunities in economic development serving the construction and infrastructure institutions.
11. Do you support measures to help Ohio’s cities eliminate sewer overflows into homes and rivers and clean up Ohio’s waterways so we reach or exceed clean water standards?
Yes. Although great strides have been made in creating regional sewer districts that eliminate many storm-surge problems, and the Ohio Dept. of Health is re-drafting new Household Sewage Treatment System rules to improving receiving waters’ quality, continued improvement will require commitment in the face of tough funding decisions, once again a question of priorities and political will.
Smart Transportation and Energy Choices for a Safe and Secure Ohio
Energy and transportation costs make up a large component of most Ohio family's expenses and with oil and natural gas supplies depleting these costs will only increase, leaving Ohioans poorer in the process. Giving Ohioans transportation and energy choices will afford them needed financial security here at home and reduce our energy dependence from abroad. The outputs from energy production and transportation are also Ohio’s major source of pollution. Reducing these pollutants by implementing efficient energy and transportation programs will leave Ohioans safer and healthier.
Energy efficiency is the quickest, easiest, cleanest, and most secure way to meet our energy needs. It is also our cheapest energy option. Energy efficiency programs also create local jobs. It is estimated that 21.5 jobs are created for every $1 million invested in energy efficiency.
12. Do you support annual 2% natural gas and electric efficiency saving standards based on cost-effectiveness tests that ensure the programs save money?
Most consumers, when they have access to reliable information support conservation efforts and are willing to make the necessary commitments. I see the proof of it every day in my business. However, we must confront the “notion” that the science is still out on the subject in order to make real progress. I would enthusiastically support the necessary research to develop and disseminate the defining information and institute policy.
Co-generation (Co-Gen) or Combined Heat and Power is the process where waste heat produced in existing industrial processes is captured and put to productive uses. It is estimated that between 5% and 10% of Ohio’s electric needs can be met using Co-Gen and at 1/3 the cost of building new coal-fired power plants. Ohio is far behind other Midwestern states in developing Co-Gen and changes in Ohio law are necessary.
13. Do you support holding hearings on changing Ohio law to increase the development and use of Co-Gen?
Co-Gen is useful in moving toward a sustainable power gen system. It can be developed rather quickly given that a good deal of the generation and transmission components are already in place. I would caution however that marketing tends to “sell” these types of improvements, and they are substantial improvements, as some sort of panacea for our problems. While employing systems such as go-gen we must remain focused on long-term sustainability that eventually makes fossil-fueled power generation a distant secondary system. I would certainly support efforts to increase development and use.
Reducing residential and commercial building energy use can save Ohioans money and slow the process of global warming. In fact, “zero energy” buildings are feasible by 2030 according to the American Institute of Architects. While encouraging the design, development, and production of these energy saving structures will be complex there is cause for hope but more must be done.
14. Would you support holding hearings and investigations to determine what must be done to promote building more energy saving structures in Ohio?
Yes. There is more at stake than only environmental concern but also greatly needed economic opportunity.
The Ohio Hub proposed by the Ohio Rail Development Commission is a high speed train system which would serve at least four inter-city travel corridors. The Ohio Hub will reduce pollution and create jobs. Preliminary analysis shows that the Ohio Hub could create as much as 6,600 construction jobs, 6,000 indirect jobs and 1,500 permanent rail operating jobs.
15. Do you support the Ohio Hub?
Yes! Development of public transportation is a top priority and will have far-ranging benefits from mere economical travel to efficient delivery of health care services. Sustainable solutions, my friends!
In a typical urban area at least half of the hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide pollutants come from mobile sources, such as cars, planes and trucks. Several regions (e.g. four Southwest Ohio counties) cannot meet the U.S. EPA’s new stricter standards for ozone. Public transit works to reduce the amount of toxic air pollution by reducing commuter traffic.
16. How do you see yourself increasing public transit and freight rail in light of the increases in fuel costs and toxics and air pollution from existing auto and truck based transportation and do you support investing state dollars in public transportation projects in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dayton?
In my business (wastewater services) I use heavy trucks and travel in high mileage situations. I am part of the problem we face, making competing interests find common ground. Dedicating capital expenditure to improve efficiency is laudable and fairly easy given the current economic environment. I believe however that we all will have to give great consideration to the development of more local and regional economies, that is staying closer to home as a new business model. Some essential commercial travel will always be necessary and unavoidable, so we must develop the bulk of our transportation services with every day travel in mind, serving the public on a broad, perhaps unlimited basis. A trip on the I-71 or the I-70 corridor will certainly convince oneself of the need to invest public transportation dollars along that route. I would also mention the quality of life aspect involved in more hours spent daily in traffic in long commutes readily alleviated by fast, efficient rail travel.
Hike/bike trails provide both recreational opportunities, support environmentally sound economic development and offer an alternative to cars for short trips.
17. How would you support the extension of Ohio’s hike/bike networks?
With many new trails being built in many locales, urban, suburban and rural I am conflicted on this issue. I do have concern that trails being built on established or newly abandoned rail right-of-ways may limit development of light rail opportunities. I fully support trail development with this consideration in mind.
Ohio’s Endangered Treasure – Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the most biologically productive of the Great Lakes and her tourism alone brought in $7.4 billion dollars to the state economy. As in the 50's and 60's Lake Erie is once again suffering: dead zones resulting from phosphorus and nitrate pollution, unsafe mercury levels in fish, massive fish kills at power plant intakes, destruction of native species by invasive ones and over development of shorelines. Lake Erie can best be defended with common sense regulation and lobbing important stakeholders – specifically: The International Joint Commission, The Great Lakes Council of Governors, The Great Lakes Regional Collaborative, The Ohio Congressional Delegation, and The Ohio Legislature.
18. Will you support the implementation of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and will you work to provide state funding in support of Great Lakes Restoration Agreement?
Yes. I view the Lake as infrastructure, not for sale and deserving of proper maintenance. As a Cleveland native and someone who travels there regularly on business I am very conscious of Lake Erie’s traditional importance, economically, ecologically, socially and aesthetically.
19. Will you support an agreement to end open lake dumping of dredge materials?
As a wastewater professional I find this practice abhorrent and entirely unnecessary.
20. Will you call for more stringent rules and regulations to reduce fish kills caused by power plant intakes, including mandating cooling towers?
One of the problems I have with coal-fired power plants is that they are almost always located on our public waterways! One way to reduce fish kills would be to reduce the number of power plants. Yes, I would support these types of regulations.
21. Will you support a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in or on Lake Erie?
Yes, unequivocally.
Environmental LeadershipThe Sierra Club is America’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization. It works to elect candidates who will lead the fight in protecting our communities and natural surroundings. Candidates supported by the Sierra Club include those who champion legislation that protects our clean air, clean water, and special wild places; speak out against environmentally destructive measures; lobby colleagues around important environmental bills and amendments; are active on an environmental committee; or otherwise work to protect America’s natural heritage.
22. What has been your greatest environmental achievement?
As a self-employed small businessman I have worked in the wastewater industry for the past 22+ years. I have not only educated myself and raised my own awareness, but I have been afforded the opportunity of educating the public and helping them to make decisions based on sound, sustainable ecological principle. I have found common ground on which to build trust relationships that we might work together to promote a healthy, sustainable, high quality future for ourselves, our children and all that follow after. Often times economic considerations factor into our consumer decisions, I feel my success has been in partnering with my customers to make the right decisions because we want to, not solely because we must.
In order to ensure a timely evaluation of your responses as well as speed the endorsement process, we request that you answer all questions in an electronic format (Microsoft Word documents preferred). Please be sure to number your responses according to the question being answered.
Your responses will be considered privileged and confidential, and will only be seen by Sierra Club volunteers and staff.
Please email your completed questionnaire to: larry.schartman@ohio.sierraclub.org. Please direct any questions to Brandi Whetstone in our Columbus office: 614-461-0734 x311.
Good Governance
Ohio's state government must work to protect all of her residents and not be captive to a few special interests. Ohio has been the subject of a petition to the US EPA because of Ohio’s failures to implement and enforce environmental laws. Ohio also has major challenges in meeting ozone and particulate standards sufficient to protect human health and insuring our rivers meet water quality standards.
1. As a representative of Ohio’s government, will you work to protect Ohioan's health and our ecosystems by aggressively sponsoring and supporting environmental laws which are intended to protect public health?
Yes. As a self-employed small businessman for the past 22 years in the environmental field I am accustomed to and supportive of environmental laws and work well with those public employees working to enforce them. My experience has taught me not only the ecological benefits but also the economic benefits of strong environmental policy.
2. Will you protect the right of Ohio to pass environmental rules, permit regulations and laws that are more stringent than federal environmental standards?
Absolutely. Weakening of environmental regulation at the federal level has serious implications for Ohio’s future and must be resisted at the state level.
3. How will you work to change the culture at Ohio EPA and to insure that Ohio EPA enforces environmental laws?
Experienced leadership from those of us coming from the private sector will be instrumental in combining our common interests. A massive education effort to re-establish our priorities to recognize the challenges we face will be necessary and greatly facilitated by a legislator with my bsckground. OEPA must be guaranteed full enforcement capabilities and physically and financially supported in their mission.
Protecting Ohio’s Natural Heritage
Ohio ranks 47th lowest in the nation for the amount of public land per capita and needs to prioritize purchasing and protecting our natural heritage for future generations. Many of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources programs are intended to increase timbering and mineral extraction while there are few to protect natural resources. Current practices allow logging on state and federal forests of Ohio and highway projects threaten forests by seeking passage through these last remaining vestiges of wildness. Other projects also threaten Ohio’s wild and scenic rivers and water supplies.
For example, growing corn-based ethanol uses large amounts of herbicides, insecticides and fertilizers and the agricultural run-off poisons rivers, lakes and streams. Also, ethanol refineries require large quantities of fresh water – 4 gallons of fresh water input for every gallon of ethanol output – and, with no supply evaluation required in the permitting process, some Ohio communities could face fresh water starvation.
4. Would you support legislation that would require water surveys to be completed prior to permitting any new ethanol refineries?
Yes. As a wastewater professional I recognize the impact short-sighted development may have on our natural resources. It is also useful to mention the increased consumption of fuel required to raise these crops. If we are to successfully implement the increased production and use of alternative fuels we must place much weight on long-term sustainability. I favor increased funding for research and development of butanol rather than ethanol.
5. What initiatives would you undertake to protect Ohio’s natural resources for future generations?
Supporting the Ohio Department of Health’s plan for new rules for Household Sewage Treatment Systems, critical for compliance with the Clean Water Act, strict control of logging in Ohio’s state and national forests and guaranteed protection for Ohio’s old growth forests, Reconsideration of permits for gasification plants such as AMP Ohio’s proposed fossil fuel generation plant in Meigs County and coal mining along the Ohio River. I would work to initiate substantial tax credits for consumer’s using on-site renewable energy technology. Explore funding for ODNR through bottle deposit laws, earmarked funds and certain limited user fees, among other methods.
6. Will you oppose legislation to allow increased logging and drilling on lands controlled by ODNR?
Yes
7. Will you initiate/support legislation that encourages protections for forested lands while allocating funding for future land acquisitions that will act to increase forest resources for the future of Ohio?
Yes, but with insistence that “forest resources” are to benefit the general public and not solely private industry.
8. Would you support the withholding of highway funds for new or expanded projects that endanger Ohio’s designated state and national wild and scenic rivers?
Yes, to be considered on an individual basis, however economic development must learn to co-exist in a manner that guarantees protection for these irreplaceable public waterways. It is my perspective that protection of “our” wild and scenic rivers trumps the interests of corporations and special interests.
Healthy Ohio Cities
Ohio's cities are threatened from without by sprawl and from within by crumbling infrastructure. Many of Ohio’s 21st century cities have 19th century sewer systems that cannot support the growth that suburban development places on them. This results in untreated sewage in our rivers and streams. Ohio’s forest, farmland and green spaces are being destroyed by sprawl, while urban areas are losing housing, jobs and population to the sprawling exurbs.
9. How will you help to reverse these trends as a state legislator?
First we must secure funding. Considering that we are competing with a growing number of needs for finite resources we must consider how to redirect current financial resources and find new ones. Combined sewer systems (sanitary and storm sewers in one trunk line) are a current crisis and must be corrected. I do not favor privatizing our infrastructure services to raise capital for other needs. I do however favor prioritizing certain needs, infrastructure being one of them, and making funding decisions accordingly.
10. What programs will you promote to encourage cities to re-invest in our urban centers and in current infrastructures, rather than building new development outside our towns and cities?
First and foremost would be accelerated development of public transportation. Harsh economic realities, illustrated by runaway fuel prices will require rebirth of cities to minimize travel while creating more local and regional economies Greenovating inner-city neighborhoods will not only offer affordable housing and aesthetic social, economic and culture centers but can offer new opportunities in economic development serving the construction and infrastructure institutions.
11. Do you support measures to help Ohio’s cities eliminate sewer overflows into homes and rivers and clean up Ohio’s waterways so we reach or exceed clean water standards?
Yes. Although great strides have been made in creating regional sewer districts that eliminate many storm-surge problems, and the Ohio Dept. of Health is re-drafting new Household Sewage Treatment System rules to improving receiving waters’ quality, continued improvement will require commitment in the face of tough funding decisions, once again a question of priorities and political will.
Smart Transportation and Energy Choices for a Safe and Secure Ohio
Energy and transportation costs make up a large component of most Ohio family's expenses and with oil and natural gas supplies depleting these costs will only increase, leaving Ohioans poorer in the process. Giving Ohioans transportation and energy choices will afford them needed financial security here at home and reduce our energy dependence from abroad. The outputs from energy production and transportation are also Ohio’s major source of pollution. Reducing these pollutants by implementing efficient energy and transportation programs will leave Ohioans safer and healthier.
Energy efficiency is the quickest, easiest, cleanest, and most secure way to meet our energy needs. It is also our cheapest energy option. Energy efficiency programs also create local jobs. It is estimated that 21.5 jobs are created for every $1 million invested in energy efficiency.
12. Do you support annual 2% natural gas and electric efficiency saving standards based on cost-effectiveness tests that ensure the programs save money?
Most consumers, when they have access to reliable information support conservation efforts and are willing to make the necessary commitments. I see the proof of it every day in my business. However, we must confront the “notion” that the science is still out on the subject in order to make real progress. I would enthusiastically support the necessary research to develop and disseminate the defining information and institute policy.
Co-generation (Co-Gen) or Combined Heat and Power is the process where waste heat produced in existing industrial processes is captured and put to productive uses. It is estimated that between 5% and 10% of Ohio’s electric needs can be met using Co-Gen and at 1/3 the cost of building new coal-fired power plants. Ohio is far behind other Midwestern states in developing Co-Gen and changes in Ohio law are necessary.
13. Do you support holding hearings on changing Ohio law to increase the development and use of Co-Gen?
Co-Gen is useful in moving toward a sustainable power gen system. It can be developed rather quickly given that a good deal of the generation and transmission components are already in place. I would caution however that marketing tends to “sell” these types of improvements, and they are substantial improvements, as some sort of panacea for our problems. While employing systems such as go-gen we must remain focused on long-term sustainability that eventually makes fossil-fueled power generation a distant secondary system. I would certainly support efforts to increase development and use.
Reducing residential and commercial building energy use can save Ohioans money and slow the process of global warming. In fact, “zero energy” buildings are feasible by 2030 according to the American Institute of Architects. While encouraging the design, development, and production of these energy saving structures will be complex there is cause for hope but more must be done.
14. Would you support holding hearings and investigations to determine what must be done to promote building more energy saving structures in Ohio?
Yes. There is more at stake than only environmental concern but also greatly needed economic opportunity.
The Ohio Hub proposed by the Ohio Rail Development Commission is a high speed train system which would serve at least four inter-city travel corridors. The Ohio Hub will reduce pollution and create jobs. Preliminary analysis shows that the Ohio Hub could create as much as 6,600 construction jobs, 6,000 indirect jobs and 1,500 permanent rail operating jobs.
15. Do you support the Ohio Hub?
Yes! Development of public transportation is a top priority and will have far-ranging benefits from mere economical travel to efficient delivery of health care services. Sustainable solutions, my friends!
In a typical urban area at least half of the hydrocarbon and nitrogen oxide pollutants come from mobile sources, such as cars, planes and trucks. Several regions (e.g. four Southwest Ohio counties) cannot meet the U.S. EPA’s new stricter standards for ozone. Public transit works to reduce the amount of toxic air pollution by reducing commuter traffic.
16. How do you see yourself increasing public transit and freight rail in light of the increases in fuel costs and toxics and air pollution from existing auto and truck based transportation and do you support investing state dollars in public transportation projects in Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Dayton?
In my business (wastewater services) I use heavy trucks and travel in high mileage situations. I am part of the problem we face, making competing interests find common ground. Dedicating capital expenditure to improve efficiency is laudable and fairly easy given the current economic environment. I believe however that we all will have to give great consideration to the development of more local and regional economies, that is staying closer to home as a new business model. Some essential commercial travel will always be necessary and unavoidable, so we must develop the bulk of our transportation services with every day travel in mind, serving the public on a broad, perhaps unlimited basis. A trip on the I-71 or the I-70 corridor will certainly convince oneself of the need to invest public transportation dollars along that route. I would also mention the quality of life aspect involved in more hours spent daily in traffic in long commutes readily alleviated by fast, efficient rail travel.
Hike/bike trails provide both recreational opportunities, support environmentally sound economic development and offer an alternative to cars for short trips.
17. How would you support the extension of Ohio’s hike/bike networks?
With many new trails being built in many locales, urban, suburban and rural I am conflicted on this issue. I do have concern that trails being built on established or newly abandoned rail right-of-ways may limit development of light rail opportunities. I fully support trail development with this consideration in mind.
Ohio’s Endangered Treasure – Lake Erie
Lake Erie is the most biologically productive of the Great Lakes and her tourism alone brought in $7.4 billion dollars to the state economy. As in the 50's and 60's Lake Erie is once again suffering: dead zones resulting from phosphorus and nitrate pollution, unsafe mercury levels in fish, massive fish kills at power plant intakes, destruction of native species by invasive ones and over development of shorelines. Lake Erie can best be defended with common sense regulation and lobbing important stakeholders – specifically: The International Joint Commission, The Great Lakes Council of Governors, The Great Lakes Regional Collaborative, The Ohio Congressional Delegation, and The Ohio Legislature.
18. Will you support the implementation of the Great Lakes – St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact and will you work to provide state funding in support of Great Lakes Restoration Agreement?
Yes. I view the Lake as infrastructure, not for sale and deserving of proper maintenance. As a Cleveland native and someone who travels there regularly on business I am very conscious of Lake Erie’s traditional importance, economically, ecologically, socially and aesthetically.
19. Will you support an agreement to end open lake dumping of dredge materials?
As a wastewater professional I find this practice abhorrent and entirely unnecessary.
20. Will you call for more stringent rules and regulations to reduce fish kills caused by power plant intakes, including mandating cooling towers?
One of the problems I have with coal-fired power plants is that they are almost always located on our public waterways! One way to reduce fish kills would be to reduce the number of power plants. Yes, I would support these types of regulations.
21. Will you support a permanent ban on oil and gas drilling in or on Lake Erie?
Yes, unequivocally.
Environmental LeadershipThe Sierra Club is America’s oldest and largest grassroots environmental organization. It works to elect candidates who will lead the fight in protecting our communities and natural surroundings. Candidates supported by the Sierra Club include those who champion legislation that protects our clean air, clean water, and special wild places; speak out against environmentally destructive measures; lobby colleagues around important environmental bills and amendments; are active on an environmental committee; or otherwise work to protect America’s natural heritage.
22. What has been your greatest environmental achievement?
As a self-employed small businessman I have worked in the wastewater industry for the past 22+ years. I have not only educated myself and raised my own awareness, but I have been afforded the opportunity of educating the public and helping them to make decisions based on sound, sustainable ecological principle. I have found common ground on which to build trust relationships that we might work together to promote a healthy, sustainable, high quality future for ourselves, our children and all that follow after. Often times economic considerations factor into our consumer decisions, I feel my success has been in partnering with my customers to make the right decisions because we want to, not solely because we must.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Lobbyists Hack Your Elections
Some background on our work!
Mon Jul 7, 3:01 AM ET
The Ohio Election Justice Campaign announced today that e-mail between Ohio lobbyist and Ohio election officials suggests that convicted felon Bob Ney connived with Ohio election officials to promote the agenda of lobbyists. E-mail disclosed pursuant to public records request by the Ohio Election Justice Campaign, which calls for an investigation into influence peddling in Ohio's elections.
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) July 7, 2008 -- An e-mail between a lobbyist for the Ohio Association of Election Officials (OAEO) and county election officials suggests that convicted felon Bob Ney connived with election officials to promote the agenda of lobbyists, the Ohio Election Justice Campaign (OEJC) announced today. The OEJC calls for an investigation into influence peddling in Ohio's elections.
The e-mail was sent by Aaron Ockerman of State Street Consultants, a registered lobbyist for the Ohio Association of Election Officials (OAEO), a corporation that promotes the business interests of Ohio election officials. He was a registered lobbyist for Election Systems & Software, ES&S, (ESS) in 2003.
Neil S. Clark and Paul Tipps, founders of State Street Consultants, were registered lobbyists for ES&S, 2002-04, and for Diebold (DBD), 2004 and 2005. Diebold rebranded itself as Premier Election Systems in 2007.
The subject of the e-mail was OAEO's response to the recommendations of the Ohio Legislative Ballot Security Committee, then studying the security of the electronic voting machines.
Attached to the e-mail was a letter from the leadership of the OAEO: Michael Sciortino, Director of Mahoning County Elections, located in Youngstown, Ohio in Northeast Ohio, and President of OAEO in 2004; and Keith Cunningham, Director of Allen County Elections, located in Lima, Ohio in Northwest Ohio and First Vice-President of OAEO in 2004.
The OAEO leadership sent this letter to the most powerful members of the Ohio Legislature, Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R) and Senate President Doug White (R).
In this letter, the OAEO leadership write: "Congressman Bob Ney, the primary sponsor of the Help America Vote Act and former member of the Ohio General Assembly, has expressed to us his apprehensions with the committee's recommendations. The OAEO shares many of those same concerns. We ask you to quickly, but deliberately, remove the doubts developed unintentionally by the Ballot Security Committee..."
The e-mail containing this letter, which was circulated by lobbyist Ockerman to the majority of election officials at the county level, also includes articles written across the state to support the position of the OAEO. Many are editorials with no author name: Cincinnati Enquirer, Mansfield News Journal, Toledo Blade, and Akron Beacon Journal.
Representative Bob Ney (R-OH) pled guilty to a conspiracy to commit multiple offenses, including honest services fraud, making false statements, and making false statements to the U.S. House of Representatives. Case No. 07-027, http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/January/07_crm_027.html.
Ney admitted that he engaged in a conspiracy where "he corruptly solicited and accepted a stream of things of value from Abramoff, Abramoff's lobbyists, and a foreign businessman, in exchange for agreeing to take and taking official action to benefit Abramoff, his clients, and the foreign businessman." The conspiracy began in "approximately 2000" and continued "through April 2004."
The above e-mail was sent by lobbyist Ockerman on April 13, 2004.
This e-mail was obtained pursuant to a public records request regarding the attempted legal block of the vote recount in Delaware County following the contested 2004 presidential election in Ohio.
At the time it was obtained, according to Paddy Shaffer, Director, OEJC, Delaware County election officials Janet Brenneman (director) and Kim Spangler (deputy director) expressed dismay at her request. When asked why, she was told it was because "these records had already been requested by someone else," suggesting that a parallel investigation was being conducted.
See http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4960 for the Dan Rather report on touch screen voting and calls for a full congressional hearing on the possibility of commercial fraud by the voting machine companies. For background information, see Lobbyists Hack Your Elections: The OEJC Calls for Voting Systems Recall, Return, and Refund (Part I), http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/11/prweb571204.htm.
Ohio Election Justice Campaign Website: http://www.electiondefensealliance.org/OEJC
Mon Jul 7, 3:01 AM ET
The Ohio Election Justice Campaign announced today that e-mail between Ohio lobbyist and Ohio election officials suggests that convicted felon Bob Ney connived with Ohio election officials to promote the agenda of lobbyists. E-mail disclosed pursuant to public records request by the Ohio Election Justice Campaign, which calls for an investigation into influence peddling in Ohio's elections.
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) July 7, 2008 -- An e-mail between a lobbyist for the Ohio Association of Election Officials (OAEO) and county election officials suggests that convicted felon Bob Ney connived with election officials to promote the agenda of lobbyists, the Ohio Election Justice Campaign (OEJC) announced today. The OEJC calls for an investigation into influence peddling in Ohio's elections.
The e-mail was sent by Aaron Ockerman of State Street Consultants, a registered lobbyist for the Ohio Association of Election Officials (OAEO), a corporation that promotes the business interests of Ohio election officials. He was a registered lobbyist for Election Systems & Software, ES&S, (ESS) in 2003.
Neil S. Clark and Paul Tipps, founders of State Street Consultants, were registered lobbyists for ES&S, 2002-04, and for Diebold (DBD), 2004 and 2005. Diebold rebranded itself as Premier Election Systems in 2007.
The subject of the e-mail was OAEO's response to the recommendations of the Ohio Legislative Ballot Security Committee, then studying the security of the electronic voting machines.
Attached to the e-mail was a letter from the leadership of the OAEO: Michael Sciortino, Director of Mahoning County Elections, located in Youngstown, Ohio in Northeast Ohio, and President of OAEO in 2004; and Keith Cunningham, Director of Allen County Elections, located in Lima, Ohio in Northwest Ohio and First Vice-President of OAEO in 2004.
The OAEO leadership sent this letter to the most powerful members of the Ohio Legislature, Speaker of the House Larry Householder (R) and Senate President Doug White (R).
In this letter, the OAEO leadership write: "Congressman Bob Ney, the primary sponsor of the Help America Vote Act and former member of the Ohio General Assembly, has expressed to us his apprehensions with the committee's recommendations. The OAEO shares many of those same concerns. We ask you to quickly, but deliberately, remove the doubts developed unintentionally by the Ballot Security Committee..."
The e-mail containing this letter, which was circulated by lobbyist Ockerman to the majority of election officials at the county level, also includes articles written across the state to support the position of the OAEO. Many are editorials with no author name: Cincinnati Enquirer, Mansfield News Journal, Toledo Blade, and Akron Beacon Journal.
Representative Bob Ney (R-OH) pled guilty to a conspiracy to commit multiple offenses, including honest services fraud, making false statements, and making false statements to the U.S. House of Representatives. Case No. 07-027, http://www.usdoj.gov/opa/pr/2007/January/07_crm_027.html.
Ney admitted that he engaged in a conspiracy where "he corruptly solicited and accepted a stream of things of value from Abramoff, Abramoff's lobbyists, and a foreign businessman, in exchange for agreeing to take and taking official action to benefit Abramoff, his clients, and the foreign businessman." The conspiracy began in "approximately 2000" and continued "through April 2004."
The above e-mail was sent by lobbyist Ockerman on April 13, 2004.
This e-mail was obtained pursuant to a public records request regarding the attempted legal block of the vote recount in Delaware County following the contested 2004 presidential election in Ohio.
At the time it was obtained, according to Paddy Shaffer, Director, OEJC, Delaware County election officials Janet Brenneman (director) and Kim Spangler (deputy director) expressed dismay at her request. When asked why, she was told it was because "these records had already been requested by someone else," suggesting that a parallel investigation was being conducted.
See http://www.bradblog.com/?p=4960 for the Dan Rather report on touch screen voting and calls for a full congressional hearing on the possibility of commercial fraud by the voting machine companies. For background information, see Lobbyists Hack Your Elections: The OEJC Calls for Voting Systems Recall, Return, and Refund (Part I), http://www.prweb.com/releases/2007/11/prweb571204.htm.
Ohio Election Justice Campaign Website: http://www.electiondefensealliance.org/OEJC
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Are Ohio Voters Jus' a Bunch of Dumb Hayseeds?
From My Colleague at the Ohio Election Justice Campaign, Paddy Shaffer.
Fri Jul 4, 3:01 AM ET
Recent research by Ohio Election Justice Campaign reveals over 800 pages of documents on destruction of 2004 ballots in violation of court order not submitted to the court, contrary to quoted comments in minutes of meeting of Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner with numerous election officials and voting rights leaders. These records are evidence in a federal lawsuit. OEJC calls upon all patriots to commemorate our great nation's independence from King George's tyranny, including his denial of elections, to demand election justice in Ohio and across the nation.
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) July 4, 2008 -- The Ohio Election Justice Campaign announced today that its research revealed that no records from the destruction of the 2004 ballots had been submitted to the federal court with jurisdiction over the matter. (King Lincoln, et al. v. Blackwell, et al.,) Case 2:06-cv-00745, U.S. District Court, S.D. Ohio.) http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/litigation/klbna.php
A recent review of court records revealed that the over 800 pages documenting the destruction of the ballots in violation of federal court order were not in the possession of the court.
Over 56 of Ohio's 88 counties destroyed election records.
On July 3, the following letter was sent in response to this startling discovery:
Dear Secretary Brunner,
I am writing to bring a serious issue to your attention.
According to the Voting Rights Institute meeting minutes from August 21, 2007, your understanding was that every county sent an inventory and a letter of explanation to Columbus with the ballots and that "this information was all turned over to Judge Marbley. We have had no updates from his court as of today." Page 6, Voting Rights Institute, Advisory Council Meeting, August 21, 2007, Shaker Heights, Ohio; http://www.sos.state.oh.us/vri.aspx.
Our research has revealed that these records have not been filed with the Court, although almost a year has passed.
In addition, 15 counties have yet to submit letters of explanation.
Please bring this issue to the attention of your staff charged with this responsibility or to the Ohio Attorney General as soon as possible.
I know that many members of Ohio's voting rights leadership, including representatives from the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, People for the American Way, and Citizens' Alliance for Secure Elections, as well as members of the group I direct, not to mention numerous election officials, serve on the Voting Rights Institute Advisory Council.
They and many others were under the impression that the Court had possession of these critical documents and were waiting for the Court to do something.
Are Ohio voters dumb hayseeds or have they trusted unwisely?
Sincerely,
Paddy Shaffer, Director Ohio Election Justice Campaign
The OEJC declares a renewed need for voter independence today, July 4, and in commemoration of this national holiday, and the republic and democracy it represents, calls upon all patriots to demand election justice in Ohio and across the nation.
Fri Jul 4, 3:01 AM ET
Recent research by Ohio Election Justice Campaign reveals over 800 pages of documents on destruction of 2004 ballots in violation of court order not submitted to the court, contrary to quoted comments in minutes of meeting of Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner with numerous election officials and voting rights leaders. These records are evidence in a federal lawsuit. OEJC calls upon all patriots to commemorate our great nation's independence from King George's tyranny, including his denial of elections, to demand election justice in Ohio and across the nation.
Columbus, OH (PRWEB) July 4, 2008 -- The Ohio Election Justice Campaign announced today that its research revealed that no records from the destruction of the 2004 ballots had been submitted to the federal court with jurisdiction over the matter. (King Lincoln, et al. v. Blackwell, et al.,) Case 2:06-cv-00745, U.S. District Court, S.D. Ohio.) http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/litigation/klbna.php
A recent review of court records revealed that the over 800 pages documenting the destruction of the ballots in violation of federal court order were not in the possession of the court.
Over 56 of Ohio's 88 counties destroyed election records.
On July 3, the following letter was sent in response to this startling discovery:
Dear Secretary Brunner,
I am writing to bring a serious issue to your attention.
According to the Voting Rights Institute meeting minutes from August 21, 2007, your understanding was that every county sent an inventory and a letter of explanation to Columbus with the ballots and that "this information was all turned over to Judge Marbley. We have had no updates from his court as of today." Page 6, Voting Rights Institute, Advisory Council Meeting, August 21, 2007, Shaker Heights, Ohio; http://www.sos.state.oh.us/vri.aspx.
Our research has revealed that these records have not been filed with the Court, although almost a year has passed.
In addition, 15 counties have yet to submit letters of explanation.
Please bring this issue to the attention of your staff charged with this responsibility or to the Ohio Attorney General as soon as possible.
I know that many members of Ohio's voting rights leadership, including representatives from the League of Women Voters, the NAACP, People for the American Way, and Citizens' Alliance for Secure Elections, as well as members of the group I direct, not to mention numerous election officials, serve on the Voting Rights Institute Advisory Council.
They and many others were under the impression that the Court had possession of these critical documents and were waiting for the Court to do something.
Are Ohio voters dumb hayseeds or have they trusted unwisely?
Sincerely,
Paddy Shaffer, Director Ohio Election Justice Campaign
The OEJC declares a renewed need for voter independence today, July 4, and in commemoration of this national holiday, and the republic and democracy it represents, calls upon all patriots to demand election justice in Ohio and across the nation.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Ohio Election Officials May Face Criminal Charges
Ohio Election Officials May Face Criminal Charges: Ohio Election Justice Campaign Files in Federal Court
Columbus, Ohio, PRWEB, July 11 -- Eight members of the Ohio Election Justice Campaign filed papers on Thursday in United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, asking Hon. Judge Algenon Marbley to begin criminal contempt proceedings for the destruction of ballots from the November 2004 election.
The Ohio Election Justice Campaign (OEJC) submitted over 1000 pages of supporting documents.
In the case before Judge Marbley, Ki Civ. No. C2 06 745 (S.D. Ohio), the judge had issued specific orders directing Ohio's 88 county boards of election to preserve all ballots from the election until a decision was rendered in the case.
At least 56 county boards assert they have destroyed some ballots from 2004; seven counties assert they have destroyed all ballots.
This citizen-initiated action is pro se litigation in which the plaintiffs act as their own attorneys.
The papers in front of Judge Marbley also ask him to impanel a Special Grand Jury to investigate the destruction of ballots. A Special Grand Jury, as a collection of citizens authorized to hear the evidence, is uniquely suited to sorting out the degrees of culpability associated with the destruction of the ballots. It is also authorized by statute to issue a public report, which can then be circulated to the employer of appointed public officials.
Paddy Shaffer, director, OEJC, said, "The time for accountability is now, prior to the November election of our next president. Many counties allegedly destroyed ballots before the election was even certified. Why would we trust these people with the upcoming elections?”
Mark Brown, a plaintiff in the suit and a candidate for public office in 2004, said, "Justice delayed is justice denied is injustice repeated."
The Ohio Election Justice Campaign was formed by concerned citizens, many of whom participated in the 2004 election as observers, election protection workers, poll workers, and election investigators as well as organizers and witnesses in Ohio's 2004 Presidential Vote Recount.
Plaintiff Tim Kettler, currently a Green Party candidate for Ohio Senate District 20, ran for Ohio Secretary of State in 2006. Kettler believes the only way to stop this type of criminal behavior and incompetence is through citizen action: "Whether we challenge these offenses in court or run for public office, we must replace those who would show such contempt for the law."
Contacts:
Paddy Shaffer
paddy@columbus.rr.com
(614) 761-0621
Tim Kettler
tmkettler@aol.com
(740) 502-6453
For more information visit www.electiondefensealliance.org/OEJC
Columbus, Ohio, PRWEB, July 11 -- Eight members of the Ohio Election Justice Campaign filed papers on Thursday in United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio, asking Hon. Judge Algenon Marbley to begin criminal contempt proceedings for the destruction of ballots from the November 2004 election.
The Ohio Election Justice Campaign (OEJC) submitted over 1000 pages of supporting documents.
In the case before Judge Marbley, Ki Civ. No. C2 06 745 (S.D. Ohio), the judge had issued specific orders directing Ohio's 88 county boards of election to preserve all ballots from the election until a decision was rendered in the case.
At least 56 county boards assert they have destroyed some ballots from 2004; seven counties assert they have destroyed all ballots.
This citizen-initiated action is pro se litigation in which the plaintiffs act as their own attorneys.
The papers in front of Judge Marbley also ask him to impanel a Special Grand Jury to investigate the destruction of ballots. A Special Grand Jury, as a collection of citizens authorized to hear the evidence, is uniquely suited to sorting out the degrees of culpability associated with the destruction of the ballots. It is also authorized by statute to issue a public report, which can then be circulated to the employer of appointed public officials.
Paddy Shaffer, director, OEJC, said, "The time for accountability is now, prior to the November election of our next president. Many counties allegedly destroyed ballots before the election was even certified. Why would we trust these people with the upcoming elections?”
Mark Brown, a plaintiff in the suit and a candidate for public office in 2004, said, "Justice delayed is justice denied is injustice repeated."
The Ohio Election Justice Campaign was formed by concerned citizens, many of whom participated in the 2004 election as observers, election protection workers, poll workers, and election investigators as well as organizers and witnesses in Ohio's 2004 Presidential Vote Recount.
Plaintiff Tim Kettler, currently a Green Party candidate for Ohio Senate District 20, ran for Ohio Secretary of State in 2006. Kettler believes the only way to stop this type of criminal behavior and incompetence is through citizen action: "Whether we challenge these offenses in court or run for public office, we must replace those who would show such contempt for the law."
Contacts:
Paddy Shaffer
paddy@columbus.rr.com
(614) 761-0621
Tim Kettler
tmkettler@aol.com
(740) 502-6453
For more information visit www.electiondefensealliance.org/OEJC
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Now For Something Not So Entirely Different
First a note on the Ohio Education Association endorsement. The committee has voted by a margin of 9 votes to 6 to endorse the Repulican Jimmy Stewart. Aparently they felt it was in their best interests to buddy up to their supposed winner rather than support a candidate who supports real education reform and organized labor. I am rather used to the perculiar propensity voters have for voting against their own self interests so.... no new news there.
And Now for Something Not So Entirely Different!
For the sake of this discussion let’s just assume that we are all rational thinking citizens who have witnessed the most destructive succession of events in our country in perhaps, our lifetimes. We have seen the illegal invasion and occupation of a foreign nation under false pretenses depleting our national treasure and more importantly causing the countless loss of innocent life and security. In the prosecution of that invasion and occupation we have willingly (as a nation) given up our civil liberties, our daily lives that we were so urged to continue in the face of terrorist attack. We have been subjected to the sacking of our economy for the benefit of multi-national corporations and the degradation of human rights on behalf of a for-profit health care system that makes decisions on patient care in line with the bottom line. Our legislators have continued to kow-tow to the fossil fuel industry in the face of record fuel prices, an industry that continually reports record quarterly profits and works daily to quash a waiting green economy. Our workforce has seen the ever-nearing end of organized labor, our country’s last line of defense for workers’ rights and the self-determination of dignity. Our leaders have fueled the expansion of religious extremism that mirrors the foreign religious extremism our leaders rail against, the same religious extremism that would usurp the constitution and deprive a woman of her rights. And all the while we continue to wallow in the farce of an elections system that discourages participation and is owned by private corporations amid a growing procession of elected officials on their way to prison.
But wait, there’s hope! In an unprecedented voter turnout the Democrats were swept into congressional office and poised to retake the White House. As we all knew they would move quickly to force an end to the war and had a plan to respond to our concerns. Oopps!!!
In recent days the Democrat-led Congress has once again voted to continue funding of the occupation of Iraq in direct conflict of their campaign promise. They have capitulated on FISA, extending immunity to lawbreakers in an assault on our civil liberties. Senator Obama has backed out of public financing for elections, instead choosing to accept millions of dollars in corporate-interest money from the Democrat Party under the guise of a populist funded campaign. Weak of will but strong on political correctness he has been dragged in a tit-for-tat demonstration of who is more religious when religion in government is not an issue for campaigns. And in the face of our greatest economic challenge the end of the oil economy, our leaders are teetering on the brink of consenting to the eminent domain seizure of OUR public lands to drill oil for the enrichment of their friends in the industry. All of this and not a passing word of acknowledgement of their capitulation in the stealing of the last two presidential elections, in the name of protecting the process, to be sure!
But honestly there is hope. It will require us to join together to challenge these people and their policies at every turn. No more can we expect them to someday represent the interests of working men and women, the poor and working poor when they are so insulated from our daily lives that they may hold themselves above accountability at our expense.
I ask you to support my campaign for Ohio Senate District 20 as one to bring about new leadership that will stand up to the challenges we face. As a committed peace activist I will immediately begin efforts to recall the Ohio National Guard. As a small businessman and concerned family member I will continue to seek the passage of the Health Care for All Ohioans Act. As someone who has been in business for twenty-two years in the environmental field but more importantly as someone who cherishes our public ownership of our pristine lands, who has experienced the elevation of quality of life through my family’s personal use I am committed to protecting and preserving that which is under OUR stewardship for future generations, our public lands, forests and waterways. If we are to retain those qualities, tools and strengths that have built our state, built our country, then we must resist the politics of fear and never capitulate or comprise our civil rights.
It is time to put some action behind our words and that will take your volunteerism and financial support. There is public money available to Ohio statewide candidates, but you and only you can designate its use. Contribute now and receive up to a $50 Ohio income tax credit and show your support for truly public-funded campaigns.
And Now for Something Not So Entirely Different!
For the sake of this discussion let’s just assume that we are all rational thinking citizens who have witnessed the most destructive succession of events in our country in perhaps, our lifetimes. We have seen the illegal invasion and occupation of a foreign nation under false pretenses depleting our national treasure and more importantly causing the countless loss of innocent life and security. In the prosecution of that invasion and occupation we have willingly (as a nation) given up our civil liberties, our daily lives that we were so urged to continue in the face of terrorist attack. We have been subjected to the sacking of our economy for the benefit of multi-national corporations and the degradation of human rights on behalf of a for-profit health care system that makes decisions on patient care in line with the bottom line. Our legislators have continued to kow-tow to the fossil fuel industry in the face of record fuel prices, an industry that continually reports record quarterly profits and works daily to quash a waiting green economy. Our workforce has seen the ever-nearing end of organized labor, our country’s last line of defense for workers’ rights and the self-determination of dignity. Our leaders have fueled the expansion of religious extremism that mirrors the foreign religious extremism our leaders rail against, the same religious extremism that would usurp the constitution and deprive a woman of her rights. And all the while we continue to wallow in the farce of an elections system that discourages participation and is owned by private corporations amid a growing procession of elected officials on their way to prison.
But wait, there’s hope! In an unprecedented voter turnout the Democrats were swept into congressional office and poised to retake the White House. As we all knew they would move quickly to force an end to the war and had a plan to respond to our concerns. Oopps!!!
In recent days the Democrat-led Congress has once again voted to continue funding of the occupation of Iraq in direct conflict of their campaign promise. They have capitulated on FISA, extending immunity to lawbreakers in an assault on our civil liberties. Senator Obama has backed out of public financing for elections, instead choosing to accept millions of dollars in corporate-interest money from the Democrat Party under the guise of a populist funded campaign. Weak of will but strong on political correctness he has been dragged in a tit-for-tat demonstration of who is more religious when religion in government is not an issue for campaigns. And in the face of our greatest economic challenge the end of the oil economy, our leaders are teetering on the brink of consenting to the eminent domain seizure of OUR public lands to drill oil for the enrichment of their friends in the industry. All of this and not a passing word of acknowledgement of their capitulation in the stealing of the last two presidential elections, in the name of protecting the process, to be sure!
But honestly there is hope. It will require us to join together to challenge these people and their policies at every turn. No more can we expect them to someday represent the interests of working men and women, the poor and working poor when they are so insulated from our daily lives that they may hold themselves above accountability at our expense.
I ask you to support my campaign for Ohio Senate District 20 as one to bring about new leadership that will stand up to the challenges we face. As a committed peace activist I will immediately begin efforts to recall the Ohio National Guard. As a small businessman and concerned family member I will continue to seek the passage of the Health Care for All Ohioans Act. As someone who has been in business for twenty-two years in the environmental field but more importantly as someone who cherishes our public ownership of our pristine lands, who has experienced the elevation of quality of life through my family’s personal use I am committed to protecting and preserving that which is under OUR stewardship for future generations, our public lands, forests and waterways. If we are to retain those qualities, tools and strengths that have built our state, built our country, then we must resist the politics of fear and never capitulate or comprise our civil rights.
It is time to put some action behind our words and that will take your volunteerism and financial support. There is public money available to Ohio statewide candidates, but you and only you can designate its use. Contribute now and receive up to a $50 Ohio income tax credit and show your support for truly public-funded campaigns.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
My response to the Ohio Education Assn.
Today I was interviewed by the candidate screening committee of the Ohio Education Assn. The OEA represents teachers in the 20th District. I was also allowed two minutes for both opening and closing statements. The interview lasted approximately 30 minutes. These are my respones to the questionaire.:
Key educational issues
1. Describe what you consider to be the three most important issues facing-Ohio's public schools and explain why you chose those three issue
*Funding All funding formulas must satisfy the Supreme Court’s demand to provide adequacy and equal opportunity and be approached with a broad perspective to include consideration of diminishing finite financial resources as well as the cost of post-secondary education for prospective teachers. This will require a general and sweeping re-establishment of priorities.
*Privatization Any conversion of operating funds to profits typically decreases the amount of services delivered. Historically, Ohio’s public schools have served us well with adequate funding and citizen support. Private contracting may suit some needs but only with rigorous oversight.
*Labor Relations Collective bargaining helps teaching professionals resist the economic pressures of the labor market and establish long-term relationships in their districts. A cooperative agreement between labor and administration promotes the common mission to provide the highest quality education for every student.
School Funding
2. What recommendations would you offer to improve school funding and decrease the reliance on local property taxes to fund public education?
*I fully support the provisions of the Education Amendment to define the cost of a quality education, commit adequate state resources, set local property tax ceilings and fund necessary safety and security partners.
3. Ohio's tax law does not allow school districts to collect on increases in property valuation because of the state's tax reduction factors (HB920). Would you support legislation or an amendment to the Ohio constitution to give school district voters the authority to repeal or modify the tax reduction factors?
*Yes. Promoting and allowing voter/citizen involvement in school issues is desirable.
4. What would you do to improve higher education funding and increase access to and completion of higher education funding in Ohio?
* 1) Implement or Extend tuition freeze at state universities. 2) We must lead with the message of education as a top priority in order to build public/political support for redistribution of funds from other areas and generation of new revenues (taxes) dedicated to higher education, current economic pressures notwithstanding.
5. Do you believe that the Ohio General Assembly has imposed unfunded mandates on local school districts? If so, how would you address the problem? *Certainly the federal government has through NCLB requiring more staff and resources for compliance. Since the State of Ohio did not effectively rebut the program’s requirements they could be perceived as levying an unfunded mandate. Any provisions to reject unfunded mandates in any branch of government should also be applied to education, perhaps even more stringently.
Retirement Systems
6. Would you support a plan that would require employers and/or employees to increase their contributions to the state retirement systems to cover post-retirement health care?
*Maybe. I support the Health Care for All Ohioans Act which would satisfy this need.
7. Do you believe that the General Assembly should take action to restrict pension system investments in order to advance public policy goals?
* I see pension funds as trust funds earmarked for that specific purpose. Funds, properly invested are intended to increase the security of the beneficiaries. Advancing public policy, however noble does not seem to be in line with that purpose.
Collective Bargaining and Employee Rights
8. Do you support collective bargaining rights for public education employees under ORC section 4117?
*Yes, I support collective bargaining for all employees regardless of career path. Successful collective bargaining contributes to a sense of community vital to public education.
9. Do you support allowing local school districts to subcontract with private groups to provide educational or educational support services? Why or why not?
* When the role of public education is recognized and secure, private contracting of specific services may be done successfully. It must however be under strict oversight, be financially beneficial to the school district and not compete with the fundamental role of public education.
10. Would you sponsor or support legislation to repeal statutory provisions allowing school districts to privatize school busing services? Why or why not?
*Don’t know. Volatile fuel prices currently make any predictions about transportation costs impossible. I tend to support district operation of school busing due to the important role of “bus driver”, especially in rural districts. Security/safety issues may best be served by in-house operations as well.
11. Do you support the rights of teachers to evaluation and due process prior to the termination or non-renewal of a teaching contract? *Yes, unconditionally.
12. In your opinion what is a fair state minimum teacher's salary?
* I don’t feel it appropriate for me to assess the monetary value of a teacher’s work. Recognizing that geographical location may affect cost of living there may be some variance. Generally speaking a teacher’s salary should reflect the education and training needed, as well as continuing study and personal commitment and the community’s need to retain effective teachers. I personally don’t know any teachers who I would judge to be overpaid.
13. What elements do you believe should be included in the evaluations of teachers and other education professionals? Do you believe that student standardized test scores should be a factor in teacher evaluation and/or compensation?
* Performance based evaluations are present in most workplaces. As a self-employed small businessman my evaluations are reflected by our long-term relationships with our customers and our ability to generate profit. As a parent of a school-aged child my view would include many considerations, standardized test scores would not be one. Any evaluation should be developed locally to reflect the particular conditions and needs of a school or district.
Vouchers and Charter Schools
14. Do you support the use of public tax dollars to support vouchers, for-profit charter schools or tuition tax credits to parents who send their children to private schools or home schooling them? Why or why not?
* Funding our public schools requires a dedicated pool of resources. Public tax dollars should not leave the system. Opting out is a personal choice and must not impact our ability to fund an adequate and equal education for all Ohio students.
15. What legislation would you propose to improve the financial and academic accountability of charter schools? Do you support shutting down persistently failing and/or unauditable charter schools?
* I would support legislation that would promote consistency of standards comparable to public schools within the same district and establish strict fiscal and administrative oversight. Control over such schools should fall to the local board of education and should not adversely impact the public schools in the district. Obviously charter schools that cannot be audited or persistently fail should be subject to due process.
Additional issues
16. School safety is a major concern for students, parents and educational employees. What proposals would you offer to assure safety in educational settings such as K-12 institutions, MR/DD's, youth correctional facilities and other academic institutions?
*The proposed Education Amendment recognizes and provides funding for these needs, that’s the first step. With these additional resources available consultations among the involved parties, students, parents, employees and safety and security personnel should develop a somewhat standardized, comprehensive “emergency school guideline” for implementation.
17. Numerous studies show that smaller class sizes can improve students' academic performance. Would you support efforts to aid school districts in reducing class size? What policy initiatives would you support to help address closing achievement gaps in Ohio?
*Adequate funding would be most effective in reducing class size, something everyone agrees on. As a father of a child with ADHD and anxiety disorder I have had a first hand look at the challenges a diverse student body faces. Policy initiatives such as Universal Design for Learning would greatly aid this need.
18. How can policymakers help to improve parental involvement in Ohio's public schools?
*The lack of general involvement in community and political structures is growing rapidly.
The message we carry must place education as a priority and stress acceptance of personal and community responsibility for success. The electoral process is unfortunately exclusive rather than inclusive and that must be changed.
19. What do you think will be the major issue(s) in your campaign?
*Health care.
It is my perspective from personal experience as well as from conversations with voters that health care is a major concern. In order to create jobs we must solve this crisis. To keep struggling local governments and school districts afloat we must solve this crisis. To provide immediate stop-gap help for the 1.5 million uninsured and the 1.5 million underinsured Ohioans we must solve this crisis. I support the Health Care for All Ohioans Act. I have served on the state council of the non-profit SPAN Ohio writing and supporting this legislation since 2004. The HCFAOA is fully-funded and extends full comprehensive health care to every Ohio resident and worker without exemption. I urge the OEA to join in this effort.
Key educational issues
1. Describe what you consider to be the three most important issues facing-Ohio's public schools and explain why you chose those three issue
*Funding All funding formulas must satisfy the Supreme Court’s demand to provide adequacy and equal opportunity and be approached with a broad perspective to include consideration of diminishing finite financial resources as well as the cost of post-secondary education for prospective teachers. This will require a general and sweeping re-establishment of priorities.
*Privatization Any conversion of operating funds to profits typically decreases the amount of services delivered. Historically, Ohio’s public schools have served us well with adequate funding and citizen support. Private contracting may suit some needs but only with rigorous oversight.
*Labor Relations Collective bargaining helps teaching professionals resist the economic pressures of the labor market and establish long-term relationships in their districts. A cooperative agreement between labor and administration promotes the common mission to provide the highest quality education for every student.
School Funding
2. What recommendations would you offer to improve school funding and decrease the reliance on local property taxes to fund public education?
*I fully support the provisions of the Education Amendment to define the cost of a quality education, commit adequate state resources, set local property tax ceilings and fund necessary safety and security partners.
3. Ohio's tax law does not allow school districts to collect on increases in property valuation because of the state's tax reduction factors (HB920). Would you support legislation or an amendment to the Ohio constitution to give school district voters the authority to repeal or modify the tax reduction factors?
*Yes. Promoting and allowing voter/citizen involvement in school issues is desirable.
4. What would you do to improve higher education funding and increase access to and completion of higher education funding in Ohio?
* 1) Implement or Extend tuition freeze at state universities. 2) We must lead with the message of education as a top priority in order to build public/political support for redistribution of funds from other areas and generation of new revenues (taxes) dedicated to higher education, current economic pressures notwithstanding.
5. Do you believe that the Ohio General Assembly has imposed unfunded mandates on local school districts? If so, how would you address the problem? *Certainly the federal government has through NCLB requiring more staff and resources for compliance. Since the State of Ohio did not effectively rebut the program’s requirements they could be perceived as levying an unfunded mandate. Any provisions to reject unfunded mandates in any branch of government should also be applied to education, perhaps even more stringently.
Retirement Systems
6. Would you support a plan that would require employers and/or employees to increase their contributions to the state retirement systems to cover post-retirement health care?
*Maybe. I support the Health Care for All Ohioans Act which would satisfy this need.
7. Do you believe that the General Assembly should take action to restrict pension system investments in order to advance public policy goals?
* I see pension funds as trust funds earmarked for that specific purpose. Funds, properly invested are intended to increase the security of the beneficiaries. Advancing public policy, however noble does not seem to be in line with that purpose.
Collective Bargaining and Employee Rights
8. Do you support collective bargaining rights for public education employees under ORC section 4117?
*Yes, I support collective bargaining for all employees regardless of career path. Successful collective bargaining contributes to a sense of community vital to public education.
9. Do you support allowing local school districts to subcontract with private groups to provide educational or educational support services? Why or why not?
* When the role of public education is recognized and secure, private contracting of specific services may be done successfully. It must however be under strict oversight, be financially beneficial to the school district and not compete with the fundamental role of public education.
10. Would you sponsor or support legislation to repeal statutory provisions allowing school districts to privatize school busing services? Why or why not?
*Don’t know. Volatile fuel prices currently make any predictions about transportation costs impossible. I tend to support district operation of school busing due to the important role of “bus driver”, especially in rural districts. Security/safety issues may best be served by in-house operations as well.
11. Do you support the rights of teachers to evaluation and due process prior to the termination or non-renewal of a teaching contract? *Yes, unconditionally.
12. In your opinion what is a fair state minimum teacher's salary?
* I don’t feel it appropriate for me to assess the monetary value of a teacher’s work. Recognizing that geographical location may affect cost of living there may be some variance. Generally speaking a teacher’s salary should reflect the education and training needed, as well as continuing study and personal commitment and the community’s need to retain effective teachers. I personally don’t know any teachers who I would judge to be overpaid.
13. What elements do you believe should be included in the evaluations of teachers and other education professionals? Do you believe that student standardized test scores should be a factor in teacher evaluation and/or compensation?
* Performance based evaluations are present in most workplaces. As a self-employed small businessman my evaluations are reflected by our long-term relationships with our customers and our ability to generate profit. As a parent of a school-aged child my view would include many considerations, standardized test scores would not be one. Any evaluation should be developed locally to reflect the particular conditions and needs of a school or district.
Vouchers and Charter Schools
14. Do you support the use of public tax dollars to support vouchers, for-profit charter schools or tuition tax credits to parents who send their children to private schools or home schooling them? Why or why not?
* Funding our public schools requires a dedicated pool of resources. Public tax dollars should not leave the system. Opting out is a personal choice and must not impact our ability to fund an adequate and equal education for all Ohio students.
15. What legislation would you propose to improve the financial and academic accountability of charter schools? Do you support shutting down persistently failing and/or unauditable charter schools?
* I would support legislation that would promote consistency of standards comparable to public schools within the same district and establish strict fiscal and administrative oversight. Control over such schools should fall to the local board of education and should not adversely impact the public schools in the district. Obviously charter schools that cannot be audited or persistently fail should be subject to due process.
Additional issues
16. School safety is a major concern for students, parents and educational employees. What proposals would you offer to assure safety in educational settings such as K-12 institutions, MR/DD's, youth correctional facilities and other academic institutions?
*The proposed Education Amendment recognizes and provides funding for these needs, that’s the first step. With these additional resources available consultations among the involved parties, students, parents, employees and safety and security personnel should develop a somewhat standardized, comprehensive “emergency school guideline” for implementation.
17. Numerous studies show that smaller class sizes can improve students' academic performance. Would you support efforts to aid school districts in reducing class size? What policy initiatives would you support to help address closing achievement gaps in Ohio?
*Adequate funding would be most effective in reducing class size, something everyone agrees on. As a father of a child with ADHD and anxiety disorder I have had a first hand look at the challenges a diverse student body faces. Policy initiatives such as Universal Design for Learning would greatly aid this need.
18. How can policymakers help to improve parental involvement in Ohio's public schools?
*The lack of general involvement in community and political structures is growing rapidly.
The message we carry must place education as a priority and stress acceptance of personal and community responsibility for success. The electoral process is unfortunately exclusive rather than inclusive and that must be changed.
19. What do you think will be the major issue(s) in your campaign?
*Health care.
It is my perspective from personal experience as well as from conversations with voters that health care is a major concern. In order to create jobs we must solve this crisis. To keep struggling local governments and school districts afloat we must solve this crisis. To provide immediate stop-gap help for the 1.5 million uninsured and the 1.5 million underinsured Ohioans we must solve this crisis. I support the Health Care for All Ohioans Act. I have served on the state council of the non-profit SPAN Ohio writing and supporting this legislation since 2004. The HCFAOA is fully-funded and extends full comprehensive health care to every Ohio resident and worker without exemption. I urge the OEA to join in this effort.
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