BY JANET C. WETZEL
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON -- A long list of issues faces Butler County voters Nov. 3, ranging from school and municipal levies to social service measures and charter amendments.
Thursday was the deadline for placing campaign issues on the November ballot.
Voters also will choose a county auditor, two county commissioners and judges for common pleas, appellate and county courts. There are several local options on the ballot, too.
In the county commission races:
Republican Michael A. Fox, appointed last year to fill the seat of the late Janet Clemmons, faces Democrat Jeffrey Kitchen to fill the unexpired term ending Jan. 2, 2001.
Incumbent Republican Courtney Combs is being challenged for his seat by Democrat Fred Wooten, for a term beginning Jan. 1, 1999. County Auditor Kay Rogers, a Republican, is facing two opponents -- Democrat Carol Soliday and Independent Mike Brown.
Republican Anthony Valen, a common pleas judge, and Independent George M. Parker are running for one seat on the 12th District Court of Appeals. Incumbent Republican William W. Young and Democrat J.C. Shew are battling for another appellate court seat.
Incumbent Democrat Mark Conese is being challenged for his common pleas judgeship by Republican Sharon L. Kennedy, while Democrat Daniel G. Eichel and Republican Patricia Oney, now a county judge, will battle for another seat on common pleas court.
Incumbent Common Pleas Judges Leslie Spillane and David J. Niehaus, both Republicans, and County Judge Robert A. Hendrickson are running unopposed.
Education votes
Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development -- a 2.7-mill replacement levy for operating expenses.
Madison Local School District -- a 7.97-mill bond issue that would generate $12.3 million for construction, improvements and renovations - additions to school buildings.
New Miami Local School District -- a 3.81-mill levy for construction and additions to classrooms; a .5-mill additional levy to maintain classroom facilities; and a 0.28-mill bond issue to acquire land for buildings.
Butler County Children Services -- a 2.4-mill measure to replace a 2-mill operating levy.
Butler County Mental Health Board and Butler County Alcohol Drug Addiction Services Board -- a 1.5-mill additional operating levy.
Local issues
Village of College Corner -- a 3.8-mill renewal levy for operating expenses. Also, a 1.8-mill levy for fire protection.
City of Fairfield, two charter amendments: To change dates of appointments and organizational meetings to more closely coincide with terms of council. To delete language no longer applicable about compensation for elected officials, and clarify language about parks and recreation board members appointed by council. City of Hamilton, six charter amendments, most with multiple provisions: They include, switching to a modernized personnel and civil service system, and allowing members of city council to become candidates for other elected public offices; to let council authorize additional pay to the city manager; and to require at least five "yes" votes of council to adopt an ordinance or resolution as an emergency. One amendment proposes letting council change the salary for its successors, an issue that voters have rejected numerous times.
City of Monroe: Should city council adopt a resolution supporting a separate school district for the Monroe Public Schools? This is a non-binding measure, acting as an "advisory" vote to council. Milford Township, unincorporated area -- 1-mill tax levy renewal for fire and emergency medical services.
Morgan Township, unincorporated area -- 1-mill additional levy for the fire district.
St. Clair Township, unincorporated area -- .75-mill renewal levy for the fire district.
Alcohol options
There are three alcohol-related local options:
Fairfield Township, Precinct 4AF -- Should beer, plus wine and mixed beverages be sold for on- and off-premises consumption; whether spiritous liquors shall be sold by the glass, and shall Sunday sales be permitted for on-premises consumption where food is sold.
Liberty Township, Precinct 4DH -- Sunday sales of wine and mixed beverages for off-premises consumption.
Union Township, Precinct 4LA -- Sunday sales of intoxicating liquor for on-premises consumption.
School, road funds on fall ballot
Ballot issues in eastern Hamilton Co.
Ballot issues in western Hamilton Co.
Ballot issues in Clermont Co.
Ballot issues in Warren County
