BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
SPRINGBORO -- Two Clearcreek citizens' groups violated state campaign law -- but not on purpose, the Ohio Elections Commission ruled last week. The groups, the Clearcreek Township Citizens Committee and Citizens for Fair Taxation, failed to promptly file as political action committees with the Warren County Board of Elections last fall in their fight against a levy issue to build a YMCA recreation center, the commission determined.
Still, there's no evidence the violation was intentional, Executive Director Phil Richter said. Therefore, the commission did not impose any fine and will not seek criminal prosecution. The commission also dismissed other complaints filed by Springboro attorney Michael Eckert alleging the groups disseminated false information during the campaign. Complaints against a third group, Citizens Who Care, were dropped, Mr. Richter said.
Jackie Fishman, secretary of the Citizens Committee, said her organization did not realize it was violating the law. Since the group's inception in 1996, it has served as a government watchdog and gotten involved in other issues such as zoning.
"Now we know the rules we have to follow," she said. "And it won't happen again."
The citizens groups opposed a proposal for a 1.119-mill, 25-year levy that would have cost the owner of a $100,000 home an additional $34 per year in taxes. The levy would have generated $6.4 million of a $7.4 million facility. Voters rejected the measure 2 to 1.
Despite the failed levy, Springboro residents may get a Y after all. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dayton hopes to build a scaled-down facility on Ohio 741 near the Wright Brothers Airport South. The organization intends to make a decision within two months.
