Thursday, July 08, 1999
Political workhorse quits GOP committee
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
ALEXANDRIA — Political activist Lloyd Rogers has quit the Campbell County Republican Party's main operating committee.
Mr. Rogers, 66, said Wednesday that he is unhappy with the direction of the Campbell County Executive Committee and frustrated with divisions that have emerged in the party.
“I've worked hard for the party, and I'll continue to work hard for some Republican candidates,” said Mr. Rogers, an Alexandria resident and retired Cincinnati Bell engineer.
“But there comes a point when you've just seen enough and it's time to go. And for me, it's time to go from the executive committee,” he said.
Sam Smith, chairwoman of the executive committee, said she is sorry Mr. Rogers has left the committee.
“But I made a decision he did not like,” Mrs. Smith said Wednesday.
Mrs. Smith said Mr. Rogers is upset over how she
handled submitting a list of names for an appointment to the Campbell County Board of Elections.
Mrs. Smith submitted five names for consideration. Mr. Rogers was listed second on the list. Barb Haas, a Fort Thomas Republican who has raised money and run campaigns for several GOP candidates including state Sen. Katie Stine, was listed first.
The appointment is expected to be announced Aug. 17.
“I talked to several people about Barb Haas, several active Republicans and elected officials, and everyone told me she would do an outstanding job,” Mrs. Smith said.
“But I put her first on the list, and that's what has (Mr. Rogers) upset,” she said.
Mr. Rogers said he is not angry about being second on the list. But he said he is upset that Mrs. Smith did not choose someone more active on the executive committee to head the list of nominees.
“We have people who have been on this committee for a long time who should have been considered,” he said.
Mrs. Smith should also have consulted members of the executive committee about her decision, Mr. Rogers said.
Mr. Rogers also expressed frustration with the continuing rift between the executive committee and some Republican elected officials and activists from Fort Thomas.
“We need unity, and we just don't have it,” he said.
A former Democrat, Mr. Rogers is the former Campbell County judge-executive who ran unsuccessfully in recent years for Congress and mayor of Alexandria.
“It's a shame,” said attorney Tim Nolan, who ran in the 1998 Campbell County judge-executive GOP primary with Mr. Rogers as his campaign manager.
“Anytime we lose a workhorse like Lloyd, it's going to hurt the party,” Mr. Nolan said.
Mr. Rogers has clashed with officials and candidates from both parties.
Still, Republicans active in politics say he will be missed.
“I hope he changes his mind,” said Kevin Gordon of Alexandria, the GOP candidate in November's Campbell County property value administrator's race.
“Lloyd lives, eats, sleeps and breathes politics,” said state Rep. Joe Fischer, a Fort Thomas Republican. “I know some people disagreed with him over style and policy, but overall he has been generous to me and other Republican candidates with his time, advice and encouragement.
“I hope he remains active in supporting Republican candidates,” Mr. Fischer said.
Tourism riding a wave
Casino worker accused of $84K theft
Internet porn investigation widens
CPS solicits charter plans for schools
State tells charter school to return dissenter
Reader survey: Our next great leap
Reagan Hwy. work ready to roll
Smoking opponents applaud verdict
Bridge restoration fees to be examined
Driver shot in car dies; no motive
Fund to honor slain man
Guilt led man to kill ex-wife, he says
Officer pulled off drug task force
3 sites left in Kenton jail search
Bell's arrival brings the sound of partying
Years later, war memories remain strong
'WKRP' budget hurt quality of reruns
Bauer third in campaign cash race
GET TO IT
'Screw' turns on horrors of the mind
Agency for kids appoints leaders
Campaign inquiry turns to Ky. lawyer
Campbell joins tailpipe test foes
Clermont to build salt storage site
Death of baby wrapped in plastic ruled accidental
Falsely accused, man sues Hamilton
Hamilton gets youth view
Kenton moves to restrict adult clubs
Lakota finds principal within
Man injured in hit-run; driver faces charges
Plastic wrap suffocation accidental, coroner says
Pleasant Ridge's day makes return
Political workhorse quits GOP committee
Schools scrambling to fill principal positions
Teens cross cultures in church-building trip to Mexico
TRISTATE DIGEST
Warren property taxes due in 13 days
