Friday, September 03, 1999
FOP spreads out backing for council
5 GOP, 1 Charter and 3 Democrats
BY TANYA BRICKING
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Stung by Democratic leaders' accusations that the local Fraternal Order of Police is a GOP stronghold, the FOP Queen City Lodge 69 is touting its slate of 1999 campaign endorsements.
About a third of those being endorsed are Democrats.
Historically, competition for the police union's endorsement has been fierce. Those who receive it often highlight it in campaign commercials and literature, attempting to lay claim to the popular tough-on-crime label.
But since local FOP President Keith Fangman criticized Democratic Cincinnati Vice Mayor Minette Cooper's handling of her son's drug arrest this spring after she privately met with the police chief and safety director, political spats began early.
Hamilton County Democratic Party Co-chairmen Tim Burke and State Sen. Mark Mallory called Mr. Fangman's statements “partisan, divisive and dangerous.”
Mr. Fangman is a former Republican campaign manager for now-Prosecutor Mike Allen and was a council aide for Jim Cissell.
Council candidates endorsed are:
• Democrats Paul Booth, Forrest Buckley and Charlie Luken.
• Republicans Jeanette Cissell, Pat DeWine, Diane Goldsmith, Phil Heimlich and Charlie Winburn.
• Charterite Jim Tarbell.
Mrs. Cooper interviewed for the FOP's endorsement but did not make the cut.
As for the Hamilton County Municipal Court race, seven incumbent municipal court judges — four Republicans and three Democrats — are up for election to four-year terms on Nov. 2.
The FOP is endorsing all but one of them — Democrat Cheryl Grant, who was often critical of police as head of the city's independent Office of Municipal Investigations.
Endorsements are made by the FOP's six-member “1900 Club,” a reference to the FOP's address on Central Parkway in Over-the-Rhine. The club's active and retired officers vote after taking suggestions from the union that represents Cincinnati's 1,000-member force.
City very 'politically incorrect'
Sheriff defends legal work
Leis withdraws suit that fueled controversy
City's development director leaving
Officers' taped statements about shooting released
Art Museum should 'reach out'
Swimmer heads 100 miles down the Ohio to help orphans
Clermont slaying a mystery
DeWine gives endorsement to McCain
DOE tests new ways to ship soil
FOP spreads out backing for council
Home rule sounds good to officials in Anderson
Legion's souvenir bomb still fused
p8 Smog alert issued for today and Saturday
Clooney moves to WSAI
Sorry, kids: 'NSync is an 'NSipid rip-off
Darts get the story
Dryness' effect on leaf colors still up in the air
GET TO IT
14-year-old arrested in beating death
Accused robber agrees to cooperate
Cable project likely at its end
Columbus looks into police officers' sex with prostitutes
County proposes sharing airport costs
Ex-administrator seeks to join board that fired her
Family barn canvas for logo
Five state reps oppose area code change
Franklin Jr. High getting new boss
Grenades found along Ohio River bank
Man gets prison for benefits theft
Mason, Deerfield in court yet again
Police seek five suspects in jewelry store robbery
Schools told to protect records
St. Antoninus rebuilds school
Thriftway store may take over school site
TRISTATE DIGEST
Willie Nelson draws for Ky. candidate
Woman sues over bond going to child support
