Saturday, January 08, 2000
2nd District up for grabs
3 in GOP are seeking shot at seat
BY RICHELLE THOMPSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — In Republican-dominated Warren County, the primary election traditionally decides the next round of elected officials. It is especially true this year.
Candidates will vie for only two offices — the 2nd District state representative seat and a county commission post — in the GOP primary March 7.
Three Republicans met Friday's filing deadline to seek the nomination to succeed state Rep. George Terwilleger, R-Hamilton Township. He cannot run because of term limits.
This is only the second time in nearly 40 years the slate doesn't include an incumbent. Former House Republican leader Corwin Nixon held the position for 30 years until he retired in 1992, when Mr. Terwilleger won the seat.
“It isn't very often you get a chance to go to Columbus in Warren County,” said Les Spaeth, the county's Republican Party chairman. Two of the candidates, Mason Councilwoman Betty Davis and Clearcreek Township Trustee Ed Wade, are making second tries for the seat. Ms. Davis and Mr. Wade ran in 1992, finishing second and third respectively in a field of five.
With Warren County's population zooming from 113,927 in 1990 to an estimated 146,033 in 1998, the issue of growth is expected to dominate the campaign. Residents are concerned about the rapid development's impact on traffic and schools, said Ms. Davis, Mason's former mayor.
“Growth can be a very positive thing, but only if it's managed well,” she said.
The third candidate, Tom Raga, a Deerfield Township trustee in his first term, said he will focus on education and tax reform. Legislators should restore control to local school districts and encourage a return to the basics of teaching reading, writing and math, he said.
Mr. Raga also supports an across-the-board income tax reduction. He said he hopes to bring a business approach to government, to take “the attitude we can increase services and decrease taxes.”
Mr. Wade could not be reached.
Community activist and Mason resident Richard Inskeep is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination. He also is the only Democrat on the ballot.
Being a Democratic candidate in Warren County these days is as incongruous as tie-dye T-shirts at a black-tie dinner. No Democrats currently hold office in Warren County.
“If a candidate has a "R,' it doesn't matter if he's breathing,” said Earl Sizemore, Warren County's Democratic Party chairman. ""I won't say anything's impossible, but it would be hard” to win a race.
Ted Maehr of Clarksville is running unopposed for the Natural Law party nomination for the 2nd District seat.
The other contested race is for the county commission seat held by Larry Crisenberry. The two-term incumbent is challenged by Clyde Baston, a Hamilton Township trustee.
County Commissioner Pat Arnold South is running unopposed for a third term.
Other unopposed candidates are: Neal Bronson, judge, Court of Common Pleas; Tim Oliver, prosecuting attorney; James Spaeth, clerk of courts; Tom Ariss, sheriff; Beth Deckard, recorder; Neil Tunison, engineer; Warren Young, coroner; and Jim LeFevers, treasurer.
Voters also will determine tax issues including:
• Kings Local Schools: renewal of a 3-mill permanent improvement levy that would raise $1 million each of the next five years starting in January 2001. The money would be used for building repairs, technology and to purchase school buses. Taxes would not increase if the levy is approved.
• Little Miami Schools: renewal of a 1.85-mill permanent improvement levy that would generate about $315,000 a year for five years starting in January 2001. The money would be used for capital improvements. The levy, first approved by voters in 1990 and renewed in 1995, would not increase taxes.
• Mason: a 6.78-mill bond issue that would raise $71.9 million to pay for a new high school and recreation center.The facility would be built on 73 acres along Mason-Montgomery Road between Main Street and Mason High School. The owner of a house with an average market value of $200,000 would pay about $249 more a year in taxes, beginning in January 2001, if the project is approved.
• Wayne Township: renewal of a 2.45 mill, 5-year levy for fire protection.
• Harlan Township: a 1.62 mill, 20-year bond issue to generate $1.265 million to build and equip a fire station. The measure would cost the owner of a $50,000 house $24.80 more a year in taxes.
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