LEBANON — The country is tired of politicians and elections.

        Exhausted, actually.

        People have overdosed on the negativity that comes with political campaigns and causes these days.

        Even so, a recent chance meeting with one of the breed's older practitioners was anything but tiresome. He was fascinating.

        After we finished eating one night at the Golden Lamb, my wife and I stepped out onto the second-floor porch and looked down on Broadway. Suddenly, out walked Corwin M. Nixon, the former Warren County state representative and longtime minority leader before his retirement in the early 1990s.

        He didn't recall that I covered his leaving, and I didn't mention it. As I remember, he spent his last day talking to some elementary-school kids about government. Even on his way out, he cared enough to discuss the subject.

        Today, Mr. Nixon is still as passionate about politics and government as he was when he started in the House more than three decades ago.

        That night on the porch, he proudly recalled that he and Democrat Vern Riffe, for years the House majority leader and a major player in statewide politics, got along well and worked smoothly.

        “We never had one argument,” Mr. Nixon said. “We always got the job done. He was a gentleman.”

        As I listened to him talk, I realized that Mr. Nixon could give George W. Bush some tips on how to cope with the opposition party. With Congress practically split between Republicans and Democrats, politicians will have to get along with one another somehow for at least the next two years.

        These days, Mr. Nixon isn't making laws. He is retired and still living near Red Lion — and still following politics.

        In fact, on that night, he was waiting for another old-time state representative to arrive for a special dinner, where Mr. Nixon would present him with a plaque for years of public service.

        As he turned to leave, Mr. Nixon handed me his business card. Under his name he lists seven organizations to which be belongs or is a trustee, his post office box number and these words in bold type:

        “Served 30 years in the Ohio General Assembly, 14 years as minority leader of the Ohio House of Representatives, 1962-1992.”

        Proudly served.

        HAMILTON — Lane Public Library will sponsor the Riverbank Poetry Project meeting 7 p.m. Wednesday.

        Featured poet: Herbert Martin, professor of English and poet-in-residence at the University of Dayton.

        Dr. Martin, who also is active in singing and acting, has appeared as the poet Paul Laurence Dunbar for 20 years.

        The poetry project is free to the public.

        It will meet at the main library, 300 N. Third St., Hamilton.

        OXFORD — Matthew Crehan, Butler County Common Pleas judge, will speak on “Seating A Blind Juror” 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Miami University's Shriver Center.

        Judge Crehan has studied the topic extensively, noting the litigant's right to a fair trial and the blind person's right to be a juror.

        His talk will be at the monthly meeting of the Butler County Torch Club.

        For information, call 896-1418.
       Randy McNutt's column appears on Saturday. Contact him at 860-7118 or at The Enquirer, 4820 Business Center Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246.

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