With a few solemn words and a raised right hand, Todd Portune ushered in a new era of Hamilton County government that hasn't been seen in a generation.

        Mr. Portune, 42, became the first elected Democrat on the commission since 1964 after taking the oath of office Tuesday at Memorial Hall.

Todd Portune places his doll likeness on the shelf of his office in the Hamilton County Administration Building. The doll played a major part in Mr. Portune's TV campaign. (Michael E. Keating photos) | ZOOM |

        He told a packed auditorium to expect change.

        “For too long decisions have been made, affecting major policies or major dollars, not in full public view,” Mr. Portune said. “Results have been disastrous — people feel shut out, views and input ignored, communities neglected.

        “No more. Government does not work if the process does not work,” he said to thunderous applause.

        Mr. Portune joins two Republican incumbents on the commission, John Dowlin and Tom Neyer. He promised to work with them to the benefit of all county residents, Republican and Democrat.

        “The primary issues facing us are not necessarily partisan issues,” Mr. Portune said. “They are, however, issues which are screaming out for a new perspective. We are going to provide that.”

Ethan Portune, 4, appears bored as his dad is interviewed by Jack Atherton of Channel 19. | ZOOM |

        Mr. Portune defeated incumbent Bob Bedinghaus in the November election by a slim margin. He ran a grass-roots campaign that was critical of the $50 million in stadium overruns and the generous lease given to Bengals' owner Mike Brown.

        He also was highly critical of some of the deci sions commissioners made concerning the overruns in closed-door executive sessions. Commissioners kept the overruns a secret from the public for more than six months.

        Mr. Portune said the county's $1.5 billion debt drags the county down by draining its resources and affecting planning. He said it was “unconscionable” to pass that debt along to our children.

        “Basic delivery of services is the primary function of county government,” Mr. Portune said.

        “We have a duty, morally and legally, not to sacrifice the delivery of service and to make certain that the administration is done fairly, equally and appropriately.”

        Earlier in the day, Mr. Portune moved into his new office at the administration building and brought some people who are rarely seen in those halls — pictures of Mr. Portune with President Bill Clinton, first lady Hillary Clinton, Sen. Joe Kennedy and former Ohio Sen. John Glenn.

        “This place hasn't seen that kind of action for a while,” Mr. Portune said.

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