Slam dunk: Doug McNeill, Middletown Regional Hospital president, took some veiled shots at area leaders in general and the Warren County commissioners in particular during a speech to business leaders last week.

        Middletown Regional thought its plans for a new health and technology campus in Turtlecreek Township would bring together counties, townships and cities, Mr. McNeill said at the Mason Landen Kings Chamber of Commerce annual banquet.

        “Boy, were we wrong. Nobody even likes each other, and they rarely talk to each other.”

        The Warren commissioners have been staunch opponents of Middletown Regional's planned location on Greentree Road despite growing signs of support from the business and education communities. The 550-acre campus would include health- and high-tech-related education, research and industry as well as a relocated Middletown Regional.

        “The problem is we have no plan, no leadership, and no political will,” Mr. McNeill said.

        The audience of about 240 gave him a standing ovation.

        The banquet itself was a posh schmoozefest. Touches at the Manor House event included champagne, a fashion show and the wedding party-like announcement of each guest's arrival.

        The Area Progress Council of Warren County, another pro-business group, turned out in force, as did current, former and would-be politicians. The two candidates challenging Republican Commissioner Mike Kilburn — Republican Daryl Dunn and Democrat Carolyn Tepe — took the opportunity to chat up state Rep. Tom Raga, R-Deerfield Township, and others mingling.

        Heroic millionaire: U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel, a Nebraska Republican, will be the keynote speaker for this year's Butler County Lincoln Day Dinner. He's a Vietnam War hero and a self-made millionaire.

        The dinner will take place April 8 at the Sharonville Convention Center. Tickets for the dinner cost $60 a person or $500 a table. For tickets, call Marilyn Hatfield at 893-5292.

        Mr. Hagel, 55, was wounded while serving in the Army infantry in Vietnam and was awarded two Purple Hearts.

        He and two partners founded Vanguard Cellular Systems Inc. in 1982. It became the nation's second largest independent cell phone company.

        He was interviewed as a possible vice-presidential running mate for President Bush in 2000.

— Steve Kemme

        Still running: So far, none of the five remaining candidates for the Republican nomination for the new Butler County Common Pleas judge's seat has followed Andy Nastoff's lead.

        Mr. Nastoff withdrew March 6, citing his desire to promote party unity and to avoid an expensive, divisive primary.

        At the time, he said he hoped all but one of the remaining candidates would withdraw. But all five candidates — Timothy Evans, Craig Hedric, Gary Kaup, Charles Pater and Daniel Warncke — have stayed in the race.

        None of the candidates received enough votes in a Feb. 27 GOP meeting to earn the party's endorsement. — Steve Kemme
        Tips and comments on suburban politics may be relayed to reporter Cindi Andrews via phone, 755-4157, or e-mail, candrews@enquirer.com.

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