Publisher-turned-politician Roy Brown has spent more than 10 times as much as front-runner Mike Turner in the GOP primary for Ohio's 3rd Congressional District.

        “What he is trying to do with his hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars is buy the election,” Turner spokesman Jim Nathanson said Tuesday.

        Reports to the Federal Election Commission, filed late Monday, show that Mr. Brown, who has started running TV ads, had spent $548,617 as of March 31. Mr. Turner spent $42,166.

        The FEC has not received a report for the third GOP candidate, Gregory Hunter, who is running a low-key campaign. The district includes Dayton and part of Warren County.

        Mr. Brown received $28,340 from individuals and political action committees, with the balance coming from his own pocket, according to his report. Mr. Turner received $176,416 from individuals, $13,500 from party committees and $11,250 from PACs.

        Mr. Turner had $158,546 on hand March 31. Mr. Brown had $99,219.

        Meanwhile, even Mr. Brown's polls show him lagging behind Mr. Turner. Mr. Brown is chief executive officer of Brown Publishing but has never held political office. Mr. Turner was mayor of Dayton for two terms.

        A Turner poll in late March put Mr. Turner ahead 58 percent to 20 percent. The Brown campaign says its most recent poll shows Mr. Turner leading by 7 percentage points — 40 percent to 33 percent. Each surveyed 300 Republicans and had a margin of error of 5.6 percent.

        Aw, they shouldn't have: Springboro police officers got more than a new boss Monday.They got a dozen black roses.

        New Chief Jeffrey Kruithoff said he suspects the dead bouquet, which was sent anonymously, came from a small band of detractors at his former department in Battle Creek, Mich., where he resigned under fire a year ago.

        “It's kind of a tradition,” Chief Kruithoff said.

— Sheila McLaughlin

        Gathering woolly thoughts: What does a woolly mammoth have in common with a fox?

        At a recent Butler County commissioners meeting, employee Mary Jo Lahrmann was explaining a new educational program on the prehistoric woolly mammoth she has prepared for schools and other organizations.

        The impetus was the discovery two years ago of a mammoth's leg bone and tooth at the site of a waste water treatment facility.

        Ms. Lahrmann held a ruler in front of her and moved her fingers from the top of the ruler down.

        “The woolly mammoth had a 3-inch layer of fat,” she said.

        Commissioners Courtney Combs and Chuck Furmon looked at portly colleague Mike Fox and began laughing. Mr. Fox, who often jokes about his girth, laughed, too.

— Steve Kemme

       Kilburn vs. Dunn, the mini-series: Last week's meeting of the two GOP candidates for Warren County commissioner was mostly cordial. They each got a couple of digs in edgewise, however:

        • Daryl Dunn, in reference to Mike Kilburn's other job, running a mortuary: “I am willing to put my real estate career on hold for the people of this county.”

        • Mr. Kilburn, accusing Mr. Dunn of running only on the issue of Middletown Regional Hospital's proposed move: “I'm wondering, am I running against George Terwilleger?”

        Mr. Terwilleger — a hospital supporter and former state lawmaker — is backing Mr. Dunn in the race.

        Mr. Kilburn made nice with Mr. Dunn after the debate, however, telling him they had more in common with each other than with “the Tepe girl.” That'd be Democratic candidate Carolyn Tepe, whom one of them will face in November.

        Tips and comments on suburban politics may be relayed to reporter Cindi Andrews at 755-4157.

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