West Chester Township Trustee Catherine Stoker has been named Butler County Democrat of the Year by the county party.

        She not only won re-election last November, but was the top vote-getter in the trustee race. That's in spite of being a “D” in a township that's bedrock Republican.

        Ms. Stoker also helped lead the referendum drive aimed at overturning the county commissioners' sales tax increase.

        After realizing that sales tax opponents had gathered enough signatures to place the referendum on the May ballot, the commissioners rescinded the sales tax. They plan to place it on the November ballot.

        “Catherine's a hard worker,” said Dan Gattermeyer, chairman of the Butler County Democratic Party. “She gets involved in issues that other people are afraid to get involved with or don't want to take the time to get involved with.”

— Steve Kemme

        A new alliance? Lebanon Councilman Ben Cole, who has found himself in a minority of one on some issues since voters ousted most of his allies in November, may have a new ally in James Reinhard.

        Councilman Reinhard got in several good rants against development at Thursday's council work session. His first target was the planned annexation of Las Colinas de Lebanon, a 127-acre subdivision proposed east of Lebanon on Ohio 123.

        He and Mr. Cole both said they oppose the annexation, recently approved by the Warren County commissioners.

        “I think it's a boondoggle that's going to cost the citizens of Lebanon money,” Mr. Reinhard said.

        City staffers say developer Joe Gallenstein will pay most of the costs of extending sewer service to Las Colinas, but Mr. Reinhard also wants to know who would pay to extend telecommunications and other utilities.

        Close call: Lakota West junior Brett McEachern almost got to grill the U.S. secretary of labor.

        Elaine Chao took questions last week from a hundred high school reporters, the majority of whom attended the Washington press conference by phone. Phone difficulties, however, kept the West Chester youth from getting a question through.

        Brett is co-editor in chief of Lakota West's The Voice.
       

        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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