By Karen Vance
The Cincinnati Enquirer

UNION TOWNSHIP - About 40 people attended a League of Women Voters of Clermont County event Tuesday night in the hopes of hearing a spirited debate in the only contested election in the county.

But the Republican candidate for county commissioner, R. Scott Croswell, an attorney, was unable to attend because he was held up in court at a judge's insistence, awaiting a jury verdict.

Mr. Croswell's campaign manager, Mary Jo Byrnes, expressed her candidate's regrets for being unable to attend.

"He is extremely sorry," she said. "And even though Scott's been held up with his other commitments, it is not an indication of how he would serve as county commissioner."

League protocol does not allow another person to speak in the absence of the candidate.

But the League did allow his Democratic candidate, Gregg Conrad, to speak.

Mr. Conrad, a self-employed businessman, stressed that through three previous debates with his opponent he's found they agree on most of the issues.

"The issues aren't going to divide Scott Croswell and I," he said. "We agree on 80 percent of the issues and only marginally disagree on the other 20 percent.

"This election comes down to how each of us will serve. I'm committed to being a full-time commissioner."

Mr. Croswell has said in the past that, if elected, he plans to continue his law practice.

Mr. Conrad also argues that as a Democrat he will serve as an alternative voice in a Republican county and serve as a watchdog on fiscal issues.

"I come with no strings attached, and I am not beholden to anyone," he said.

Attendees at the event also heard from Charles Sanders, the Democratic candidate for the 2nd U.S. Congressional District. Incumbent Rob Portman, R-Terrace Park, did not attend.

This is the third time the two will face each other in the election. In a brief three-minute speech, Mr. Sanders summarized his political experience as the former mayor of Waynesville. He also stressed he would work as a congressman to bring federal dollars back to local government, particularly money for infrastructure improvements, such as roads and mass transit.

The event also featured a brief presentation in support of Issue 6, a 1- mill levy for the Clermont County MRDD, and speeches by unopposed incumbents state Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Loveland, Probate Judge Stephanie Wyler and County Coroner Dr. Brian Treon.

Dr. Treon, who was appointed July 31 after Dr. Nick Capurro resigned after 30 years, said he would serve as a part-time coroner and work to keep the coroner's office out of the headlines.

The office was in the news after Dr. Capurro sued the county to receive full-time pay and was being investigated by the FBI for his work at a medical rehabilitation clinic in Adams County. As a full-time coroner, he was prohibited by state law from holding an outside job.