Compiled by Cindi Andrews
The Cincinnati Enquirer

It's now been six months since organizational meetings of the Warren County Republican Executive and Central committees ended in disorganization, and pressure is mounting to reconvene them.

"I have no idea what the delay is," says David Fornshell, an up-and-coming Warren County Republican. "We owe it to the Republicans of Warren County to have that meeting, regardless of the outcome."

The Central Committee elected officers at its May meeting but adjourned before electing at-large members to the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee, composed of Central Committee members and countywide elected officials, adjourned before electing new officers after it appeared the party's conservative wing could have the votes to oust longtime Chairman Les Spaeth, viewed by some as too moderate.

The Central Committee must reconvene first, party officials say. Summer vacations and then the November election were blamed for the delay, but Central Committee Chairman Mike Schueler promised Tuesday he'll call the meeting "shortly." "We've got to do it, and we've got to do it soon," Mr. Schueler said.

The conservatives agree. Domestic Relations Judge James Flannery is stepping down in just two months to take his new job as Common Pleas judge, and the Executive Committee traditionally would give the governor the names of three nominees for the vacancy. That'll be difficult to do if new officers haven't been elected.

"The only way to force a meeting is by suit, and nobody wants to do that," says Mr. Fornshell, who plans to run for county prosecutor if incumbent Tim Oliver gets the vacant domestic relations job.

Speaker pro tempore, again: Members of the Ohio House Republican Caucus recently elected Rep. Gary Cates, R-West Chester, to serve a second term as speaker pro tempore for the Ohio House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2001.

"Being a member of leadership is about honesty, trust and effectiveness," Mr. Cates said. "I'm honored that my colleagues placed their confidence in me to serve a second term."

The former West Chester Township trustee represents the 58th House District in Butler County.

Mr. Cates also chairs the Elections and Ethics Subcommittee of the House State Government Committee, and serves as vice chairman of the House Rules and Reference Committee. He also is a member of the Commerce and Labor, and Energy and Environmental committees.

Jennifer Edwards

Wait a minute: As Mason City Councilwoman Charlene Pelfrey put it, "A first read on the minutes? I think that's a first."

But at its last meeting, the seven-member council did not have enough votes to approve the minutes from the Nov. 11 meeting.

Tom Grossmann and Dick Staten were not present Nov. 25 to cast a vote - although Mr. Grossmann turned up later - and Victor Kidd and Peter Beck abstained because they weren't at the Nov. 11 meeting.

One vote shy of a quorum, council opted to vote on the minutes again at its next meeting, Dec. 9.

Erica Solvig

Tips and comments on Butler and Warren politics may be relayed to Cindi Andrews via e-mail, candrews@enquirer.com; fax, 755-4150; or phone, 755-4157.