DELHI TWP. - Political power in this southwest Hamilton County community is up in the air after Trustee Ann Langdon, a staunch conservative, announced she would resign mid-term when she moves to Colerain Township.

"It's wild out here in Delhi," said Al Duebber, who was endorsed by the Republican Party.

He will be running Nov. 4 against 24-year incumbent Nicholas LaScalea, a longtime moderate Republican now running as an independent.

Two Democrats - Mike Davis and Ron Kruse - are rumored to be interested in filing to run for the final two years of Langdon's term. The sole Republican said to be running for Langdon's spot is Kevin Rhodes, son of County Auditor Dusty Rhodes.

"And I'm guessing there might be even more hats thrown into this before election time," Kevin Rhodes said.

It's a race that could change the political landscape of Delhi Township.

Adding to the confusion is that when Langdon resigns - her last meeting is Sept. 24 - candidates for her spot will have less than one week to file petitions to get on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Need more evidence that the cards are being thrown up in the air here?

Trustees will name a temporary trustee to fill Langdon's spot until the end of the year. Rumor has it Kruse, a former trustee, will be named to the seat.

"We just hope all the cards land in our driveway," Duebber said.

Mason mayor aims for Warren County Commission

LEBANON - Over in Warren County, the 2004 County Commission races are heating up, too.

There are four candidates, including incumbent Pat South and Mason Mayor John McCurley, who announced last week he, too, plans a run.

The other two hopefuls are Deerfield Township resident Doug Young and John Lazares, superintendent of the Warren County Educational Service Center and the county's Board of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities

Fox in spotlight - for music this time, not theatrics

ST. CLAIR TWP. - Butler County Commissioner Michael A. Fox, known for his controversial antics on the political stage, made his debut on another stage recently: playing bluegrass on his guitar and singing at the Butler County Coon Hunters Association.

Fox is a devotee of the St. Clair Township club's decidedly down-home Friday night bluegrass jam sessions.

After months of rehearsals confined to the outside porch, Fox "graduated" to playing inside the packed clubhouse last month.

He and several accompanists played and crooned three crowd-pleasing favorites: "Amazing Grace," "I'll Fly Away" and "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot."

The 100-member audience applauded and cheered. But if listeners had demanded an encore, none was in the offing.

"Those are the only three songs I know," Fox admitted.

Suburban Insider is compiled by reporter Jennifer Edwards with contributions this week from Reid Forgrave and Janice Morse. E-mail jedwards@enquirer.com.