By John Kiesewetter
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Nixon

LEBANON - Retired Ohio legislator and Lebanon Raceway manager Corwin M. Nixon is in failing health at a Centerville hospital, say long-time acquaintances.

Nixon, 90, a director and former president of the U.S. Trotting Association, is "in very grave condition... with kidney failure," says Dean Hoffman, editor of the USTA's monthly Hoofbeats magazine.

The Lebanon native was in intensive care Friday at Southview Hospital and Family Health Center.

Officials at Lebanon Raceway, where Nixon keeps an office, refused to comment Friday.

Nixon retired in 1992 after 30 years in the legislature, including 14 years as minority leader. Previously he served 12 years as a Warren County commissioner.

Evidence of his political clout is seen all over Southwestern Ohio. His name is on a Warren County covered bridge, a Mason park, the Miami University aquatic center and a Dayton health center.

"He was able to do a lot of things for Warren County that we couldn't do otherwise," says Leslie Spaeth, Warren County Republican Party executive committee co-chairman.

"He's pretty tough. If anyone can pull through this, he can," says Hagemeyer, a Warren County Board of Elections member.

E-mail jkiesewetter@enquirer.com