Cincinnati Enquirer

Hamilton County Commissioner John Dowlin is amassing support for his re-election campaign to counter speculation of a challenge from within the Republican's own party.

Dowlin said he will hold a press conference Tuesday to reaffirm that he's in the race no matter who runs against him.

The three-term commissioner expects about 50 local elected officials to stand behind him despite a recent GOP poll that indicated Dowlin is vulnerable.

Republicans rumored to be considering taking him on include a current and a former Cincinnati councilman - Pat DeWine and Chris Monzel, respectively.

Democratic leaders, meanwhile, are regrouping in the wake of Councilman John Cranley's decision not to represent their party in the March 2 primary.

Two others are seeking Democrats' endorsement to run, party chairman Tim Burke said: former Closson's President Paul Darwish and Forest Park Mayor Stephanie Dumas.

Democrat Todd Portune, is also up for re-election next year. After flirting with the idea of switching races and running directly against Dowlin, Portune now says he's committed to defending his own seat.

Days remaining until the filing deadline: 9.

AMBERLEY VILLAGE: The citizens group opposed to developing the Crest Hills property in Amberley Village is taking its campaign to cyberspace.

Hal Homes Inc. of Blue Ash wants to build 140 homes on what had been the 133-acre Crest Hills Country Club and has requested a zoning change.

Members of the Save Amberley Village Committee say it would harm the area's ambiance, create more traffic and strain the village's services. They want the property to be a park or a golf course.

The group is gathering signatures on a petition at www.saveamberley.com. As of Tuesday, it had collected 73 names.--Steve Kemme

MARIEMONT: Charlie Thomas was happy to be back in Village Council chambers this week.

The Mariemont councilman remarked at the end of Monday's meeting that he had attended Cincinnati City Council meetings in recent weeks. And he wasn't impressed.

"We ought to be really grateful," Thomas told his council. "They are just bickering and fighting all the time. They pass everything under emergency ordinance. ... I am just really appreciative of our little group out here."

--Jennifer Edwards

HAMILTON: U.S. Rep. John Boehner filed petitions of candidacy Tuesday with the Butler County Board of Elections to run for his eighth term in Congress.

Boehner lives in West Chester Township. He was re-elected with 71 percent of the vote in 2002.

So far, no Democrat has filed petitions to run against Boehner in the 8th Congressional District.

--Steve Kemme

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Around the Suburbs is compiled by Enquirer reporters.