Phil Burress, the leader of the effort to pass Issue 1, which would ban gay marriage and end domestic-partner benefits for government entities, had said he couldn't make the televised debate.

Melamed, chairman of the group opposed to Issue 1, thought he might be debating alone. But Patrick Johnston, vice-chairman of the Constitution Party of Ohio, agreed to step in to support the issue.

But the two rarely addressed each other's arguments.

Facing a hostile crowd, Johnston quoted the Bible and stressed how Christian ethics provided the basis to condemn homosexuality.

"Even if the Ohio economy would be better off if gays could marry, it would still be wrong," he said.

Melamed avoided the religious argument and instead talked about the legal and economic consequences of Issue 1."This is taking rights and benefits away from all unmarried Ohioans," he said.

Jim Siegel

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Political party: Butler County Democrats know they're in a jam, not having any countywide elected officeholders.

So the party is throwing a Jam for Democracy concert Wednesday to raise funds for the countywide party organization.

Rob Ervin & The High Strung Lifters, Millville Road, the New Being Human and Greg Irwin will perform 7 p.m.-midnight Wednesday at the Little Chicago Blues Company, 345 N. Third Street.

Tickets ($10) are available from party headquarters, 222 High Street, Hamilton (513) 896-5201, or at the door, says organizer Cynthia Dye Wimmers.

John Kiesewetter

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Hamilton County property owners are just a few clicks away from knowing exactly what proposed local and county levies would cost them.

The information is on County Auditor Dusty Rhodes' Web site, www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org. Go to "property search," locate your property and then click on the levy tab. Levies on the Nov. 2 ballot that would affect that property will be listed, along with their current and proposed cost.

For more information, call the auditor's office at 946-4000.

Cindi Andrews

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Watch for mailings from the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

The board wants you to know exactly where to cast your ballot on Election Day.

All newly registered voters and those who have changed their address will receive cards before the election.

In addition, the elections staff is sending postcards to all registered voters starting Friday to inform them of their precinct and polling locations.

With so many new registrations - more than 68,000 - Hamilton County elections officials are worried about people trying to vote at the wrong polling place. A federal judge has been asked to sort out Election Day rules.