Among those who have visited Reece's Integrity Hall banquet room in Bond Hill over the years are Sen. Bill Bradley, D-N.J., Ohio Gov. Dick Celeste, Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, Rep. Harold Ford, D-Tenn., the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., D-Ill., Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., Texas Gov. Ann Richards and Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

And for City Council races, former mayor Jerry Springer will make an encore.

Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Cleveland, making her second Integrity Hall appearance Saturday, called Cincinnati Vice Mayor Alicia Reece "my little sister" and said the word is out: "You can't win in Cincinnati without coming through Integrity Hall."

Joining her were Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., and actor Don Cheadle, who decried the "malignant apathy" of people who won't vote.

Gregory Korte

BRIGHT GUY: It's not often political rivals exchange compliments, but that's how the Butler County commissioners' candidate forum ended.

In his closing remarks Wednesday night, Hamilton attorney Rusty Thomas - at 29 the youngest candidate in the race - said he was honored to share the Butler Tech stage with long-time public servants such as Michael A. Fox, Catherine Stoker and Thomas' opponent, Greg Jolivette.

Jolivette, 52, the former Hamilton mayor and state legislator, smiled appreciatively and then told Thomas: "I hope you run for office again - just not against me! I think you have a bright future."

John Kiesewetter

PAYING THE PIPER: Now we know why Prosecutor Robin Piper leads all Butler County officeholders with a $103,000 campaign-fund balance: He believes in recycling.

All over Butler County are red, white and blue signs from his 2000 campaign declaring that Piper is "the better choice" for prosecutor. But he's unopposed this year - which means he's better than nothing?

"Everyone tries to squeeze out every penny they can. We had all these signs in storage, and we figured they should be put up to keep the name out there," says Piper, who defeated Democrat Dan Gattermeyer four years ago. "If you're the better choice, that would make you the best choice. And if you're the best choice, then you're the only choice."

John Kiesewetter

VICTORY LAP: U.S. Rep. John Boehner won't be campaigning much in his 8th Congressional district in the final days before the election.

The West Chester Township Republican will be leading one final lap around the state by bus for the Ohio Republican Party's "victory tour."

The bus pulls out of Middletown on Thursday, and returns to West Chester Township on Monday night, says Steve Forde, his press secretary.

Rallies are planned in at least 17 communities, including Toledo, Cleveland, Youngstown and a tailgate party Saturday in Columbus before the Ohio State-Penn State football game.

Boehner, seeking an eighth term, is running for a second consecutive time against Jeff Hardenbrook of Dayton.

Boehner took 72 percent of the votes two years ago.

John Kiesewetter