Office of the Governor Press Releases

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today made the following statement on the passage of Senate Bill 221, the governor’s Energy, Jobs and Progress legislation, in the Ohio Senate:

“Today is a major step in this bipartisan effort to ensure that we protect Ohio jobs by ensuring stable and predictable rates while bringing the jobs of the future by encouraging an advanced energy boom in our great state,” Strickland said. “I am deeply thankful to Senate President Bill Harris, Minority Leader Teresa Fedor and all members of the Energy and Public Utilities Committee for their leadership throughout this process. Put simply: the Ohio Senate took my energy proposal and made it even better.”

Columbus, OH - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland officially unveiled the Military Injury Relief Fund today during a ceremonial presentation to inaugural recipient, Sgt. Eric Marshall.

The fund was championed in the Ohio General Assembly by State Senators John Boccieri and Steve Stivers. Boccieri served in both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Stivers served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

“Many brave Ohio veterans have suffered injuries during the current military conflicts that present challenges to them when they return home, and we must do all we can to make that transition easier,” Strickland said. “The Military Injury Relief Fund allows all Ohioans an opportunity to reach out to our soldiers and thank them for their service.”

Marshall, 29, served as a sergeant with the Army Reserves 660th Transportation Company headquartered in Cadiz. The Unit was sent to Camp Anaconda, Balad, Iraq in January 2004. Marshall was injured on December 8, 2004 when his transport was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). The explosion shattered his right arm. Marshall and his wife Emma Jane reside in Caldwell, where he is currently an assistant juvenile probation officer with Noble County.

Ohio taxpayers can donate Ohio income tax refunds to a fund that assists Ohio veterans injured in the line of duty while serving the Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom campaign as the result of a program recently created by the Ohio General Assembly.

Donations to the Military Injury Relief Fund can be made when filing Ohio Income Tax returns by indicating the amount of refund one wishes to donate. Direct contributions, made payable to the “Ohio Treasurer of State (ODJFS),” can also be mailed to: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Military Injury Relief Fund, P.O. Box 182367, Columbus, OH 43218-2367.

Since the creation of the check-off program in late 2005, taxpayers have donated $1,113,619.

“After flying wounded and fallen soldiers from Iraq, and recognizing the uncertain futures of those injured, I wanted to create a way that generous Ohioans could help its brave soldiers,” Senator Boccieri said. “These modest grants can help our injured soldiers’ transition into civilian life and help offset costly medical expenses.”

“As Veterans Day approaches, contributing to the Military Injury Relief Fund is a great way to pay a debt of gratitude to our veterans,” Stivers said.

Applications for the Military Injury Relief Fund grants became available in September through the county Veterans Services Offices. To be eligible, a veteran must be an Ohio resident and provide proof of being injured while serving in the line of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Acceptable proof includes: documentation of receiving the Purple Heart award for the injury, documentation of any incident in which the injury occurred while receiving hazard duty, combat or hostile fire pay, or documentation from the U.S. Department of Defense or Office of Veterans Affairs that the injury occurred in the line of duty.

Columbus, Ohio – Three of Ohio’s leading anti-poverty organizations today announced their support for Governor Ted Strickland’s energy plan.

Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy, Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks today joined a growing chorus of supporters, including top business and labor leaders, hospitals, farmers and restaurant owners.

“The bill contains protections for residential customers, particularly the most vulnerable customers, by calling for changes that would stabilize rates,” said David Rinebolt, Executive Director, Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy. “It creates this stability by bringing the rates back under the review of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and requires that the rates are just and reasonable and in the public interest.”

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today announced the State of Ohio received net proceeds of $5.05 billion at 8:51 a.m. as a result of the tobacco securitization authorized in the FY 2008-2009 Executive Budget. This was the largest tobacco bond sale in history.

“The goal of our budget was to live within our means and invest in what matters, and a successful tobacco securitization was an important part of achieving that goal,” Strickland said. “The tobacco bond sale allowed us to invest in tax cuts for our seniors and new schools for our children.”

The tobacco securitization will allow approximately 566,000 additional people to receive the Homestead Tax Exemption. After the expansion of the Homestead Tax Exemption in July nearly 97 percent of the newly-eligible taxpayers took advantage of the expansion during a special sign up period earlier this year.

The newly expanded Homestead Tax Exemption applies to every senior and totally disabled homeowner in the state – approximately one in four Ohio homeowners. The average tax cut is estimated to amount to $400 per year.

The tobacco securitization will allow Ohio to build 250 more schools by October 2010. This investment will also move Ohio from the 40th percentile to the 60th percentile on the school equity list, allowing 438,359 students to attend school in new, state-of-the-art facilities.

Additionally, Ohio’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System) schools will jump from one to 251.

“Not only will this sale allow us to help fund tax cuts to Ohioans who deserve it the most and a way to build better schools for the children who will lead our state in the future, but will allow the state to lower its substantial debt burden,” Strickland said. “This creates a more stable financial future for our state by taking on less debt.”

Overall, the tobacco bonds generated $5.46 billion in gross proceeds, with 99.5 percent going towards the Homestead Tax Exemption and School Facilities. The remainder went to underwriting fees and other transaction costs.

The transaction was marketed by a broad underwriting group of 38 firms, led by Bear, Stearns and Citigroup. Firms with a substantial Ohio presence figured largely in the deal, including JPMorgan Chase as co-senior manager and eight Ohio-based firms among the co-managers.

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today offered the following comment on the Senate substitute energy regulation bill introduced today:

“Today the Senate Energy and Public Utilities Committee has offered an energy bill that is the result of meaningful bipartisan discussions and a lot of hard work on the part of individual senators and their staff,” Strickland said. “I believe this bill makes sensible improvements to my original bill and retains our core goals of protecting jobs through ensuring stable and predictable electricity prices, bringing the jobs of the future by encouraging advanced energy production and safeguarding our communities by encouraging investment in Ohio's electricity infrastructure. We proposed a good bill and I believe Ohio Senators are making it even better.”

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today announced that about 566,000 additional homeowners applied for the newly-expanded homestead exemption during a special sign up period earlier this year from July 2 to October 1.

The result is that as many as 788,000 homeowners stand to receive hundreds of dollars worth of property tax relief on bills payable next year. This figure includes about 222,000 homeowners who were already enrolled under the old homestead exemption law and did not need to reapply.

“The expansion of the homestead exemption offers meaningful tax relief for every senior citizen and permanently disabled homeowner in Ohio,” Strickland said. “County auditors and state officials have done a tremendous job reaching out to Ohio’s seniors and educating them about this additional tax relief available to them.”

The figures, based on an October 12 survey of county auditors throughout Ohio, show that roughly 97 percent of the homeowners thought to be eligible for the newly-expanded homestead exemption are in line to receive it. The department had estimated that about 775,000 senior citizens would be eligible as well as an additional 40,000 permanently and totally disabled Ohioans, for a total of 815,000.

The expansion of the homestead exemption was a key component of the two-year state budget bill signed into law on June 30 after passing the Ohio General Assembly with strong bipartisan support. The legislation generally allows all senior citizens and permanently and totally disabled Ohioans, regardless of income, to exempt $25,000 of the market value of the home they owned and lived in on January 1 from property taxes.

The exact amount of savings from the exemption will vary from community to community based on local tax rates. On average across Ohio, homeowners enrolled for the homestead exemption are expected to save about $400 next year.

Homeowners who missed the October 1 deadline to have the homestead exemption applied to their 2007 property tax bills (payable in 2008) will get a second opportunity to sign up during the normal enrollment period, which will begin January 8, 2008 and end June 2, 2008. For these late signups, county treasurers will either apply the full value of the 2007 exemption to the second-half property tax bill or award it in the form of a refund.

A county-by-county summary of the number of homeowners who have applied for the homestead exemption is available by clicking here.

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today signed the following bill:

Senate Bill 40

State Senator Bob Schuler sponsored SB 40 that designates the month of October as "German Heritage Month" to honor and recognize Ohioans of German descent and their contributions to the state.

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today signed House Bill 177 into law which outlaws so-called "skill-based" amusement machines that provide cash payouts or prizes worth more than $10.

“The people of Ohio have spoken with a clear voice on this issue time and time again,” Strickland said. “They do not want an expansion of gambling in their state. I appreciate the General Assembly taking quick action to get these machines out of our state and out of our communities.”

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today announced a 4.2 percent decrease in income tax withholding rates for 2008, which is another step in the phase in of a 21-percent, across-the-board income tax cut that will be completed by the 2009 tax year.

“These income tax cuts will provide Ohio families more money each paycheck to invest in what matters most to them,” Strickland said.

The new, lower withholding rates will increase the take home pay of Ohioans by approximately $350 million during 2008. Overall, the 2008 withholding rates will be 16.8 percent lower than they were in 2004, in line with income tax rates that will be 16.8 percent lower than 2004.

The new income tax withholding tables will take effect for pay periods ending on or after January 1, 2008. They replace the tables previously issued by the Ohio Department of Taxation effective October 1, 2006, and reflect an additional 4.2 percent reduction in withholding rates.

“My administration is strongly committed to continuing recently enacted tax reforms,” Strickland said. “Working together with the legislature, we are making sure Ohio is the best place in the nation to start a business and raise a family.”

Ohio employers will receive information about the new withholding tables in the mail starting this week. The new tables are also available online by clicking here. Employers who need more information about withholding matters may call (888) 405-4039.

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced today the appointment of Mary Wiseman to the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas.

Wiseman, 45, of Dayton, has been appointed to the judicial seat that will be vacated October 31 by the retirement of Judge John W. Kessler.

Wiseman was one of three individuals recommended by the Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendations Panel in June for the judicial seat vacated by the death of Judge G. Jack Davis on the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. For the current appointment, the Governor’s Office has chosen to forgo the creation of a new OJARP panel to screen applicants, due to the short period of time between the Montgomery County vacancies and Wiseman’s receipt of a high recommendation by the previously formed panel.

“Mary was an exceptional candidate for appointment to the court in June, and I am pleased to have the opportunity to appoint her to the current vacancy,” Strickland said. “Mary is an experienced attorney and public servant who will bring great value to the court.”

Wiseman, who holds more than 19 years worth of litigation experience, currently works for Coolidge Wall Co., LPA, in Dayton. She is also an adjunct professor of trial practice and evidence at the University of Dayton School of Law and an adjunct instructor for the paralegal program at Sinclair Community College.

Wiseman served on the Dayton City Council from 1998-2002. In addition, she was a partner at Faruki Ireland and Cox, PLL, in Dayton, from 1991-2005.

She currently serves on the boards of Legal Aid of Western Ohio/Advocates for Basic Legal Equality and the Volunteer Lawyer’s Project for Greater Dayton, which recruits lawyers in the Montgomery County area to represent low-income individuals in civil litigation on a volunteer basis. Wiseman also serves on the Montgomery County Public Defender Commission, which provides free representation in criminal cases to those in financial need.

Wiseman graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University in 1984 and received a law degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 1988. She is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association and American Bar Association.

“This appointment gives me the great opportunity to continue my commitment to making our Montgomery County community a better place to live,” Wiseman said.

Wiseman will take the bench on November 5.

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today signed the following bill:

Senate Bill 134

State Senator Keith Faber sponsored Senate Bill 134 that would permit a memoranda of trust to be executed and acknowledged only by the trustee of the trust. This legislation will encourage the use of memoranda of trusts by removing a requirement that the settlor, or creator of the trust, sign the document along with the trustee.

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced today several appointments to state boards and commissions. The Ohio Optical Dispensers Board handles the processing of licensure applications for dispensing opticians, schedules and administers qualifying examinations for licensure, revokes or suspends licenses, and issues licenses to qualified individuals. Susan Bender, of Columbus, has worked as a licensed dispensing optician and dispensing lab manager for Central Ohio Eyecare since 2003. She previously served as a licensed dispensing optician for ProCare Vision Center. Bender is a member of the American Board of Opticianry, the Opticians Association of Ohio and the American Optical Association. The Ohio Athletic Commission administers and enforces the state’s boxing law, and collects a 5 percent tax on the gross proceeds from ticket sales of all events regulated by the commission. Dr. Harry Stiggers, of Shaker Heights, is currently retired after 40 years of practicing medicine in the Cleveland area. He is currently a member of the Hiram College board of trustees and the Cleveland Municipal Football Association board of trustees. Stiggers received a bachelor’s degree in 1953 from Hiram College and a doctorate degree in osteopathic medicine in 1957 from the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa. Thomas Jelepis, of Bay Village, served as the mayor of Bay Village from 1994-2000 and as the director of the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections from 2000-2003. He recently started The BEC Group, a full service commercial real estate firm. Jelepis graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Cleveland State University in 1998 and is a member of the Leadership Cleveland Class of 1999. He has served on several boards and organizations, including five years on the board of directors for the United Way. The Public Benefits Advisory Board advises the Director of the Department of Development in the administration of the universal service fund and the low-income customer assistance programs, as well as the administration of the energy efficiency loan program and energy efficiency revolving loan program. John Stough, of Dublin, is currently the director of transmission business development for American Electric Power, where he leads the development of electric transmission inside and outside the AEP footprint. Since joining AEP in 1981, Stough has held various positions in customer service, marketing and management. Stough received his bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in 1977. Kurt Waltzer, of Columbus, currently serves as the Midwest coordinator for the Coal Transition Project, Clean Air Task Force. Waltzer has previously worked with Ohio-based and national environmental/conservation groups, including the Pew Center on Global Climate Change and the Izaak Walton League. He also managed the clean air program for the Ohio Environmental Council from 1997-2003. Waltzer received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1991. Dale Arnold, of Newark, has been the director of energy services at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation since 1995. He also currently serves as the director of the Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation. He is the past executive director for the Ohio Land Improvement Contractors Association and has been a member of several advisory boards and committees related to energy. Arnold received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio Dominican University in 1982. The Ohio Medical Transportation Board is responsible for issuing permits for privately operated ambulances and new transport vehicles, licenses private ambulance operators and is the sole supervisory board regarding the licensing of nonemergency medical services organizations in Ohio. Tony Anteau, of Pemberville, is the vice president of operations for MedCorp, Inc., an Ohio supplier of medical transport services. Anteau is also the chief for the Central Joint Ambulance District in Bucyrus and the Mid County Ambulance District in Bowling Green. He is currently an advisory board member for the Owens Community College EMT program. A certified firefighter, advanced emergency medical technician and emergency medical dispatcher, Anteau has served on various professional boards and organizations. Thomas Allenstein, of Lewis Center, currently serves as the chief clinical officer for Medflight of Ohio, an air and ground critical care transportation company in Columbus. Allenstein previously worked for Mayo Medical Transport in Rochester, Minn., as a transportation nurse manager and transportation nurse. He is currently the president of the Ohio Association of Critical Care Transport. Allenstein received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Winona State University in Rochester in 1993. Hamilton Schwartz, M.D., of Cincinnati, is the pediatric medical director for the Cincinnati Fire Department and the assistant medical director for Cincinnati Children’s Critical Care Transport Team. Schwartz is a member of the National Association of EMS Physicians Pediatric Subcommittee and the State of Ohio Regional Physicians EMS Advisory Board, Region I. He received a bachelor’s degree from Brown University in 1995 and a medical degree from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1999. Rebecca Baute, of Mason, has served as the senior clinical director of the neonatal and pediatric mobile intensive care unit at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center since 2001. Baute previously managed the mobile care operations for Health Alliance/The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Cincinnati in 1983 and a master’s degree in business administration from Thomas More College in 2003. The State Medical Board receives applications and conducts examinations for certificates of persons desiring to practice medicine, osteopathic medicine and surgery in the state of Ohio. The board also may revoke existing licenses or certificates of doctors and surgeons in Ohio. Raymond Albert, of Amanda, has served on the Ohio State Medical Board for more than 19 years. Albert is the owner of Albert Family Tree Farm and Nursery, Inc., and is retired from the Kingswood Lumber Company, where he worked as a carpenter, general manager and president. Among his organization memberships, Albert is a fellow and past board member of the Federation of State Medical Boards of the United States and a member of the Fairfield Regional Planning Board. The Ohio Standardbred Development Commission regulates standardbred racing. Robert Schmitz, of Bexley, is a member of the Ohio Harness Horsemen’s Association and the United States Trotting Association. He is a former member and president of Bexley City Council and a former clerk in the Ohio Senate. Schmitz has been active in harness racing for 30 years. He is currently self-employed. The Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Board adopts and amends rules necessary to underground storage tanks as well as rules governing the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Linked Deposit Program and the payment of claims on the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Assurance Fund. Brian Epperson, of Xenia, holds more than 16 years of experience in the environmental industry and has worked for Speedway SuperAmerica LLC in Enon since 2001. He currently serves as the manager of remediation, and previously worked as the compliance manager and environmental representative. Epperson was a staff scientist/project manager for Delta Environmental Consultants, Inc., in Columbus from 1998-2001. Epperson received a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Findlay in 2000. The Ohio Quarter Horse Development Commission approves all funds distributed by the Auditor of the State on the order of the State Racing Commission in order to improve and advance the breeding of racing quarter horses in Ohio. Bill Dingus, of South Point, is the executive director of the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation. He is currently a member of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s Transportation Review Advisory Committee and several community organizations. Dingus served as the dean of the Ohio University Ironton campus from 1976-2000. He received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 1968, master’s degrees from Marshall University and a Ph.D. in higher education from Ohio University in 1990. The Ohio Parks and Recreation Council advises the chief of the Division of Parks and Recreation on park development, formulation and implementation of park policy, planning, park acquisitions, programming, and finance. Janine Rybka, of Cleveland, is currently the district administrator of the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District. In addition, Rybka works with the Cuyahoga Planning Commission, Cleveland Metroparks, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and the Cuyahoga River RAP on preserving and promoting “green infrastructure” in Cuyahoga County. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1978 and a graduate degree from Cleveland State University in 1981. The Third Frontier Commission coordinates and administers science and technology programs to support the welfare of the people of the state and to maximize the economic growth of the state through expansion of the state’s high technology research and development capabilities and the state’s product and process innovation and commercialization. Matt Diggs, Jr., of Kettering, is retired after serving in the private equity business as general partner of McClintock Industries. In addition, he previously served as president and CEO of the Copeland Corporation, the largest refrigeration and air-conditioning compressor manufacturer in the world. Diggs received a bachelor’s degree from Purdue University in 1955 and a master’s of business administration from Harvard Business School in 1961. The Ohio Credit Union Council advises the superintendent of financial institutions or the deputy superintendent of credit unions on issues relating to credit unions and to hear appeals from final decisions of the superintendent or deputy superintendent regarding fields of membership. The council is also required to advise and make recommendations to the superintendent or deputy superintendent concerning the development and proposal of rules affecting credit unions. Robin Thomas, of Bedford, has worked for the Taleris Credit Union, Inc., in Cleveland since 1999, serving as both president/CEO and vice president. Thomas previously served as the vice president for First Ohio Credit Union, Inc., in Fostoria. He has been a member of the credit union advisory council for American Share Insurance and a member of the Credit Union Executives Society. He received a bachelor’s degree from Ashland University in 1982. The Edison Community College Board of Trustees is responsible for hiring, fixing compensation of, and removing employees of the college as deemed necessary. It should do all else necessary to ensure the successful and continuous operation of the college. James Thompson, Jr., of Botkins, was most recently employed by the American Red Cross of Northern Miami Valley as the manager of disaster response and preparedness for Shelby and Miami counties. He retired from the state of Ohio in 2000. Thompson received a bachelor’s degree from Rhodes State College in 1978. He is a 1981 graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy. The Wright State University Board of Trustees is responsible for hiring, fixing compensation of, and removing employees of the university as it deems necessary for the good of the institution. It should do all else necessary to ensure the successful and continuous operation of the university. Laurence Klaben, of Dayton, is the president and CEO of Morris Furniture Co., Inc., in Fairborn. Klaben graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in 1977 and has since been active in the alumni organization and most recently as a member of the board of trustees for the university’s foundation board. Klaben received the Wright State University Alumni of the Year award in 2003. Klaben graduated with a master’s degree in public administration from American University in 1979. The Marion Technical College Board of Trustees has the power to build, own and operate a technical college in their designated district. It sets tuition and fees of the college. It shall hire and fix compensation of all the college’s employees and do all else necessary to ensure the successful operations of the college. Mark Russell, of Marion, has served as the law director for the city of Marion since 1996. He was previously the city’s assistant law director from 1992-1996. Russell is currently a board member for the Marion County Council on Aging, a founding member of the Marion Domestic Violence Task Force and an instructor for the Marion Citizens Police Academy. Russell received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 1987 and a law degree from Ohio Northern University in 1990.

	COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced today the Class of 2007 for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame. The 20 inductees include representatives of armed conflicts from the War of 1812, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. “We are humbled by the accomplishments of all of Ohio’s veterans and the contributions they make to our communities and nation,” Strickland said. “The inductees into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame stand out as wonderful examples of answering the call to a lifetime of service.” Honorees for the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame are nominated on a year-round basis, and include men and women from Ohio from any branch of the military and all eras of military conflict. After nominations are submitted, a 13-member executive committee of veterans’ representatives recommends the names to the governor for induction into the Hall of Fame. The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 1992 to recognize Ohio veterans with honorable military service who have gone on to make significant contributions to their community, profession, state, and nation. In May 2005, the Ohio General Assembly established the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in statue through SB 277, allowing for the Governor’s Office of Veterans Affairs to serve as the administrative agent. The induction ceremony for the Class of 2007 will be held at 11 a.m. on November 8 in the auditorium of the Franklin County Veterans Memorial in Columbus. The ceremony is open to the public and will be preceded by a public reception beginning at 10 a.m. Below is a list of the 20 Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame Inductees for the Class of 2007. THE OHIO VETERANS HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2007 THOMAS E. ANDERSON Hamilton County – United States Army Veteran – World War II Anderson has over 2,000 hours of voluntary service at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, and was named 2004 Veteran of the Year by both the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cincinnati Post. REINHARDT N. AUSMUS (deceased) Stark and Erie Counties – United States Army Veteran – World War I Ausmus was recognized by his peers and received numerous awards and honors in both the aviation field and for his veteran and civic advocacy, receiving the Meritorious Service Award from the Sandusky Area Chamber of Commerce and the Sandusky Register’s Outstanding Community Service award. PAUL E. BEBOUT Morgan County – United States Army Veteran – World War II In 2004, Bebout was invited by the French government to Paris on the 60th anniversary of the D-Day invasion. He was made a knight of the French Court and given the Legion of Honor, their highest decoration for service in the cause of freedom. ROBERT M. BRIENIK Mahoning County – United States Army Veteran – Cold War Since 1992 Brienik has accumulated over 25,100 hours of volunteer duties at veterans’ clinics and hospitals, and maintains records for a number of volunteer Veteran Color Guard units for local funerals and at the Western Reserve Cemetery. CLEVE CORNELISON, JR. Hamilton County – United States Navy – World War II Beyond Cornelison’s service to his country during World War II, he has lived a life of service within his own community, including establishing an enduring trust to assist post-graduate students with financial assistance for education that has awarded 25 scholarships to date. CHARLES P. CRAIG Wayne County – United States Army Veteran – Korean War Era Craig currently serves as Commander of AMVETS Post #250 and a trustee of Wooster American Legion Post #68 and is a member of the Military Burial Honors Service at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. THOMAS C. GRIFFIN Hamilton County – United States Army Air Corps Veteran – World War II Griffin was a navigator in one of the sixteen B-25 bombers that participated in the famous Doolittle Raid and was a prisoner of war for 22 months in Germany. He spends most of his time speaking at various schools, businesses, historical, aviation and church groups and traveling internationally to speak to organizations seeking to honor the Doolittle Raiders. ROBERT R. GUTZKY Cuyahoga County – United States Army Veteran – Vietnam Gutzky served as a Veterans of Foreign Wars All State Commander for 2003-2004, earning the National Community Service Award in 2005, and currently serves as the VFW Adjutant Trustee. He teaches military history in Parma City Schools and participates as the Joint Veterans Honor Guard for military funerals, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and fallen heroes’ welcome home services. OTIS E. HAWKINS Wayne County – United States Army Veteran/Ohio Army National Guard – World War II Hawkins is a successful grocer and member of the board of directors of Ashland University. He also wrote an autobiography, My Experiences in War and Business. SAMUEL HUNTINGTON (deceased) Trumbull County – United States Army Veteran – War of 1812 In addition to Huntington’s military service, he served as the first speaker of the Ohio Senate in 1803 and one year later became the chief justice of the Ohio Supreme Court. In 1808, he was elected as the third governor of the State of Ohio, and then served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1811 to 1813. DAVID S. INGALLS (deceased) Cuyahoga County – United States Navy Veteran – World War I Ingalls was the U.S. Navy’s only Ace during World War I, and went on to serve in the Ohio Legislature and as the assistant secretary of the Navy in 1929. He also served as the vice president of Pan American World Airways and as president and publisher of the Cincinnati Star newspaper and vice chairman of Taft Broadcasting. ELLEN M. LEIDY Summit County – United States Marine Corps Veteran – Vietnam Era Leidy is a life member of the Marine Corps League where she has held numerous positions and is the junior-vice commandant for the Department of Ohio and currently serves on the Governor’s Advisory Committee for Women Veterans. TERRY L. MARIS, Ph.D. Hardin County – United States Army Veteran – Vietnam After serving in Vietnam, Maris began a 30-year career in academia in management, organizational behavior, and strategy / policy. He established the Center for Cuban Business Studies at Ohio Northern University, the only such organization in the country, and served 15 years as the dean of the university's College of Business Administration. OPAL L. MCALISTER Union County – Woman’s Army Corps – World War II McAlister’s 52 years as a teacher and principal allowed her to influence several generations of students. Her highest award was a teaching honor in “Lessons of the Century: A Teaching Gem” by Robert C. Johnson in Education Week magazine, September 1999. WILLIAM M. O’NEILL Geauga County – United States Army Veteran – Vietnam O’Neill served Ohio as an assistant attorney general and a judge on the 11th District Court of Appeals. In 2001, he received his nursing degree and has served as an on-call pediatric emergency room nurse. DONALD E. PATTON (deceased) Clermont County – United States Navy Veteran – Korean War Patton was instrumental in starting the Needy Kids Christmas Program through the American Legion County Council that helped over 5,000 children and their families, and in obtaining benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs for hundreds of disabled veterans. JOSEPH T. SHEETS Pickaway County – United States Marine Corps Veteran – World War II Sheets is an active member of the Marine Corps League, where he served as chaplain and senior vice commandant. He serves as the official bugler for the county and participates in over 80 funerals every year for veterans and ensures that all service members’ gravesites have the appropriate flags and are maintained. STEPHEN W. TAYLOR (deceased) Hamilton County – United States Army Veteran – Vietnam Taylor served as president of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #10, from 1990 to 1992 and 1995 to 1997. He also served as director of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter #10, homeless program from 1990 to 1995 during which time over 80 veterans from all eras were provided with housing, food, employment and educational opportunities. RALPH E. WAITE Medina County – United States Army Veteran – World War II Waite served two terms as the president of the Medina City School Board of Education from 1966 to 1974 and was inducted into the Medina City School Hall of Fame in 2002. He presently serves on the Honor Guard at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio. DANIEL K. WIGGINS SR. Guernsey County – United States Army Veteran – World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Era Wiggins is noted for distinguished service during three war periods. He served as the Guernsey County Veterans Service Officer for 21 years, and is currently a member and president of the Guernsey County Veterans Service Commission while remaining active in many veterans’ organizations.

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today released the following statement:

“I am deeply saddened and troubled by the tragic shooting at SuccessTech Academy in Cleveland today. Frances and I grieve for the families, students, teachers and administrators affected by this horrible incident. Our prayers and thoughts go out to them and to the great City of Cleveland during this difficult time. The State of Ohio stands ready to assist in any way possible in the coming days and weeks.”

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today proposed the establishment of a compact between subprime mortgage servicers and the state aimed at tackling the increasing number of foreclosures in Ohio.

The proposed compact comes as part of Strickland’s response to the Ohio Foreclosure Prevention Task Force’s recommendations issued September 10. Strickland commissioned the Task Force in March 2007 to address Ohio’s foreclosure rate, which has ranked among the highest in the country.

“I look forward to partnering with the servicers to decrease foreclosures in Ohio and bring stability to the families and communities affected by this crisis,” Strickland said. “We will continue to talk with servicers and listen to their feedback as we pursue the components of this compact, and it is my hope that they join us in a unified effort to protect Ohio’s homeowners.”

Through the compact, Strickland is asking servicers to work with the state in making every possible attempt to prevent default loans and foreclosures in Ohio.

The compact calls for servicers to increase outreach and education to borrowers, especially in the areas of loan modifications and rate changes. Under the compact, the servicers are asked to take all measures to increase loan workouts including adjusting their staff and resources to accommodate major improvements in preventative efforts and loss mitigation.

If loan modification efforts fail, the compact calls for servicers to provide adequate and advanced notification of the intent to proceed with a foreclosure.

Under the compact, servicers should also submit a monthly, public report to the Ohio Department of Commerce documenting the total number of subprime, owner-occupied residential mortgage loans, the type and percentage of workouts and foreclosures initiated, and other information describing their progress and commitment to the compact.

Servicers are asked to submit any comments in response to the compact by Monday, October 22. In turn, the Governor’s Office will publicly release the final proposed compact on Thursday, November 8.

The compact will remain in effect until the foreclosure filings in Ohio decline for four consecutive monthly measurement periods or until December 31, 2010.

“Under this compact, servicers are asked to agree to make good-faith efforts to change the culture of subprime lending in Ohio,” Strickland said.

In addition to the compact, Strickland has directed state agencies to implement several of the Task Force’s recommendations.

The Ohio Department of Development will serve as the leader in developing a more robust network of housing counseling services throughout Ohio. Among its efforts, ODOD will coordinate the distribution of $2 million from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund for housing counseling services. In addition, the Ohio Housing Trust Fund will be asked to provide an additional $1 million to ODOD for a vacant housing demonstration program.

The Ohio Department of Commerce will continue its borrower outreach programs, targeted at borrowers who are facing higher interest rates and larger monthly payments as their adjustable rate loans are reset. Approximately 1,100 Ohioans attended four recent borrower outreach events in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo and Nelsonville.

At these events, several subprime mortgage servicers met one-on-one with borrowers who were having difficulty making their mortgage payments. Local, state and federal housing experts and housing counselors provided additional resources for homeowners.

Strickland has also sent letters to state legislators and the Ohio congressional delegation asking for their continued support of policies protecting homeowners and preventing foreclosures on the state and federal levels.

The text of the compact follows:

COMPACT TO HELP OHIOANS PRESERVE HOMEOWNERSHIP

This Compact is being entered into on this day, November 8, 2007 by and between the State of Ohio, through Governor Ted Strickland and Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce Kimberly A. Zurz, and the residential mortgage loan servicers operating within the State of Ohio signed below (collectively “Servicers”). The State and the Servicers (collectively the “Parties”) enter into this Compact based upon the following exigent circumstances:

In the last three (3) years, Ohio has consistently had one of the highest rates of foreclosure and percentage of “seriously delinquent” loans .[1] The number and rate of home foreclosures in Ohio threatens the stability of families and communities.

Foreclosures, evictions, and sales of foreclosed properties are expensive and time-consuming processes for the Servicers and the noteholders to whom the Servicers report. Recent data suggest that foreclosure of a mortgage loan translates into a 40-50% loss of expected return to the holder of a mortgage note.[2]

The primary source of Ohio foreclosures and delinquencies today are subprime residential mortgage loans.[3] Approximately 33% of Ohio’s subprime Adjustable Rate Mortgage (“ARM”) loans were already in foreclosure or at risk of foreclosure by the end of 2006 and accounted for 63% of the foreclosure starts within Ohio in 2005.[4]

Delinquencies and foreclosures are expected to increase further in Ohio beginning the fall of 2007 as an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 subprime ARM loans valued at approximately $14 billion are scheduled to reset at higher rates through 2008.[5] The Parties anticipate that many Ohioans will neither be able to afford the higher monthly mortgage payments resulting from these resets, nor be able to extinguish their debts by refinancing or selling their homes.

Without systematic and expeditious modification to existing subprime loans in Ohio, an unprecedented number of Ohioans will lose their homes to foreclosure within the next twelve months. An unprecedented number of foreclosures in Ohio would also mean unprecedented losses for the Servicers and the noteholders to whom the Servicers report.

The Parties mutually agree that it is in their individual and collective best interests to prevent or at least diminish the expected substantial increase of subprime mortgage foreclosures in Ohio where the mortgaged property is occupied by the borrower; and

The Parties mutually agree that it is also a matter of good public policy to keep willing and able Ohioans in their homes; and

The Parties have mutually resolved that the Servicers signing this Compact will prioritize loan workouts and homeownership preservation to the maximum degree possible within existing fiduciary, contractual and legal obligations and in accordance with prudent mortgage lending and servicing practices; and

The Parties have mutually resolved that, where the most effective and efficient means of preventing or at least diminishing the expected substantial increase of subprime mortgage foreclosures in Ohio is to engage in a systematic and expeditious modification of these loans then such modifications should be available to be offered to residential owner-occupants.

In light of the Parties’ mutual understanding of the foregoing circumstances, the Parties agree as follows:


ARTICLE I: PREPARE FOR LARGE-SCALE MODIFICATIONS

1.1 Servicers pledge to prepare the requisite staffing and resources necessary and to engage foreclosure counsel as necessary to perform large-scale modifications of residential, owner-occupant subprime loans, including but not limited to the following measures:

1.1.1 By December 1, 2007, Servicers shall have informed all staff within their organizations and all foreclosure counsel with whom they work of the commitments made to Ohio borrowers in this Compact.

1.1.2 By December 1, 2007, every Servicer shall have created a single point of entry for affected borrowers accessible through a single toll-free number dedicated exclusively to connecting borrowers to live loss mitigation staff – not collection staff – so as to effect the modifications enumerated in Article III herein.

1.1.3 The live loss mitigation staff must have the skills and authority needed to make binding modifications to borrowers’ loan agreements.

1.2 Where adequate workout options are not available due to contractual considerations, Servicers pledge to use their best efforts to secure amendments to such servicing agreements that will authorize Servicers to effect the large-scale workouts and modifications contemplated in this Compact. In the future, Servicers pledge to use their best efforts to maximize the workout and modification provisions included in their servicing agreements, in accordance with customary and usual standards of prudent mortgage servicing.

ARTICLE II: IDENTIFY AND CONTACT AT-RISK AND DEFAULTING BORROWERS

2.1 Servicers pledge to identify, evaluate, and contact Ohio borrowers who are at risk of default or have already defaulted on their residential, owner-occupant subprime mortgage loans as soon as possible.

2.1.1 For subprime ARM loans, Servicers agree to provide Ohio borrowers on a recurring monthly basis, at least six months in advance of an approaching interest rate reset on a borrower’s loan, both written and telephonic notice that:

i. informs the borrower they have an ARM scheduled to reset;

ii. states the borrower’s current interest rate and corresponding monthly payment prior to reset;

iii. states the borrower’s anticipated future interest rate and corresponding monthly payment following reset;

iv. specifically notifies the borrower of possible workout options set forth in Section 3.1.1 herein in the event there is no reasonable probability of repayment at the higher interest rate and monthly payment following reset;

v. specifically notifies the borrower that possible workout options will include amounts for the mortgage payment only and not any escrowed amounts such as taxes and insurance; and

vi. provides the borrower with the toll-free number described in Section 1.1.2 above.

2.1.2 For loans entered into with no or low documentation of a borrower’s annual income, assets and liabilities, Servicers agree to make reasonable efforts to obtain appropriate documentation verifying the same and utilize that information in attempting loan modification or other workout in accordance with Section 4.1.2 below. None of the foregoing documentation costs shall be added to the principal on the loan or otherwise charged to the borrower.

2.1.3 In circumstances where the Servicer has exhausted its good faith efforts to modify a defaulting loan in accordance with this Compact and chooses to initiate foreclosure proceedings, Servicers agree to:

i. assign an individual staff member that is not foreclosure counsel as a single point person for the affected borrower who shall maintain regular contact with the borrower or the borrower’s attorney throughout all foreclosure proceedings, with the continual goal of reinstating the loan and avoiding foreclosure, and

ii. provide notification to the borrower, in addition to any required Right to Cure notice, by mail and by telephone, at least 10 days in advance of the Servicer’s referral to foreclosure counsel, of the Servicer’s intent to proceed with foreclosure, expressly providing the borrower with the contact information for the individual staff person assigned as that borrower’s point person throughout foreclosure proceedings.

ARTICLE III: UTILIZE PREFERRED WORKOUT METHODS

3.1 Servicers pledge to modify loan terms to the greatest extent possible so as to provide permanent, affordable relief to Ohio borrowers, doing so in accordance with their fiduciary, legal and contractual obligations and in accordance with prudent mortgage lending and servicing practices. Where necessary to keep or make a loan a performing asset, and in accordance with existing contractual obligations, Servicers pledge to waive late fees, pre-payment penalties, refinancing or modification fees, inspection fees, security fees, and attorney fees, and to include Servicers escrows for taxes and insurance if not already present. When possible, Servicers also pledge to avoid the submission of adverse credit information to any credit reporting agency where borrower’s acceptance of any of the following modifications keeps or makes the subject loan a performing asset.

3.1.1 For subprime ARM loans in which payment shock from an initial or periodic interest rate reset is likely to cause delinquency or imminent default, Servicers agree to offer streamlined loss mitigation options to such borrowers to maintain the borrower’s ability to pay the debt, factoring in escrow payments if such borrower is not current on taxes or insurance. If the loan is modified to a fixed-rate loan, the resulting fixed rate can be equal to or lower than the introductory rate initially offered to the borrower but can only exceed that rate where Servicers can document borrower’s ability to pay the higher rate factoring in the requisite escrow for taxes and insurance. Such documentation would require proof of applicable taxes and insurance premiums, a new appraisal on the property, current FICO and credit scores for the borrower, and a conservative debt-to-income (DTI) analysis. None of the foregoing documentation costs shall be added to the principal on the loan or otherwise charged to the borrower.

3.1.2 For subprime “no-documentation” or “low-documentation” and stated income loans, Servicers agree to modify the borrower’s loan so as to make regular monthly payments economically feasible, including but not limited to converting the loan’s interest rate into an affordable fixed rate.

3.1.3 For borrowers whose existing debt exceeds the current fair market value of the loan collateral by 10% or more and the borrower communicates a desire to stay in their home while documenting a reasonable ability to make payments on a reasonable fixed-rate mortgage, Servicers agree to offer workout packages based on the ability to pay that puts the borrower in the position they would have been had an accurate valuation been utilized in the origination of their loan, subject to legal and contractual ability to do so. If new federal legislation is passed to remove tax consequences arising from the forgiveness of mortgage debt, Servicers agree to forgive any loan principal representing the excess appraised value of the borrower’s home where legally and contractually permitted to do so.

3.1.4 For loans consummated as described in Sections 3.1.1, .3.1.2, and 3.1.3 above, Servicers agree to use their best efforts in removing any negative reports on the borrower’s credit report related to default of such loans and to assist borrowers in improving their credit scores in appropriate cases where loan modification has resulted in changing a delinquent loan to a performing loan.

ARTICLE IV: IMPROVE INCENTIVE STRUCTURE

4.1 Servicers pledge to create incentives for staff and foreclosure counsel to achieve workouts instead of foreclosing the borrower’s loan to the extent possible within existing fiduciary, legal and contractual obligations.

4.1.1 Servicers shall require loss mitigation staff and foreclosure counsel to document all interaction with borrowers and efforts made to workout mortgage loans.

4.1.2 Servicers shall require loss mitigation staff to certify in writing that the borrower was notified of the modification options enumerated in Article IV below before directing the matter to foreclosure counsel and the filing of the foreclosure complaint.

4.1.3 In directing loans to foreclosure, Servicers shall supply foreclosure counsel with the following:

i. Notice of the Servicer’s participation in this Compact and goal of achieving more workouts;

ii. An explanation of the Servicer’s loss mitigation procedures and how legal counsel can facilitate workouts through the Servicer’s loss mitigation department; and

iii. A complete copy of the borrower’s loan file, including copies of the notices specified in Sections 2.1.2 and 3.1.1 of this Compact.

4.1.4 Servicers shall require foreclosure counsel to certify in writing that counsel has notified the borrower of the modification options enumerated in Article IV below and has otherwise attempted, in good faith, to workout the mortgage with the borrower prior to filing a praecipe for sale of the subject property. Such certification shall include a detailed statement of efforts made. A conclusory statement is insufficient.

ARTICLE V: REPORTING

5.1 Servicers shall report their progress to the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions, Office of Consumer Affairs, 77 South High Street – 21st Floor, Columbus, Ohio 43215-6120, on a monthly basis, due the 1st day of each month, beginning December 1, 2007 and continuing through the term of this Compact. Progress reports shall be certified as to their accuracy and signed by an officer of the company. The reports shall include a documented statement of:

i. their total number of subprime, owner-occupied residential mortgage loans in Ohio;

ii. the type and percentage of the workout types utilized by the Servicers during the reporting period, plus the total number of foreclosure suits initiated;

iii. the conditional default rate, defined as the annualized value of the unpaid principal balance of Servicer’s newly defaulting subprime, owner-occupied residential mortgage loans in Ohio over the course of the past month as a percentage of the total unpaid balance of all subprime, owner-occupied residential mortgage loans in Ohio at the beginning of that month;

iv. a breakdown of 30-day, 60-day, 90+day delinquency and foreclosure rates for the Servicer’s subprime, owner-occupant residential mortgage loans in Ohio as of the ending date of each reporting period, calculated using the Mortgage Bankers Association method of delinquency reporting; and

v. any other information that describes the Servicer’s progress and commitment to this Compact.

5.2 Information obtained from progress reports may be retained, compiled, and made public by the Ohio Department of Commerce as the Department deems appropriate unless the parties agree in writing to the contrary in accordance with Ohio’s Public Records Law.

ARTICLE VI: TERM

6.1 This Compact is effective as of this day, November 8, 2007 and shall remain in effect until such time the 12-month moving average of foreclosure filings in Ohio (as reported by the Ohio Supreme Court) declines for four consecutive monthly measurement periods or December 31, 2010, whichever occurs first.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Compact to be executed by their duly authorized officers, as of the day and year first written above.


ON BEHALF OF THE STATE OF OHIO:



___________________________________
Ted Strickland, Governor



___________________________________
Kimberly A. Zurz,
Director of the Ohio Department of Commerce

ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE LOAN SERVICERS:

[1] Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), National Delinquency Survey, for the Fourth Quarter 2006; Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA) data for 2004 and 2005.
[2] Credit Suisse, The Day After Tomorrow: Payment Shock and Loan Modifications,” (April 5, 2007) (reviewing more than 30 PSAs from a variety of Wall Street and originator/servicer shelves and across different vintages).
[3] For purposes of this Compact, “subprime” shall refer to high-rate, high-fee mortgage loans for which the rate spread must be reported under the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act of 1975, Regulation C, 12 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 203.4(a)(12), and including residential purchase-money and refinance loans to owner-occupants with a Fair Isaac (FICO) score of 620 or less.
[4] “Losing Ground: Foreclosures in the Subprime Market and Their Cost to Homeowners,” The Center For Responsible Lending, December 19, 2006.
[5] Id.

Columbus, OH – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement and proclamation in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service on October 7, 2007.

“Our nation’s firefighters exemplify selflessness in the service of others,” Strickland said. “We salute those who have made the greatest sacrifice for Ohio and our nation.”

President George W. Bush has also ordered the U.S. Flag lowered on Sunday in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.


October 5, 2007

In honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, I hereby proclaim, by the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Ohio by the Ohio Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flags of the United States of America and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, October 7, 2007.

Ted Strickland

Governor

Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendation Panel is currently accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on the Mahoning County Court of Common Pleas, Probate Division, due to the retirement of Judge Timothy P. Maloney effective November 30. Applicants for the Court of Common Pleas position must be a resident and registered elector of Mahoning County and not yet 70 years old on the day they begin their duties, as dictated by Ohio law. In addition, they must be admitted to practice law in Ohio and have maintained their legal license for six years prior to assuming the judicial post or served as a judge of a court of record in any jurisdiction in the United States. The term of the Mahoning County appointment will extend until February 9, 2009. To continue service in the position, the appointee must run in the November 2008 judicial election. In the case of all judicial vacancies, applicants must follow the guidelines set forth by the Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendation Panel to ensure their eligibility for appointment. Applications must be submitted directly to the judicial panel and will then be distributed to the at-large and regional panel members. Details and the full text of the application procedure are available on the judicial panel’s section of the governor’s Web site. Requirements for all applicants include submitting a letter of interest, resume, panel questionnaire (link), and no more than six letters of recommendation. Additional details about OJARP and the application process can be found at http://ojarp.org/. All materials submitted by applicants for a judicial vacancy will be considered public record under Ohio law. Applicant communication with panel members must be directed to the entire panel; all attempts to contact or influence a panel member are prohibited. Applicant questions and concerns should be addressed to Kent Markus or Jeff Ruppert in the Governor’s Office at (614) 466-3555. Applications for the Mahoning County appointment must be received by 5 p.m. October 19. Candidates must be available to interview in person on November 7 in Columbus. Individual candidate times and interview locations will be determined at a later date. Governor Strickland has selected the following individuals to serve on the regional panel for the current Mahoning County vacancy: Janet Tarpley, Mahoning County director, Parenting Project John McNally, attorney and Mahoning County Commissioner Arlette Gatewood, retired staff representative, United Steel Workers of America Alan R. Kretzer, attorney, Law Office of Alan R. Kretzer Lynn Roman, public relations consultant, Multimedia Farms J. Gerald Ingram, attorney and president of the Mahoning County Bar Association At-Large Panel Members: James Ray (panel chair), retired judge, Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, Juvenile Division Janica Pierce, attorney, Chester Willcox and Saxbe, LLP John Kulewicz, attorney, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, LLP Betty Davis, president, Community Concepts, Inc. Isabel Framer, court certified Spanish/English interpreter; chair of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Judicial Interpreters and Translators

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today issued the following statement on the passing of Legislative Service Commission Director Jim Burley: “I greatly valued Jim’s commitment to the laws and lawmakers of our state,” Strickland said. “Frances and I send our deepest condolences to Jim’s family, friends and colleagues at LSC.”