Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today announced the following appointments to state boards and commissions.

The Ohio State University Board of Trustees

Linda Kass, of Bexley, is a former journalist and corporate communications and public affairs executive. She currently serves as the chair of the Champion of Children initiative in Franklin County and the board chair of the Bexley Education Foundation. A past member of the Bexley Board of Education from 1994-2001, Kass also served on the board of trustees and executive committee for Capital University from 2003-2007. Kass received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1975 and a master’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1978.

Jason Marion (student member), of Batavia, is a doctoral student in public health at the Ohio State University. He has had internship experience with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, National Risk Management Research and Early Warning Systems Laboratories, as well as with the United States Forest Service. Marion received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Morehead State University and an associate’s degree from Hocking College.

Cuyahoga Community College Board of Trustees

Patricia Kennedy-Scott, of Strongsville, has been the president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Ohio since 2002. She previously served in a variety of capacities for Group Health Cooperative, including vice president of the network services division. She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1975 and a law degree from the University of Detroit in 1978.

North Central State College Board of Trustees

Steven Stone, of Ashland, has been the executive director of the Ashland County Mental Health and Recovery Board since 2003. He previously served as the associate director for the Richland County Mental Health and Recovery Board. Stone is the president of the Rotary Club of Ashland and a board member with Ashland County Children’s Trust Fund. He received a master’s degree from Ashland Theological Seminary in 1982.

Washington State Community College Board of Trustees

Kenneth Schilling, of Marietta, has been the marketing director and general manager of Washington Electric Cooperative since 1995. Schilling was previously a loan officer at Farm Credit Services of Mid-America from 1977-1995 and served as a Sergeant in the United States Army from 1972-1974. He currently serves as chairman of the policy committee of the Washington County Farm Bureau. Schilling received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Ohio State University.

Northwest State Community College Board of Trustees

Pamela Lucas, of Montpelier, is currently the village manager for Montpelier and previously served as the village’s supervisor of administrative services. Lewis is a board member for American Municipal Power-Ohio and the Ohio Plan (Insurance). Lewis received an associate’s degree from Northwest State Community College.

Southern State Community College Board of Trustees

Don Gephart, of Blanchester, served as a member of the Blanchester School Board for 12 years. He is currently the treasurer of the National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 304 in Cincinnati. Gephart attended the University of Cincinnati and received a supervisor certification from the Ford Hourly Institute for Managers in Detroit.

John Houser, of Bethel, is the president of H&G Nursing Homes, Inc., in Mt. Orab. Houser also practiced law in Ohio for 35 years. He currently serves on the Brown County General Hospital Board of Directors and the Brown County Board of Health. He received a bachelor’s degree from Miami University in 1966 and a law degree from the University of Cincinnati in 1970.

Vicki Wilson, of Wilmington, is an education consultant, director of the CORE Project at Muskingum College, and an instructor at the Ohio State University and Muskingum College. She previously served as the associate dean of academic affairs for teacher education at Muskingum College. Wilson received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Dayton in 1972, a master’s degree from American University in 1982 and a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1996.

The Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators provides for the examination of applicants, issues and revokes licenses and adopts rules to govern the conduct of nursing home administrators.

Joan Reidy, of Lorain, is the president/administrator of Avon Oaks Caring Community in Avon. She is a fellow of the American College of Health Care Administrators and a board member for the Ohio Health Care Association. Reidy received a bachelor’s degree from Boston College in 1974 and is also a licensed practical nurse.

The Clean Ohio Council was created for the purpose of awarding grants or making loans to assist in the cleanup of brownfields in Ohio.

Jack Schron, Jr., of Chagrin Falls, has served as the president of Jergens, Inc., a metal tool manufacturer, and is the president and co-founder of the Tooling University, an online system of classes and lessons for manufacturers. Schron received a bachelor’s degree from Florida Southern College in 1970 and a law degree from Ohio Northern University Law School in 1975.

Thomas Kovacik, of Toledo, is the director of the Transportation Advocacy Group of Northwest Ohio. He previously served as a consultant to business and government on affairs related to the environment and as the chief operating officer/safety director for the City of Toledo. He also worked as the president of Great Lakes N-Viro and president and vice chairman of Envirosafe Service of Ohio, Inc. Kovacik received a bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University in 1969 and a master’s degree in geochemistry from BGSU in 1972.

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today released a letter from members of the business community lending their support for on-going conversations to try to find a compromise on the paid sick leave ballot initiative.

 

“I am proud these business leaders are joining my administration, other business leaders and proponents of the ballot initiative to try to find a common-sense solution that will allow us to move forward without the need for a ballot initiative,” Strickland said.

 

The complete letter is included below:

 

An Open Letter to the Ohio Business Community

 

We, the undersigned Ohio businessmen and women, oppose the proposed Healthy Families Act (“HFA”) that appears headed to the ballot this fall. If this issue goes to the ballot, many of us will actively oppose it.

 

However, we also support current good faith efforts by Governor Strickland and members of the business and labor communities to try to reach a compromise solution before August 15.  

 

We believe that a responsible compromise solution is far preferable to an expensive, contentious campaign that undoubtedly will have lasting negative effects on the perception of Ohio’s business climate, no matter the outcome of the election.

 

We, of course, reserve the right not to support any proposed compromise solution, but by engaging in such discussions, we will have the opportunity to constructively discuss our multiple concerns about the sick leave issue and to craft a solution that is responsive to most, if not all, of our concerns.

 

Sincerely,

 

Ohio Business Roundtable

Ohio Hospital Association

Catholic Healthcare Partners

AT&T

AEP

Forest City

Boehringer Ingelheim Roxane Inc.

Ben Venue Laboratories Inc.

Roxane Laboratories Inc.

Marlite, Inc.

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today announced the following appointments to state boards and commissions.

 

Boards of Trustees

The Youngstown State University Board of Trustees

Carole Weimer, of Youngstown, has served as a special education teacher at Liberty Local Schools since 1988.  She previously served as a kindergarten teacher at Akiva Academy from 1985 to 1988.  Weimer is active in the American Cancer Society and served as a board member for the Jewish Community Center from 1985 to 1994.  Weimer received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1968 and a master’s degree from Youngstown State University in 1989.

 

The Stark State College of Technology Board of Trustees

 

Tony Townsend, of Massillon, has served as the principal at Hope Academy since 2006 and previously served as the assistant principal.  Townsend has been a councilman for the City of Massillon since 2005.  He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron in 2000.

 

 

The Washington State Community College Board of Trustees

Larry Unroe, of Marietta, has served as the president and CEO of Marietta Memorial Hospital since 1984.  He previously served as an administrator at St. Joseph’s Hospital from 1980 to 1984.  Unroe received a bachelor’s degree from Marshall University in 1969 and a master’s degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1974.

 

 

Boards and Commissions

 

The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Board of Directors advises the BWC administrator on all critical matters. As fiduciaries of Ohio’s workers’ compensation system, they also provide independent verification of BWC’s financial and operational performance. The board has direct power in advising BWC’s administrator and managing the agency’s operations and policies.

 

James Hummel, of Dover, is the vice president of human resources for Lauren International, a manufacturer that employs more than 500 people in Ohio. Since 1993, Hummel’s responsibilities have been to protect the company’s assets and employees, which includes safety and workers’ compensation. Under Hummel’s supervision, Lauren International created a wellness program that successfully reduced health and workers’ compensation-related expenses among employees. Hummel received a bachelor’s degree from Malone College in 1998.

 

Larry Price, of Columbus, was a state representative for the 26th House District from 2003-2004.  Price is currently the president and chief consultant for L. Price and Associates Consulting in Columbus. He previously served as an assistant to Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman and worked in the Ohio Senate for nearly 20 years as a message clerk and assistant sergeant at arms. Price received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University.

 

Thomas Pitts, of Akron, is an adjunct professor at the University of Akron law school, where he teaches an annual seminar in workers’ compensation law.  For more than 20 years, Pitts has worked in private law practice representing workers in Ohio workers’ compensation and Social Security disability claims.  Pitts is an active member of the Ohio Association for Justice and president of the Summit County Association for Justice.  He received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron in 1976 and his law degree in 1979.

The Ohio Higher Education Facility Commission reviews and issues tax exempt bonds for the construction of facilities for private colleges in the State of Ohio.

 

James Shindler, of Sylvania, has served as a partner with the law firm of Shindler, Neff, Holmes, Schlageter and Mohler, LLP, since 1967.  He previously served as an assistant professor of accounting at Bowling Green State University from 1966-1967.  Shindler received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1961 and a law degree from the University of Toledo in 1966.

 

 

The Reclamation Commission provides an administrative appeal to any person claiming to be aggrieved or adversely affected by a decision of the chief of the Division of Mineral Resources Management at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, relating to mining and reclamation issues.

 

Sean McCarter, of Columbus, has served as an attorney in private practice since 1998.  He previously served as a counsel to the law office of John F. Berry from 1997-1998.  McCarter received a bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1990 and a law degree from the Ohio State University in 1994.

 

Kim Brown, of Worthington, has served as an assistant professor of ecophysiology and forest ecosystems at Ohio University since 2001.  She previously served as a postdoctoral research scientist at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University.  Brown has been a member of the Ecological Society of America since 1993.  She received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Memphis in 1991, a master’s degree from Duke University in 1994, and her doctorate from the University of Washington in 2000.

 

Richard W. Babb, of Sabina, owns 75 acres of farmland in Clinton County.   A World War II veteran, Babb also worked with the University of Illinois and International Harvester Co. in strip mining reclamation.  He attended the Ohio State University.

 

 

The Ohio Elections Commission hears, through probable cause panels, certain violations of the Elections Law at expedited hearings. 

 

Yvette McGee Brown, of Gahanna, has served as the president of the Center for Child and Family Advocacy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital since 2002.  She had previously served as a judge in the Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Division of Domestic Relations and Juvenile Court from 1993 to 2002.  Brown currently serves as the chair of the Ohio State University Alumni Association board of directors.  Brown received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 1982 and a law degree from the Ohio State University in 1985.

 

 

The Third Frontier Commission coordinates and administers science and technology programs to promote the welfare of the people of the state and to maximize economic growth through expansion of the state’s high technology research and development capabilities and product and process innovation and commercialization. 

 

Richard Fearon, of Bentleyville, is executive vice president and chief financial and planning officer of the Eaton Corporation.  He has previously served on the board of directors and the audit committee of PolyOne Corporation and as senior vice president of corporate development of Transamerica Corporation.  He received his bachelor’s degree from Stanford University in 1978 and a graduate degree from Harvard University in 1982.

 

 

The Technical Advisory Council on Oil and Gas consults with and advises the chief of the Division of Oil and Gas.

 

Jerry Jordan, of Columbus, has served as the chairman and as a director for Knox Energy since 1998.  He previously served as the chairman and CEO of Clinton Gas Systems from 1988-1998.  He is a trustee for the Ohio Oil and Natural Gas Association.  Jordan received a bachelor’s degree from Denison University and a law degree from the University of Michigan. 

The Board of Psychology licenses all persons who desire to engage in the practice of psychology in Ohio.

 

Pamela Mattson, of Cincinnati, has served as the chair of the Ohio Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health since 2007.  She previously served as chair of the Hamilton County National Alliance on Mental Illness.  Mattson completed undergraduate coursework at the University of Cincinnati and the Christ Hospital School of Nursing.

 

 

The Oil and Gas Commission reviews claims by persons who feel they have been adversely affected by an order of the Chief of the Division of Oil and Gas.

 

Robert Chase, of Marietta, has served as a professor at Marietta College since 1978.  He had previously served as a consultant to Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation from 1984-1998.  Chase received a bachelor’s degree in 1972, a master’s degree in 1974, and a doctorate degree in 1980 from Pennsylvania State University.

 

 

The Governor’s Council on People with Disabilities cooperates with all employers both public and private in locating or developing employment opportunities for the disabled and assisting in the creation of committees at the community level.

 

Katherine Hevener, of Cincinnati, is currently retired after serving as a rehabilitation specialist with the Department of Veterans Affairs from 1993-2003.  She also has 20 years experience in the field of computer access training.  Hevener received a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University in 1981.

 

Diana Pollock, of Lancaster, currently serves on the subcommittee on adult guardianship at the Ohio Supreme Court and volunteers for the Sherman House in Lancaster.  She previously served as the assistant dean for development at Ohio University-Lancaster and as a lecturer for the department of city and regional planning at the Ohio State University.  She received a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from Ohio University in 1980 and a master’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1983. 

 

 

The Ohio Historical Society Board of Trustees collects and publically displays historical documents, books, machinery, and other objects deemed of historical significance. 

 

David Baker, of Marietta, currently serves as the president of investment and insurance services with Peoples Bancorp and has served in a variety of capacities for the bank since 1974.  Baker received a bachelor’s degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1968 and a master’s degree from Ohio University in 1971.

 

Linda Litter, of Chillicothe, currently serves as the vice president of community and governmental affairs for Litter Corporation.  She previously served as an elementary educator in the Chillicothe area.  Litter received a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University in 1975.

 

Thomas S. Adkins, of Waverly, serves on the Garnet Wilson Public Library board of trustees and has been a member of the Lucasville Area Historical Society for 20 years.  He previously served as the extension services coordinator for Portsmouth Public Library.  He received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Ohio University in 1988 and a master’s degree at Kent State University in library and information science in 1993. 

 

 

Ohio Geology Advisory Council advises the chief of the Division of Geological Survey and recommends policy and legislation.

Garry Getz, of Springfield, has served as a senior aggregate geologist for Bowser-Morner Associates, Inc., since 2004.  He previously served as a staff geologist for Shelly Materials, Inc. from 2001 to 2004.  Getz received a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University in 1975.

Columbus, Ohio- Governor Ted Strickland today said the following about longtime Cleveland City Council member Fannie M. Lewis:

“I am saddened to learn of the loss of Fannie Lewis, a truly great Clevelander.  I had the fortune to meet Fannie multiple times.  She is a special person who stood witness to so many events in her life.  Through the turbulent times and the tranquil times, she always worked tirelessly on behalf of her community.  Those who knew her and benefited from her hard work will grieve her passing while remembering and celebrating the greatness of her life.”

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today announced the appointment of state Sen. Lance Mason to the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, General Division.

 

“Through his work as a state legislator and attorney, Lance has exemplified the hard work, legal expertise, and commitment to Cuyahoga County that will make him an effective and respected judge,” Strickland said. 

 

Mason, 40, of Cleveland, fills a seat on the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas that was vacated due to the retirement of Judge Lillian J. Greene. Mason will begin his service on August 25.

 

A state senator since 2007, Mason represents more than 330,000 constituents in the Greater Cleveland area, and currently serves as the minority whip and ranking minority member of the Senate Criminal Justice Committee. Mason also practices law with Baker Hostetler LLP.

 

Mason was a member of the Ohio House of Representatives from 2002-2007, serving as the assistant minority whip and ranking minority member of the House Criminal Justice Committee.

 

He previously served as the district director for the office of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones from 1999-2002 and as the assistant county prosecutor for Cuyahoga County from 1996-1999. He served from 1992-1995 as a litigator at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, D.C.

 

Mason received a bachelor’s degree from the College of Wooster in 1989 and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School in 1992.

 

“It has been an honor to represent Cuyahoga County in the state legislature, and I look forward to this new opportunity to serve our community,” Mason said.

 

A high-resolution photo of Mason is available at the following link:

http://www.governor.ohio.gov/News/Photos/MasonPicture/tabid/808/Default.aspx

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today received the final report of the Public-Private Collaborative Commission from Commission co-chairs Gene Harris, superintendent of Columbus City Schools, and Jerry Jurgensen, chief executive officer of Nationwide.   The goals of the Public-Private Collaborative Commission were to make policy and programmatic recommendations to the governor and the Ohio General Assembly to promote higher levels of student achievement.   “I thank the members of the Public-Private Collaborative Commission for their service and for their willingness to look beyond what we do today and ask what we can do better for the future of education in Ohio,” Strickland said. “I look forward to closely reading the Commission’s recommendations as we look for new ideas to make Ohio's schools the best in the nation.”   The final report, titled “Supporting Student Success: A New Learning Day in Ohio,” includes four “game-changing” action priorities that will enable Ohio’s system of education to be more personalized and learning  to become extended and accelerated beyond traditional classroom settings.  The action priorities will require communities, families and schools to work together to ensure Ohio’s school children are prepared for the jobs of the future and can meet the challenges of the 21st Century.   “The report outlines how we will work to expand the educational achievement of our young people and prepare them for the economic, social and cultural changes that we are experiencing today,” Harris said. “Our students must leave school with the creativity, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that they need to be successful and productive in a global workforce.”   The four “game-changing” action priorities are:   o       Create a new culture of learning in which entire communities share responsibility for the well-being and educational performance of every student. o       Meet the learning needs of all students through a system of extended, accelerated and connected learning. o       Make dropout prevention, early intervention and recovery a priority in every Ohio school and school district, beginning in the early grades. o       Enhance school leaders’ willingness and capacity to build strategic bridges with families and communities.   “In an increasing global economy, our students need an education system that will help them develop the skills and knowledge needed to compete for the jobs of the future,” Jurgensen said. “Through a partnership with our government leaders, businesses and local communities, we will carry out the Commission’s recommendations and reshape the way we think about education in Ohio.”   The Public-Private Collaborative Commission was a provision championed by state Sen. Ron Amstutz in Senate Bill 311, legislation passed by the Ohio General Assembly in late 2006 that established the Ohio Core Curriculum. The Commission began work on the report in November 2007.  Members of the Commission included: Eric D. Fingerhut, chancellor of the Ohio Board of Regents; Michael Mann, principal of the Lincoln Way Elementary School in Wooster; Adrienne O’Neill, president of the Stark Education Partnership in Canton; and Susan Tave Zelman, superintendent of the Ohio Department of Education.

Columbus, Ohio – The Ohio Judicial Appointments Recommendation Panel is currently accepting applications to fill a vacant seat on the Butler County Area III Court.

 

The seat has been vacant since the resignation of Judge Robert Hendrickson, effective August 15.

 

The Butler County Court has jurisdiction in all areas within Butler County not subject to the territorial jurisdiction of any municipal court. The Butler County Area III Court includes the City of Monroe and West Chester Township.

 

Applicants for the Area III Court position must be a resident and registered elector of Butler 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.

 

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 Web site http://ojarp.org/.

 

Requirements for all applicants include submitting a letter of interest, resume, panel questionnaire at http://ojarp.org/Documents/OJARP QUESTIONNAIRE INTERACTIVE.pdf, and no more than six letters of recommendation.

 

Additional details about OJARP and the application process can be found on the Governor’s Web site at www.governor.ohio.gov.

 

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 Butler County appointment must be received by 5 p.m. August 26. The application timeframe has been shortened due to the timing of the vacancy.

 

Candidates must be available to interview in person on August 28 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 Butler County vacancy:
 

Christopher Rodbro, owner, Chris Rodbro Insurance Agency

Linda Weeden-Harris, attorney; employee and labor relations specialist, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Frank Cloud, business manager, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 648

Elizabeth Yauch, attorney, sole practitioner

Lois Wood, retired school teacher; board member and mentor of Friends in Action (mentoring program for at-risk youth)

Mike Gmoser, attorney, Holcomb, Hyde and Gmoser LLP

 

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 – Governor Ted Strickland today announced the appointment of Rocky Coss to the Highland County

Court of Common Pleas, General Division.

 

“Rocky has served Highland County for more than three decades as a respected attorney and active community member,” Strickland said. “I have no doubt that he will be an excellent judge.”

 

Coss, 57, of Hillsboro, fills a seat on the Highland County Court of Common Pleas that was vacated due to the disbarment of Judge Jeffrey Hoskins on July 3.

 

Coss will begin on August 25. To retain the seat, he must run in the November 2008 judicial election.

 

Coss has served in private practice in Hillsboro since 1976 and as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Adams County since 2001. He was the Highland County prosecuting attorney from 1977-2001. He also served as a faculty instructor for criminal investigations and constitutional law at Southern State Community College.

 

Among his community activities, Coss serves as a member and past president of the Hillsboro Rotary Club, board member and past president of the Highland County Society for Children and Adults and a member of the Highland County Children’s Services Board.

 

Coss received his bachelor’s degree from the Ohio State University in 1973 and his law degree from Ohio State in 1975.

 

“As a life-long resident of Highland County, I am deeply honored by this appointment and look forward to serving my community in this role,” Coss said.

 

A high resolution photo of Coss is available at the following link: http://www.governor.ohio.gov/News/Photos/RockyCoss/tabid/815/Default.aspx

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland today issued a proclamation lowering flags across the state to half-staff in honor of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

“The people of Ohio have lost a courageous and compassionate advocate for all Ohioans,” Strickland said.

 

The complete proclamation is below:

 

In honor of the life and service of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, 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 and the State of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the State of Ohio from Sunrise Friday August 22, 2008 until Sunrise Monday August 25, 2008.

Columbus, Ohio- Governor Ted Strickland and Lt. Governor Lee Fisher today issued the following statement regarding their opposition to Issue 4, the proposed paid sick-day initiative, on the ballot this November:

“While important members of the business community and SEIU participated in good faith discussions, it was, unfortunately, not possible to achieve a compromise acceptable to a sufficient portion of the business community and the proponents to cause its removal from the ballot. We regret that a reasonable compromise was not possible. This reality means that there will be a hard fought campaign centering on this initiative in the coming months. During that campaign, we call upon both sides to avoid portraying Ohio as unfriendly to business and economic development.  

“We also recognize it is important to make clear our thoughts on important public policy issues and today are announcing that we cannot support the paid sick-day ballot initiative.  While we would hope that all Ohio businesses would make paid sick days available to their employees whenever possible, we believe that this initiative is unworkable, unwieldy and would be detrimental to Ohio's economy, and we will be opposing it and asking Ohioans to oppose it as a result.”

Columbus, Ohio – Governor Ted Strickland today issued a Writ of Election to hold a special election on November 18, 2008 for the congressional seat vacated by the tragic loss of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. A primary election, if needed, would be held on October 14, 2008.

“While I recognize the costs that would be associated with a special election, my staff has carefully reviewed this situation and concluded that the U.S. Constitution requires me to call one,” Strickland said.   “My staff has also reached out to Attorney General Nancy Rogers, and she concurs.  Put simply, in ACLU v. Taft, the U.S. 6th Circuit Court of Appeals made it clear that a governor has a 'mandatory' obligation to issue a Writ of Election when a congressional seat is vacated.  The court has said that every district should have representation, even when Congress isn't expected to be in session, because Congress may need to hold unexpected, but important, votes at any time. Such a clear ruling in Ohio's federal appeals court makes it extremely unlikely, in my judgment, that Ohio would prevail in a legal challenge if we decided not to call for an election in this case.”

 

Following is the text of the Writ of Election:

 

Writ of Election

            On Friday, August 22, 2008, I received official notice of the death of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, Representative for the Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio.

 

            Article I, Section 2 of the United States Constitution and Ohio Revised Code Section 3521.03 provide that upon receipt of satisfactory information that a vacancy has occurred in the office of Representative to Congress, the Governor shall issue a Writ of Election directing that a special election be held to fill the vacancy.  Ohio Revised Code Section 3513.32 further provides that a primary election preceding a special election shall be held, if necessary.

 

            Accordingly, I hereby direct the Board of Election in the Eleventh Congressional District of Ohio to hold a special election on Tuesday, November 18, 2008, to fill such vacancy.  Further, if necessary, the Board of Election shall hold a primary election preceding the special election on Tuesday, October 14, 2008.  The Board of Election shall provide proper notice of these elections as directed by Ohio Revised Code Section 3513.32.

 

 

                                                                        Issued this 27^th day of August, 2008.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                        Ted Strickland

                                                                        Governor State of Ohio