Posts Tagged ‘Courtney Combs’

MonApr2

In case you missed it: Last week in West Chester

Posted by akiefaber April 2nd, 2012, 9:12 am Post a Comment

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Mason vs. Lakota West

Lakota West senior Zak Farmer pitches during a 9-2 loss against Mason Monday, March 26, 2012. Photo by Adam Kiefaber.

High school baseball begins – Last Monday, both Lakota West and Lakota East began the 2012 baseball season with a loss during the inaugural Reds Future High School Showcase at Prasco Park Legacy Field in Mason. Lakota West lost by the score of 9-2 against rival Mason, while Lakota East lost to Hamilton 4-2.

Scholarship created to honor student involved in fatal wreck – The Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty announced last Monday that it has established a scholarship fund to honor a Lakota West student, who died after being involved in a fatal car wreck March 16. The Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a student at Lakota West High School that exhibits Stepaniak’s qualities.

Karen Mantia

Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia. Photo taken by Tony Jones.

Lakota seeks students’ input on cuts – Cincinnati Enquirer Michael D. Clark reported that Lakota Superintendent Karen Mantia is reaching out to some of those hardest hit by Lakota’s recent $10.5 million in budget cuts – students. Mantia said during Monday evening’s Lakota school board meeting that she will invite students in May to discuss in person the sweeping changes.

Jack in the Box could open in mid-July – A spokesperson with Jack in the Box said last week that it is “only a matter of days” before the company breaks ground on its first restaurant in Ohio. The location, off Tylersville Road near I-75 in West Chester, is expected to be open by mid-July. The target date of the opening could be changed to due weather.

Rogers declared winner after recount – Last week’s recount in the Butler County commission race confirmed that T.C. Rogers of West Chester Township won the Republican primary for Butler County commissioner. Rogers finished 13 votes ahead of former commissioner and State Rep. Courtney Combs. Rogers will face Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman of Liberty Township and Libertarian Daryl Olthaus of Somerville in the November election.

Lakota East at Lakota West

Lakota West pitcher Ashley Sharp pitches in a 6-2 win against Lakota East Friday, March 30, 2012. Photo by Joseph Fuqua II.

Amylin shares soar on takeover bid – Cincinnati Enquirer’s Mike Boyer reported that shares of drug-maker Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc. in West Chester Township soared 54 percent Wednesday after a report that the company rejected a $3.5 billion unsolicited takeover bid from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Shares of the San Diego-based company closed at $23.77 – up $8.38 in more than 10 times normal trading – after Bloomberg News reported the company had rejected the $22-a-share offer.

Lakota West defeated Lakota East in softball – On Friday, Lakota West won its fourth straight against its school district rival. The latest coming by way of a 6-2 victory over the Thunderhawks. Last season, Lakota East was ranked No. 1 in the state for most of the spring and lost only three of its 31 games. All three losses came at the hand of the Firebirds, including one that eliminated Lakota East in the state quarterfinals.

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Posted in: Board of Education, Business, Election, Government, Levy news, News, Schools, Sports, Spring sports |

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TueMar27

T.C. Rogers declared winner after commission race recount

Posted by akiefaber March 27th, 2012, 4:11 pm Post a Comment

Sheila McLaughlin reports

Monday’s recount in the Butler County commission race confirmed political newcomer T.C. Rogers as the Republican candidate for November’s general election.

Rogers, a home builder and real estate agent from West Chester Township, remained 13 votes ahead of Courtney Combs. Rogers had 11,571 votes to Combs’ 11,558.

T.C. Rogers

A recount in the Butler County commission race confirmed T.C. Rogers as the Republican candidate for November’s general election. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Earlier this month, Rogers appeared to have defeated two longtime politicos: Combs, a longtime state representative and former county commissioner, and current commissioner Chuck Furmon. Rogers kept his edge last week when absentee and provisional ballots were counted.

The race between Rogers and Combs was so close, the automatic recount was required by law.

But the numbers stayed the same after the 11-hour recount process at the Butler County Board of Elections, Director Lynn Edward Kinkaid said.

Neither Rogers nor Combs could be reached for comment.

Furmon still brought up the rear with 9,392 total votes in the primary race, so he’s out of a job next year.

The votes will be certified today.

Combs also loses his job in Ohio’s Statehouse in January because of term limits. He had hoped to return to Butler County as a commissioner, a job he held for 17 years before heading to Columbus in 2004.

Combs had said earlier that Rogers’ win signaled a change in Republican politics in Butler County.

Rogers subscribes to the tea party movement, and Combs is seen as part of the GOP establishment.

Rogers will face Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman, of Liberty Township, and Libertarian Daryl Olthaus, a registered nurse from Somerville, in the November election.

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MonMar26

In case you missed it: Last week in West Chester

Posted by akiefaber March 26th, 2012, 1:04 pm Post a Comment

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday.

Community leader passes away – The West Chester and Liberty township communities grieved the loss A. Christian Worrell III, who was responsible for the Graydon Head Legal Counsel Butler/Warren Office and was a member of countless local committees. Worrell’s funeral took place last Tuesday afternoon.

T.C. Rogers

T.C. Rogers. File photo.

My Furry Valentine to come back – The organizer for My Furry Valentine, a large pet adoption event that took place throughout Cincinnati, said that she expects to host another event next February. This past February, the main event was in West Chester. There have also been discussions to add another large pet adoption event in the summer or in the early fall.

Rogers keeps lead in commission vote – Political newcomer T.C. Rogers kept his edge over Courtney Combs as the Republican nominee for Butler County Commissioner last Tuesday when absentee and provisional ballots were counted. But the race is destined for an automatic recount by law because the margin is less than half of 1 percent. The recount is expected to take place this Monday.

West Chester playing role in Ohio’s economic development – The Atlanta-based magazine Site Selection awarded Ohio and Governor John Kasich first place in its annual Governor’s Cup rankings. The Governor’s Cup, which was announced in its March issue, ranks the 50 states according to their success in attracting capital investment projects. West Chester Township played a role in the state’s accomplishment.

Ezekiel (Zeke) Stepaniak

Ezekiel "Zeke" Stepaniak. Photo provided.

The Cone opens for the season – A West Chester landmark and popular location in the summer, The Cone, officially opened for the season last Thursday with a surprise opening night. The seasonal destination is open from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday through Saturday and from noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Lakota community comes together after fatal wreck – Lakota West High School and others in the school community mourned the loss of one its students – junior Ezekiel “Zeke” Stepaniak – and prayed for the recovery of another student – sophomore Ashley Stacy. Throughout the week, students showed their support in many ways.

Office Depot donates $97,000 in supplies to Lakota – The Lakota school district announced that it received $97,000 worth of office supplies from Office Depot. According to school officials, Office Depot donated 79,000 items that included highlighters, pens, trash bags, paper towels, batteries, glue sticks and binders.

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Butler County commission primary to be decided today

Posted by akiefaber March 26th, 2012, 8:57 am Post a Comment

The Enquirer

The Republican nominee for the Butler County Commissioner race this fall finally should be decided by day’s end.

T.C. Rogers

T.C. Rogers is only 13 votes up on unofficial runner-up Courtney Combs in the Butler County Commission Republican primary - voting took place, March 6, 2012. In photo, Roger speaks at a voter forum in February. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

The final recount is expected to begin at the county’s board of elections at 8:30 am.

Earlier this month, political newcomer T.C. Rogers defeated two longtime politicos: current commissioner Chuck Furmon and longtime state representative Courtney Combs. He kept his edge last week when absentee and provisional ballots were counted.

The race was so close, however, today’s automatic recount was required by law.

Rogers, a home builder and real estate agent from West Chester Township, came in 13 votes ahead of Combs. Rogers now has 11,571 votes to Combs’ 11,558.

Furmon gained 82 votes, but still brought up the rear with 9,392 total votes in the primary race.

Today’s recount is not expected the change things.

Rogers subscribes to the tea party movement and Combs is seen as part of the GOP establishment.

Rogers will face Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman of Liberty Township and Libertarian Daryl Olthaus, a registered nurse from Somerville, in the November election.

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WedMar21

T.C. Rogers keeps lead in county commission vote

Posted by akiefaber March 21st, 2012, 1:13 pm Post a Comment

Sheila McLaughlin reports

Political newcomer T.C. Rogers kept his edge over Courtney Combs as the Republican nominee for Butler County Commissioner Tuesday when absentee and provisional ballots were counted.

T.C. Rogers

T.C. Rogers is only 13 votes up on unofficial runner-up Courtney Combs in the Butler County Commission Republican primary - voting took place, March 6, 2012. In photo, Roger speaks at a voter forum in February. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

But the race is destined for an automatic recount by law because the margin is less than half of 1 percent.

Rogers, a home builder and real estate agent from West Chester Township, came in 13 votes ahead of Combs in Tuesday’s count at the Butler County Board of Elections.

Tuesday’s count gave Rogers 11,571 votes to Combs’ 11,558.

Incumbent Commissioner Chuck Furmon gained 82 votes, but still brought up the rear with 9,392 total votes in the primary race.

“It came down to the last day so I’m the poster boy for every vote counts,” Rogers said. “Elections are not horseshoes.”

The recount is not expected the change things, said Board of Elections Deputy Director Jocelyn Bucaro.

“We’ve never had a recount produce different results,” she said.

If the numbers hold through the recount, Combs is out of a political job after losing his Ohio House seat at the end of the year. He has represented the 54th District since 2004 after serving as a county commissioner.

“Yes, I would have liked to be county commissioner but if it’s not meant to be, it won’t be,” Combs said. “I’m a Realtor by trade so politics is not my whole life. It’s so close and I feel very humbled by the fact that I won, I think, 13 townships and three of the big cities in Butler County. So obviously the support was there.”

Rogers subscribes to the tea party movement and Combs is seen as part of the GOP establishment.

Voters obviously are looking for something new from the county commission, Combs said.

“I wish him the best. It’s a challenge now in Butler County for sure,” he said.

Rogers will face Democratic candidate Jodi Billerman of Liberty Township and Libertarian Daryl Olthaus, a registered nurse from Somerville, in the November election.

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MonMar12

In case you missed it: Last week in West Chester

Posted by akiefaber March 12th, 2012, 11:41 am Post a Comment

To let West Chester and Liberty Township residents catch up with the news that they need to know, WestChesterBuzz.com will list and link to all of last week’s top local stories every Monday. (Stories are listed in order of date)

Rick Santorum wins local Tea Party straw poll: With many of the same participants in last Monday’s poll as the first Liberty Township Tea Party straw poll Feb. 6, Santorum finished with 42 percent of the vote. Overall, there wasn’t much change at the top spot since Santorum netted 41 percent of the vote in February. Mitt Romney, on the other hand, gained significant ground jumping up to 31 percent of the vote last Monday from only 19 percent of the vote in February.

Lakota presents late budget proposal: Lakota officials presented its fifth and final budget reduction proposal last Monday. The proposal, which focused administration, district-wide personnel and supplementals, could eliminate 50 jobs and save the district $3.5 million. The cuts include an assistant superintendent position, two school building administrator positions, deans of students at both high schools, as well as the elimination of 11 licensed school nurses and 13 clinic aides.

Super Tuesday 2012 West Chester and Liberty Township residents talk Super Tuesday: It turned out to be a late night, as Ohioans chose Mitt Romney over Rick Santorum by one percentage point. Earlier in the day, while the polls were open, many voters in West Chester and Liberty Township shared the reasons why they voted in the Republican presidential primary.

Mary Swain Republicans select Swain for county clerk: For the second time in just over a year, Mary Swain defeated former deputy clerk Jeff Wyrick in a vote to represent the Republican Party as the Butler County Clerk of Courts. Swain received almost 61 percent of the vote, while Wyrick finished with 39 percent on Super Tuesday. In January 2011, after Cindy Carpenter left the clerks position, Swain also narrowly defeated Wyrick in a vote administered by the Butler County Republican Party.

Butler County commission race too close to call: West Chester resident and political newcomer T.C. Rogers has a 24-vote lead over T.C. Rogers long-time politician Courtney Combs in Super Tuesday’s Republican primary for Butler County commissioner. Official results aren’t expected until March 20 when all provisional and mailed absentee ballots will be counted. There is no question that incumbent Chuck Furman, who has held his seat since 1996, won’t be back next year.

Anti-tax group offers cash to needy Lakota athletes: The Enquirer reported last Tuesday, that a group of anti-school tax activists who campaign against school tax hikes now plan to raise money for needy students. The group has privately funded $10,000 to help students pay for sports fees, which were raised in the spring of 2011. This announcement has caused a stir among residents of the Lakota school district.

Josh Chichester Lakota West grad excels at U-of-L Pro Day: University of Louisville tight end Josh Chichester made great strides of accomplishing his “ultimate goal” of playing professional football during the school’s pro day last Wednesday. According to his former high school coach, Lakota West’s Larry Cox, Chichester measured out at 6-foot-6 235 pounds, had a vertical jump that cleared 37 inches and turned in a 40-yard dash time of 4.58 seconds in front of representatives of 20 NFL teams.

David Busemeyer Former West Chester cop sent to jail for tipping off dealer: A former West Chester police officer, who pleaded guilty to two felony charges in a case where he was accused of alerting a drug dealer to an undercover bust, was sentenced to six months in jail last Thursday. In two prior court appearances, Busemeyer, who claimed to be addicted to steroids and painkillers, requested to complete a court-ordered drug treatment program in exchange of a felony conviction and jail time. Both times, those requests were denied.

Shamrock Shuffle draws thousands of participants: This past Saturday’s Shamrock Shuffle was expected to draw more than 4,000 people and raise more than $10,000 for approximately 50 local charities or causes. Tony O’Connor, 18, of West Chester won the 5K portion of the Shuffle with a time of 16:36. Brady Holmer won the 10K portion with a time of 34:26. O’Connor (Lakota East) and Holmer (Lakota West) are both seniors in the Lakota school district and plan on running at Northern Kentucky University.

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WedMar7

Ousted commissioner: Politics now ‘just so strange’

Posted by akiefaber March 7th, 2012, 3:03 pm Post a Comment

Sheila McLaughlin reports:

Political newcomer T.C. Rogers came out of nowhere to barely take the lead (by 24 votes) in Tuesday’s Republican primary for Butler County commissioner.

Chuck Furmon

Chuck Furmon thanked local citizens and also said that politics right now are “just so strange” after losing in the Republican primary for Butler County commissioner March, 6, 2012. In photo, Furmon speaks at voter forum in February. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Provisional and mailed absentee ballots still have to be counted, and that won’t likely happen until March 20. So the results could change and Courtney Combs could wind up the winner.

There’s no question about Commissioner Chuck Furmon though. He won’t be back next year after the surprise upset.

“Chuck is retired. I’ll finish my obligation. But there’s a lot of Pitch (a card game) to be played,” Furmon said Wednesday while removing campaign signs with his wife Peg. “I’m grateful for the time that I’ve been allowed to serve the citizens of Butler County. I have no regrets.”

Furmon said he has “no read” on how he came up short in the primary election, but he said he was shocked that Rogers took the lead.

“The politics right now from the top down is just so strange. The party is just fractured,” Furmon said.

The Butler County GOP did not endorse any of the commission candidates.

Rogers received 11,482 votes to Combs’ 11,458 votes, according to unofficial election results. Furmon received 9,310 votes.

Election results posted online late Tuesday as complete showed that Rogers won by a mere seven votes. However, Butler County election officials said Wednesday that paper ballots cast at some polling places were still being counted at the time. (more…)

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MonMar5

3 GOPers vie for Butler County commission

Posted by akiefaber March 5th, 2012, 6:25 pm Post a Comment

Sheila McLaughlin reports:

Butler County Commissioner Chuck Furmon wants to hold on to his seat. But a state representative who is losing his Columbus job to term limits and a local home builder/real estate agent want to pull it out from under him in March.

Republican candidate for Butler Commissioner T.C. Rogers speaks during the West Chester Tea Party Butler County Clerk of Court and Commissioner Candidate Forum night at Lakota West Freshman High School Thursday February 9, 2012 in Liberty Township. The Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II

Furmon, a former Hamilton mayor who has served as a county commissioner since 1996, faces a challenge from state Rep. Courtney Combs (Ross Twp.) and political newcomer T.C. Rogers (West Chester) on the Republican primary ballot.

Combs, who represents the 54th District, has to give up that seat after five terms in office. He was a commissioner for 17 years before heading to the state Capitol in 2004 in a job switch with then- Rep. Greg Jolivette. The move, orchestrated by the Butler County GOP, was aimed at heading off a contentious Republican primary.

A fractured local GOP didn’t endorse any of the candidates for the primary race for county commissioner.

Rogers has been critical of Furmon’s performance as a commissioner, saying there is a “mountain of reckless spending” in Butler County government.

Furmon and his colleagues on the commission have trimmed 350 positions from county government and reduced the general fund budget by about 17 percent, from $95 million to $79 million.

Bringing development to Butler County to create jobs is a common theme for Combs and Furmon. Both helped orchestrate the $500 million Liberty Town Square retail development by Steiner + Associates which is being planned at Liberty Way and Interstate 75 in Liberty Township.

Furmon and fellow commissioners recently approved a memorandum of understanding, agreeing for the county to contribute 60 percent of the costs of public infrastructure, which will amount to about $30 million in tax increment financing proceeds. (more…)

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MonFeb13

3 GOPers vie for Butler commission

Posted by rrichardson February 13th, 2012, 10:55 am Post a Comment

Republican candidate for Butler Commissioner T.C. Rogers speaks during the West Chester Tea Party Butler County Clerk of Court and Commissioner Candidate Forum night at Lakota West Freshman High School Thursday February 9, 2012 in Liberty Township. The Enquirer/ Joseph Fuqua II

Sheila McLaughlin reports:

Butler County Commissioner Chuck Furmon wants to hold on to his seat. But a state representative who is losing his Columbus job to term limits and a local home builder/real estate agent want to pull it out from under him in March.

Furmon, a former Hamilton mayor who has served as a county commissioner since 1996, faces a challenge from state Rep. Courtney Combs (Ross Twp.) and political newcomer T.C. Rogers (West Chester) on the Republican primary ballot.

Combs, who represents the 54th District, has to give up that seat after five terms in office. He was a commissioner for 17 years before heading to the state Capitol in 2004 in a job switch with then- Rep. Greg Jolivette. The move, orchestrated by the Butler County GOP, was aimed at heading off a contentious Republican primary.

A fractured local GOP didn’t endorse any of the candidates for the primary race for county commissioner.

Rogers has been critical of Furmon’s performance as a commissioner, saying there is a “mountain of reckless spending” in Butler County government.

Furmon and his colleagues on the commission have trimmed 350 positions from county government and reduced the general fund budget by about 17 percent, from $95 million to $79 million.

Bringing development to Butler County to create jobs is a common theme for Combs and Furmon. Both helped orchestrate the $500 million Liberty Town Square retail development by Steiner + Associates which is being planned at Liberty Way and Interstate 75 in Liberty Township.

Furmon and fellow commissioners recently approved a memorandum of understanding, agreeing for the county to contribute 60 percent of the costs of public infrastructure, which will amount to about $30 million in tax increment financing proceeds.

Combs, as a state representative, introduced successful legislation that established a special authority to own parking garages and other infrastructure at the development, so the county won’t be financially responsible for maintenance.

The project, touted as similar to Easton Town Square in Columbus, is expected to bring about 3,200 construction jobs to the county and employ about 4,600 people in permanent jobs when the development opens. It also will generate more than $1.5 million in new sales taxes for the county, according to Steiner officials.

Read on for profiles of the three candidates, their qualifications and where they stand on the issues:

(more…)

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FriFeb10

Butler County Commission candidates participate in forum

Posted by akiefaber February 10th, 2012, 11:57 am Post a Comment

Candidates in the Butler County Commission and Butler County Clerk of Courts races participated in a voting forum at the Lakota West Freshman Campus in West Chester Thursday night.

The event attracted a good crowd and featured Republican primary commission candidates including current county Commissioner Chuck Furmon, state Rep. Courtney Combs and political newcomer T.C. Rogers.

Also taking the stage in the commission race forum was Democrat Jodi Billerman and Libertarian Daryl R. Olthaus. Both, Billerman and Olthaus, will run in November against the winner of the Republican primary March 6.

During the forum, all candidates answered the same questions that included how they would lower the county’s debt, if the county airport should be sold, if the county can justify giving raises to its employees, if they agree with the county sheriff’s immigration policy, how can the county fund the Liberty Town Square retail development project, among others.

All of candidates provided what their approaches would be in lowing the county debt, which forum host and West Chester Township Trustee George Lang said was at $90 million.

Rogers recently criticized Furmon, saying there is a “mountain of reckless spending” in Butler County government. During the forum, Furmon defended recent expenses.

As far as the airport was concerned, all of the candidates agreed that it was an asset. Only Olthaus was open to selling it, noting that it could be better run privately instead of by the government. Rogers thought it would be a good time to market the airport after seeing reports that the airport in Blue Ash will likely close. According to Rogers, another airport couldn’t be built within 200 miles of the airport in Butler County.

In regards to the pay freeze, Furman acknowledged that there is one currently – saying, “We are not issuing raises, that is not what we are about.” Although no single candidate appeared to be in favor of handing out raises, Billerman said that there should be a good compensation structure and would not favor a select few raises unless they deserve it. (more…)

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