WestChesterBuzz.com

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Posted in: Events, News, Schools, Sports |

Tags: Tags: Brady Holmer, Butler County Board of Elections, Butler County commission race, Butler County Election 2012, Chuck Furmon, Courtney Combs, Jeff Wyrick, Josh Chichester, Josh Chichester football, Josh Chichester Louisville, Josh Chichester NFL Combine, Josh Chichester NFL Draft, Lakota cuts, Lakota East, Lakota Local Schools, Lakota reductions, Lakota school levy, Lakota West, Liberty Township election, Mary Swain, No Lakota, No Lakota levy, NoLakota, NoLakota Levy, Northern Kentucky University track, Northern Kentucky Uuniversity cross country, Ohio election 2012, Rich Hoffman, Shamrock Shuffle, Shamrock Shuffle West Chester, T.C. Rogers, Tony O'Connor, West Chester election

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.

Butler Clerk of Courts Mary Swain defeated former deputy clerk Jeff Wyrick in the Republican primary March 6, 2012. In photo, Swain speaks at a voter forum in West Chester in February. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

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.

“We won because we had the right message of a fiscally conservative government and office. In addition to that, the reason we were able to get our message to the voters and we were heard and understood is because of the hundreds of volunteers we had on our team,” Swain said.

“A campaign as successful as ours does not happen by itself and it doesn’t happen through the candidate’s efforts. It happens through the effort of the team.”

During the campaign there had been some tension between the two candidates, but Wyrick wanted to wish Swain luck and thank his supporters after the loss.

“I just want press upon how appreciative I am of the people who helped me and of the team of supporters that I had,” Wyrick said. “I was very fortunate to have a lot of help and I want to recognize those people.

“I just want to wish my opponent success in the future and congratulations. It was a hard fought race and I am very appreciative of every one who helped me.”

Swain will not be challenged in November. Swain start a new four-year term in January 2013.

Posted in: Election, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Clerk of Courts, Butler County Clerk of Courts primary, Jeff Wyrick, Mary Swain

Courtney Combs may have run into some bad luck in his 13th campaign when he unofficially finished only seven votes behind T.C. Rogers of West Chester in the Butler County Commission Republican primary March 6, 2012. Prior to the primary, Combs had won 12th straight campaigns. In photo, Combs votes on the morning of Super Tuesday at Ross Middle School. Photo taken by Adam Kiefaber.

Only one thing is certain about the Butler County Commission Republican primary, the incumbent Chuck Furmon is due to lose his seat that he held since 1996.

What is unclear is if the unofficial results, which have political newcomer and small business owner T.C. Rogers of West Chester Township on top with 11,442 votes or 35.58 percent of the vote, will hold up (results as of 1 a.m. Wednesday).

The other candidate in the race, former Butler County Commissioner and State Rep. Courtney Combs, finished only seven votes behind (11,435 votes) Rogers.

According to The Enquirer, the close finish automatically triggers a recount due to Ohio law.

T.C. Rogers finished with only seven more votes than unofficial runner-up Courtney Combs in the Butler County Commission Republican primary March 6, 2012. In photo, Roger speaks at a voter forum in February. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

According to the Pulse Journal, Butler County Board of Elections Director Jocelyn Bucaro said a recount would not be ordered until approximately 368 absentee ballots and 400 provisional have been counted at a later date.

Rogers was told by colleagues, who have worked on other campaigns, that the process could take 10 days.

“I would rather be seven up then seven down,” Rogers said late Tuesday night.

“I was up against two long-time politicians, so I knew I had a hill to climb.”

Unlike Rogers, who was running for the first time, today’s election marked the 13th campaign for Combs.

“I have won 12 in row. I am confident but not overconfident, so we will see if 13 is a good number for me,” Combs said on Tuesday morning after voting at Ross Middle School.

“This is a totally different race for me. I have never been in a contested primary.”

Combs has to give up his state seat for the 54th District after five terms in office. He was a commissioner for 17 years before heading to the state Capitol in 2004.

Whoever comes out on top after the recount, they will face Democrat Jodi Billerman of Liberty Township and Libertarian Daryl R. Olthaus in November.

Romney wins Ohio: The Enquirer reported at 12:40 a.m. Wednesday that Mitt Romney won Ohio on Super Tuesday. With 99 percent of the precincts reporting, Romney had 38 percent of the vote (451,972 votes) and Rick Santorum had 37 percent of the vote (439,932 votes. Newt Gingrich was third with 15 percent and Ron Paul was fourth with 9 percent. More on the story visit Cincinnati.com.

Swain takes Clerk of Courts primary: Incumbent Mary Swain has defeated former deputy clerk Jeff Wyrick in the county clerks race. Swain finished with 60.8 percent of the vote, while Wyrick finished with 39 percent. In January of 2011, Swain narrowly defeated Wyrick in a vote administered by the Butler County Republican Party. Swain took over the position left vacant by Cindy Carpenter, who was appointed as a county commissioner.

Mandel cruises to primary win: Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel easily won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate. He will have to face Democrat Sherrod Brown in November. A recent poll released by Quinnipiac University, showed that Brown leads Mandel 48 percent to 35 percent.

Boehner defeats Lewis by wide margin: The most convincing Super Tuesday win may have been House Speaker John Boehner, who received 83.9 percent of the vote in the 8th Congressional District Republican primary. His opponent, David Lewis, had 16.1 percent of the vote.

“The House is committed to breaking down barriers to job growth, excessive regulations, higher taxes, big government and out-of-control government spending in Ohio and across the country,” Boehner stated in response to his victory in the 8th District. “I am honored that the 8th District Republicans want me to continue that fight on their behalf in Washington.”

Posted in: Election, Events, Government, News, Political events |

Tags: Tags: 8th Congressional District Republican primary, Butler County Board of Elections, Butler County Clerk of Courts Republican primary, Butler County commission race, Butler County Election 2012, Chuck Furmon, David Dodt, David Lewis, Donna Glisman, Eric LaMont Gregory, Jeff Wyrick, John Boehner, Josh Mandel, Liberty Township election, Mary Swain, Michael Pryce, Mitt Romney, newt gingrich, Ohio election 2012, Ohio U.S. Senate Republican primary, Republican presidential race, Rick Santorum, ron paul, Senator Sherrod Brown, Sherrod Brown, T.C. Rogers, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, West Chester election

If you are not among the group who has already voted, then you might need to know more about the races on Super Tuesday’s ballot.

For those traditionalists, the polls will open today at 6:30 a.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m. To find your polling location, visit www.butlercountyelections.org.

Residents of West Chester and Liberty townships will both vote in the Butler County primaries that include county commission and clerk of courts races.

Federal races include the 8th Congressional District Republican primary, the Ohio U.S. Senate Republican primary and the presidential Republican primary.

Many candidates on the ballot in Butler County are running unopposed.

PRESIDENTIAL REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Ohio is expected to be play crucial role in determining the Republican presidential race on Super Tuesday. Ohio offers 66 convention delegates, which is the second-most of the 10 states that will be involved in voting on Tuesday. Locally, the Liberty Township Tea Party conducted a straw poll Monday – Rick Santorum won the poll with 42 percent of the vote. His opponents, Mitt Romney (32 percent), Newt Gingrich (21 percent) and Ron Paul (5 percent) finished behind the former U.S. Senator of Pennsylvania. It will be interesting to see the results Tuesday, current state polls show a dead heat between Santorum and Romney. More information on the Republican presidential race.

OHIO U.S. SENATE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

State Treasurer Josh Mandel has the support of the Tea Party and is the favorite to grab the GOP nomination for the U.S. Senate race. Mandel faces four candidates in the primary which include Eric LaMont Gregory, Michael Pryce, David Dodt and Donna Glisman. Whoever wins the primary will have to face Democrat Sherrod Brown in November. A recent poll released by Quinnipiac University, showed that Brown leads Mandel 48 percent to 35 percent. Furthermore, the poll showed that 47 percent of voters approve of Brown’s job performance. More information on the U.S. Senate Republican primary.

BUTLER COUNTY COMMISSION REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

State Rep. Courtney Combs and political newcomer T.C. Rogers are challenging Butler County Commissioner Chuck Furmon in the Butler County commission primary on Tuesday. Furmon has served as a county commissioner since 1996. Meanwhile, Combs has to give up his state seat for the 54th District after five terms in office. Combs was a commissioner for 17 years before heading to the state Capitol in 2004. Rogers is a small business owner who believes in less taxes, less government and more accountability. More information on the Butler County commission race.

8TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Speaker John Boehner of West Chester faces competition in the 8th Congressional District by way of Batavia resident David Lewis. Boehner is an 11-term incumbent who was named Speaker of House in Janurary of 2011. His opponent, Lewis, has criticized Boehner for not fighting hard enough for restrictions on abortion. In the local media, Lewis attracted a lot of attention when he ran a graphic anit-abortion ad before the Super Bowl. The ad, which he has featured on his campaign website, showed pictures of aborted fetuses. More information on 8th Congressional District Republican primary.

BUTLER COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY

Incumbent Mary Swain has a familiar challenger in the Butler County Clerk of Courts primary in former deputy clerk Jeff Wyrick. In January of 2011, Swain narrowly defeated Wyrick in a vote administered by the Butler County Republican Party. Swain took over the position left vacant by Cindy Carpenter, who was appointed as a county commissioner. Both candidates bring a wealth of experience to the position. More information on the Butler County Clerk of Courts Republican primary.

Posted in: Election, Events, Government, News, Political events, Tea Party |

Tags: Tags: 8th Congressional District Republican primary, Butler County Board of Elections, Butler County Clerk of Courts Republican primary, Butler County commission race, Butler County Election 2012, Chuck Furmon, David Dodt, David Lewis, Donna Glisman, Eric LaMont Gregory, Jeff Wyrick, John Boehner, Josh Mandel, Liberty Township election, Mary Swain, Michael Pryce, Mitt Romney, newt gingrich, Ohio election 2012, Ohio U.S. Senate Republican primary, Republican presidential race, Rick Santorum, ron paul, Senator Sherrod Brown, Sherrod Brown, T.C. Rogers, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, West Chester election

Republican candidates for Clerk of Courts Mary Swain looks on as Jeff Wyrick answers a question during the West Chester Tea Party Butler County Voting Forum night at Lakota West Freshman High School Feb. 9, 2012 in West Chester. Photo taken by Joseph Fuqua II.

Incumbent Mary Swain has a familiar challenger in the Butler County Clerk of Courts primary in former deputy clerk Jeff Wyrick.

In January of 2011, Swain narrowly defeated Wyrick in a vote administered by the Butler County Republican Party. Swain took over the position left vacant by Cindy Carpenter, who was appointed as a county commissioner.

Shortly after Swain’s appointment, she fired Wyrick and eliminated four other positions, according to the Middletown Journal.

“Since becoming clerk I have refunded $1 million to the county, I have cut my budget to an eight-year low, I am upgrading an obsolete computer system, I have taken my entire staff through customer training and all my supervisors and managers through training – all of which came at no cost to the county,” Swain said.

Many of those accomplishments have been rebuffed by her opponent, who claims that Swain inherited nearly $1 million, was given the low budget figure to meet by the county commissioners and that the computer system upgrade was already in the works statewide in 2010.

Nonetheless, Swain claims to have a long list of to-do items, which includes finishing the computer system upgrade and investigating a new mail system that is projected to save the county between $45,000 to $50,000 a year, according to Swain.

“I have a lot of other things that I want to do,” Swain said. “I have a lot of policy that needs to be re-written. My project list is so long that it is probably three full pages if I wrote it all out.”

Like Swain, who has worked in the common pleas court for 22 years, her opponent is also focusing much of his campaign on experience. Wyrick has 10 years in the clerk’s office and served as the deputy clerk. Furthermore, according to his campaign website, he has 23 years of experience with the courts and has trained clerks and judges in 18 counties.

“What I believe, I bring to the table is 10 years of actual experience in the clerks office,” Wyrick said. “As far as the future, I would like to implement processes that will increase productivity, decrease costs and increase revenue. In my career, I have been able to do that through technology.”

Posted in: Election, News |

Tags: Tags: Butler County Clerk of Courts, Butler County Clerk of Courts primary, Jeff Wyrick, Mary Swain