Endorsements best when difficult

Endorsements best when difficult

For what it’s worth, The Highland County Press print edition has completed its 2010 political endorsements today. And this publisher is ready and

willing to look each candidate in the eye and explain the justification for the endorsements, which are, by no means, taken lightly.

   At times, endorsing a political candidate can be an easy decision, as was the case with our choice of Rob Portman for U.S. Senate. If ever there were a “no-brainer,” this was it. Rob Portman is an American statesman and history will record as much.

   However, it’s a far better thing when political endorsements are not easy decisions. Frankly, they shouldn’t be. And we’re all better served when

these are difficult decisions. (With the obvious exception for the one making the endorsement.)

   Of the four candidates endorsed this fall by The Highland County Press, this publisher has known them a collective 75 years. And,  contrary to appearances, I’m not 50 (yet).

   * Let’s begin with Gary Heaton. I’ve known Gary since I was in high school. We were basketball teammates in an independent league in the 1980s, and we often played against one another. Nobody worked harder on the court than Gary. He works just as hard as an elected official.

   I still recall the last time Gary lost an election. He purchased a “thank you” ad for those who supported him, and he told me that was his last race. I told him to take some time off, rest and run again. He did and he won. As a county commissioner, he is honest, straightforward with his responses to questions, willing to make the tough fiscal decisions, and always accessible.

   I’ve attended almost every county commission meeting for more than a year, and I’ve witnessed Gary (as well as Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst) explain their decisions on behalf of the county taxpayers. As Gary said last week, “In these economic times, people vote from their pocketbooks.” We sure do.

   Gary is as fiscally conservative as his Republican counterparts on the commission; yet, he can provide an occasional dissenting vote. That’s a good thing.

   The Republican Party, regardless of the Nov. 2 outcome, will still have a majority on the county commission. With all due respect to Lynchburg Mayor Jeremy Shaffer, I believe Gary Heaton has earned a second term.

   And given that I can’t recall a dissenting vote on a county resolution this year, it seems to me that there’s not a lot of disagreement with Commissioner Heaton’s decisions.

Jeremy Shaffer, by all indications, is a solid Republican candidate. He may very well win this election and, if he doesn’t, he’ll certainly have other opportunities. The difference comes down to experience. It is my opinion that Gary Heaton has the experience to best serve Highland County.

   * David Daniels and I first met when he was the mayor of Greenfield. I liked him then and I still do.

   By my recollection, I’ve brought two issues to Dave’s attention in which we disagreed. The first was many years ago when he suggested that I discontinue a newspaper column by his political opponent. I didn’t disagree with Dave’s right to his opinion, but I did take exception that I received the correspondence from a General Assembly fax machine. (I still have the fax.) The second issue I brought to Dave’s attention was earlier this month over his response to a question about the public employee pension systems in Ohio. His answer was just a bit disingenuous – as was his opponent’s on a similar question.

   Two areas of disagreement in 20 years isn’t bad.

   On the plus side, Dave Daniels has worked his way from the family farm, to Greenfield City Council, to the mayor of Greenfield, to the county

commission, to the Ohio House of Representatives. He has worked long hours, remained humble and accessible, and doesn’t hide from the tough questions.

   On Oct. 11, Dave said “The next General Assembly, the time that we spend there, and the issues we have, are going to be about jobs. It’s going to be about our economy, it’s going to be about how we can deliver services as a state for less money, and how we can put Ohioans back to work.”

   I would suggest that Ohio taxpayers demand that it’s really going to be “how we can deliver services as a state for less money.” That is priority one. There are a number of good, common-sense, cost-cutting proposals out there, too. We need Dave to push such action forward.

   Not long after Dave was first elected to the Ohio House, he and I spoke outside the Hillsboro Baptist Church on South West Street after a funeral visitation for a mutual friend. Dave said he had some initial doubts about what went on in Columbus, but he told himself, “I can do this.”

   Yes, he can. And he has.

   For the last two decades, Dave has represented Highland County in a professional manner. There is no reason to believe that he won’t continue to do so as an Ohio senator.

   One more thing, not all Ohio lawmakers answer their ever-present telephones. When you call Dave, he answers. I can’t say the same for his opponent.

   * Bill Horne has been writing his “folksy” newspaper columns since I first invited him to give this a try several years ago. He’s never missed a deadline, either.

   Bill may be the most cantankerous individual that the Good Lord has seen fit to place in my path since the late Adams County attorney Roy Gabbert, Sr.

   Bill and I have known one another for 10 years. We have argued politics with one another for 10 years. He can’t help it that he’s often wrong, and I can’t help it that he is quick to acknowledge that I’m seldom right.

   That satirical anecdote aside, let me say this. Bill submits each and every one of his newspaper columns with his personal cell phone included for publication. 

   I’ve never published Bill’s cell phone number, but I have read it in The Sabina Advertiser and asked Bill if this was an oversight by the only locally owned and operated newspaper in Clinton County.

   Bill responded that he gave the Sabina newspaper permission to publish his cell number and extended that permission to me. (I still don’t publish the number, but Bill is in the phone book and he always answers his calls, good or bad.)

   While Bill’s political opinions and mine are often at loggerheads, his passion for wanting to make a difference is admirable and, at times, contagious. We need that passion in Columbus.

   Bill has told me many times, “I just want to see if one person can make a difference in Columbus.”

   This is not a career move for Bill. This is about one idealistic, yet practical, individual who truly wants to work for a better Ohio. This is Bill’s fourth campaign for state representative. He has campaigned as an Independent and as a Democrat – even though the state party preferred his primary opponent earlier this year.

   When talking about Ohio’s budget deficit, Bill cites specific areas where he would support immediate action: mandatory furloughs for state workers and a reduction in the number of nonessential state vehicles.

   He says he opposes any tax increases. That’s good, because Ohio is, to borrow another party’s popular phrase, Taxed Enough Already.

   Bill faces two very capable opponents on Nov. 2 in Libertarian Jacob Dawson and Republican Cliff Rosenberger. And at this year’s candidates forum, all three candidates emphasized the urgent need for job creation in Ohio. One of the ways to do this is by making Ohio more business friendly and less regulatory. The 2011 General Assembly will have its hands full on this issue alone.

   One of the things I’ve learned about choosing a political candidate is this: Talk to people from opposing political parties.

   In the cases of Rob Portman, David Daniels, Gary Heaton and Bill Horne,

I’ve done that. Even those in the opposite parties generally agree that these are good people. The same holds true for their Nov. 2 opponents.

   In some elections, the choices are easy. It’s better when they are not.

In the race for Ohio’s 86th House District, the Democrats, the Libertarians and the Republicans all have good candidates. In fact, this is anticipated to be one of the closest Ohio House races this year. There’s nothing wrong with that.

   Just don’t forget to vote between now and Nov. 2.

   Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.

For what it’s worth, The Highland County Press print edition has completed its 2010 political endorsements today. And this publisher is ready and willing to look each candidate in the eye and explain the justification for the endorsements, which are, by no means, taken lightly.

   At times, endorsing a political candidate can be an easy decision, as was the case with our choice of Rob Portman for U.S. Senate. If ever there were a “no-brainer,” this was it. Rob Portman is an American statesman and history will record as much.

   However, it’s a far better thing when political endorsements are not easy decisions. Frankly, they shouldn’t be. And we’re all better served when these are difficult decisions. (With the obvious exception for the one making the endorsement.)

   Of the four candidates endorsed this fall by The Highland County Press, this publisher has known them a collective 75 years. And,  contrary to appearances, I’m not 50 (yet).

   * Let’s begin with Gary Heaton. I’ve known Gary since I was in high school. We were basketball teammates in an independent league in the 1980s, and we often played against one another. Nobody worked harder on the court than Gary. He works just as hard as an elected official.

   I still recall the last time Gary lost an election. He purchased a “thank you” ad for those who supported him, and he told me that was his last race. I told him to take some time off, rest and run again. He did and he won. As a county commissioner, he is honest, straightforward with his responses to questions, willing to make the tough fiscal decisions, and always accessible.

   I’ve attended almost every county commission meeting for more than a year, and I’ve witnessed Gary (as well as Shane Wilkin and Tom Horst) explain their decisions on behalf of the county taxpayers. As Gary said last week, “In these economic times, people vote from their pocketbooks.” We sure do.

   Gary is as fiscally conservative as his Republican counterparts on the commission; yet, he can provide an occasional dissenting vote. That’s a good thing.

   The Republican Party, regardless of the Nov. 2 outcome, will still have a majority on the county commission. With all due respect to Lynchburg Mayor Jeremy Shaffer, I believe Gary Heaton has earned a second term.

   And given that I can’t recall a dissenting vote on a county resolution this year, it seems to me that there’s not a lot of disagreement with Commissioner Heaton’s decisions.

Jeremy Shaffer, by all indications, is a solid Republican candidate. He may very well win this election and, if he doesn’t, he’ll certainly have other opportunities. The difference comes down to experience. It is my opinion that Gary Heaton has the experience to best serve Highland County.

   * David Daniels and I first met when he was the mayor of Greenfield. I liked him then and I still do.

   By my recollection, I’ve brought two issues to Dave’s attention in which we disagreed. The first was many years ago when he suggested that I discontinue a newspaper column by his political opponent. I didn’t disagree with Dave’s right to his opinion, but I did take exception that I received the correspondence from a General Assembly fax machine. (I still have the fax.) The second issue I brought to Dave’s attention was earlier this month over his response to a question about the public employee pension systems in Ohio. His answer was just a bit disingenuous – as was his opponent’s on a similar question.

   Two areas of disagreement in 20 years isn’t bad.

   On the plus side, Dave Daniels has worked his way from the family farm, to Greenfield City Council, to the mayor of Greenfield, to the county commission, to the Ohio House of Representatives. He has worked long hours, remained humble and accessible, and doesn’t hide from the tough questions.

   On Oct. 11, Dave said “The next General Assembly, the time that we spend there, and the issues we have, are going to be about jobs. It’s going to be about our economy, it’s going to be about how we can deliver services as a state for less money, and how we can put Ohioans back to work.”

   I would suggest that Ohio taxpayers demand that it’s really going to be “how we can deliver services as a state for less money.” That is priority one. There are a number of good, common-sense, cost-cutting proposals out there, too. We need Dave to push such action forward.

   Not long after Dave was first elected to the Ohio House, he and I spoke outside the Hillsboro Baptist Church on South West Street after a funeral visitation for a mutual friend. Dave said he had some initial doubts about what went on in Columbus, but he told himself, “I can do this.”

   Yes, he can. And he has.

   For the last two decades, Dave has represented Highland County in a professional manner. There is no reason to believe that he won’t continue to do so as an Ohio senator.

   One more thing, not all Ohio lawmakers answer their ever-present telephones. When you call Dave, he answers. I can’t say the same for his opponent.

   * Bill Horne has been writing his “folksy” newspaper columns since I first invited him to give this a try several years ago. He’s never missed a deadline, either.

   Bill may be the most cantankerous individual that the Good Lord has seen fit to place in my path since the late Adams County attorney Roy Gabbert, Sr.

   Bill and I have known one another for 10 years. We have argued politics with one another for 10 years. He can’t help it that he’s often wrong, and I can’t help it that he is quick to acknowledge that I’m seldom right.

   That satirical anecdote aside, let me say this. Bill submits each and every one of his newspaper columns with his personal cell phone included for publication. 

   I’ve never published Bill’s cell phone number, but I have read it in The Sabina Advertiser and asked Bill if this was an oversight by the only locally owned and operated newspaper in Clinton County.

   Bill responded that he gave the Sabina newspaper permission to publish his cell number and extended that permission to me. (I still don’t publish the number, but Bill is in the phone book and he always answers his calls, good or bad.)

   While Bill’s political opinions and mine are often at loggerheads, his passion for wanting to make a difference is admirable and, at times, contagious. We need that passion in Columbus.

   Bill has told me many times, “I just want to see if one person can make a difference in Columbus.”

   This is not a career move for Bill. This is about one idealistic, yet practical, individual who truly wants to work for a better Ohio. This is Bill’s fourth campaign for state representative. He has campaigned as an Independent and as a Democrat – even though the state party preferred his primary opponent earlier this year.

   When talking about Ohio’s budget deficit, Bill cites specific areas where he would support immediate action: mandatory furloughs for state workers and a reduction in the number of nonessential state vehicles.

   He says he opposes any tax increases. That’s good, because Ohio is, to borrow another party’s popular phrase, Taxed Enough Already.

   Bill faces two very capable opponents on Nov. 2 in Libertarian Jacob Dawson and Republican Cliff Rosenberger. And at this year’s candidates forum, all three candidates emphasized the urgent need for job creation in Ohio. One of the ways to do this is by making Ohio more business friendly and less regulatory. The 2011 General Assembly will have its hands full on this issue alone.

   One of the things I’ve learned about choosing a political candidate is this: Talk to people from opposing political parties.

   In the cases of Rob Portman, David Daniels, Gary Heaton and Bill Horne,

I’ve done that. Even those in the opposite parties generally agree that these are good people. The same holds true for their Nov. 2 opponents.

   In some elections, the choices are easy. It’s better when they are not.

In the race for Ohio’s 86th House District, the Democrats, the Libertarians and the Republicans all have good candidates. In fact, this is anticipated to be one of the closest Ohio House races this year. There’s nothing wrong with that.

   Just don’t forget to vote between now and Nov. 2.

   Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.