Ohio's settlement with the tobacco companies in 1998 set up six foundations to fund spending on several areas which benefit the entire state. Most people know about the work of the Ohio School Facilities Commission to build new school buildings. One of the other funds was the Southern Ohio Agriculture and Community Development Fund that served to persuade and support tobacco farmers as they transition from growing tobacco to other crops or products. This fund was scheduled to allocate $229 million this decade and is very important to river counties where most of Ohio's tobacco is grown. Governor Strickland's proposal to securitize the tobacco funds and then spend it on "giveaways" to his Democrat constituency will put an end to this Fund and leave many of our area farmers high and dry.
This is just one of many crass political moves that the Governor has engaged. Make no mistake about it. Everything and every move made by the Strickland administration is targeted to delivering the state to the Democrat nominee for President in 2008. They are fighting the Republicans in the General Assembly for the middle ground while telling their supporters on the left to "sit down and shut up" until November of 2008.
Republicans achieved a great victory despite tremendous obstacles in 2004. The Democrats have leapfrogged us in technology, organization, and FOCUS. We must regain the momentum of 2008 and redouble our efforts to catch up and surpass them. After all, hearing "President Rodham" on November 5, 2008 should send shivers down the spine of every true blue American.
Past Events
April 4, 2007
About 40 people attended the Anderson Twp Republican Club meeting
Nadine Gelter sent me the following:
We were treated with a presentation from Dr. Brad Wenstrup, U.S. Army Reserve Major and Podiatrist with Wellington Orthopedic and Sports Medicine. Dr. Wenstrup served as Podiatrist and Chief of Surgery with the 344th Combat Support Hospital at Abu Ghraib Hospital, Iraq from May, 2005 until May 28, 2006.March 31, 2007
Dr. Wenstrup enlightened us with the truth of what is happening at this hospital and the surrounding area in Iraq. In addition to treating our injured military personnel and prisoners of war, the hospital medical personnel are also responsible for providing care for injured Iraqi citizens.
I was quite struck by the exposed inaccuracy of the media's reports regarding Abu Ghraib. Dr. Wenstrup related that in 2005, he and other medical personnel worked 36 hours straight on over 170 prisoners of war who were transferred to Abu Ghraib for medical care after they had experienced torture at other non-U.S. prisons in Iraq. As he was relaxing from this ordeal, he noticed that CNN was reporting 170 tortured prisoners at Abu Ghraib. The truth was that they had been transferred there but it was inferred they had been tortured by the U.S. at this prison. The photos and commentary were quite moving and reminded us that our military men and women should not be forgotten and need our continued support and prayer.
A packed house of around four hundred enjoyed Scioto County's 79th Lincoln Day Dinner with the featured speakers being Auditor Mary Taylor and Justice Maureen O'Connor.
The Celebration of Service honored Clerk of Courts Mildred Thompson and John Knauff who served 16 years as sheriff and 16 years as county commissioner. Mrs. Thompson is serving her ninth term as Clerk of Courts but her involvement in GOP activities began in 1938. As tribute, they received many special recognitions as well as "memory books" filled with letters from friends, community leaders, and colleagues.
Chairman Barnett gave kudos to Kay Reynolds for doing a great job organizing
the event.
Future Events
April 10, 2007
Scioto County Central Committee meeting in New Boston at 7:00 pm
April 12, 2007
Lawrence County Lincoln Day Dinner at Dawson-Bryant High School in Coal Grove at
6:30 pm
Keynote speaker: Tom Niehaus
Contact Ray Dutey: 740-532-1760
April 12, 2007
Athens County Lincoln Day Dinner
Contact Pete Couladis: 740-592-2814
April 12, 2007
Brinkman for State Representative
fundraiser at the Anderson Center Station from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
April 12, 2007
Monthly county chairs conference call at 5:00 pm
April 17, 2007
Pregnancy Center East Banquet for Life at the Hyatt Regency in downtown
Cincinnati
Social at 5:30 pm and dinner at 7:00 pm
Keynote speaker: Fr. Frank Pavone
April 18, 2007
Clermont County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 in Batavia
April 20, 2007
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am
April 21, 2007
Spring conference for the Ohio Federation of
Republican Women at Great Wolf Lodge from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm for $40
Contact Joy Ives: 513-484-3013
April 25, 2007
Ohio Family Lobby Day: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in Columbus
Registration is $25 per person, $45 per couple, and $10 per child under age 12
(includes materials and lunch)
Email your request for a registration form to Ohio Christian Alliance, PO
Box 3076, Akron, Ohio 44309
April 25, 2007
ORP Regional Chairs meeting in Athens County
April 26, 2007
Brown County GOP Club meeting at the Georgetown library at 7:30 pm
April 27, 2007
Warren Co. Republican Lincoln-Reagan Dinner at Great Wolf Lodge by Kings Island
Dinner will be served at 7:00 pm for $50
For tickets, table, or ads in program, contact Lori Viars life1@go-concepts.com 513-932-3554 or
Event Chairman Linda Oda LindaOda@go-concepts.com
513-934-2112
Speaker: Sara Taylor, White House Political Director
May 2, 2007
ORP Regional Chairs meeting in Warren County
May 7, 2007
Union Twp (Clermont County) Central Committee meeting at 7:30 pm at the UT Civic
Center
May 8, 2007
Scioto County Central Committee meeting in New Boston at 7:00 pm
May 9, 2007
Jackson County Lincoln Day Dinner
Contact Aaron Michael: 740-418-0825
May 14, 2007
Butler County Golf Classic
RSVP by April 14 by calling 513-893-5292
May 16, 2007
Clermont County Central Committee meeting at 7:00 in Batavia
May 29, 2007
CCV's 20th Annual Celebrity Golf Classic at the Heritage Club in Mason
June 9, 2007
Southern Ohio GOP Chairman's Association meeting
June 14, 2007
Ohio
Christian Alliance Freedom Banquet in Columbus at 6:30 pm
June 16, 2007
ORP candidate training school in Columbus
September 8, 2007
Southern Ohio GOP Chairman's Association meeting
September 14, 2007
ORP state dinner in Columbus
September 15, 2007
ORP Statewide leadership summit in Columbus
September 28, 2007
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am
November 6, 2007
Election Day
November 30, 2007
GOP State Central Committee meeting in Columbus at 9:00 am
February 1, 2008
Clermont County Lincoln Day Dinner