CityBeat | October 16, 2024 by Big Lou Holdings

NEWS

VP Debate 2024: Breaking Down Immigration Claims from Walz and Vance

Moderators questioned Walz and Vance on the biggest issues facing the United States today, from war in the Middle East to climate change.

BY ZURIE POPE

Moderators questioned Walz and Vance on the biggest issues facing the United States today, from war in the Middle East to climate change.

BY ZURIE POPE

OOct. 1 was likely the final debate of the 2024 presidential election, with Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz facing off against Republican VP pick JD Vance.

ct. 1 was likely the final debate of the 2024 presidential election, with Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz facing off against Republican VP pick JD Vance.

Airing at 9 p.m. EST on CBS News, moderators questioned Walz and Vance on the biggest issues facing the United States today, from war in the Middle East to climate change.

Among those topics, immigration loomed large.

What was fact and what was fiction in the claims made about immigration? CityBeat has gone through the candidates’ statements and provided a breakdown analysis:

JD Vance: “We have 320,000 children that the Department of Homeland Security has effectively lost. Some of them have been sex trafficked, some of them hopefully are at homes with their families, some of them have been used as drug trafficking mules. The real family separation policy in this country is, unfortunately, Kamala Harris’ wide open southern border.”

Fact check: According to a report released from the Department of Homeland Security’s Inspector General’s office this August, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) “could not monitor

the location and status of all unaccompanied migrant children (UCs) or initiate removal proceedings as needed.” However, the data in the report does not perfectly match Vance’s allegation. The report states that 32,000 unaccompanied migrant children did not appear for their immigration court dates between 20192023, and 291,000 had not been served notices to appear in court by ICE, and had no court dates scheduled as of May 2024. Nowhere in the report does it state that these children are “lost,” literally or in the immigration system.

JD Vance: “The only thing that she (Kamala Harris) did when she became the vice president, when she became the appointed border czar, was to undo 94 Donald Trump executive actions that opened the border.”

Fact check: Kamala Harris never held the role of “border czar,” while serving as Joe Biden’s vice president, and did not oversee immigration policy or enforcement at the U.S/Mexico border. Instead, that job was primarily given to Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Department of Homeland Security. Harris’ relationship with Latin America has been largely as a diplomat, working with Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Mexico to address poverty,

corruption and crime in the region. Harris visited the border once: in June 2021 to tour the El Paso, Texas border station.

JD Vance: “Governor Walz brought up the community of Springfield, and he’s very worried about the things that I’ve said in Springfield. Look, in Springfield, Ohio, and in communities all across this country, you’ve got schools that are overwhelmed, you’ve got hospitals that are overwhelmed, you have got housing that is totally unaffordable because we brought in millions of illegal immigrants to compete with Americans for scarce homes. The people that I’m most worried about in Springfield, Ohio, are the American citizens who have had their lives destroyed by Kamala Harris’ open border.”

Fact check: Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, are not in the United States illegally. Many are in the U.S. through the Humanitarian Parole Program, which allows individuals from outside the U.S to enter based on “urgent humanitarian or significant public benefit reasons.” They are then eligible to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), allowing them to live and work in the United States for up to 18 months.

As for housing affordability: A report from Harvard University’s Joint Center

for Housing Studies, released on June 21, 2024, found that immigration is a contributing factor to the U.S.’s housing problems. “In 2022, 35% of immigrants aged 18-64 who arrived within the previous five years headed a household. Understandably, this group had a household formation rate lower than the 41 percent of same-aged immigrants who arrived earlier (between 2012–2016) and the 47 percent of the native-born population in this age group,” the report reads. However, immigration is not the primary reason for housing shortages. Speaking to the New York Times, Daryl Fairweather, chief economist of the online real estate brokerage Redfin, said Vance “ignores the root causes of the housing shortage, which is that we just stopped building homes, especially in places where people want to live the most, and don’t really need to talk about immigration to talk about that problem.” According to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, new home construction dropped significantly after the Great Recession, with fewer new homes built in the 10 years ending in 2018 than in any decade since the 1960s.

JD Vance: “I think it’s important to say what’s actually going on. So there’s an application called the CBP One app where you can go on as an illegal migrant, apply for asylum or apply for parole and

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance PHOTO: OFFICIAL PORTRAIT/LYDIA SCHEMBRE

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Ohio Sen. JD Vance

PHOTO: OFFICIAL PORTRAIT/LYDIA SCHEMBRE

be granted legal status at the wave of a Kamala Harris open border wand…That is the facilitation of illegal immigration, Margaret, by our own leadership.”

Fact check: CBP One is an app that was launched on October 20, 2020. In recent years, the app has become “the only way that migrants arriving at the U.S.Mexico border seeking asylum at a port of entry can preschedule appointments for processing and maintain guaranteed asylum eligibility,” says the American Immigration Council. Despite claims made by Vance of expedient processing for migrants, reports have found the process to be lethargic. According to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, “Migrants have made about 5 million appointment requests per month on the CBP One application between January 2023 and February 2024. However, since January 2023, through the end of March 2024, only about 547,000 individuals have been able to successfully schedule an appointment.”

Tim Walz: “Look, crossings are down compared to when Donald Trump left office.”

Fact check: President Biden issued a proclamation on June 4, allowing a partial ban on asylum claims, and grants U.S. authorities more power to reject and deport migrants who enter the country unlawfully. According to U.S Customs and Border Protection, apprehensions along the southern border numbered 58,038 this August, compared to 75,316 when Trump left office in January. Nonetheless, yearly apprehensions at the border have reached record highs, with 2.2 million being apprehended in 2023, compared to the highest amount under the Trump administration, which was 852,000 in 2019.

Tim Walz: “Donald Trump had four years. He had four years to do this. And he promised you, America, how easy it would be. I’ll build you a big, beautiful wall and Mexico will pay for it. Less than 2% of that wall got built and Mexico didn’t pay a dime.”

Fact check: It is unclear what was meant by Walz when he said Trump built “less than 2% of the wall.” According to an analysis from the Wall Street Journal published on July 19, Trump finished 500 miles of wall across the 2,000-mile southern border. However, “most of that either replaced sections of existing border fencing, or built a second layer of fencing in areas where primary fencing already existed,” according to the Wall Street Journal. According to a Government Accountability Office Report released in June 2021, the Trump administration only built 69 miles of entirely new primary wall systems.

Protesters Camp Outside Rep. Landsman’s Family

Home on Oct. 7 Anniversary

BY MADELINE FENING

Protesters who oppose U.S. aid to Israel amid the war in Gaza have gathered outside Rep. Greg Landsman’s Cincinnati home, prompting security concerns for the congressman and his family.

On the eve of the first anniversary of the deadly Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel, Landsman, who is Jewish, said a “group of masked protesters” assembled outside his home.

“Tomorrow, my daughter and I will be attending a service to bear witness to the atrocious terror attacks of October 7th. Meanwhile, these people will be outside of my house, in an attempt to intimidate my Jewish family every time we try to leave our home,” Landsman wrote in an Oct. 6 press release. “They’ve done this to my staff and me for nearly a year, and now they’re doing it to my family and neighbors. I don’t think they have any boundaries at this point.”

The anniversary marks one year since Hamas militants killed upwards of 1,200 Israelis in a coordinated terror attack through communities in southern Israel. More than 250 Israelis were kidnapped and held hostage in Gaza. A year later, Israeli officials say at least 97 hostages are still in Gaza, with around 33 believed to be dead.

After the Oct. 7 attacks, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas, launching a counteroffensive war on Gaza that has killed at least 41,900 Palestinians, many civilian women and children, and wounded more than 97,300, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.

Landsman’s positions on the Israel-Gaza war

In February, Landsman met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ministers of defense in Egypt, Jordan and Israel as part of a House delegation for “strategic discussions on the Israel-Hamas war.” After the meeting, Landsman told CityBeat he stressed to Netanyahu the need for Palestinian self-governance in the form of a two-state solution to ensure lasting peace in the region.

“There is this need to resolve these really big questions, not just with Palestinians, but the larger region and pulling a regional coalition together that can create the conditions for a real sustained peace and a two-state solution and to get Iran to stop funding these proxy armies, because it is destabilizing,” Landsman told CityBeat after the meeting.

Landsman has voted alongside a small group of Democrats in the House to support U.S. aid to Israel, but he’s also voted on issues related to the way politicians and activists speak about the war.

In December, Landsman supported House Resolution 894, which states that “anti-Zionism is antisemitism,” and that pro-Palestinian demonstration chants, including “From the River to the Sea,” are antisemitic. This was a month after Landsman joined the House in voting to formally censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) for using the phrase.

In June, Landsman supported the passage of an amendment which prohibits the State Department from citing death toll statistics obtained from the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

Activists zero in on Landsman’s

home

Activists camping outside of Landsman’s home have set up a large series of numbers representing the death toll reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.

“As we approach 365 days of death and destruction in Gaza, we’re here to remind him that every day he supports funding for this gen0cid3, lives are being lost. [sic],” demonstrators wrote on an Instagram post from an account called @Landsmanloses24. “This is not just about politics, it’s about humanity. Since he wants to vote to suppress the G@za death toll, [sic] we will bring that number to his doorstep and continue to update it.”

In his Oct. 6 press release on the encampment that local law enforcement has had to escort his family in and out of their house for safety.

“Our family hopes they leave soon and protest in a more appropriate and less intrusive manner,” Landsman said. “We’re grateful to the Cincinnati Police Department for their ongoing efforts and work to keep us all safe.”

Landsman is up for re-election this November, facing Republican Orlando Sonza.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators protest outside Rep. Greg Landsman's House on Oct. 6.

PHOTO: GREG LANDSMAN

Morrow Family Lawyer Says Troy Morrow’s Misdemeanor Charge is ‘Disappointing’

BY ROWAN HETZER

Troy Morrow, a member of the Morrow family involved in a violent incident that happened at the Montgomery Inn Boathouse on June 22, is being indicted on one misdemeanor count of menacing.

On Sept. 26, a Hamilton County grand jury reviewed the case and issued an indictment against Morrow. Court documents indicate that Morrow “knowingly caused Steve Raleigh to believe that the defendant would cause physical harm to the person or property of Steve Raleigh.”

“It’s a little disappointing, but we welcome the chance to tell the story,” Konrad Kircher, the attorney representing members of the Morrow family, said in regard to Troy Morrow’s charges.

Kircher told CityBeat that, at the time of the incident, Morrow had sustained a work-related injury and his hand was bandaged. He also noted that Morrow weighs 140 pounds and has physical disabilities that wouldn’t have posed a threat at that time, particularly to WCPO meteorologist Steve Raleigh, whom Kircher claims is

physically larger than Morrow.

“He was aggravated because Steve Raleigh was obstructing Troy’s father’s attempt to get the police to make a report. So yes, there was some discussion back and forth…it’s not rational for Steve Raleigh to claim that he was threatened or in fear from Troy,”

Kircher said.

The other individual indicted in response to the incident is Steve Raleigh’s son, Kyle Raleigh, who was indicted Sept. 26 on one count of felonious assault and two counts of aggravated assault. According to case documents, Kyle Raleigh “used deadly force” and “knowingly caused serious physical harm” to individuals involved in the attack “while under the influence of sudden passion or in a sudden fit of rage.”

“We are satisfied with those charges. We think they are certainly supported by the evidence. They are very serious charges, and the third-party witnesses did not buy the Raleighs’ story about why Kyle exhibited this tremendous violence,” Kircher said.

What happened?

The incident, which occurred on June 22, started when Carter Raleigh, son of WCPO meteorologist Steve Raleigh, allegedly crashed his grandfather’s Cadillac Escalade into the Morrow family’s Ford F-150 in the parking lot of the Montgomery Inn Boathouse.

Following the collision, an altercation broke out when Carter allegedly confronted Douglas Morrow and his family. Steve Raleigh arrived and allegedly urged the Morrows not to call the police, becoming agitated when they did.

Witnesses reported that a physical confrontation ensued, resulting in serious injuries to Lois Morrow and her husband Douglas, who both suffered concussions and other significant injuries.

The aftermath

When asked about the Morrow family’s situation after months of uncertainty and legal proceedings, Kircher revealed that Troy’s mother,

Lois Morrow, 76, continues to experience problems from post-concussion syndrome. He also emphasized the emotional and physical impact this process has had on the family.

The family’s involvement in the legal proceedings is far from over.

As key witnesses in the case against Raleigh, the Morrow family has ongoing responsibilities, especially with Kircher estimating that Raleigh’s arraignment will take place sometime next week.

“My clients as victims have the right to have input on any pleas and any sentencing, and we intend to exercise those rights,” Kircher said.

Kircher stated that Lois and Douglas Morrow will also need to participate in Troy Morrow’s case, cooperating with the defense as witnesses to challenge the charges against their son.

CityBeat reached out to Merlyn Shiverdecker, the attorney representing the Raleigh family, but did not receive a response by press time.

Kircher declined CityBeat’s request to speak with the Morrow family.

Konrad Kircher, an attorney representing members of the Morrow family, addresses reporters about the June 22 incident involving Steve Raleigh and members of his family. PHOTO: LYDIA SCHEMBRE

Hamilton County Seeks 2,800 Poll Workers as Nov. 5 Election Day Approaches

BY ROWAN HETZER

With just weeks left until Election Day on Nov. 5, the Hamilton County Board of Elections (BOE) has a lot of preparation to do. Part of this groundwork is recruiting and training enough poll workers to support the almost 300 polling locations across the county.

The BOE is seeking around 2,800 registered voters to serve as Precinct Election Officials (PEOs) in order to fully staff polling places across Hamilton County. While the minimum number of staff needed is 2,100 PEOs, BOE Director Sherry Poland emphasized the importance of setting a higher goal due to the anticipated high voter turnout.

On Election Day, PEOs will perform duties including issuing ballots to registered voters, providing instructions on how to mark ballots and monitoring voting equipment.

To ensure fairness, all precincts will be staffed by a bipartisan team of poll workers. The BOE has a particular need for Republican and unaffiliated voters to apply, as most of the positions for Democrats are filled.

The role of PEO is a paid opportunity, with compensation for poll workers increasing to $225 this election. There are also special incentives for certain groups: attorneys can earn free Continuing Legal Education credits

and compensation for their time, while participating nonprofits can recruit volunteers who pledge to donate their poll worker pay to the organization.

The BOE also has the “Youth at the Booth” initiative, which encourages local high school students aged 17 or 18 to become poll workers and get firsthand experience with the democratic process.

To become a PEO, applicants must apply, attend an appointment with the BOE and take a provided training class.

To be eligible to serve as a PEO, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be a registered and active voter in Hamilton County

• Be a United States citizen

• Be comfortable using electronic technology

• Be able to read, write and speak fluently in the English language

• NOT be a candidate for any office to be voted on at the polling place at that election

• NOT be a convicted felon

“If anyone has ever been interested or thought about working the polls, this would be a great election to get started,” Poland said.

If you are interested in learning more about becoming a Poll Worker, visit votehamiltoncountyohio.gov/ become-poll-worker.

The Board of Elections specifically needs more Republican and unaffiliated voters to apply to be Precinct Election Officials.

PHOTO: EDMOND DANTÈS, PEXELS

Together fur-ever: The stories of pets who have been memorialized in pet cemeteries across the Greater Cincinnati area

BY LILY OGBURN

When a stray cat showed up at David and Jan Arno’s home in Fort Thomas, Kentucky, in 1996, she became an instant member of the family. Minnou, or Mini, was the first of three stray felines to make their way to the Arno house. Winifred, or Winnie, came in 2001, and Tippy joined in 2002.

“Each of them were very loving, but [Minnou] was very feisty and sweet,” Jan Arno said.

Jan Arno also said Winnie was a shy, quieter soul than Minnou. The Arnos had to take special care of Tippy, who was diabetic and had lots of health problems. Jan Arno said Tippy had a rough life as a stray, but he was loving and reserved for the time they had him.

“We had to give him insulin shots twice a day,” David Arno said.

Minnou, Winifred and Tippy lived long and happy lives with their parents in Fort Thomas.

In 2013, Minnou’s heart grew weaker, David Arno told CityBeat She passed away peacefully in the Arnos’ home later that year.

The Arnos made the choice to bring Minnou to Highland Cemetery. The historic cemetery, which has existed since 1868, opened its own pet cemetery on the grounds in 1995.

“We found out that [Highland] had a pet cemetery, and that’s when we decided to start burying our children there,” David Arno said.

Jan Arno added that the couple plans to be buried at Highland Cemetery, making it the perfect place to lay their fur children to rest.

“We wanted them to be close by,” she said.

Within the next year, both Winifred and Tippy also died. Winifred died

later in 2013, and Tippy died in 2014. Winnie passed away at home. Tippy’s health declined, and the Arnos decided to have him put down.

“It’s just against everything that’s within you to take life,” Jan Arno said about Tippy’s euthanization. “But for an animal, they can’t really tell you a lot about their condition; it’s just sometimes the most humane thing to do.”

Tippy and Winifred joined Minnou at the Highland Pet Cemetery; the three adoptive siblings now reunited.

The Arnos visit the cemetery frequently, ensuring their three felines’ graves are well-kept and adorned with fresh flowers. Today, Minnou, Winnie and Tippy all have new fall

bouquets by their headstones.

Highland Pet Cemetery

Highland Cemetery in Fort Mitchell began development back in 1868. When surrounding cemeteries in Covington ran low on space, Highland filled the need for a new resting place. Since its founding, the cemetery has come to hold Civil War veterans, politicians, newspaper editors and even unidentified murder victims.

Highland Cemetery’s grounds are now 250 acres, with nearly 50,000 burials on-site. The cemetery also has over 150 acres not yet surveyed for burials, meaning there is plenty of

room for new graves.

“Families can be assured that many generations of their families can be together at Highland Cemetery,” Highland’s website reads.

General Manager Tom Honebrink said that, in 1995, Highland decided to dedicate five acres of land to pet burials.

“The board of directors at that time were basically pet lovers, and there seemed to be a need. People were wanting to bury their pets on their family lot,” Honebrink told CityBeat

The Arnos fit that description — they wanted Minnou, Winifred and Tippy to be in the same cemetery that they will one day be in.

“It’s a beautiful place, well-kept.

The graves of Minnou, Winifred and Tippy PHOTO: PROVIDED BY DAVID ARNO

The people who run the place are just wonderful to work with,” David Arno said.

“We like the thought of each of our pets being surrounded by nature, because it is such a picturesque cemetery,” Jan Arno added.

Honebrink said there are now around 1,800 pets in the cemetery, including dogs, cats, rabbits and even some ferrets.

The need for pet cemeteries has increased recently. According to a report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition, 33% of Ohio households are renters. Rent rates in Ohio have increased dramatically in recent years. According to the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, rent has increased by 21.4% over the past two years for two-bedroom units.

These factors mean people are moving more often to adjust to the changing market. For people who want to bury their pet on their property, that means digging up their pet every time they want to move or leaving them behind. However, pet cemeteries offer an eternal resting place for people’s furry friends.

“Cemeteries are [regulated] with perpetual care,” Honebrink said. “[The pets] will be here forever.”

Honebrink has been in the cemetery business since high school. He’s stayed in the field because he finds it to be a “great public service” for people in need. He sees a lot of

love in clients who use the cemetery, whether it’s for their human or animal family members.

“It’s unbelievable the passion that we see in the pet owners to care for their loved ones. I think it says a lot about those that inter their pets here, that they really want a place where they will never be disturbed,” Honebrink told CityBeat. “It’s very telling on how much they love their pets.”

Burying your pet at Highland can cost between $135 and $450, according to their website. Small graves are 2 feet wide and 3 feet long, priced at $350. Large graves are 2 feet wide and 4 feet long, priced at $450. Highland does not have a crematorium, but the cemetery does bury cremains.

Burying a container with your pet’s cremains costs $135.

Additionally, Highland will pick up pets from nearby veterinarian offices for an extra charge.

Pines Pet Cemetery

North of Cincinnati, in Lebanon, another pet cemetery sits on 35 acres of lush land, with large trees providing shade and peaceful scenery. Pines Pet Cemetery is the resting place for over 30,000 pets, as well as around 300 humans, according to its website. Pines is one of the largest pet cemeteries in the Midwest.

Back in 1966, a strawberry farmer named Henry Biederman opened Pines Pet Cemetery on the grounds of his farm. According to the Pines

website, he used to bury his pets, as well as his friends’ pets, on the property. Then, in 1978, Jean and Tom Lawton bought the business. They had the land deeded as a cemetery so that it could never be used for anything other than the burials.

In 1997, current owner Shannon Wood purchased the cemetery from the Lawtons, who are her aunt and uncle. Now, she’s been the owner for almost 30 years.

The cemetery holds all types of pets, from dogs to horses. Statues and memorials dot the property, from sculptures of boxer dogs at the entrance to statues of horses within the cemetery.

Pines offers many ways to memorialize your pet, from pet cremation to traditional burials. Their mission is to “provide caring and quality service for grieving pet owners and the pets that have been entrusted in [their] care.”

Headstones around the cemetery reflect the love owners had, and still have, for their pets.

“Mommies [sic] little girl. Daddy’s chest-warmer. Our sweet kitty. We miss you,” one grave reads.

“I called him ‘Papa’s best boy’ because it made him so wonderfully proud and happy. By turns angelic, impish, playful and quiet, Scout brought great joy and light to our lives for nearly a dozen years. Rest safely little man. We love you,” another headstone endearingly says.

“You enriched our lives greatly. A true companion and best friend. We will never forget you,” another grave reads.

The messages represent the eternal love the owners dedicated to their pets, no matter how long ago they passed or how few years they lived.

Pines Pet Cemetery has both a crematorium and a cemetery on-site. Cremation is priced by pet weight. The cemetery offers many options for pet cremains, whether you want to take the ashes home in a beautiful urn or you want to leave your pet’s cremains at Pines’ columbarium.

Prices for pet burial vary based on the size of the pet, the chosen headstone and the chosen casket, box or urn.

Casey the cockapoo

When Trish Jacobs lived in the Beavercreek area as a kid, she had a beloved dog named Casey.

Her family picked up Casey from a pet store after the kids begged their parents for a dog. Jacobs told CityBeat that Casey was “a really sweet dog with a great disposition.”

“He was just kind of happy-golucky, just a really fun dog to have around. Always with you, always underfoot, wanted to be where you were,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs said Casey was especially important to her mom, who took care of the pup after her children went to college. “They were just really tight,

Graves at Pines Pet Cemetery

PHOTO: LILY OGBURN

those two,” Jacobs said about her mother and Casey.

When Casey was around 13 years old, he died from cancer. The Jacobs decided to bury Casey at Pines Pet Cemetery, where he remains today. Trish Jacobs moved to Dallas, Texas, in 1997, and she explained that she is happy Casey is able to stay in one resting place.

“It is nice to know that he’s there, and he has a little headstone,” Jacobs said.

Crookshanks the cat

Crookshanks, named after Hermione’s beloved cat from the Harry Potter series, was the “friendliest cat ever,” owner John Mercier told CityBeat.

Mercier’s family got Crookshanks around 2008 or 2009 when their landlord, who commonly took in strays, asked if they could care for the orange cat.

“Crookshanks’ mom keeps separating him from the rest of the litter,” Mercier told CityBeat. “So we took him in, and he turned into a model gentleman.”

Crookshanks became Mercier’s shadow. Mercier said the feline would follow him downstairs for coffee when he woke up, and then curl up and watch Instagram Reels with him.

“He was my oldest best friend. He’d fist bump you with his head,” Mercier said. “He loved licking people’s heads.”

A few months ago, Crookshanks ate a plant that made him sick. Then, Crookshanks’ humans noticed that his kidneys were not doing well. At 16 years old, he died from kidney failure.

As Mercier looked for a place to

have Crookshanks cremated, he came across Pines Pet Cemetery. The cemetery and cremation center looked nice to Mercier, and it accepted pets on weekends, while many other places did not.

“When we pulled up, I felt good about our decision,” Mercier said. “[The Pines staff] were caring and sympathetic.”

While aspects of the process were stressful at times, Mercier said his overall experience with Pines was great. While he was there, he was even comforted by one of the cats on the grounds named Gandalf. Ultimately, the Merciers left Pines with three beautiful urns with ashes for each of the children, a certificate and samples of Crookshanks’ fur.

“It was really hard, and we still miss him but all the loving memories make it easy and we smile thinking about him,” Mercier said. “He’ll have an opportunity to exist in some new way, and the universe or whatever will put another cat in our lives when the time is right.”

Pugs and kisses from the afterlife

Allison Taylor and her husband have been rescuing pugs for about 25 years, and in that time, they’ve used Pines for cremations many times.

Taylor said the couple’s rescue receives many dogs that are older, sick or have special needs. The Taylors have ended up adopting many of the pups that were less likely to find a forever home. At one point, the couple had seven pugs.

“Pugs are funny and sweet, but they shed like crazy and they can have many (and expensive) health issues,” Taylor said. “It was expensive

and sometimes heartbreaking, but so rewarding.”

One of the pugs they adopted was blind and deaf, and their vet estimated that he was at least 17 years old. Another, named Dixie, was the smartest dog Taylor had ever seen. Her sister, Lilly, was the opposite. The Taylors have many fond memories of all their fur children.

Over the years, the Taylors had Spike, Dixie, Lilly, Angus, Joey, Bubba, Gilligan, Rooney, Poot, Jessica, Sophie, Oggie and Sylvie. Now, they have 13 urns on their mantle to remember their many pugs.

“[Pines] has always been incredibly kind, and they make you feel like you’re their most important customer,” Taylor said. “There may be closer crematoriums around, but I will always go there. I can’t say enough good things about them.”

The Taylors are still rescuing pugs, with two currently a part of their family.

Fur-ever family

Both Highland Pet Cemetery and Pines Pet Cemetery offer owners a way to stay connected with their pet

forever — whether that’s a permanent grave at one of the burial grounds or an urn to keep the pet’s ashes safe and close by.

“If anybody decides to have their pet buried here, they can be assured that it’ll be here forever,” Honebrink told CityBeat about Highland.

Today, David and Jan Arno’s home in Fort Thomas remains a safe haven for felines who need homes. They now have three cats: a tuxedo cat named Elmer, and two black cats named Lionel and Cinder.

But they’ve never forgotten Minnou, Winnie and Tippy.

“We take our own weed eater and a little paintbrush and water so that we can clean out the little headstones,” Jan Arno said.

David Arno said, “[The graves] are side-by-side, and I take pictures of them every time we change the flowers.”

For more information about Highland Pet Cemetery, visit highlandcemeterysite.wordpress.com. For more information about Pines Pet Cemetery, visit pinespetcemeteryandcremationcenter.com.

Horse statues at Pines Pet Cemetery

PHOTO: LILY OGBURN

A memorial at Pines Pet Cemetery

PHOTO: LILY OGBURN

About This Guide

This guide for voters was prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area (LWVCA) to provide a forum for candidates and information on the ballot issues.

The candidate materials in this guide were assembled in the following manner:

The information for the Hamilton County candidates is solicited and compiled by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area (LWVCA). LWVCA uses the following criteria: The questions selected by LWVCA were advertised to the candidates, who were informed that each response would be printed as received and that all candidates would be solely responsible for the content of their replies. Because of the nonpartisan nature of the guide, candidates were informed that any reference to other candidates is prohibited. Because of space limitations, candidates were informed of the word limit requirements and were advised that any reply over the word limit would be cut off at the correct number.

In making this information available to the public, the LWVCA neither endorses nor rejects the views of any candidate or political party. The League does not and cannot assume responsibility for any candidate’s reply, or for the candidate’s motive in making it.

The summaries and background for the Hamilton County ballot issues were prepared by the League of Women Voters of the Cincinnati Area volunteers. Descriptions of state ballot issues are prepared by the League of women Voters Ohio, and other ballot issues come from the Hamilton County Board of Elections.

The information in this guide is current as of September 20, 2024. LWVCA’s online voter guide VOTE411.org includes additional candidate information not included in this guide as well as any updates candidates may have made to their profile information after our publication deadline as stated above.

ADDITIONAL BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION AND AVAILABLE CAMPAIGN FINANCE INFORMATION ABOUT EACH CANDIDATE MAY BE FOUND ON VOTE411.ORG

What ID to Bring When You Vote NEW 2023

There are several types of valid photo identification.

• Ohio driver’s license

• State of Ohio ID card

• Interim ID form issued by the Ohio BMV

• A US passport

• A US passport card

• US military ID card

• Ohio National Guard ID card

• US Department of Veterans Affairs ID card

All photo IDs must have the following:

• An expiration date that has not passed

• A photograph of the voter

• The voter’s name, which must substantially conform to the voter’s name as it appears in the Poll List or in the Poll Book

NOTICE: An unexpired Ohio Driver License, State ID Card, or Interim Documentation with your former address IS an ACCEPTABLE form of ID when your current address is in the pollbook

If you do not provide one of the above forms of photo ID, you will still be able to vote using a provisional ballot. However, for that ballot to be counted, you must return to the board of elections no later than four days following Election Day to provide a qualifying form of identification.

Voting on Election Day

Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls are open from 6:30am until 7:30pm. By law, if you are in line at 7:30pm, the polls must stay open to allow you to vote. Contact your county Board of Elections (call 513-632-7000 or visit www.votehamiltoncountyohio.gov) or visit

www.vote411.org to check your voter registration and to find out your polling place and precinct. Sometimes several precincts share the same polling place. To assure that your vote is counted, verify that you are voting in the correct precinct!

Above all, if you are sure you are at the correct polling precinct and voting a regular ballot is not an option for whatever reason, don’t leave the polls without voting a provisional ballot. Check Vote411.org for your polling place before you go vote!

Voting by mail

In Ohio you may obtain an absentee ballot for ANY reason. The process is explained on the Board of Elections (BOE) website Questions? Call (513) 632-7000.

1. Obtain an absentee ballot application from the Board of Elections by printing it from the BOE website, by calling the BOE or by picking one up at the Board of Elections Office or any Hamilton County Public Library.

2. Submit your absentee ballot to by mail or drop it off in secure dropbox at Board of Elections Office until 8:30pm on October 29. Your ballot will be mailed to you beginning October 8 or when the application is processed. Use the BOE website or phone to check the status of your vote-by-mail ballot.

3. Return your completed ballot – Place it in the BOE dropbox by November 5 at 7:30pm OR use USPS with a postmark stamped at your post office by November 4, 2024. Postage is required if mailed.

IMPORTANT: Allow at least 5 days for each mailing or use the BOE dropbox if time is short. Ballots may need more than 1 stamp to return. Generally assumpe at least 1 stamp per page of your ballot.

Voting Early In-Person

Registered voters may vote beginning on October 8 for the November 5, 2024 election. (Ohio has no online voting) Location for early voting in Hamilton County:

Hamilton County Board of Elections 4700 Smith Rd. Norwood, OH 45212 513-632-7000 https://votehamiltoncountyohio.gov/

WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE?

Early voting days and hours: Oct 8-11 T-F 8am-5pm, Oct 14-18 M-F 8am-5pm Oct 21-25 M-F 8am-5pm, Oct 26 Sat 8am-4pm, Oct 27 Sun 1-5pm, Oct 28 M 7:30am-7:30pm, Oct 29 T 7:30am-8:30pm, Oct 30-Nov 1 W-F 7:30am-7:30pm, Nov 2 Sat 8am-4pm, Nov 3 Sun 1-5pm

Elected officials may or may not listen to our concerns but they value our vote. Voting gives you the credibility to make your concerns a top priority for legislators. But if voting does not matter to you, then you certainly won’t matter to politicians.

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

DUTIES: The President is: the head of state of the United States of America; the Chief Executive Officer; and, the Commander in Chief of all military forces. The powers of the President are prescribed in the Constitution and federal law. The President appoints the members of the Cabinet, ambassadors to other nations and the United Nations, Supreme Court Justices, and federal judges, subject to Senate approval. The President, along with the Cabinet and its agencies, is responsible for carrying out and enforcing the laws of the United States. The President may also recommend legislation to the United States Congress.

TERM: 4 years. Limit of 2 terms.

BASE SALARY: $400,000

NOTE: All candidates who will appear on your state’s ballot are listed below but only those that meet the following criteria were invited to respond to the League’s questions in this guide.

1. The candidate must have made a public announcement of her/his intention to run for her/his Party’s nomination for President; and,

2. The candidate must meet the Presidential Election Campaign Fund Act’s minimum contribution threshold requirements for qualifying for matching funds, based on the most recent data publicly available on the Federal Elections Commission website.

3. The candidate must qualify for the ballot in enough states to win a majority of electoral votes.

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What steps should be taken to address the high cost of living and depressed wages in America, including for families, people with disabilities, and people that are economically disadvantaged?

Q2: What steps will you take to ensure that all Americans have access to quality and affordable healthcare, including reproductive care and prescription drug coverage?

Q3: What steps will you take to curb gun violence and build safe and healthy communities for communities disproportionately impacted by gun violence in the United States?

Q4: What are the most important steps you will take to improve US immigration policies, including an accessible path to citizenship?

Q5: What actions will you take to address the threats facing the United States due to climate change?

Kamala D. Harris, Tim Walz

Campaign website: www.kamalaharris.com/

Campaign facebook: www.facebook.com/KamalaHarris/

Campaign instagram: www.instagram.com/kamalaharris/

Campaign twitter: @KamalaHarris

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

mailing address: 5723 76th Ave NE, Marysville, WA, 98270

Campaign phone: 425-691-6631

Campaign website: www.jillstein2024.com/

Campaign facebook: www.facebook.com/drjillstein

Campaign instagram: www.instagram.com/drjillstein/

Campaign twitter: @DrJillStein

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: We need an economy that works for working people, not just the wealthy and powerful. To reverse surging inequality and insecurity, we need an Economic Bill of Rights establishing the rights to a living-wage job, guaranteed livable income, housing, healthcare, childcare, lifelong education, secure retirement, utilities, healthy food and clean water, so that all of us are guaranteed the basic security for a good life that can reach our highest potential. A Jill Stein administration will pass a $25 minimum wage, eliminate the sub-minimum wage loophole, pass universal rent control, cancel student and medical debt, end wage discrimination based on race, gender and other factors, and mandate paid sick and family leave as well as parental leave.

A2: Healthcare is a human right. We need a universal healthcare system that is equitable, comprehensive, free at point of service, and accessible to every single person in the US. A Jill Stein administration will immediately implement National Improved Medicare for All as a precursor to establishing a UK-style National Healthcare Service which will replace private hospital,

private medical practice, and private medical insurance with a publiclyowned, democratically controlled healthcare service that will guarantee healthcare as a human right to everyone in the United States. We will take the pharmaceutical industry into public ownership to provide medicines as a public good. We will also codify Roe v. Wade and advance reproductive rights.

A3: We need to end the epidemic of gun violence with common-sense gun safety laws. A Jill Stein administration will ban the sale of assault rifles and establish a buyback program; establish mandatory waiting periods and background checks for firearm purchases; pass red flag laws for individuals who pose a danger to themselves and others; create standardized digital records of gun registrations and sales; close gun show loopholes; require firearm owners to own a high-quality gun safe to store their firearms; require firearm owners to purchase liability insurance of no less than $1,000,000; and hold adult firearm owners criminally liable for minor children accessing and using firearms in the commission of any crime, accidental injury or death.

A4: Immigrants’ rights are human rights. It’s time to completely overhaul the broken and abusive immigration system, as well as the unjust policies driving people to leave their homes. We need a comprehensive immigration policy and properly funded institutions to ensure a timely, ethical, transparent, and dignified path to citizenship for immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees. Border policy should move away from detention and enforcement response toward humane and effective asylum processing.

A Jill Stein administration will replace ICE with an Office of Citizenship, Refugees, and Immigration Services under the Department of Labor, grant amnesty to every undocumented person, and implement a path to citizenship with expediency.

A5: We all have a human right to a livable planet with a stable climate, healthy food, clean air and water, and living soil. We need a real Green New Deal to transition rapidly from an economic system that is destroying our only home to a sustainable society built around human needs and protecting life on Earth. Our Green New Deal will invest in renewable energy, a publiclyowned nationwide smart energy grid, clean transportation technology, energy efficiency and conservation to generate millions of 3good-paying jobs, rapidly phase out fossil fuels and achieve 100% clean renewable energy and zero-to-negative carbon emissions by no later than 2035. We need to act now so that our children and future generations can not only survive, but thrive.

Donald J. Trump, JD Vance

Campaign website: www.donaldjtrump.com/

Campaign facebook: www.facebook.com/DonaldTrump/

Campaign instagram: www.instagram.com/ realdonaldtrump/

Campaign twitter: @TrumpWarRoom

Candidate’s question responses: No response

UNITED STATES SENATE - OHIO

RESPONSIBILITIES: Represents the people of Ohio and the U.S. in dealing with matters of national and international importance. The general welfare should be a prime concern.

TERM: 6 years.

BASE SALARY: $174,000

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What are your top priorities and how will you address them?

Q2: State your position on voting and elections policy.

Q3: State your position on immigration policy.

Q4: State your priorities on foreign policy and national security.

Q5: State your position on environmental policy and natural resource management.

Q6: State your position on healthcare policy.

Q7: What role, if any, should government take to ensure no person is discriminated against?

Party: Republican

Biographical info: No response

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

Jill Stein, Anita Rios

Campaign

Bernie Moreno

Sherrod Brown

Party: Democratic Training and Experience:

United States Senator, former Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, former Ohio Secretary of State, former Member of the Ohio House of Representatives

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION

RESPONSES:

A1: My top priority is always to fight for Ohioans and the Dignity of Work. That means standing up to special interests and big corporations to level the playing field and ensure every family has a path to the middle class. I am proud of our recent wins like passing the Butch Lewis Act, which secured the pensions of over 100,000 Ohio workers, the bipartisan PACT Act that delivered the largest expansion of veterans’ healthcare in VA history, and the CHIPS Act that is bringing thousands of jobs to Ohio. Currently, I am committed to passing the FEND Off Fentanyl Act to protect Ohioans from dangerous fentanyl and reinstating the Child Tax Credit to support working families.

A2: As Secretary of State, I expanded voter access and information. In the Senate, I am fighting against efforts that disenfranchise voters. I support the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and will always oppose laws that intentionally make it more difficult for people of color, seniors, students, and lowincome people to vote. I’ve previously introduced the Election Security Act, which would require backup paper ballots and provide election security grants to states for cyber security, and I introduced a bill to stop states from purging voters solely due to failure to vote or to respond to a state notice. I will continue to urge my colleagues to pass meaningful voting rights legislation.

A3: Presidents of both parties have failed to secure our border. We need to get more resources and personnel to the border to support our border control agents and prevent a humanitarian crisis. I’ve also introduced legislation to protect our border control agents from illegal drugs and keep dangerous fentanyl out of our communities by cracking down on its illicit supply chains at their source.

A4: I am focused on getting aid to Israel, Gaza, and Ukraine. It is time we put the politics aside and get this done. Additionally, as Chairman of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, I have pushed to sanction Russia for their unprovoked aggression and remove their Most Favored Nation status. I’ve always fought against unfair trade policies that leave Ohio workers behind. I have stood up to presidents of both parties against bad trade deals and will continue fighting to expand manufacturing jobs in Ohio and across the nation. Recently, I successfully urged the Biden Administration to remove the trade pillar from the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to ensure workers weren’t cut out of the deal.

A5: I will always fight to protect our environment and Ohio’s natural resources for the next generation. I championed the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to clean up Ohio’s vital water resources, fought for resources to better understand the effects of algal blooms on lakeshore communities, and worked across party lines to ensure the Army Corps of Engineers keeps the Cleveland Harbor and shipping channel clean. We shouldn’t have to choose between good environmental policy and good-paying jobs. That’s why I support policies that decrease our dependence on foreign oil, safeguard our environment, and give Ohio manufacturers the tools they need to lead the renewable energy market.

A6: I take a back seat to no one when it comes to standing up to Big Pharma – because no one should have to choose between staying healthy and paying their medical bills. That’s why I am fighting to ensure all Ohioans have access to quality, affordable healthcare. Through the IRA, we secured a $35 cap on out-ofpocket insulin costs for all Ohioans on Medicare. President Trump also signed my legislation – the Patient Right to Know Drug Prices Act – to increase transparency on drug prices and lower costs for Ohioans. Additionally, I refused to accept Congressional health insurance until Congress passed the ACA. I’ve also championed the protection of the Children’s Health Insurance Program to ensure our children have quality access to care.

A7: No one should be denied a fair shot because of their race, who they love, or their gender and I will always oppose discrimination in any form. While working to protect individual rights, I am also focused on equal opportunities for all Ohioans by passing legislation to expand federal civil rights protections and fight LGBTQ discrimination in the housing market and the workplace. As Chair of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, I am standing up to powerful banks and predatory housing investors to ensure no one is discriminated against in the financial services or housing sectors and to make sure every Ohioan can fulfill the American Dream by purchasing and owning their own home.

RESPONSIBILITIES: To represent the people of Ohio, their district, and the United States in dealing with matters of national and international importance. The general welfare should be a prime concern.

TERM: 2 years.

BASE SALARY: $174,000

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What are your top priorities and how will you address them?

Q2: State your position on voting and elections policy.

DISTRICT 1

Greg Landsman

Party: Democrat Training and Experience: Born and raised in Greater Cincinnati, Greg is a former teacher who spent his career fighting for children and families. In 2016, Greg led the successful passage of Cincinnati’s Preschool Promise, which now provides two years of quality preschool to Cincinnati’s three and four year olds. He served at City Hall for 5 years, where he focused on making Cincinnati an easier place to raise a family, especially for those most marginalized. He was elected to Congress in 2022, where he is committed to being a new kind of national leader – bipartisan, transparent, reliable, and accountable.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Helping Children and Families: increasing and improving the Child Tax Credit, investing in child care, capping the cost of insulin for children, lowering prescription drug prices. Protect Democracy and Freedom: restoring reproductive freedom, strengthening democracy and protecting voting rights, ending partisan gerrymandering.

Improve Public Safety: empowering local public safety agencies to use federal dollars to recruit and retain law enforcement and firefighters, reducing gun violence through common-sense gun reform.

A2: One of the great challenges of our time is the fight to protect and strengthen voter rights and freedoms. Upholding and expanding access to the ballot box is top priority for us and absolutely fundamental to the future of our country.

In Congress, we must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

Q3: State your position on immigration policy.

Q4: State your priorities on foreign policy and national security.

Q5: State your position on environmental policy and natural resource management.

Q6: State your position on healthcare policy.

Q7: What role, if any, should government take to ensure no person is discriminated against?

and the Freedom to Vote Act to protect against discriminatory voting policies.

A3: We need a bipartisan border fix. The current migrant crisis has left border security completely overwhelmed. We need to provide greater funding for border security personnel and adjust asylum laws to deter migrants from coming to the southern border. We also need comprehensive immigration reform that prioritizes humane treatment for migrants and improves legal pathways to citizenship. I’m part of the bipartisan majority of lawmakers that want to resolve this crisis and secure our border.

A4: This moment requires bipartisan, pragmatic leadership, both for our national security and for global stability. In the Israeli-Hamas war, we must bring the hostages home and end this war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. In Ukraine and Eastern Europe, we need to support our allies and help protect them against Putin’s aggression. Failure to do that would result in a much larger scale war in Eastern Europe and much greater risk to American troops.

A5: This climate crisis is one of the biggest threats facing our world. We must invest in clean energy sources, incentivize job creation in the renewable energy sector, and promote conservation efforts to mitigate the impacts of climate change for future generations.

A6: Everyone deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare, regardless of income level or preexisting conditions. We need to protect and expand the Affordable Care Act and lower the cost of prescription drugs. In Congress, I’ve introduced bills to lower prescription drug prices for seniors and cap the cost of insulin for children. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, it’s more important than ever to defend women’s reproductive freedom. We need to codify a woman’s right to choose and protect access to contraceptives.

A7: The government should play a proactive role in promoting equality

Greg Landsman continued [questions on pg 4]

and protecting against discrimination. Our laws should promote inclusion and increase opportunity for marginalized communities.

Orlando Sonza

Party: Republican Training and Experience: Served as Infantry Officer and Finance Officer with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. CPA at Ernst & Young, Interned at the U.S. Department of Justice, Human Rights, and Special Prosecutions Section of the Criminal Division and also with the Financial Litigation Unit of the Tax Division. Assistant Prosecutor at the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office. Currently is Executive Director of the Hamilton County Veterans Service Commission.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: 1. The economy is not working for everyday American citizens. When I get to Congress, I will fight for responsible fiscal policy, tax cuts like the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and deregulating the market to allow for good competition to lower prices for all.

2. The border is in crisis right now. Criminals and illegal drugs are pouring into our country and even making their way to southwest Ohio. I will work to secure the border and give officers the resources they need to keep the illegal drugs and criminals out of our communities.

3. Americans have lost faith in the integrity of those they elected. I will work to restore faith in our institutions by exemplifying the values instilled in me at West Point—duty, honor, country.

A2: Every person should exercise their right to vote. Participation in our democratic institutions is essential to representing the needs of the people.

A3: The border is in crisis right now and the current administration is not doing what it needs to do to fix it. We need a strong and secure border that incentivizes legal and safe immigration and stops illegal immigration and the spread of dangerous drugs into our communities.

A4: America, as the leader of the world and of worldwide democracy, must project strength to keep our enemies at bay. For the last 3 and a half years under the current administration, America has started to appear weak, and thus multiple wars have begun directly as a result. We need to show the world that we will protect our allies to keep nations like China, Russia, and Iran (and their proxies) from imposing their will on the rest of the world.

A5: I firmly believe that it is important to protect our natural environment. However, to go about this, I believe we must be practical. My top priority is to get the United States to being energy dominant. Abandoning all forms of

energy that are deemed “dirty”, like fossil fuels, natural gas, and more, solely in the name of “clean energy” will seriously hinder our economy and workers and force us to rely on other adversarial countries (namely Russia and Venezuela) for energy that we would otherwise be able to produce here at home cheaper and cleaner.

A6: The best path forward to pursue healthcare access to as many as possible is to get the government out of the way. Our current healthcare system puts an undue burden on the American taxpayer, provides limited care, and artificially bogs down the pharmaceutical industry. We need to deregulate pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to allow for healthy competition to naturally lower prices, boost the economy, and provide healthcare access to as many as possible.

A7: One of the foundational reasons for the very existence of our own government, dating back to the founding fathers, is to protect the rights of its citizens from being infringed. The right to not be discriminated against based on certain identities like religion, race, and more, should be protected by the government. However, it is also important to emphasize that the government should not overstep and go beyond its charter of protecting the rights of its citizens as laid out in the U.S Constitution

DISTRICT 8

Warren Davidson

A1: 1) Codify the rights and protections that we as Americans hold dear. The Supreme Court has recently overturned legislation that protected our fundamental freedoms. It is up to Congress to codify those freedoms into legislation that will restore those rights. 2) Fix our broken immigration system, which has created a crisis at the border, and made it difficult for people to attain citizenship through legal channels. 3) Fix our economy, which has made it difficult for the average American to afford the bare necessities in life, even when they work full-time. People should not have to struggle to afford a place to live when they work 40 hours a week. Even with two or more jobs, it can be difficult to afford a place to live and buy groceries.

A2: I have stood against Gerrymandering and other forms of voter suppression, such as Voter ID Laws, Voter Roll Purges, Disenfranchisement of Felons, Limited Voting Hours and Locations, Voter Intimidation, Restrictive Voter Registration Laws, Misinformation and Absentee Ballot Restrictions. I will continue to fight against these voter suppression efforts for our communities in D.C.

and the elderly). Our goal should be first to protect American interests, and then to bring peace. What happened on October 7, 2023, in Israel was a horrible attack by Hamas. Israel has a right to defend itself and focus on returning hostages to their families. We must also stand against Netanyahu’s war on innocent Palestinian people, and support Ukraine’s efforts to remain independent.

A5: I will fight against the climate crisis. This is one of the great challenges of our lifetime, and the clock is ticking. To avoid irreparable damage, experts tell us that we need to reduce carbon emission 45% (versus 2010 levels) by 2030, and we’re not even close. Rising sea levels, extreme heat and drought, more extreme weather events, increased fires, and other adverse effects will continue to disrupt our lives if we do not transition from fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas, to renewable energy sources. Gas and oil use contributes to climate change, but fracking to increase extraction yields in eastern Ohio and other areas leads to more methane in the air we breathe, drinking water contamination, fish kills, and even earthquakes.

Party: Republican

Biographical info: No response NOT PICTURED

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

Dr. Vanessa Enoch is a distinguished entrepreneur, community organizer, and advocate for social justice and human rights, with an illustrious career spanning over two decades. As the Founder, President & CEO of Cultural Impact, LLC, a management and technology consulting firm established in 2015, she has been at the forefront of providing innovative business support services. She is also the President & CEO of Vision Works, Inc., a non-profit organization.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A3: We must fix our broken immigration system, which has created a crisis at the border, and made it difficult for people to attain citizenship through legal channels. I believe that we need to establish a pathway to citizenship for individuals who have been living in the US for decades. Children who are raised in America should have the opportunity to become productive tax-paying citizens. Some employers take advantage of the dysfunctional US immigration system, by paying those who have not yet attained their citizenship under the table. This undermines our economy and allows for the exploitation of workers who might otherwise be paying into our tax base and social security system. This creates a profit motive that only benefits big businesses

A4: My top priorities would be to protect American interests, and to protect the right of all people to exist on earth. The US must demand and enforce fair rules of war in every case where our money or our soldiers are involved. We should not be active participants in conflicts that harm innocent civilians (women, children,

A6: Healthcare costs are outrageous. It is a travesty to go to work every day, pay insurance premiums every month, and be prevented from going to the doctor due to high deductibles. The cost of health care is rising faster than the cost of inflation, and the managed care system has gotten between the patient and his or her physician. Essentially, we have allowed managed care systems to be the supreme determining factor in what healthcare solutions to employ. This prevents the opportunity for introducing medical advancements and innovative treatment methods. As your congresswoman, I will work to protect all citizens by supporting a robust data-driven healthcare system that will protect us from future health emergencies.

A6: Over the last decade, the Supreme Court and courts across the country have dismantled and gutted crucial aspects of the Voting Rights Act, opening the doors to the reverberation of discriminatory voter suppression laws. Decades of a lack of access to employment, healthcare, housing, and quality education were exasperated by the global pandemic, and court rulings. Congress must codify laws that guard against discrimination and ensure

SUPREME COURT OF OHIO

TERM: 6 years

3 JUDGES TO BE ELECTED

QUESTIONS:

Q1: List your judicial experience (court & years)

Q2: What about your non-judicial legal experience qualifies you to be a judge?

Q3: Why are you running for this particular court seat?

FULL TERM COMMENCING

1, 2025

donnellyforjustice.com

Training and Experience: Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor, 1992--1997 Attorney, Civil Litigation, Davis & Young, Cleveland, Ohio, 19971999 Attorney, Civil Litigation, Climaco, Lefkowitz, Peca, Wilcox & Garofoli, Cleveland, Ohio 1999--2004 Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge, 2005--2018 Associate Justice, Ohio Supreme Court, 2019 to present

Read more at judicialvotescount.org

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court Judge, 2005--2018 Ohio Supreme Court, 2019 to present. During my career I held the following positions:

Member/Chair OSC Commission on Professionalism

Trustee, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association

Member/VP Ohio Common Pleas Judges Association

Member, Ohio Jury Instruction Committee

Member, Ohio State Board of Bar Examiners

Member, OSC Death Penalty Task Force

OSC’s liaison to the Task Force on Conviction Integrity and Post-Conviction Review

I helped establish the nationally acclaimed Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program.

I was one of two Ohio judges invited to participate in the National Judicial College’s “Innovative Leadership Skills for Leader- Manager Judges Project,” which iempowers future leaders to improve the functionality of the judicial system.

As a faculty member of the Ohio Judicial College, I teach attorneys and judges at numerous continuing-legal-education seminars on professionalism and issues related to criminal and civil justice reform and procedural fairness.

A2: As an assistant prosecutor and litigator who represented plaintiffs and defendants, I gained extensive experience in the wide variety of cases heard in Common Pleas Court. Trying serious felonies and negotiating plea agreements provided me with critical insight into what did and didn’t work in the criminal justice system that proved invaluable when I was elected to the bench.

My work as a civil litigator taught me that “justice delayed is justice denied” is not a cliché, it is a painful truth that harms everyone involved in the civil and criminal judicial system.

People iwho have personal injury claims can find themselves on the brink of financial ruin as they wait years for their case to be tried or settled.

Criminal defendants can be incarcerated for long periods pre-trial while victims and their families wait years for justice to be done.

And the costs associated with complex business litigation mount exponentially as litigants endure inordinate delays.

With those factors in mind, I resolved to do everything in my power as a judge to expedite cases. I assured litigants I would be available to quickly and efficiently resolve any impasse related to discovery. I provide parties with case management orders that included ruling dates set far enough in advance of the trial date so that neither party would incur potentially unnecessary trial expense while awaiting a ruling from me and I made it a point to provide every litigant with the highest degree of trial date certainty.

A3: I first ran for the Supreme Court to rebuild public faith in the judicial system and to serve as an independent, impartial Justice Ohioans could trust to uphold the Constitution and ensure that every person received equal treatment under the law. I am seeking reelection to improve our justice system. The need for a strong, independent voice like mine on a court that has become increasingly politicized is greater than ever.

To combat the belief that the justice system is fundamentally unfair, I’ll continue collaborating with judges, prosecutors, attorneys, elected officials, and community leaders to support the adoption of policies that will:

Promote the use of data to assure equity in sentencing

Combat wrongful convictions

Close Ohio’s justice gap

Eliminate backroom, false, and dark plea agreements

Make Ohio’s courts more transparent, equitable, accountable, and efficient

Along with leading the reform movement during my first term, I profoundly influenced the most meaningful cases to come before the court in decades.

My independent votes and opinions, including dissents that highlighted issues of law misconstrued or ignored by my colleagues, played a critical role in:

Defending democracy

Preserving the right to vote on the Reproductive Freedom Amendment

Ending a multi-million-dollar First Energy surcharge

Strengthening labor rights

My allegiance to the Constitution and the people who expect and deserve nothing less than independence and equal justice under law rather than partisan politics or ideology will continue to guide my work.

Megan Shanahan

Website: shanahanforohio. com

Training and Experience:

Butler County Prosecutor’s Office, Assistant Prosecutor, Appellate division, (2000-2001)

Read more at judicialvotescount.org

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge, 2011-2015

Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge, 2015-Present

A2: I have spent more than two decades in the justice system. Prior to becomming a judge, I worked as an assistant county prosecutor for more than a decade handling every type of criminal case from the lowest misdemeanor to death penalty murder cases. I also handled many civil cases in the prosecutor’s office and as a city solicitor for Mt. Healthy. This combined experience gives me a rare insight into the justice system and helps my work as a judge immensely. I am the youngest of 8 children from a working class family. I understand the value of hard work. My background and professional experience has helped me become a firm but fair judge who ensures justice is done.

A3: The most important job of a judge is to ensure justice and protect the community. I intend to continue serving our great state in this manner. As a common pleas court judge, I preside over the most serious criminal cases and most complex civil cases. As a judge, I serve as an impartial referee in the courtroom. I conduct myself with a transparent, no-nonsense, plainspoken approach to every case. As a common pleas court judge, I have handled virtually every type of case that is heard at the Supreme Court level.

A stable and predictable legal environment is essential to allow Ohio to prosper. I am a firm believer in following what the law says, not promoting a personal or social agenda. I will strictly apply the law as it is written and adhere to the plain language of the constitution. When our Supreme Court follows this approach, a stable, predictable and equitable environment is created for Ohio residents and businesses. My professional and personal history render me highly qualified to serve as your next Ohio Supreme Court Justice.

Joseph T. Deters

Website: joedeters.com

Training and Experience: 1982-1988; Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor 1988-1992; Hamilton County Clerk of Courts 1992-1998 and 2005-2023; Hamilton County Prosecutor 1999-2004; Treasurer, State of Ohio 2023-present; Justice, Ohio Supreme Court

Read more at judicialvotescount.org

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Ohio Supreme Court, 2023-present

A2: I spent more than 25 years as county prosecutor in a major urban county arguing cases of all types. Over that time, my office and I handled tens of thousands of felony and civil cases in local, state, and federal courts.

A3: I am running for this seat to continue serving the people of Ohio on the Supreme Court for the full term spanning 2025-2030.

stewartforohiosupremecourt.com

Training and Experience: Justice –Supreme Court of Ohio, Judge – Ohio Court of Appeals (Eighth District), Assistant Dean for Admissions and Financial Aid – Cleveland State University College of Law. Read more at judicialvotescount.org

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Justice on the Supreme Court of Ohio – 2019 to present (5+ years). Judge on the Ohio Court of Appeals –2006 to 2018 (12 years).

A2: Prior to being elected and re-elected to the Court of Appeals and then being elected to the Supreme Court – serving 17 years writing law, I had a varied legal career practicing law and teaching law. I practiced law primarily as a civil defense litigator in state and federal courts and worked in several capacities in legal and higher education for a combined 16 years. I served in multiple administrative capacities and taught courses in ethics and professional responsibility; criminal law; criminal procedure; and legal research, writing, and advocacy. In my doctoral studies, I was able to explore the intersection of law and social science –researching and writing in the areas of elder law and caregiving, and juvenile delinquency to name a couple areas of study. This prior non-judicial experience helps me to ask the right questions of lawyers and litigants, colleagues and court staff, and of myself before deciding a case. My non-judicial background has also served me well with recognizing the complexities and nuances of cases that come before us and serves as a reminder to always judge the case, not the parties.

A3: I am currently the incumbent Justice running for re-election to the seat that I criss-crossed the State of Ohio campaigning for in 2018, that I received bipartisan support for during that campaign, and that the voters of Ohio saw fit to elect me to in 2018. I am an even stronger Justice/Public Servant now as I complete my first six-year term on the Ohio Supreme Court. So running for re-election to the seat I currently hold is necessary to continue serving the public and our judiciary. I am the most experienced appellate jurist on the Supreme Court of Ohio.

Michael Donnelly

Melody J. Stewart Website:

Lisa Forbes

Website: ForbesForJustice. com

Training and Experience: 12/2020 to present Judge Eighth District Court of Appeals. (Read more at https://www.judicialvotescount.org)

Read more at judicialvotescount.org

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Eighth District Court of Appeals, December 14, 2020 to present As a judge on the court of appeals, I hear direct appeals of matters originally decided in a trial court. Three judges who have been randomly assigned sit on each panel. In preparation for oral arguments, I read and analyze the briefs submitted by the parties, along with the legal authority (case law, statutes, ordinances, regulations) governing the matter. I also analyze the evidence that was before the trial court. After oral arguments, I confer with the other panel members to decide the matter. If the parties waive oral argument, we confer on the date the oral argument would have been heard. Then, I set about to prepare an opinion or to review opinions drafted by another panel member. Where we are unable to reach concensus on either the analysis or the outcome, I draft a concurring in judgment only opinion or dissent, as appropriate. In addition, my court regularly reviews requests for en banc consideration, as well as original actions, such as writs of mandamus, procedendo and prohibition. I had the honor of sitting by assignment on the Ohio Supreme Court when one of the justices needed to recuse from a case.

A2: The depth and breadth of my knowledge of the law, coupled with my understanding of the impact legal decisions have on clients, provides the right mix of experience to interpret and apply the law fairly and justly as a justice on the Ohio Supreme Court.

For 27 years I practiced law in trial and appeals courts all over Ohio, helping clients resolve disputes ranging from complex business litigation to consumer class actions to legal malpractice claims to trust and estate disputes, and more. I have represented clients in legal disputes ranging from a complex business dispute involving a $40 million indemnification claim to helping a daughter and her stepmother divide the father’s assets (and ashes) after he died. Representing individuals and businesses in a wide variety of disputes gave me deep understanding of substantive and procedural law.

I saw first hand the impact legal decisions have on parties. The first appeal I argued resulted in reversal of the trial court and entry of judgment in my client’s favor. After years of litigating and a devastating jury verdict, my client was in dire straits because the trial court had not applied the law correctly. The court of appeals fixed the mistake and changed my cleint’s life. I saw firsthand the importance of the court of appeals.

While in private practice, I dedicated myself to learning the intricacies of the law and understanding the impact the law has on our communities. I regularly wrote and spoke on developments in the law.

A3: I am running for the Ohio Supreme Court because I want to do my part to ensure that the Ohio Supreme Court is an effective firewall protecting our democracy and the rule of law. I have the expertise in the law, experience in our community, and work ethic to bring the intellectual rigor and common sense to the Court, so that our laws are applied fairly and equitably. Ohio needs a new justice who will stand up for all Ohioans and stand firm against political pressure. My respect for and knowledge of the intricacies of the law would enhance the work of the court. When I ran for the Court of Appeals four years ago, I believed the greatest issue courts faced was the erosion of respect for the institution. That concern has only grown in the time I have been on the bench. In particular, partisanship has come to be accepted to explain the outcome of any particular case – not justice, not fair application of the law, not reasoned analysis.

If elected to the Ohio Supreme Court, I will commit myself to the fair and just application of the law without regard to any agenda. That includes how I will assess which cases the Court should take in for consideration, as well as how I will draft substantive opinions.

Daniel R. Hawkins

Website: hawkinsforjustice. com

Training and Experience: 2001-2013: Assistant Prosecuting Attorney and Director of the Special Victims Unit for the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office. 2013-2019: Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court Environmental Division 2019-present: Judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division Read more at judicialvotescount.org

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Judge of the Franklin County Municipal Court Environmental Division (2013-2019) Judge of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas General Division (2019-present)

A2: I spent over a decade as a prosecutor in the largest county in Ohio, personally conducting over 100 jury trials over the course of my career. As Director of the Special Victims Unit for the Franklin County Prosecutor’s Office, I oversaw and managed the prosecution of hundreds of crimes of violence against women and children, including sexual assaults, domestic and sexual homicides, child homicides, human trafficking, and internet child exploitation. My duties included overseeing a staff of seven assistant prosecutors and providing training to law enforcement, medical professionals, and attorneys across the state of Ohio.

A3: I am running because I love this state and I want my children to grow up in an Ohio that is safe and prosperous. I believe in public service, and I would be honored to take my 20-plus years of legal and judicial experience to our state’s highest court.

OHIO STATE SENATE

TERM: 4 years. 2 Terms limit

DESCRIPTION: The information on this page reflects Ohio’s new State Senate and State House districts that determine elections in 2024 and go into effect in 2025, which may be different from your current districts.

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What are your top priorities and how will you address them?

Q2: What changes do you support or oppose to voting and elections policy?

Q3: How should government bring economic and job opportunities to Ohio?

Q4: What are your aspirations for K-12 and higher education?

DISTRICT 8

Louis Blessing III

NOT PICTURED

Party: Republican

Biographical info: No response

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

Timothy S. Hogan Party: Democratic Website: tyhogan.com Volunteer/ Community Service:

Director of Honor Flight Tri-State, Magnified Giving, and the American Endowment Foundation

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: My top priorities are strengthening the economy, fighting government corruption, and reforming gerrymandering. To boost the economy, I’ll support businesses, job growth, and workforce development. I will address corruption by pushing for government transparency, accountability, and ethics reform. Gerrymandering undermines democracy, and I’ll advocate for independent redistricting to ensure fair representation. These actions will foster a thriving economy, restore public trust, and ensure every vote counts in Ohio. Together, we can create a fairer and more prosperous future for our community.

A2: I support policies that expand access to voting, including early voting and mail-in ballots, while ensuring election security. Making voter registration easier and accessible to all eligible voters is also key. I oppose overly restrictive voter ID laws and any policies that unnecessarily limit people’s ability to vote. Additionally, I support the creation of independent redistricting commissions to eliminate partisan gerrymandering and ensure fair elections, so voters choose their

Q5: Under what circumstances should the state support or check local government?

Q6: State your position on healthcare policy.

Q7: State your position on environmental policy and natural resource management?

Q8: What role, if any, should government take to ensure no person is discriminated against?

representatives, not the other way around. These changes will promote a fairer and more inclusive electoral process.

A3: To bring economic and job opportunities to Ohio, the government should focus on attracting businesses through tax incentives and reducing regulatory burdens. Supporting education and skills training programs, such as apprenticeships and technical certifications, will prepare workers for emerging industries. Additionally, promoting innovation in sectors like manufacturing, technology, and clean energy will drive sustainable growth. By creating a business-friendly environment and investing in workforce development, Ohio can become a hub for new jobs and economic expansion.

A4: My aspirations for K-12 and higher education focus on providing equitable funding, expanding career-technical education, and improving teacher compensation. I support continuing the Fair School Funding Plan to ensure all students, regardless of their community, have access to quality education. Increasing awareness and participation in career-technical education programs will prepare students for in-demand careers, and I aim to combat outdated perceptions about vocational training. Additionally, I advocate for raising teacher salaries to attract and retain skilled educators, ensuring a strong foundation for Ohio’s future workforce

A5: The state should support local governments when they are addressing challenges that impact the entire region, such as infrastructure projects, public safety, and economic development. However, it should also check local governments to ensure transparency, prevent corruption, and uphold constitutional rights. For example, the state should intervene if a local government enacts policies that violate state laws or the rights of citizens. Striking the right balance between support and oversight ensures that local governments serve their communities effectively while remaining accountable.

A6: I support the Affordable Care Act because it’s the best possible solution for a majority of Americans. I think it was clear under President Trumps administration that the Republican Party could not come to terms on any alternative solutions. With that said, I don’t know of any better way to balance the benefit of insuring the most Americans possible, and the cost for businesses.

Timothy Hogan continued [questions on pg 7]

I stand strongly with the people of Ohio on reproductive rights, and find it unfortunate that there’s such a disconnect between our elected officials and voters. Ohio politicians should start doing their job to represent the will of Ohio and not personal beliefs that reflect their gerrymandered districts.

A7: My environmental policy focuses on promoting sustainable practices and protecting Ohio’s natural resources. I support expanding clean energy initiatives, such as wind and solar power, to boost the economy while preserving the environment. Safeguarding Ohio’s water, air, and land through responsible waste management and stricter pollution controls is essential. Additionally, I advocate for conservation efforts to protect Ohio’s natural habitats and ensure the long-term health of our ecosystems. By managing our resources wisely, we can ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all Ohioans.

A: The government should take any and all steps to ensure that every person is equal in the eyes of the law. The government can be a force of good at all levels to promote inclusive policies. Policies that support character and not color. Policies that give every family a fair shake regardless of their income or background.

One of the most impactful and revolutionary pieces of legislation was the Civil Rights act. My intent in government is to always keep those kinds of policies as a guiding principle.

OHIO STATE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE

TERM: 4 years. 2 Terms limit

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What are your top priorities and how will you address them?

Q2: What changes do you support or oppose to voting and elections policy?

Q3: How should government bring economic and job opportunities to Ohio?

Q4: What are your aspirations for K-12 and higher education?

Q5: Under what circumstances should the state support or check local government?

Q6: State your position on healthcare policy.

Q7: State your position on environmental policy and natural resource management?

Q8: What role, if any, should government take to ensure no person is discriminated against?

DISTRICT 26

John Breadon

NOT PICTURED

Party: Republican

Biographical info: No response

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

Sedrick Denson

Party: Democratic Campaign Email: sdenson87@ gmail.com Training and Experience: Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency, educator in Consumer Energy; Chief of Staff to Councilmember Wendell Young; Southwest Ohio Outreach Director for For Ohio’s Future Action Fund; Southwest Ohio Director for the Ohio Environmental Council; Political Action Chair for Greater Cincinnati National Action Network

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: My top priority is to work everyday ensuring that all Ohioans have a voice that will stand up for them. I want to continue to ensure all of our families healthcare is protected and basic human rights. Another priority is protecting our environment, the water we drink and the air we breathe and public outdoor spaces we enjoy.

A2: I strongly support any policy that expands and makes it easier for people to vote. I will always oppose any policy that makes it harder to vote.

A3: There are many government can grow job and economic opportunities. The more government can work in a bipartisan fashion to come up with sensible laws around safety and have fair and reasonable education policies and stable housing will make Ohio attractive. Those are some key areas that I believe keeps Ohio on the map to attract families and businesses.

A4: I would like to see the General Assembly move towards more protection of Public Education. Higher education deserves the opportunity for potential students to have more incentives to make it more affordable and provide further opportunities to staying here in Ohio after graduation.

A5: The state should always work in a fair and balanced way to support local governments. Each part of our state is different and we need to understand that and support what local officials needing support with.

A6: I have the fundamental belief that healthcare should be affordable and accessible to all Ohioans. I also believe that healthcare is a private matter that government should not play a role in.

A7: Protecting our environment and natural resources is very important. Finding more ways to protect our national

resources to everyone to continue to enjoy must happen. Making it easier for consumers to access resources such community solar is just one way we can improve efficiency to make sure households have options.

A8: Discriminatory practices are just wrong. I fully support any policy that provides more protections to any vulnerable people in Ohio.

DISTRICT 27

Rachel Baker

Party: Democratic Website: voterachelbaker. com/ Training and Experience: State Representative (2022-present); Nurse Researcher; Adjunct Instructor of Biostatistics and Research

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: My top priority is making Ohio a better place for children and families by expanding healthcare, funding public education, and working across the aisle in a bipartisan way to pass common sense legislation. Since being elected, I am proud to have passed multiple bills out of the House with Republican co-sponsors, including legislation to modernize the adoption process, provide remote opioid use disorder treatment, reimburse consumers who overpay utility bills, and protect healthcare workers from workplace violence. If re-elected, I will continue this work, and fight to protect fair elections, keep the government out of healthcare decisions, and ensure fair school funding.

A2: I support fair elections and easy access to democracy. There’s no reason why our state should make voting harder, especially when Ohio’s election system is regularly praised for being one of the most secure. I support vote by mail and early vote, because they allow more people to participate in our democracy!

I fundamentally oppose the voter purging that is happening in Ohio, and I am very frustrated by the consistent attacks on voting rights. Last year, we saw the legislature try to dismantle Ohioans ability to amend our constitution with a special August election. This wasted millions of dollars, and showed a flagrant disregard for the will of the voters. I will always land on the side of democracy and elections.

A3: I work diligently to pass policies that make Ohio a place people want to stay, live, work, and raise a family. When Ohio is safer, healthier, and an easy place to start a family, businesses thrive. Ohio’s brain drain is primarily caused by the extremism coming from the statehouse. Young people don’t want to stay in Ohio because they view it as an unwelcoming place to be. This is bad for business, and leads to a weaker

economy all over. Additionally, Ohio’s economy will be better for the middle class when we stop raising property taxes to fund public schools. We need to instead fully implement the fair school funding plan, and take the burden off of property tax payers.

A4: First and foremost, we must fully fund public education. It is not helping the strain on our education system when we take millions of tax dollars and shift them into private schools. My aspiration is to have an Ohio public school system that leads in the nation like it used to, rather than one that is struggling to support the needs of children and teachers. This will require bipartisan support for the Fair School Funding Plan, which removes the burden from property tax payers, and distributes school funding more equally to ensure that our schools all have the resources they require to service our children.

A5: I am a firm supporter of home rule, which is the power local governments have to regulate themselves. I find it disheartening that we see repeated instances of communities trying to match the needs of their citizens, and being overruled by the state. For example, cities in Ohio have tried to pass local environmental policies about plastic bag use and fracking, only to be overruled by the state government. We have also seen cities with their hands tied about addressing local gun violence because of extreme laws that prohibit local communities from doing anything. Additionally, I support increasing the local government fund to provide more state resources for local municipalities.

A6: As a nurse, I believe access to living a healthy life is fundamental to living with dignity. One of the most important roles of government is to address the health of communities. Healthcare policy should support providers in having the resources needed to provide the best evidencebased care to patients in safe work environments. Health policy should support access to quality and safe care for all people by reducing barriers to care and cost of care. I strongly reject the idea that the government should dictate which treatments or care healthcare professionals can and cannot provide in our state. Healthcare decisions should be individualized and made between a provider, patient and their family, without government interference.

A7: As someone with three children, and a love for nature, it upsets me to see that our environment is so damaged. I love the beauty of the parks in the 27th district, and am so upset to see that a radical bill to allow fracking in Ohio state parks passed shortly before I became a state representative. I support green energy policies that create good union jobs, and oppose measures that will further pollute and degrade our already damaged environment. Ohio is better when it is beautiful, and I want a future Ohio where my children can breathe clean air, drink safe water, and enjoy nature.

moderate neighboring states.

Curt Hartman

Party: Republican

Biographical info: No response NOT PICTURED

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

DISTRICT 28

Karen Brownlee

Party: Democratic Website:

votekarenbrownlee.com

Training and Experience:

I am a licensed clinical social worker and prior to running, I worked as a therapist with children and families in community mental health agencies. I also served as a clinical training manager, training behavioral health providers, teachers and school staff, law enforcement, parents, and other community agencies.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: The three most important issues in my district are reproductive rights, the economy, and bringing compromise and normalcy to the State House. District 28 voted in favor of Ohio’s amendment to codify reproductive rights in Ohio, and voters should not be threatened by lawmakers to overturn their will. Regarding economy, the Statehouse must address the property tax formula to provide homeowner relieve; reduce costs of utilities, food, and gas, reduce wasteful government spending, and balance Ohio’s budget for the long-term financial health of our state. Lastly, I am campaigning to bring common sense, not nonsense to our legislation. People are ready for leaders who govern with compassion, intelligence, and strong ethics.

A2: Voting should be easy and accessible. I believe that Ohio is moving in the wrong direction when it comes to voting and elections policy. Year over year absentee voting is becoming more difficult, and the changes to voting practices made weeks before elections are putting too much strain on the hardworking people at the Board of Elections . Our democracy is a wonderful thing, and I believe we should make it easier to vote, not harder. I firmly support voting by mail, in-person early voting, and ballot drop boxes. These are safe, secure, and accessible ways to vote. I oppose restrictions that make it harder to vote.

A3: The first thing Ohio must do to bring additional jobs to our state is to stop passing such extreme nonsensical legislation. Ohioans don’t want their state government to brew constant chaos, and businesses know that unpopular and erratic legislation at the Statehouse exacerbates the decades long problem of attracting and retaining talent in Ohio. When our Statehouse returns to normalcy, businesses and young professionals will choose to invest and live in Ohio rather than more

A4: Having worked in schools in the Cincinnati area, I am disturbed by inequities between school districts, based on the local community’s tax makeup. Ohio’s public schools are suffering because they rely too heavily on property taxes, and the current shifting of public dollars into private schools. I support increased and fair funding for public schools and cutting voucher programs. State policy deeply impacts the health and well-being of Ohio families. Families struggling with poverty, community violence, lack of affordable child care, etc. are stressed out families who send stressed out kids to school. Statehouse policies must address the health of families, which will in turn create a healthier school environment for all students and staff.

A5: I believe that state and local governments should work together to find balance and create good policy and smart funding for their citizens. The current Statehouse has overreached in its “checking” of local government, and prevents municipalities from giving voters a choice to pass popular legislation to reduce gun violence or improve the health of the environment. I also do not agree with the current Statehouse’s efforts to harshly defund local governments, which leads to underfunding of critical services like police and fire response. I believe we should restore our local government fund to ensure that no Ohio municipality has to choose between funding law enforcement or key infrastructure work.

A6: With policy makers’ help, the medical, behavioral health, and insurance fields must work together to create a fair reimbursement system while also making medical/behavioral health accessible to all Ohioans. This is a top priority for me as a legislator. Secondly, public policy makers should not insert themselves into the medical professional-patient relationship, nor should they make sweeping medical care policies that are not evidence-based. We must support medical and behavioral health providers to use their training and scientific research to support the best outcomes for their patients. -

A7: The environment is critical to our future, and environmental policy should be forward thinking. Fracking is a key issue facing Ohio. Our current legislature has passed legislation to allow for fracking on public lands, which is a massive step in the wrong direction. We should eliminate fracking, not expand it. I also care deeply about quality food and drinking water access. Years ago I worked on a local, sustainable-practice, suburban farm. I was incredibly proud of the work we did to build soil quality, create a biodiverse environment, and offer the local community delicious and fresh food. People need to be healthy in order to thrive or grow.

A8: As a social worker and mental health professional, I have seen first-hand how sick many of Ohio’s children are as a response to the community environment. It is imperative that Statehouse policies address the health of families, including systemic discrimination. It is part of the Statehouse’s job to fund studies on systemic discrimination and disparities so we can understand their root causes. Once we build an understanding of our past and our present, we can create policy that makes change for a stronger future that serves ALL Ohioans.

NOT PICTURED

Regina Collins

Party: Write-In

Biographical info: No response

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

Jenn Giruoux

NOT PICTURED

Party: Republican

Biographical info: No response

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

DISTRICT 29

Cindy Abrams

NOT PICTURED

Party: Republican

Biographical info: No response

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

Joseph Alan Salvato

Party: Democratic Website: JoeSalvato29. com

Training and Experience: Social Worker, Businessman, CPA, Political and Activist Training

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: In the face of a glaring imbalance of power, and driven by the principle that “power corrupts”, resolve to restore democratic balance, wrestling control from the Republican Supermajority that has tipped the scales of Ohio’s political landscape. First, flip House District 29 to blue. With cooperative efforts & reelection of our 32 Democrats, flipping 7 other house districts will dissolve the Supermajority. With Democrats running in 94 of 99 house districts flipping 8 districts to blue is realistic. Second, throw full support behind the Citizens Not Politicians constitutional ballot restoring a more balanced representation in the house. Lastly, commit to fostering bipartisan legislation, a near impossibility under the current Supermajority.

A2: 1. Pass the Citizens Not Politicians constitutional ballot initiative on November 5, 2024, stopping gerrymandering once and for all. The initiative puts Ohio citizens in charge of the district drawing process. The GOP’s actions over the last three years have made it clear the GOP cannot

be trusted to draw constitutional districts, as the GOP continues to ignore the Ohio Constitution. Only with fair districts will Ohio have fair elections. 2. Pass the Ohio Voting and Elections ballot initiative on November 5, 2024, validating automatic voter registration and same-day registration change, voting by non-electronic and electronic means, providing photo identification, and requiring the state to make accommodations for voters with disabilities.

A3: The citizens of Ohio deserve to have a voice, and to use that voice to magnify why Ohio is a great place to live, work and play, which will encourage small, medium and large businesses to locate here creating good new jobs for our citizens, as well as to retain existing businesses and jobs. That voice must reflect Ohio as an inclusive state. The current Supermajority rhetoric and legislation attacking people of color, the LGBQT community, women’s reproductive rights, and undermining the voice and power of organized labor negatively portrays Ohio as a noninclusive and unfriendly state. We can do better.

A4: Support pre-school education to give children a head start. Support proper funding of our schools. Support factual teaching of our U.S. and world history. Support age-appropriate books in our school libraries. Oppose book banning perpetuated by a small extremist group in our society. For children still left behind due to Covid, support remedial programs which must be continued and improved. Children should also feel safe in their schools. Bullying must be stopped. Gun violence in our schools and throughout our society must be addressed, including sensible gun safety measures including universal background checks, locking up guns at home, training and registration. In higher education let the educators determine curriculum, not politicians.

A5: Only under extraordinary circumstances should the Ohio general assembly or governor check local government policy. In their power grab, the Supermajority and the governor are intentionally undermining the voice of the local government by suppressing the political will of the Ohio citizens. One example is Governor DeWine’s power grab to unconstitutionally place the Ohio Board of Education under his control, undermining the Ohio Board of Education, with 11 of its 19 members elected by the Ohio citizens to represent them. That effort is currently tied up in the courts. Another overreach by the Supermajority was overriding the governor’s line item veto prohibiting local governments from banning flavored tobacco favored by our youth.

A6: Support Medicare, Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, private health care, covid vaccines & boosters, and measures to combat the opioid health crisis. Also support efforts to assist with the long-term care of the elderly and disabled, and the LTC providers. A few of the benefits of the Affordable Care Act include: 1) All insurance plans under the ACA are required to cover specific health issues including chronic disease, mental health, and addiction, 2) it slowed the rise of health care costs, 3) it provided coverage for pre-existing conditions, 4) it eliminated coverage limits, 5) it allowed children to stay on their parents’ healthcare plans up to age 26, 6) it expanded Medicaid coverage, 7) millions received healthcare for the first time

A7: Climate Change is real. It is caused

by the activities of man. There are political hurdles. There is hope & there are solutions. Support the transition to renewable energies, which is the largest business opportunity in the history of the world. It is the equivalent to the industrial revolution, but exponentially more powerful in today’s technological environment. However, in Ohio’s current political environment will support a bi-partisan balanced energy policy that considers all types of energy production. Legislation should also include energy efficiency measures, such as capture & recycling of wasted heat energy from electricity generation & heat intensive processes. Support protecting public properties from fracking & timber extraction.

A8: Government should champion efforts to reduce systemic racism and discrimination, and level the playing field, including addressing health and income disparities such as food deserts, health care, emotional stress, gun violence, unstable housing, job opportunities, and defend the preservation of American black history. Government should support protecting the LGBQT community from extremist attacks. Government should support reproductive freedom. A woman, along with her doctor, has the right to make decisions about her reproductive health.

DISTRICT 30

Stefanie Hawk

Party: Democratic Website: www. vote4hawk.com Training and Experience: 20+ Years at BDR Design Group, Senior Designer/Project Director, Principal, Design firm that does Master Planning and Conceptual design for themed entertainment designations worldwide.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Advocating for women’s healthcare, ensuring affordable healthcare access for all Ohioans, safeguarding marginalized communities by countering divisive narratives that unfairly portray those considered “different” as “deviant,” and striving to eliminate the divisive nature of politics focused on “win/lose” scenarios. Let’s shift our focus towards solving the problems we collectively face.

A2: I believe in automatically registering all of Ohio’s citizens when they turn 18 and ensuring that voter registration stays current by synchronizing it with BMV records. Additionally, I support designating Election Day as a holiday to encourage greater civic participation. I am opposed to any policy that seeks to limit access to absentee or early voting. Our focus should be on facilitating and encouraging participation, not erecting barriers to voting.

A3: Drawing from my experience as a designer working on projects globally, I’ve witnessed the strategic longterm planning undertaking by other countries to shape their desired future, and I believe Ohio can adopt a similar approach. To thrive tomorrow, we must

look 20-30 years ahead and design our economic landscape today. To do this the government should invest in new technologies, positioning Ohio as the heartland of innovation. By leveraging a combination of state and federal grants to foster innovation and offering tax breaks to attract industries, we can pave the way for a prosperous future in Ohio.

A4: My involvement in the LSDMC for Cheviot School highlights chronic absenteeism as a major hurdle to student success. The severity of this issue is underscored by the ongoing debate on a bipartisan House Bill for a pilot program incentivizing student attendance. I am committed finding the solution to enhance both student and school success. In higher education, I aim to explore avenues for affordable public institutions. I advocate that a successful career path doesn’t necessarily require a college degree. It’s time to challenge the perception that vocational training and trade schools are “less-than,” recognizing their potential for financially rewarding and societally necessary careers without excessive student debt.

A5: I advocate for state support in funding street and utility projects for local governments. In general, I believe individual municipalities should have the autonomy to self-govern. However, exceptions arise when local ordinances attempt to contradict state laws or unfairly target specific demographics. In such cases, it becomes necessary for the state to intervene to ensure a fair and just governance structure.

A6: Healthcare is a human right. No one who works hard their whole life should ever face being bankrupted by medical bills. It’s not right and it’s not okay.

A7: We must take decisive action to protect the environment. I believe in science. Beyond addressing climate change, it is essential to ensure that our water remains safe to drink and our air safe to breathe. Allowing companies to pollute jeopardizes the health and well-being of our communities, and it is our responsibility to safeguard the environment for current and future generations.

A8: Anti-discrimination legislation is not new; however, it should be broadened to ensure protections for all Ohioans. Every individual deserves equal rights in employment, housing, education, and the public square. No one should face exclusion based on their race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It’s imperative to foster an inclusive society where everyone is affirmed and welcomed without prejudice.

Mike Odioso Party: Republican

NOT PICTURED

DISTRICT 25

Jim Berns Party: Republican Website: thergc.org Training and Experience: 40 years as candidate and campaign manager confirmed conservative.

Volunteer/Community Service: Adoptive father to 8 children

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: [questions on pg 8]

A1: Democrat open border is destroying America. Defeat the Democrats and secure our borders! Democrat policies are giving illegals benefits that should be going to U.S. citizens!

A2: Paper ballots one day voting

A3: Reduce unnecessary regulations and government interference.

A4: Government schools can not be fixed. Send your children to Church Schools, Charter Schools, Private Schools and Home Schooling!

A5: - no response by print deadline -

A6: Eliminate overregulation so doctors can have private small practices again!

A7: We all want a clean environment.

A8: Teach good values at home and study hard at school. A good education assures your success!

Cecil

Thomas Party: Democratic Website: www. cecilforcincinnati. com

Training and Experience:

collectively working together with my Republican colleagues to find common ground.

A2: Some believe that Ohio’s election system has widespread fraud, however, the Secretary of State stated, fraud is less than one percent. But, in spite of his statement, he continues to impose significant changes to Ohio’s voting process, making it more difficult for citizens to vote. He’s limited counties to one drop box, imposed stricter voter laws creating more barriers rather than allowing more access. Counties are limited to only one drop box, only valid photo ID, Driver’s Licenses, State ID’s, and Passports etc. These and many others are forcing voters to either not vote or vote provisional. And by voting provisional, you only have 4 days to correct any problem with your registration. These are sudden, unnecessary Republican changes.

A3: The most effective way to attract economic and job opportunities to Ohio is to retool our work force to meet the demands of the post pandemic, 21st century needs. Investing in job training, apprenticeships, technology, including environment sciences. We must also continue to provide needed support for the number one economic engine of Ohio, agriculture.

A4: My hope is there will be enough political will in the legislature to pass a school funding bill that will withstand a constitutional challenge. We have been funding our schools using an unconstitutional process for several decades, seriously hurting the publicschool systems. And we are now using taxpayer dollars to fund private and for-profit charter schools.

A5: The legislature in Ohio has slowly chipped away at the power of local governments to Home Rule. Local governments should have authority to pass laws without interference from the state as it relates to managing its affairs. State laws passed by the legislature that will have a significant, negative impact on local governments ability to function should not be allowed. For example, the state should not pass a law preventing a local government from collecting income tax, or sales tax.

BIOGRAPHICAL INFO: No response

CANDIDATE’S

QUESTION RESPONSES: No response

I am currently serving as the State Representative for district 25. I served as the Ohio State Senator for District 9 for eight years. During my time in the Senate I was the Ranking Minority Member on the Senate Judiciary and Senate Veterans and Public Safety committees. Additionally, I served on the Government Oversight and Reform; Health; Insurance; Select Committee on Gaming; Joint Legislative Ethics Commission; and Joint Medicaid Oversight committees. Prior to my time in the Ohio State.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Public Safety/Gun Violence Common Sense Gun Legislation Worker’s Rights and Women’s Rights Protecting The Environment Protecting The Public School System Keeping Fighting to Lower Property Taxes

Protecting and Growing the MiddleClass Addressing these issues require

A6: The Ohio Department of Medicaid in collaboration with the Federal Government, has establish an excellent vehicle to assist many of our residents that can’t afford quality health insurance. The legislature must continue to support this collaboration through the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee, (JMOC).

A7: There has to be a balance in protecting our environment and taking advantage of Ohio’s abondance of natural resources. As technology continues to evolve, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our colleges and universities, and their research laboratories are making great strides in this space. There is room for all ideas.

A8: Simply said, any form of discrimination should be illegal. Government’s role should be to provide greater support and resources to the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and to collaborate with the Federal Government wherever possible.

Joseph Salvator continued

DISTRICT 24

Dani Isaacsohn

Party: Democratic Campaign

Email: iWebsite: www.votedani. com

Training and Experience:

After finishing his Master’s degree, Dani joined the Obama campaign as a community organizer in 2012. He then helped start grassroots organization Battleground Texas, focused on registering and turning out a new generation of voters in Texas. During law school he worked in the White House Counsel’s Office and the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection. After law school, Dani founded Cohear, a community engagement firm, elevating and empowering community voices.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION

RESPONSES:

A1: I am focused on: Improving public education through better school funding, higher teacher pay, and innovative efforts to improve attendance and graduation Increasing access to affordable and high quality childcare Addressing our housing crisis by increasing construction, removing barriers to development, and strengthening renters’ rights Reducing youth gun violence by investing in after school programming, mentorship programs, and innovative, evidencebased approaches to utilize incentives and wrap around services Making our tax system - especially property taxesfairer by freezing lower-income seniors’ property taxes, simplifying the process, and re-evaluating the assessment process.

A2: We need redistricting reformcitizens should choose their elected officials, not the other way around. That means we need an independent commission to draw our legislative maps. Further, I support same-day voter registration and automatic voter registration, because it should be easy and simple for citizens to vote.

A3: By investing in the main drivers of quality of life in Ohio - good schools, safe communities, homes people can afford, high quality childcare access, public spaces - we will drive population growth and economic opportunity. Further, we need to continue to invest in developing workforce pipelines into careers that both fill needed gaps and provide strong economic stability, including the building trades, technology, medicine, nursing, education, and childcare.

A4: We need to fully and fairly fund our school system. Every kid in Ohio, regardless of where they are born, deserves a world-class education. Educating our young people should be our number one investment in our future, which means significantly increasing the amount we spend on public schools. Those investments pay huge dividends down the road, with a better educated workforce, more businesses being created, and fewer people entangled in our justice system.

A5: We need to return to fully funding our local government fund in Ohio. Since Kasich gutted that funding, our local governments have been struggling to maintain basic services and infrastruture maintenance. Everyone loses when our cities and townships don’t have the resources they need to provide high quality services for their citizens, so we need to restore much higher levels of local government funding.

A6: We are the richest country in the history of the world, and it is unacceptable that so many people still lack access to high quality healthcare that they can afford. We need a healthcare system that puts people and patients first, that invests in preventative care to reduce costs, and ensures that everyone - regardless of ability to pay - has access to the high quality care that they deserve.

A7: The climate crisis is getting worse every day, and we all lose if we don’t act to both reduce and reverse the harm that has been done, while also focusing on how we can mitigate the risks of climate change.

A8: - no response by print deadline -

John Sess

Party: Republican Campaign Email: Sessman55@ gmail.com

Training and Experience: 31 year veteran Cincinnati Police DepartmentAssociation

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: [questions on pg 8]

A1: Convention of States movement Elimination of Ohio sales tax Expose wasteful tax dollar spending Prison reform/recividist reduction

A2: Voter ID enforcement and continuation Remove internet connected electronics from elections

A3: Reduce taxes on businesses

A4: De-incentivize fatherless households.

A5: Stop funding cities who support fatherless households.

A6: Keep it privatized.

A7: I support the prosecution of companies who pollute our air and water in excess.

A8: Case by case basis.

HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER

RESPONSIBILITIES: Exercises financial control of County expenditures; authorizes public works; purchases land and buildings; lets contracts; plans and administers welfare. The Board of County Commissioners also appoints other officials to operate various departments within the county.

TERM: 4 years.

BASE SALARY: $96,000

QUESTIONS:

Q1: If elected, what will be your top 3 priorities for the county?

Q2: What are your thoughts on the Metropolitan Sewer District, its structure and relationship with the City? Would you favor allocating stormwater costs based on runoff from impervious surfaces?

Q3: What changes will you seek in Hamilton County negotiations with the Bengals about Paycor Stadium?

TERM BEGINNING JAN. 2, 2025

Kyle Dupler

Party: Libertarian Campaign Website: Kyledupler. my.canva.site Experience: 18 years of experience in the fields of information technology and insurance investigations Political Philosophy: Libertarian civil liberties and small government Occupation: Forensic Technician CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: 1) Severely reduce taxpayer burden to fund Paycor stadium. 2) Reduce spending, taxation, and debt. 3) Reduce regulations and ease zoning, to promote economic growth.

A2: The management and operation of MSD should return to the County in such a way that it does not effect ratepayers or pensioners. I would not favor allocating stormwater costs based on runoff from impervious surfaces.

A3: I will seek the best deal for taxpayers, even if that means selling the stadium to the Bengals franchise or another private owner.

Jonathan Pearson Party: Republican Campaign Website:

hamiltonrepublicanparty.org

Experience:

Running my own company since 1992 Political Philosophy: I believe government should be limited to allow people and business to succeed. Government should not interfere with honest religion.Taxes should be low because I believe people are better stewards of money then the government. Our county taxes are much too high and we have to change that. I trust in a strong but limited government, serving the people with the least amount of taxes possible to provide good and prudent services.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION

RESPONSES:

A1: Budget; Bring in the budget to serve the necessary needs of the county first. Have a budget that can entice the people and legislative reality to lower taxes. Press the County Auditor to give normal evaluation to homes. Get people to reconsider all the monies attached to sales tax. Stadiums: have stadium deals that favor the people with more money input from the teams. Finally, keeping the public informed with the most transparent means possible.

At commoncause.org you can find your representatives, how to contact them, bills they’ve introduced, committees they serve on, and political contributions they’ve received. Enter your full address below to get started. https://www.commoncause. org/find-your-representative/

A2: The city/county relationship has at best been challenging. I am not sure how much longer the current form of structure continues. It is necessary to have a solid well working team for the sake of cost value to the citizens. As for allocating stormwater cost, I will need to see what the numbers would be and its impact on business and home development in the county.

A3: Paycor Stadium lease: the reality of the stadium deal is we as taxpayers started in the hole. I would like to see the Brown family step into the lease with more skin in the game. I would need to see the direct numbers to give more pertinent information. But as with any negotiation and with any tenant, regular contact and forthright transparency is the key to good relationships.

Alicia Reece

Party: Democratic Campaign Website: www. votealiciareece. com

Experience: Cincinnati City Council, Vice Mayor, Deputy Director of Ohio Tourism, State Representative, Ohio Legislative Black Caucus President, Vice Chair of Ohio Womens Caucus, County Commissioner Political Philosophy My focus is on providing opportunity, challenging the status quo, increasing transparency, and educating the public on how county government works. I’m proud of our groundbreaking achievements, which have positively impacted thousands. My commitment is to ensure we remain ‘One Hamilton County,’ where every community receives the support it deserves.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I am running for re-election as Hamilton County Commissioner to expand our transformative achievements and initiatives like the 513 Relief Bus, which has provided free health and economic services to over 20,000 residents, advocating for homeowners by fighting against high property taxes and reintroducing the 30% property tax rebate, creating a $2 million senior citizens fund, expanded veterans’ services through first ever Appreciation, and Resource Day, helping over 3,000 veterans, and more.

A2: Hamilton County is under a consent decree to meet federal sewer system requirements. The 1968 Agreement assigns the City of Cincinnati operational oversight while the County retains ownership. My priority is to keep MSD rates and costs manageable to avoid burdening taxpayers, many of whom are struggling financially. We must balance stormwater management with affordable rates, ensuring any necessary improvements do not compromise residents’ ability to thrive amid rising costs.

A3: Hamilton County deserves a fair and transparent deal tied to a new long-term lease. Currently, taxpayers cover 95% while the Bengals pay just 5%. We need to negotiate a more diversified funding model including NFL, State, private input. Additionally, we must ensure diversity in stadium projects, including opportunities for minority-owned businesses and accessibility for all, especially those with disabilities and seniors. Maximizing stadium use with more events that can generate more revenue.

Party: Democratic Experience: I have been a County Commissioner for 7 years and before that served as a State Representative for 8 years. Prior to public service, I owned and operated two small businesses, while serving on the Price Hill Civic Club,

Price Hill Merchants Association among other community organizations. I also served on the Cincinnati Recreation Commission for 16 years as a volunteer board member.

Occupation: Hamilton County Commissioner Campaign Website: denisedriehaus.com Political Philosophy: I believe in building a community that offers opportunity for all to achieve prosperity. I believe that government should work for all citizens. I believe in creating systems that are open, transparent and fair.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: When I was first elected, the County was in dire financial straits. We made tough decisions to enhance revenue and fund programs to best serve our constituents. Now the County has a structurally balanced budget and has seen steady growth. In addition to keeping a structurally balanced budget, my top priorities are to continue to grow our region by supporting local businesses, build more housing to accommodate increased growth, & create more opportunities for our vulnerable populations to succeed.

A2: MSD’s structure needs to change. The divide amid County Administration and MSD senior leadership inhibits progress. MSD senior leadership should become County employees to allow a clear chain of command and improve strategic management decisions. The general workforce should remain City employees. I have supported making sewer rates more equitable. I support the Impervious Surface Fee Task Force’s efforts to find a way to levy a reasonable fee to those dumping water through impervious surfaces.

A3: County taxpayers will get a better deal. Per the previous lease, taxpayers are responsible for roughly 94% of the investment in the stadium and the team gets most of the revenue. We are aiming to significantly change that so the Bengals, the NFL, and other funding partners take on a larger part of the investment, relieving some of the burden from taxpayers. I will also be advocating for revenue sharing. I also want to make the stadium more open to the community beyond just the NFL season.

Adam Koehler

Party: Republican Experience: While I haven’t held a government position, my extensive experience as a serial entrepreneur and board member for various organizations in Cincinnati Public Schools and private groups has equipped me with valuable skills in leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement. This background fosters a unique perspective and approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities within Hamilton County. Occupation: Entrepreneur Campaign: Website www.adamkoehler. com

Political Philosophy: Republican

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: My top priorities will be fiscal responsibility, economic development, and public safety. I will ensure efficient use of every tax dollar, promote policies that stimulate job creation and economic growth, and enhance public safety measures to keep our communities secure. My approach will involve

scrutinizing expenditures, supporting small businesses, and driving initiatives that prepare our workforce for high-demand sectors.

A2: The MSD’s governance and financial management need restructuring to enhance accountability and transparency. I support exploring a governance model that aligns responsibilities and financial oversight more effectively between the County and the City. Additionally, allocating stormwater costs based on runoff from impervious surfaces would be a fair and environmentally responsible approach, ensuring costs are distributed equitably based on actual impact.

A3: I will prioritize fiscal prudence in negotiations with the Bengals regarding Paycor Stadium. My focus will be on protecting taxpayers by ensuring that any deal includes substantial contributions from the team to cover operating and capital costs. Additionally, I propose collaborating with the Bengals to align their charitable efforts with county social services, helping to offset social service costs while deepening the team’s community impact.

A Llambi

Party: Libertarian Occupation: Pharmacist Campaign Website:

Hamilton.lpo.org

Affiliations: Libertarian Party of Ohio

Political Philosophy: Libertarian, Austrian School of Economics

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: My top three priorities for Hamilton County will be lowering costs for citizens to relieve the stress from inflation, reduce regulations to spur economic growth, and reduce violent crime. By focusing on these three issues, Hamilton county will become a safe haven for families and businesses which are the cornerstone of a thriving and wealthy county. I believe that the citizens of Hamilton County know how to spend their own money and run their businesses better than the county government.

A2: MSD should be run as close to a private business as possible with reliable and transparent pricing for customers. Pricing that is not based on actual usage does not allow citizens to make decisions on how to best plan their finances. This is why I am against impervious surface runoff charges, as this usage depends on factors outside of the client’s control (I.e. the weather), and is essentially a tax that will disincentivize business investment in Hamilton County.

A3: While I don’t like county expenditures that do not equally benefit all citizens, I believe the Bengals bring our community together, which is an important factor in building a thriving, growing community. Having said that, I think it is important that county leadership make it clear to the Bengals that our first responsibility is to the long term financial strength of the county and that if a deal is not fair to our tax payers, we are prepared to “walk away” for the good of our citizens.

HAMILTON COUNTY AUDITOR

DESCRIPTION: County Auditor - Values real property in each county conducting periodic real property valuation, maintains county financial records and issues warrant for the payment of county obligations

TERM: 4 years.

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What are your qualifications for this office?

Q2: What is your experience in managing operations in an office the size of the Auditors Office and your experience with computer/technology innovation?

Q3: Would you recommend any changes in the property reassessment process, either locally or by the state, to address concerns about disparities?

Tom Brinkman Party: Republican Experience: Served 8 two year terms in the Ohio House of Representatives

Occupation: Life Ins. Sales Political Philosophy: Lower taxes, less government CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Served 16 years in the Ohio House of Representatives

A2: Working 22 with a small business and 15 years with a Fortune 100 company using all types of technology and computers

A3: We need to hire real people to conduct property appraisals in Hamilton County

Jessica E. Miranda Party: Democratic Experience: Small Business Owner, Former Winton Woods City School Board President, Former State Representative, Current County Auditor

Occupation: Hamilton County Auditor Campaign Website: jessicaforohio.com Education: Talawanda High School

Leandro

NOT PICTURED

Denise Driehaus

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION

RESPONSES:

A1: As County Auditor and a former Ohio State Representative, I’ve dedicated my career to fiscal transparency, public accountability, and protecting our communities. I passed legislation to eliminate Ohio’s spousal rape loophole and led efforts to support survivors of child sexual abuse. My leadership in auditing ensures responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and I’m proud to continue fighting for fair property valuations and services that benefit all residents.

A2: As County Auditor, I manage a large team overseeing property valuations, tax distributions, and financial audits. I’ve implemented modern technology solutions to improve accuracy and

transparency, including online tools for property searches and dog licensing. My commitment to innovation ensures that our office remains efficient, userfriendly, and accessible to all residents, while maintaining high standards of accountability and public trust.

A3: Yes, I support reforms to make the property reassessment process more transparent and equitable. Locally, we can improve communication with homeowners and provide clear, accessible resources to explain valuations. At the state level, I advocate for modernizing assessment methods to ensure they reflect true market values and reduce disparities. I also support exploring relief options for vulnerable populations facing rising property taxes to protect affordability.

HAMILTON COUNTY APPELLATE COURT JUDGE

QUESTIONS:

Q1: How does your personal and professional history prepare you to be a good judge?

Q2: How does an appellate judge differ from a trial court judge? Are different skills

HAMILTON COUNTY COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE (DISTRICT 1)

- TERM

BEGINNING FEB. 9, 2025

Sean M. Donovan

Occupation: Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Experience:

Since 2010 I have been an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office. I have handled cases in the Juvenile, Municipal, Domestic Relations and Common Pleas courts. For the last eleven years I have been assigned to the appellate division, handling cases in the First District Court of Appeals.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION

RESPONSES:

A1: I have real-world experience and a diverse background that makes me uniquely qualified. As a prosecutor, I have handled thousands of cases and hundreds of appeals. Everything from minor traffic offenses to death penalty litigation before the Ohio Supreme Court. I am deeply committed to the rule of law and the fundamental principles that judges are sworn to apply the law as it is written, without bias or prejudice toward any, and compassion for all who come before the court.

A2: Trial judges primarily deal with issues of fact and procedure, while appellate judges primarily deal with questions of law. Trial court decision impact only the

needed?

Q3: Do you favor or disfavor including political party labels on the judicial ballot? Why?

How to find info on Judicial Candidates

Voters often don’t have much information about judicial candidates. Because most citizens do not routinely interact with judges in their communities, they tend to know very little about how judges conduct themselves in the course of doing their jobs. In addition, state rules do not allow judicial candidates to discuss their views on controversial issues because judges must be impartial on the bench. It is important for voters to understand the role of the courts and the important qualities to consider when evaluating judicial candidates.

To learn about candidates for judge in your area consider reading candidates’ campaign literature, visiting campaign websites, and talking with people who know the candidates, including practicing attorneys. The League of Women Voters of Ohio again this year joins the Ohio State Bar Association, the Bliss Institute for Applied Politics at the University of Akron, the Ohio Newspaper Association and Ohio Broadcasters Association in a statewide, nonpartisan, online judicial voter’s guide at www.judicialvotescount.org.

In order to make a decision, when voting on judicial candidates, consider the answers to the following questions:

• To what extent has the candidate practiced in the area(s) of law the court handles?

• What work or other experience has the candidate had that will particularly qualify the candidate to perform the duties of a judge on this court?

• What is the candidate’s legal philosophy? Political philosophy?

• Consider the candidate’s integrity, judicial temperament, and level of commitment to public service and the administration of justice.

• Also, consider who is paying for any advertising about any particular judicial election. For our democracy to function, judges must carry out their tasks impartially and independently. Judges’ decisions should not follow public opinion or promote special interests or even reflect their personal beliefs.

Judges’ decisions should be based on facts and law. This judicial impartiality protects fair trials and upholds the rule of law.

parties involved in that specific case, but appellate court rulings are binding on all lower courts in the judicial district and have long term impact. Appropriately, appellate cases are decided by three judge panels achieving a majority decision, while the trial judge makes the decision alone.

A3: I do not believe party designations are appropriate on the judicial ballot, particularly in appellate court races. Judges should never be influenced by their personal policy preferences and anything that implies alignment with a specific set of political beliefs should be avoided so the community has faith in the independence and impartiality of our judicial system.

Terry Nestor

Occupation: Judge Experience: Private Practice Civil Defense, City of Cincinnati, City Solicitor’s Office 2003-2018, Chief Trial Counsel for City of Cincinnati, Deputy City Solicitor, Acting City Solicitor; Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge, 2019-current; Veteran’s Court Judge for Hamilton County, 2021-present Political Philosophy: Moderate American Democrat

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I have been both a trial lawyer and a trial judge. As the lead attorney for

Cincinnati, I litigated cases as varied as eminent domain, zoning, personal injury, and civil rights. Since 2021, I have been honored to serve as Hamilton County’s Veteran’s Court judge, and

represent Hamilton County on the Ohio Supreme Court case management advisory committee. I have appeared at every level of Ohio’s appellate courts, including Ohio’s federal district courts and the US 6th Circuit.

A2: Yes, these judgeships require different skills. However, it is extremely helpful to have real trial experience to sit as an appellate court judge. The trial judge has the difficult task of thinking fast to control the trial court environment, including attorneys, witnesses, and jurors. The appellate judge has the duty and responsibility to review the decisions and proceedings of trials. Knowing the crucible of trial is indispensable to the task of determining if justice was fairly served.

A3: The law and Ohio’s judicial elections should be non-partisan. Until the last two elections, that is how it worked in Ohio. The gerrymandered Ohio General Assembly has unnecessarily injected politics into judicial elections to protect partisan advantage. This unfortunately undermines the integrity and legitimacy of the judicial process, which should not favor any party or creed. I favor a unified judicial system in Ohio that elevates the law above partisan division.

HAMILTON COUNTY COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE (DISTRICT 1) - TERM BEGINNING FEB. 11, 2025

Candace Crouse

Occupation: Judge

Experience: Judge, Ohio First District Court of Appeals (Feb. 2019-present); Attorney Private Practice (Sept. 2002-Jan. 2019); Law Clerk to U.S. District Court Judge Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. (Sept. 2000 - Aug. 2002), Adjunct Professor, University of Cincinnati College of Law, Commissioner of the Ohio Board of Professional Conduct, Member of the Ohio Judicial Conference Jury Instruction Committee

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: 18 years practicing law before I took the bench. 2 years clerking for a federal district court judge. The rest of my career was spent in litigation at both the trial and appellate levels practicing civil and criminal law . A good judge should know how to try a case. A good appellate judge should have extensive appellate experience. I have both. I also

have judicial experience. I clerked for a judge. I have been on the bench for over 5 ½ years. I have no lawyers or politicians in my family.

A2: Trial judges are often fact-finders because they hear witnesses who testify. Appellate review is limited to questions of law and the fairness of the trial court proceedings. Appellate judges often focus on how to set precedent that can be applied to other cases, while trial judges focus on individual cases. Trial judges have a very fast-paced job. The job of an appellate judge is slower and requires a lot of reading. A good appellate judge is someone enjoys researching and studying the law.

A3: I disfavor including political party labels on the ballot. I understand that it can be difficult for voters to research judges and decide who to vote for, but a person’s political party should not be the sole reason someone votes for a judge. In my experience, good judges are good judges, regardless of party. Politics has no place in our court system. A judges’ job is to follow the law and decide each case fairly, impartially, and independently.

Occupation: Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Experience: 14 years of experience in the courtroom as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney; Civil litigation experience at a firm after graduating from law school.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION

RESPONSES:

A1: I have tried dozens of the most serious cases in Hamilton County. I know what should and should not happen in a courtroom and I’m ready to take the bench to make sure the law is followed and Justice is done.

A2: An appellate judge’s work is very different from the work of a trial judge in that the appellate judge must review transcripts and make decision on the law while a trial judge may make decisions of fact and law. However, I think the values of following the law as it is written and maintaining a courteous, professional courtroom are the same.

A3: I understand putting party labels on the ballet may help some voters make a decision. However, theoretically, a judge should not be partisan and should uphold the law regardless of his or her personal beliefs.

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES

HAMILTON COUNTY COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE (DISTRICT 1) - TERM BEGINNING FEB. 12, 2025

Robert A. Goering

Occupation: Hamilton County Common Pleas Court Judge Experience:

I have served as Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas Judge since February 2021. Prior service includes Hamilton County Treasurer for 29 years. I have served as President of the Hamilton County Investment Advisory Committee, President of the County Board of Revision, President of the County Budget Commission and President of the Hamilton County Land Bank. I am an Eagle Scout and an Adjunct Professor of Bankruptcy Law at Chase College of Law.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I have served Hamilton County residents as the Hamilton County Treasurer as well as a Common Pleas Court Judge. I have always held the interests of our community at heart, serving diligently and fairly. I have also contributed back to our community through my community service activities. As an Eagle Scout, I currently serve on the Dan Beard Council, BSA Board of Directors. I have spoken to numerous groups and associations, and currently am an Adjunct Professor of Law at Chase College, NKU.

A2: As a trial court judge, I have presided over jury murder trials, complex civil litigation and various drug and other criminal cases. I have an excellent judicial temperament, as I am willing to listen to all sides, review the law, and promptly make a decision. This judicial experience will greatly help as an appellate judge. There is only one First District Court Judge with any trial court experience, and they are not running again. I will bring the needed experience to this important office.

A3: I feel strongly that our Constitution does a wonderful job with the Separation of Powers. The State Legislature added the partisan labels to the previously nonpartisan races in 2021. If Ohio residents feel this is unwarranted, they have to take the issue to their local representatives. Neither Judges nor Executive branch officials have anything to do with this matter. I am proud to have been elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas and I would love your vote as Judge for the First District.

This Voter Guide identifies write-in candidates by placing (Write-in) next to their name. You can also get a write-in list from your Precinct Election Official (PEO). To vote for a write-in candidate, completely darken the box to the left of the blank line and write in the candidate’s name as it appears on the write-in list. Ask your PEO for help if you have questions.

Rich Moore

Occupation:

Attorney Experience:

Partner Partner Frost Brown ToddFrost Brown Todd Sep 2010 - Present; Partner Partner Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP Sep 1993 - Sep 2010

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: As a litigator in private practice for over 30 years, I have represented clients in matters in both state and federal courts and have argued in both trial courts and courts of appeal. I have represented plaintiffs and defendants, individuals, and large and small businesses. I have also represented criminal defendants early in my career by taking appointed cases as part of the public defender panel. My experience makes me uniquely qualified to serve as a judge on the Court of Appeals.

A2: The role of the appellate court is error correction and ensuring consistent application of the law to the facts in the record. The trial court is primarily responsible for fact-finding and case management. The two roles are different and require different skill sets. My 30 years as a full-time litigator have allowed me to develop the critical thinking skills, writing ability, and strong work ethic that are all fundamental to being a successful appellate judge.

A3: I am in favor of including party labels. I think it is important for voters to understand the values that a judicial candidate will bring with him or her to the position. The political party that a candidate chooses to associate themselves with speaks to those values.

HAMILTON COUNTY COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE (DISTRICT 1)TERM BEGINNING FEB. 10, 2025

Stacy Lefton

Occupation: Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor Experience: I started my law career working as a law clerk for Judge Thomas Crush and after he retired I worked briefly for Judge Ted Winkler and Magistrate Richard Bernat before starting at the prosecutors office.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I am fortunate that I had the opportunity to work for a Judge and in a court room prior to actually placing. This has been extremely beneficial because I have a better understanding about what should go on in court and how people should be treated. Being raised by parents who worked in a family business they instilled in me the importance of treating people with respect and that is something I have carried into my career and I believe is an asset to being an attorney and a judge.

A2: An appellate judge does not get to hear new evidence or hear from witnesses. The appellate judge is responsible to make sure the proceedings were fair and the appropriate law was applied. It’s essentially a reviewing court to make sure that the trial court proceedings were handled properly whether that is a trial or motions.

A3: I do not think party labels should be on the judicial ballot. As attorneys, we all take an oath when we are sworn in to uphold the constitution and the laws of the State of Ohio. It should not matter what party you are affiliated with because you are supposed to follow the law.

Marilyn Zayas

Occupation: Judge, Court of Appeals Experience: Judge at Ohio’s First District Court of Appeals. 2016 – Present.• Judge by special assignment at Ohio’s Second, Sixth, Tenth, and Eighth District Courts of Appeals. •Selected by Ohio Supreme Court’s Chief Justice to serve by special assignment on a case at Ohio’s Supreme Court. • Ohio Supreme Court Board on Character & Fitness, Commissioner. December 2018-February 2022. • MZD Law, Attorney, Founder. 2000-2016. University of Cincinnati College of Law, Adjunct Professor. 1998-2001. •Hamilton County Public Defender’s Office, Trial Counsel. 1998-2001. • Holland & Hart LLP, Intellectual Property Litigator and Labor & Employment Law. 1997-1998. •The Procter & Gamble Co., IT Manager. 1988-1994. Political Philosophy: Politics have no role to play in our judiciary. My judicial philosophy is to faithfully apply the law and our constitution equally to all, independent of outside influence or partisan pressure.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I am honored to serve as an appellate judge for almost eight years. Growing up disadvantaged, all I wanted was a fair chance at life. Now, my top priority is to ensure that the law is applied to all fairly and consistently, with integrity, independence, and common sense. My vast experience, in the trenches representing families, working at P&G, with new business owners,

M. Elizabeth Polston

Candace Crouse continued Stacy Lefton continued

enable me to fully understand the complex legal issues we are facing. Bar associations rated me excellent, the highest rating.

A2: Appellate judges do not have trials or hear witnesses. We correct errors in trial court decisions. Three appellate judges review the decisions to ensure the law was followed and the proceedings were fair and constitutional. Appellate judges collaborate, analyze law, review the evidence presented at the trial, and must refrain from judicial activism. It is important to have judges from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives to ensure that each case is carefully and thoroughly reviewed.

A3: Disfavor, along with party endorsements, because politics should play no role in our courts. Public trust and confidence in our courts is best achieved when our decisions are based solely upon the law as applied to the facts of each case. In my service to you as a judge, I take an independent approach to each case, with the courage and integrity to faithfully follow the law, unaffected by outside influence or partisan pressure.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I feel the court has been streamlined quite a bit over the past few years. There are still issues, however, with scheduling, particularly criminal cases. The best way to deal with delays is to have meetings every few weeks with the attorneys on cases scheduled for trial, and push them to keep on schedule. It’s not a guaranty it will get resolved quickly but it helps the process move forward.

A2: Bias and inequity are not present in my courtroom. Every criminal case is different, each set of circumstances are different. Sentencing guidelines are set for this exact reason: so a judge can evaluate each case on its merits, on the pre-sentence investigative report, the defendant’s criminal history, and of course the victim impact statement. Some cases are worse than others. There is no “one size fits all” sentence for any type case.

HAMILTON COUNTY

COMMON PLEAS JUDGE

RESPONSIBILITIES: To preside at trials of both civil and criminal cases; to supervise the jury commission, grand jury, and other departments of the court.

TERM: 6 years.

SALARY: $121,350

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What changes would you favor to improve the efficiency of common pleas courts?

Q2: : How will you keep bias and inequity out of your courtroom?

Q3: What, if any, bail reforms would you recommend for our court system?

HAMILTON COUNTY COURT OF COMMON PLEASGENERAL DIVISION - TERM BEGINNING APRIL 1, 2025

Leslie Ghiz

Experience: 30 years admitted to practice law in Ohio. 17 years practicing civil attorney, primarily Labor and Employment Law; 12 years judicial experience Political Philosophy: None necessary for judges. Per the Ohio Judicial Cannons, we are not to show political favor. I prefer to treat each individual case on its own merits, and to ensure all parties in every case are treated fairly.

A3: Bail reforms have been set through constitutional amendment a few years ago. Judges must look at each case and determine if the bail set is fair based on the facts, the criminal history of a defendant, the financial strain of bond, and the threat he/she poses to the public. In no instance should a low level felony defendant be held without bond, or with a bond he/she can’t possibly make.

Chris Lipps

Experience: 2010-2020 & 2021 to Present- Asst. Prosecuting Attorney at the HCPO; 2020-2021 Magistrate in the Hamilton County Court of Domestic Relations

Occupation: Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Hamilton County Prosecutors Office/ Part-time Mayors Court Magistrate

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Judges must be on time and prepared for their cases. Judges must comply with the Ohio Supreme Court’s Case Management Section and follow the timeframes provided by the rules.

A2: I will comply with the Ohio Rules of Judicial Conduct. Canon 1 requires a judge to promote the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary, and shall avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety. Canon 2 requires that a judge shall perform the duties of judicial office impartially, competently, and diligently. I will follow these principles to promote fairness avoid bias and prejudice.

A3: As judge, I would follow the Ohio Constitution and laws regarding bail conditions. This includes the following factors of public safety, including the seriousness of the offense, and a person’s criminal record, the likelihood a person will return to court.

Bernard Mundy

Experience: I have been an attorney for over thirty years, trying cases like the ones that would appear in the court I am running to serve on.

Occupation: Criminal Defense Attorney

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: First off, judges simply need to show up for the job. For decades we have seen many Hamilton County judges working half days, or not showing up for work five days a week. The tax-payers of Hamilton County deserve judges who do their work. I have spent decades working the criminal docket, and know how to efficiently run a speedy trial.

A2: As someone who comes from a working poor community, went to Walnut Hills, and worked my way through law school, I have interacted with people from all walks of life. Part of keeping bias and inequity out of the courtroom is having judges who have more diverse lived experiences. I will work to ensure transparency is a core principle of my courtroom. I will adopt the model set by other judges who livestream their court proceedings, and will share sentencing data from my courtroom.

A3: The point of the bail system is to ensure that those charged with crimes show up to court. I believe that those who commit nonviolent low level crimes should not receive unreasonably high bail that keeps them behind bars for unnecessarily long times. Those who pose a threat to the community should be detained until their trial.

Virginia Tallent

Experience: Assistant City Manager, City of Cincinnati (Present); Human Services Director, City of Cincinnati (2020-2022); Senior Assistant City Solicitor, City of Cincinnati (2018-2020); Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati (20092018). I am an experienced community leader, litigator, and administrator, with passion for creating solutions to complex problems. I have a track record of achieving results for citizens impacted by housing and health crises through litigation and policy strategies. My diverse work experience has equipped me with the skills, knowledge, and dedication necessary to serve effectively as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas.

Occupation: Assistant City Manager, City of Cincinnati Political Philosophy: Equal justice, fairness, and efficiency in our courthouse.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I support increasing efficiency and reducing delays by implementing proactive case triage to identify cases needing more time. When elected, I will work to maximize efficiency in my courtroom by ensuring each case has a predictable schedule and productive court events; I will use datadriven performance tools to enhance efficiency; and I also support expanding technology for virtual hearings and case filings will streamline processes and improve accessibility for all parties involved.

A2: When elected to the Court, I will keep bias and inequity out of my courtroom by treating every individual with dignity and respect, ensuring all parties are heard, and applying the law fairly. I support implicit bias training for judges and jurors to address unconscious prejudice. I will use data-driven performance reviews to monitor fairness in decisions and foster an inclusive environment where all individuals—regardless of race, background, or status—receive equal justice under the law.

A3: Bail decisions should be based on public safety and flight risk. Those who represent a clear or ongoing risk to the community should not receive bail. I support reforms that reduce reliance on cash bail, ensuring individuals are not detained simply because they cannot afford bail. I support the expansion of pretrial services, such as highquality risk assessments, to ensure fairness while protecting public safety and reducing unnecessary detention.

Robert C. Winkler

Experience: Judge, Hamilton County Municipal Court 2002 to 2006; Judge Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas 2006 to 2018; Ohio First District Court of Appeals 2018 to Present; Supreme Court of Ohio by assignment 2024; Case 2023-0464.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: Each judge is responsible for their own caseload. I have always maintained an efficient timeline for the resolution of my cases by adhering to the Ohio Supreme Court’s guidelines governing the disposition of cases according to the nature of the case. I have accomplished this by setting a case scheduling order at the initial case conference and adhering to it. I will continue to do so.

A2: I have always maintained a bias free courtroom and all parties are treated equally. If I ever became aware of anyone being treated unfairly I would address it immediately. It has never been a problem with my staff.

A3: Each judge is required to set bail based on the individual case. For instance, a violent repeat offender who has committed another violent offense deserves special attention based the prior history and community safety. Reason and common sense also play a role in setting a bond. The nature of the crime is the main consideration for me. In accord with the Ohio Constitution, those accused of murder, rape, arson, burglary and other violent felonies will have their bond set accordingly.

Katie Casch

Occupation: Assistant Prosecuting Attorney

Experience: I have the right experience to keep Hamilton County safe. I have over ten years of experience at the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office. As an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, I fought for the most vulnerable members of our society. I represented Hamilton County Job and Family Services in custody cases involving abused and neglected children. I took it upon myself to prosecute all animal abuse and neglect cases in Municipal Court. In Common Pleas Court, I prosecuted the most serious crimes against victims including domestic violence, robberies, rapes, and murders. Currently, I am a civil attorney at the Prosecutor’s Office. Political Philosophy: My judicial philosophy is to apply the law fairly and accurately as it is written.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION

RESPONSES:

A1: As a judge, I will improve efficiency in the Hamilton County Common Pleas Court by setting and adhering to deadlines and promptly ruling on all matters before the court.

A2: Throughout my career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, I have advocated for victims and fought against injustices. As a Common Pleas Judge, I will remain committed to addressing all injustices.

A3: The Ohio Constitution mandates judges consider public safety when setting bail. As a judge, I will follow the Constitution when setting bail to protect Hamilton County. HAMILTON COUNTY COURT OF

Steve Simon Occupation:

Attorney Political Philosophy: Not applicable for judicial candidates

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: One of the most common complaints by lawyers about judges is their delay in making a timely decision. Lawyers are often afraid to simply make an inquiry in this situation, even if the delay has lasted months. This is unacceptable. If elected, I will ensure litigants are promptly notified through counsel about an expected timeframe for my decision, and, if that time passes, the lawyers will be strongly encouraged to contact my staff for an update.

A2: As a labor and employment lawyer, I have spent almost my entire career representing working people and fighting to combat discrimination in the workplace. If elected judge, I will be committed to ensuring my courtroom is one where all parties and their attorneys are treated fairly and with respect, regardless of their background, ethnicity or gender. Because bias can infect even the most enlightened jurist, I also promise to participate in the anti-bias training for judges.

A3: The purpose of bail is to ensure criminal defendants appear for trial. The judge should consider the financial circumstances of the defendant, among other factors, when setting the bond amount. Otherwise, low-income defendants will automatically be detained pre-trial simply because they cannot afford to pay the bond. However, for some defendants, bail should be denied entirely based on the offense charged and their potential threat to the victim specifically or the community generally.

WHAT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES?

State and federal law require election officials to provide the following types of assistance:

• Curb-side voting – Voters who have mobility difficulties can request curb-side voting. A pair of poll workers will bring a paper ballot out to your car, so you can vote without having to go inside the polling location.

• Assistance inside the polls – Who can help:

- Voters are entitled to assistance from a person of their choice.

But assistance is NOT permitted from the voter’s employer, the employer’s agent, the voter’s union representative, or a candidate who is on your ballot – because the law prohibits these individuals influencing your vote.

- Voters can also receive assistance from two poll workers (one from each party).

• Accessible voting machines - Every polling location is required to have a special accessible voting machine with options for audio ballots, Braille touch pads, large print/zoom features, and height and tilt adjustments on the screens. When you arrive at your polling location, please let the poll workers know you prefer to use the ADA accessible voting machine.

• Absentee voting – All voters in Ohio are eligible to vote by mail-in absentee ballot. You will need to submit an absentee ballot request form to your county Board of Elections before the deadline, and they will mail you an absentee ballot so you can vote from home.

HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR

RESPONSIBILITIES: To investigate and prosecute crimes committed within the county, to defend the county in court, and to give legal advice to county agencies and townships.

TERM: 4 years.

BASE SALARY: $101,271

Connie Pillich

Party: Democratic Political Philosophy: Service before self. Pursue justice with integrity. Be accessible and accountable to the people.

Campaign Website: conniepillich.com

Experience: Captain, USAF; Attorney, including six years as a public defender, felony panel; state legislator, three terms. Founded and built law firm of Webb & Pillich.

Occupation: Attorney

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: While Ohio law segregates juvenile offenders from adult offenders, it does allow us to send some juveniles to adult court. There is no “bright-line” test to determine who goes and who stays. As prosecutor, I would consider three factors before sending a juvenile to adult court: (1) the seriousness of the offense and the harm suffered by the victim; (2) the child offender’s age & previous record, and whether a firearm was used; and (3) the child’s mental health and amenability to rehabilitation.

A2: Absolutely. People of all backgrounds deserve to feel safe in Hamilton County, but hate crimes have increased 35%. As prosecutor, I will hold perpetrators accountable to the fullest extent of the law. I’ll prioritize hate crime cases, train our staff lawyers, and increase language access on our website. I’ll reach out to the community to encourage victims to report hate crimes and help bystanders learn how to interrupt hate when they see it. Finally, I’ll use social media in a positive way.

A3: I will bring the right kind of leadership we need to keep us safe the smart way. My plan: 1) Train our attorneys – trial practice, integrity, rules of evidence, false confessions. 2) Audit our work -- root out mistakes, celebrate successes. 3) Push ethics – use strong integrity, eliminate conflicts of interest and favoritism. And 4) Modernize the office – upgrade computers; establish departments for HR and Hate Crimes; hire top talent.

QUESTIONS:

Q1: Regarding juveniles charged with a crime, what circumstances would lead you to file charges for a juvenile in the adult court?

Q2: : Regarding increased hate crimes and incidents, is there a role in the Prosecuting Attorney’s office to address these crimes and incidents? If so, what is that role?

Q3: What is currently the biggest need of the Prosecuting Attorney and how will you fill that need?

Melissa Powers Party: Republican Experience: 1991-1998: Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor; 1998-2006: Private Practice specializing in criminal defense and civil litigation; 2006-2016: Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge; 2016-2022: Hamilton County Juvenile Court Judge; 2023-current: Hamilton County Prosecutor Occupation: Hamilton County Prosecuting Attorney

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: As a former Juvenile Court judge, I understand the balancing factors that must be considered when requesting a juvenile be transferred to the adult court. There is no “one size fits all” approach to juvenile crime. We must evaluate each matter on a case-by-case basis to ensure the safety of the community, fair and equal justice, rehabilitation, and consideration of the appropriate outcomes for the severity of the crime.

A2: My office has always, and will always, do everything we can to prevent hate crimes. There is no place for that in our county, and under my watch, I will prosecute hate crimes to the fullest extent of the law. This is a deeply personal issue for me as a result of my work of successfully prosecuting the racist serial-killer Joseph Paul Franklin earlier in my career. I was honored by the Anti-Defamation League, receiving their most prestigious award for Crimes Against Hatred in Washington, DC.

A3: Beyond continuing to focus on prosecuting violent offenders, we must do more to help victims of crime. When I helped to start the Victim Advocate program, the concerns and needs of victims were different. One example is victims today face threats and intimidation on social media. Under my leadership, I will expand the Victim Advocate program to provide more outreach and services to victims. I want our advocates to become friendly faces people trust in the community not just in the courthouse.

HAMILTON COUNTY

CLERK OF COURTS

QUESTIONS:

Q1: How does your personal and professional history prepare you to be Clerk of Courts?

Q2: What are your priorities for improving services or efficiency in the Clerk’s Office?

Q3:What kind of court records, if any, should be removed from the clerk of court’s website, and at what point in time?

Mary Hill

Political Philosophy: Conservative Experience: Eight years on Council: Village of Woodlawn, Chair Finance Committee, Chair Economic Development. Payroll Director 11 yrs. Managed Human Resource Payroll in 26 States for 14 years.

Occupation: Retired, Internal wholesale of financial products

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I have had the responsibility of managing people and departments of people throughout my entire personal career. I served on council for the Village of Woodlawn for 8 years. I served as chair of finance and my main focus was to clean up the Ohio Audit Report and work closely with the Finance Director to ensure the validity of our data. I am detailed oriented but can see the big picture as the result. I am concern about the integrity of all reports and no data can be compromised.

A2: I plan to work with the IT (website) department to see if there is a way to get information more quickly and enhance the kinds of information one can get on the website pertaining to ones case. I would consider, depending on personnel and the frequency of a routine request, having assigned staff members if assistance is needed.

A3: I cannot give a definitive answer to this question without analyzing why a certain record was included in the first place. Some may be antiquated and need removing others may need to be reclassify. Laws and time limits for record keeping needs to be considered.

Andrew Olding

Party: Libertarian

Biographical info: No response

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION

RESPONSES:

Pavan V. Parikh

Political Philosophy: Progressive and Practical Experience: Hamilton County Clerk of Courts (2021-Present); Judge Advocate, U.S. Army Reserve (2013-Present); Assistant Vice President, Government Relations Officer & Legislative Counsel, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati (2015-2022); Adjunct Professor, UC Law (2016-2018); Adjunct Professor, Xavier University (2016-2018); Chief Legal Counsel, Ohio Senate Minority Caucus (2011-2015); Staff Attorney/Bailiff, Judge Nadine Allen –Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas (2011)

CANDIDATE’S

QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I rely upon lessons learned throughout my extensive and diverse career to lead transformation as Clerk of Courts. Every day I leverage my experiences as an attorney, community leader, educator, business executive, and Army officer to identify and solve the problems facing Hamilton County. Through collaboration and deliberate, sustained action, our team continues to ensure our courthouse works for everyone and strives to fulfill the fundamental American promise of justice for all.

A2: Our initiatives have focused on closing gaps in legal services by expanding the work of our Help Center, engaging in groundbreaking partnerships to bring services out of the courthouse and into the community, and upgrading technology to create efficiencies for the public to request and file critical documents. These efforts have been recognized by local, state, and national entities including the United States Department of Justice as models in breaking down barriers in access to justice.

A3: Remote access to documents offered through the website is a convenience. Removal from the website does not impact its availability to be requested through any other means. In addition, certain statutes (e.g. Marsy’s Law) require shielding of certain documents from public view. We believe in striking a balance

HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF

RESPONSIBILITIES: To provide services to the courts, to oversee the county jail, and to act as chief law enforcement officer for the county.

TERM: 4 years.

BASE SALARY: $110,624

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What is your role, if elected, in improving police-community relations and reducing tensions between citizens and County deputies?

Q2: Do you support rehabilitation programs in prison, jail, and in the local community? If so, what rehabilitation programs do you support?

Q3: What changes are your highest priorities to improve County Jail facilities?

Party: Democratic Campaign Political Philosophy: Lifelong Democrat, passionate about fair treatment of people particularly related to a fair system of justice. I believe that improved relationships between law enforcement and the community are critical to ensure a safe community for all. I believe that policies of law and order, fair treatment, fiscal responsibility, safety for prisoners and our community cross political ideology. Strong supporter of labor with the emphasis on safe working conditions, fair wages and benefits for all workers.

Experience: Current sheriff, forty-year veteran, Ham County Sheriff’s Office; first female sheriff and highest-ranking woman to serve; launched new initiatives as sheriff including advanced technology, improved jail conditions, and wellness program for staff. Met budget every year.

Occupation: Sheriff, Hamilton County

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I will continue with my pledge of leading the Sheriff’s Office with accountability, transparency, dignity, and respect. Our brand is service, and my focus will continue to be community safety. I established a Community Advisory Board with diverse representation and established the Community Affairs Division that responded to over 100,000 calls for assistance. We have improved training for all deputies that includes deescalation, communication skills, and community policing practices.

A2: This is one of the hallmarks of my administration and career. When I was major of the jail, I established first-of-itskind rehabilitation services for inmates

and as sheriff, I enhanced those services. We opened a dormitory-style program for women with substance use disorders which will be followed by a program for men. We enhanced medication assisted treatment for eligible inmates and host a monthly meeting with area providers to ensure connections for continued services upon release.

A3: One of the biggest challenges when taking office in 2021 was an aging jail left unattended by the past administration: cell locks didn’t work, elevators were out of service, windows were broken, and generally uncleanliness. This was a safety risk for inmates and deputies. With support from the County Commissioners, we replaced all the cell locks, the aging elevators, and windows. We also cleaned the jail and are repainting. We don’t need a costly new jail; I will take care of the one we have.

Jim Neil

Party: Republican Campaign Philosophy: Law, peace, and order. Experience: Jim Neil was the former Sheriff of Hamilton County and has spent over 40 years in law enforcement. During his time in the Sheriff’s Office, Jim served in both the jail and patrol divisions, rising from sheriff’s deputy to sheriff’s lieutenant before his retirement in 2011. Jim is trained in traffic-accident reconstruction, as a bomb technician, and as a hazmat technician. He also served as a D.A.R.E. officer and as an instructor in the Basic Corrections Academy and the Basic Patrol Academy, where he served as school commander. During his tenure in the Sheriff’s Office, Jim Neil has received the Greater Cincinnati Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Law Enforcement Officer Award, the Fraternal Order of Police Act of Bravery Award, the Buckeye State Occupation: Retired Sheriff of Hamilton County

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I strongly support rehabilitation programs in prison, jail, and the community. As Sheriff, I initiated treatment-focused efforts for addiction and mental health, including partnering with the Talbert House for counseling services and creating detox pods in the jail. I also support evidence-based programs that help inmates reintegrate into society, reduce recidivism, and provide education and job training to ensure they have a path to success after release.

A2: Yes, I support rehabilitation programs in prison, jail, and the community. As Sheriff, I implemented addiction treatment and mental health services, including detox pods and counseling. I also back evidencebased rehabilitation programs like education, job training, and reentry support, helping inmates reintegrate into society.

A3: My top priorities for improving County Jail facilities are building off of my previous successes by increasing staffing levels to ensure safety, expanding mental health and addiction treatment programs, and upgrading outdated infrastructure. I will focus on creating a more secure environment by improving officer recruitment and retention while also prioritizing inmate rehabilitation through evidence-based programs.

Charmaine McGuffey

HAMILTON COUNTY RECORDER

RESPONSIBILITIES: To record deeds, mortgages, plats, liens, and other written instruments.

TERM: 4 years.

BASE SALARY: $78,594

QUESTIONS:

Q1: If elected, what will be your top 3 priorities?

Q2: In what way(s) would you make information held by the Recorder’s Office more easily available to the public?

Q3: How will you improve fraud detection and/or prevention?

Scott Crowley

Party: Democrat Political Philosophy: Liberal Occupation: County Recorder

Experience: I am the current incumbent Recorder. My current term began January 4, 2021. I served four years active duty in the United States Marine Corps. I served as a prosecutor in the Marines, I was also designated as a Special Assistant United States Attorney with the Department of Justice, and I served as a prosecutor with the City of Cincinnati.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: 1. Continue using innovative technology. In 2022 we launched our award-winning Notification System. Currently, we are installing a new Records System. The new system continues our proud tradition of using technology to improve performance. 2. Expand outreach with veterans. In 2023 we launched our award-winning Veterans Outreach Program. We offer FREE veteran services and want to expand outreach. 3. Complete back-scanning with newly enacted SB 94. SB 94 provides reimbursed funding from the State.

A2: Under my leadership we have accomplished this. All deeds from 1787 to present are accessible and viewable on our website for FREE. This means information held by my office is available 24/7 to the public with remote and online access. Anyone can go to our website to retrieve, view, and print their deed for FREE. You can also contact us via email or phone during normal business hours and we will get you a copy of your deed for FREE.

A3: Under my leadership we have accomplished this. In April 2022 we launched our award-winning Notification System. It is FREE for residents to register. Once registered, the system sends email notifications if anything is filed in our office using your name. This means you will receive email notifications if anyone tries to tamper with your property records or tries to steal your home via deed fraud. This system has improved both fraud detection and prevention in Hamilton

David W. Heimbach

Party: Republican Political Philosophy: As demonstrated during my years of public service at the Board of Elections, I would continue to provide the same level of exceptional service to all users of the County Recorder’s office, regardless of political philosophy. Experience: 1) Former Election Official: Fiscal & Budget Officer and Administrative Associate; 2) Former Marketing Researcher and Customer Satisfaction Researcher

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: 1) Exceptional Service: I will ensure complete and timely receipt, retention, and delivery of records and documents, effectively and efficiently. 2) Continuous Improvement: I will understand Recorder’s office users’ needs and optimize digital technology opportunities, providing leadership for setting standards and best practices. 3) Fiscal Responsibility: I will manage budget appropriations, maintaining financial sustainability.

A2: I have 7.4 years of public sector service as an Election Official at the Hamilton County Board of Elections department of Administration, including the position of Fiscal & Budget Officer. My private sector background and experience includes 20+ years in marketing research and customer satisfaction research, including research in the field of electronic database record and document retention and retrieval, as well as website user experience optimization.

A3: I would continue and update services alerting citizens of Hamilton County regarding activities of fraud involving records maintained at the County Recorder’s office. Updates would take advantage of ongoing information technology advances and opportunities.

HAMILTON COUNTY ENGINEER

RESPONSIBILITIES:To oversee the construction, maintenance, and repair of all bridges in the county, and of county roads and other public improvements except buildings in the county.

TERM: 4 years.

BASE SALARY: $114,914

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What are your qualifications for this office?

Eric J. Beck

HAMILTON COUNTY TREASURER

RESPONSIBILITIES: To collect taxes in the county and its subdivisions, disburse expenditures, and invest the county’s funds.

TERM: 4 years.

BASE SALARY: $80,807

Jill Schiller

Party: Democratic Occupation: Hamilton County

Treasurer

Political Philosophy: I am a proud member of the Democratic Party.

Experience: Serving current term as treasurer

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I have been in office now for 3 years and have brought the office to the community. We’ve held 8 community events to connect folks with aid for property tax and mortgage relief, as well as other non-profit help. We hired a Hamilton County firm to manage Hamilton County investments. We have consistently reduced our general fund budget requests while raising starting salaries in our office to $20/hr (total

HAMILTON COUNTY CORONER

RESPONSIBILITIES:To determine the cause of death of persons dying in a violent or suspicious manner and to issue death certificates.

TERM: 4 years.

BASE SALARY: $130,661

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What are your qualifications for this office?

Q2: What are your plans for improving operations or efficiency in the Coroner’s Office?

AFTER YOU VOTE...

QUESTIONS:

Q1: What are your qualifications for this office?

Q2: The Treasurer collects property taxes and is on the County Board of Revision. What could be done to help homeowners better understand why their taxes have increased and how to challenge property values?

reduction as of today ~$414,000). I look forward to continuing my service to the county.

A2: I have been doing as much as possible to help educate homeowners on the reasons behind the recent tax increases, including in-person meetings, and newspaper, television and radio interviews. We are encouraging folks to contact their state reps and senators to demand they enact the change we need in taxation methods, school funding, and Homestead and Owner-Occupied credit reform.

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES: No response NOT PICTURED NOT PICTURED

Party: Republican

Biographical info: No response4

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

Voting is not the final step but a starting point for taking an active part in government. Hold your elected officials accountable by asking questions, attending meetings and speaking out about the issues important to you and your family. We don’t have to go to Washington, DC. We can be heard from here.

Biographical info: No response

Lakshmi Kode Sammarco

Party: Democratic Campaign Political Philosophy: Government should be about improving the lives of the people we serve.

Experience: 12+ years as coroner, 30 years as a neuroradiologist

Education: MD

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

A1: I have been serving the people of Hamilton County in this role for over 12 years. During that time I have been on the forefront of the opioid crisis, violent crime and baby deaths in our region. I have given many talk to students in multiple schools stressing the importance of staying in school and staying off drugs. During the last dozen years, I have spearheaded and help design and build our new state of the art Coroner’s office and Crime Laboratory.

A2: I and my team constantly monitor our operations and improve efficiency regularly. We have been receiving multiple requests from all over the country to do forensic work. We are now providing services for a much larger region. Also, we have applied for and received multiple grants. Therefore, we are generating revenue and decreasing the overall cost to the taxpayors.

Jeff Baker Party: Republican

BALLOT ISSUES

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO REPLACE THE CURRENT POLITICIANRUN REDISTRICTING PROCESS STATE ISSUE 1

SUMMARY BY LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OHIO:

A “yes” vote supports amending the Ohio Constitution to:

• Create the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, composed of 15 Ohio citizens, to replace the current 7-person redistricting commission, composed of 3 elected statewide officials and 4 state legislators or their representatives;

• Assign the commission responsibility for drawing district lines for the Ohio House of Representatives, the Ohio Senate, and the Ohio seats in the U.S. House of Representatives;

• Provide that the commission is balanced with 5 members who are affiliated with each of the state’s two major political parties and 5 members who are independents;

• Provide that the members of the commission be chosen through a bipartisan process that uses the services of 4 retired court of appeals judges and in which applicants determined to be qualified to serve on the commission (by the retired judges) are identified and ultimately selected through a largely random process;

• Require that commission members have shown an ability to conduct the redistricting process with integrity and fairness and do not have any conflicts of interest;

• Prohibit service on the commission by the following persons and their immediate family members:

• Persons who are currently serving or have recently served in (or candidates for) federal, state, or local offices;

• Persons who have or are currently serving or recently served as staff members, paid consultants, or contractors for any elected official or candidate for any federal, state, or local office;

• Persons who are currently serving or have served as officers, paid consultants, or contractors to any political party, political action committee, or campaign committee;

• Persons who are currently or have recently been registered lobbyists or legislative agents in Ohio;

• Provide that each redistricting plan contain single-member districts that are geographically congruent, that comply with federal law, and that preserve communities of interest;

• Define communities of interest as communities of people with broadly shared interests and representational needs, including counties, municipal corporations, townships, and school districts;

• Ban partisan gerrymandering and the adoption of plans that favor or disfavor a political party by requiring that the statewide proportion of districts in a redistricting plan that favors each political party shall correspond closely to statewide partisan preferences of Ohio voters;

• Provide that no redistricting plan shall be drawn with consideration of the place of residence of any incumbent elected official or any candidate for state or congressional office;

• Require that the commission operate in a transparent public way, that all its deliberations and actions be in public meetings, and that its actions require an affirmative vote of at least 9 of 15 members;

• Require holding 5 public hearings throughout the state prior to the adoption of draft redistricting plans, 5 public hearings after the adoption of draft redistricting plans, and 2 public hearings after the adoption of final redistricting plans;

• Require the General Assembly to appropriate not less than $7 million in 2025 for expenses of the commission with an additional appropriation for legal expenses;

• Require that redistricting plans adopted by the commission be used for the 2026, 2028, and 2030 elections, and that district lines be re-drawn every 10 years thereafter based on U.S. Census data;

• Replace the redistricting plans adopted for the 2022 and 2024 elections;

• Continue to give the Ohio Supreme Court original and exclusive jurisdiction to resolve disputes concerning compliance of redistricting plans with the proportionality and incumbency protection requirements;

• Provide procedures for removal for cause of commissioners and for the filling of any commissioner vacancy; and

• Create a procedure for resolving any impasse or stalemates in determining which redistricting plans to approve by having members of the commission rank their favored plans and vote preferentially until adoption of a plan by a majority vote.

A “no” vote opposes amending the Ohio Constitution to create a new redistricting commission. This, then, allows the current procedures for redistricting state and congressional seats to remain in effect.

Supporters say:

• The amendment creates a new independent body, the Ohio Citizens Redistricting Commission, to draw district lines for the General Assembly and the Ohio seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• The 15-member commission is balanced with 5 members affiliated with each of the state’s major political parties and 5 members who are independents.

• The amendment creates a bipartisan process for selecting commission members.

• The amendment removes politi-

YES | NO

cians and political influence from the redistricting process by prohibiting elected officials, candidates, their staffs, political organizations, lobbyists, and immediate family members of these groups from serving on the commission.

• The amendment prohibits partisan gerrymandering of the General Assembly and the Ohio seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• The amendment requires that each redistricting plan contain geographically congruent districts that comply with federal law and preserve communities of interest.

• The amendment defines communities of interest to include counties, municipal corporations, townships, and school districts as well as communities of people with broadly shared interests and representational needs.

• The amendment prevents incumbency protection by barring any redistricting plan from considering the place of residence of any incumbent elected official or any candidate for state or congressional office.

• The amendment creates an open and transparent process by requiring that all commission deliberations and actions be in public meetings, and that actions by the commission require an affirmative vote of at least 9 of 15 members.

• The amendment creates a process to resolve any impasse so that the General Assembly cannot adopt its own redistricting plans. Opponents say:

• The amendment creates a redistricting commission to replace the constitutional amendments approved by Ohio voters in 2015 and 2018.

• The amendment removes elected statewide officeholders and state legislators from the process of drawing district lines for the General Assembly and for the Ohio seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

• The amendment creates a nonelected commission.

• The amendment adopts procedures for selecting the members of the commission that are complex.

• The amendment permits the commission to hire consultants to assist in the drawing of districts.

• The amendment limits the right of Ohio citizens to freely express their views on redistricting to members of the commission and the commission staff.

• The amendment promises to end partisan gerrymandering but requires that the statewide proportion of districts that favor each political party correspond closely to statewide partisan preferences of Ohio voters.

• The amendment does not require districts to be compact.

• The amendment does not sufficiently respect the need to draw district lines that do not split counties, municipal corporations, townships, and school districts.

• The amendment does not permit members of the commission to be removed by the General Assembly.

• The amendment abolishes the historic tradition of having elected officials draw congressional and state legislative districts – elected officials who are directly accountable to Ohio voters.

• The amendment seeks to make significant changes in redistricting but ignores the reality that redistricting is inherently political and that one cannot take politics out of politics.

HAMILTON COUNTY TAX LEVY REVIEW COMMITTEE

The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners proposes tax levies to support certain public services. The proposed levies go before the electorate for approval. If approved, the levies appear on the tax bill for Hamilton County property owners.

The Commissioners appoint a citizen Tax Levy Review Committee (TLRC) to study levy requests and to advise the Commissioners whether a levy should appear on the ballot, the appropriate size and duration for each levy; and terms and conditions that should be inserted into contracts.

Prior to the placement of each levy on the ballot, the TLRC engages a consultant to review finances and programs funded by the levy and holds public hearings. At the completion of its review, the TLRC sends a written report of findings and recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners. The Commissioners make the final decision regarding the levy that is placed before the voters. If a levy is approved by voters, the TLRC is responsible for conducting a mid-term performance review to see that budget targets and contractual obligations are being met.

For more information about TLRC, including membership, levy procedures and reviews, see www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/ government/open_hamilton_county/projects/tax_levy_ review_committee

HAMILTON COUNTY ISSUE 34

PROPOSED

TAX LEVY (RENEWAL)

A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Hamilton County for the purpose of supplementing the general fund to provide family services and treatment programs, including those currently provided by Talbert House that the county auditor estimates will collect $6,765,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 0.34 mill for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $7 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.

League Explanation and Background:

The Family Services and Treatment (FST) levy is a renewal of an existing levy of .34-mill on residential and commercial property for family services and treatment programs for five years. It will cost the owner of property valued at $100,000 approximately $7.00 per year which is the current annual cost. The Family Treatment and Services levy was first approved by voters in 2009 and most recently renewed in 2019.

What The Levy Will Do: The levy funds alternatives to incarceration that educate, rehabilitate and retrain offenders who have alcohol and drug addiction and mental illness associated with criminal behaviors under a county policy to reduce recidivism and preserve limited jail space for the most serious offenders. The levy also supports community based anti-drug programs. The levy will provide approximately $6.5 million a year for five years for Talbert House, Change Court, Veteran’s Court, Hamilton County Office of Reentry, Drug and Recovery Court and various other agencies. Talbert House is contracted to provide most of the services under their auspices.

The Family Services and Treatment Levy:

• Provides judges in Municipal and Common Pleas courts with alternatives at sentencing that help reduce recidivism by treating alcohol and drug addiction and mental health issues.

• Provides reentry services and security that stops the revolving door back to jail.

• Supports County Prison Reentry Programs, facilitated by Sheriff, and non-profit agencies like Talbert House and PreventionFirst.

• Funds programs for effective drug prevention, treatment and recovery services.

HAMILTON COUNTY ISSUE 35

PROPOSED TAX LEVY (RENEWAL)

A majority affirmative vote is necessary for passage.

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Hamilton County for the purpose of providing funds for community developmental disabilities programs, including the operations and maintenance of schools, workshops, clinics, residential facilities, and such other services, that

the county auditor estimates will collect $79,728,000 annually, at a rate not exceeding 4.13 mills for each $1 of taxable value, which amounts to $76 for each $100,000 of the county auditor’s appraised value, for 5 years, commencing in 2024, first due in calendar year 2025.

League Explanation: The Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services (HCDDS) proposed levy is a 4.13 mills flat property tax on residential and commercial property in Hamilton County to provide funding for services for infants, children, and adults with developmental disabilities. The levy is estimated to provide revenue of around $75 million annually for Developmental Disabilities Services for 5 years. It will cost the owner of a property valued at $100,000 approximately $76 per year.

What the levy will do: Property tax levy funding provides approximately 80% of funding for HCDDS. The levy funding allows HCDDS to pay matching funds required to access Medicaid Waivers, thereby securing $5 in federal and state funding for every $1 locally. The levy fund provides services for nearly 10,000 children, youth and adults including case management, schools, adult centers, infant therapy, family support and housing support. HCDDS operates two schools to support students with significant disabilities in Hamilton County. The levy funds services like in-home care, job coaching, and transportation.

Background: The Developmental Disabilities Services is a county organization, established and required by state law to serve people with developmental and intellectual disabilities manifested before age 22 and includes lifelong intellectual or physical disabilities. The Developmental Disabilities levy was last passed in 2019. This year’s renewal levy will bring in the same total tax funding, but is less millage because of the increase in county property values.

The Tax Levy Review Committee did a comprehensive review of HCDDS finances and spending under the current levy and recommended a renewal levy. It noted that HCDDS had increased costs, but the increases could be covered over the term of this 5-year levy by reserves from Federal pandemic funding.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging informed and active participation in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy. We never support or oppose any political party or candidate.

JOIN: DONATE:

VOTER CHECKLIST

US PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

F Richard Duncan / Mitchell Preston Bupp

F Kamala D. Harris / Tim Walz (D)

F Chase Oliver / Mike ter Maat (L)

F Jill Stein / Anita Rios

F Donald J. Trump / JD Vance (R)

US SENATE

F Sherrod Brown (D)

F Bernie Moreno (R)

US HOUSE

REPRESENTATIVE

District 1

F Greg Landsman (D)

F Orlando Sonza (R)

District 8

F Warren Davidson (R)

F Vanessa Enoch (D)

OHIO SUPREME COURT Term Commencing 1/3/2025

F Michael P. Donnelly (D)

F Megan E. Shanahan (R)

F Joseph T. Deters (R)

F Melody J. Stewart (D)

Unexpired Term Ending 12/31/2026

F Lisa Forbes (D)

F Daniel R. Hawkins (R)

OHIO STATE SENATE

District 8

F Louis Blessing III (R)

F Timothy S. Hogan (D)

OHIO STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

District 26

F John Breadon (R)

F Sedrick Denson (D)

District 27

F Rachel Baker (D)

F Curt Hartman (R)

District 28

F Karen Brownlee (D)

F Jenn Giruoux (R)

F Regina Collins (Write-In)

District 29

F Cindy Abrams (R)

F Joseph Alan Salvato (D)

District 30

F Stefanie Hawk (D)

F Mike Odioso (R)

District 25

F Jim Berns (R)

F Cecil Thomas (D)

District 24

F Dani Isaacsohn (D)

F John Sess (R)

HAMILTON COUNTY

COMMISSIONER

Hamilton County

Commissioner Term

Beginning 1/2/2025

F Kyle Dupler (L)

F Jonathan Pearson (R)

F Alicia Reece (D)

Hamilton County

Commissioner 1/3/2025

F Denise Driehaus (D)

F Adam Koehler (R)

F Leandro A Llambi (L)

HAMILTON COUNTY AUDITOR

F Tom Brinkman (R)

F Jessica E. Miranda (D)

HAMILTON COUNTY APPELLATE COURT JUDGE

Hamilton County Court of Appeals Judge (District 1) - Term

Beginning 2/9/25

F Sean M. Donovan (R)

F Terry Nestor (D)

Hamilton County Court of Appeals Judge (District 1) - Term

Beginning 2/11/25

F Candace Crouse (D)

F M. Elizabeth Polston (R)

Hamilton County Court of Appeals Judge (District 1) - Term

Beginning 2/12/25

F Robert A. Goering (R)

F Rich Moore (D)

Hamilton County Court of Appeals Judge (District 1) - Term

Beginning 2/10/25

F Stacy Lefton (R)

F Marilyn Zayas (D)

HAMILTON COUNTY

COMMON PLEAS JUDGE

Hamilton County Court of Common PleasGeneral Division - Term

beginning 4/1/2025

Vote for no more than two (2).

F Leslie Ghiz

F Chris Lipps

F Bernard Mundy

F Virginia Tallent

F Robert C. Winkler

Hamilton County Court of Common PleasGeneral Division - Term

Beginning 1/1/2025

F Katie Casch

F Steve Simon

HAMILTON COUNTY

PROSECUTOR

F Connie Pillich (D)

F Melissa Powers (R)

HAMILTON COUNTY CLERK OF COURTS

F Mary Hill (R)

F Andrew Olding (L)

F Pavan V. Parikh (D)

F HAMILTON COUNTY SHERIFF

F Charmaine McGuffey (D)

F Jim Neil (R)

HAMILTON COUNTY RECORDER

F Scott Crowley (D)

F David W. Heimbach (R)

HAMILTON COUNTY

TREASURER

F Jeff Baker (R)

F Jill Schiller (D)

HAMILTON COUNTY ENGINEER

F Eric J. Beck (R)

HAMILTON COUNTY CORONER

F Lakshmi Kode Sammarco (D)

ISSUES

1 PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

F YES F NO

34 PROPOSED TAX LEVY (RENEWAL) HAMILTON COUNTY

F FOR THE TAX LEVY

F AGAINST THE TAX LEVY

35 PROPOSED TAX LEVY (RENEWAL) HAMILTON COUNTY

F FOR THE TAX LEVY

F AGAINST THE TAX LEVY

YOUR LOCAL ISSUES

ARTS & CULTURE

Are You Listening?

Cincinnati-native author wants people to read American Teenager before election day

BY JONATHAN KEILHOLZ

Cincinnati-native author wants people to read American Teenager before election day

BY JONATHAN KEILHOLZ

AAn award-winning author is preparing for a homecoming of sorts later this month, with the wellbeing of America’s LGBTQ+ youth top of mind. Nico Lang is set to return to their hometown of Cincinnati to help launch their new book, American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era. But the book signing event won’t be about Lang — it will be about eight trans and nonbinary teenagers in America, with the book signing less than two weeks before the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.

n award-winning author is preparing for a homecoming of sorts later this month, with the wellbeing of America’s LGBTQ+ youth top of mind. Nico Lang is set to return to their hometown of Cincinnati to help launch their new book, American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era. But the book signing event won’t be about Lang — it will be about eight trans and nonbinary teenagers in America, with the book signing less than two weeks before the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election.

“There’s a reason that this book is being released in October and not released in June,” Lang told me over the phone as they embarked on this strategically timed book tour. “June is LGBT+ Pride Month, but I thought it was more important to make the connection to the election really explicit. The election will determine the ability of these kids to continue living their lives.”

Lang pointed to the policies of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has vowed to punish doctors and hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors. Some reporting suggests Trump is proposing an all-out national ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

“A lot of families [already] feel like they have to move in order to make sure that their kids can get the resources that they need,” Lang said, echoing a story Ohio Capital Journal shared last month of an Ohio family that moved to New York. “But if that happens in 50 states, nowhere is really safe in the U.S. So many families are thinking about fleeing the country, and have already looked at like, ‘What would I need to move abroad? Where can I go that will be safe for my family?’ No family should have to do this. No kid should be forced to flee their country in order to live their lives. And yet, that’s happening.”

of anti-trans legislation, perhaps most notably the gender-affirming care ban (House Bill 68) which was vetoed by Gov. Mike DeWine before the veto was overridden by the Senate. The American Civil Liberties Union sued, and in August, a judge ruled against the ACLU’s challenge. The plaintiffs are appealing, but at this point the bill is law. Separately, a transgender bathroom ban bill (House Bill 183) was most recently tacked onto a Senate bill regarding the College Credit Plus program (Senate Bill 104), which is still waiting to be passed by the House.

Lang said this is not unique to Ohio — it’s happening all over the country.

don’t see themselves as a traditional journalist.

“I’m a little funny and weird and idiosyncratic,” Lang said. “We make jokes, we’re just like people together in the conversation, and I think that allows people to let their guard down a little bit and just be a human with me for a second. Through that, not only do I think you get better material, but you form these really long-standing relationships with people. So, when I started reaching out to the community to write this book, because I had this idea in mind, I didn’t really get a lot of resistance. They knew who I was, and they knew that I would take care of them.”

Lang said this is not unique to Ohio — it’s happening all over the country.

“It’s literally a copy and paste version of the same bill,” Lang said. “You have conservative consortiums that shop this legislation to lawmakers in every single state across the country. This year, of the more than 650 bills targeting trans people, they were introduced in almost every single U.S. state, no matter how liberal.”

Which is why, before putting pen to paper, Lang spent time visiting eight families across the nation — from deep blue California to ruby red Texas — with access that was carefully curated.

In recent years, the Ohio Statehouse has seen numerous iterations

Which is why, before putting pen to paper, Lang spent time visiting eight families across the nation — from deep blue California to ruby red Texas — with access that was carefully curated.

“When it comes to telling the stories of trans youth, I’ve been doing that for eight

years, and I know a lot of these families really well,” Lang said. “So many of these parents had to become really guarded because of bad experiences that they’ve had with the media. You can only watch your kids be misgendered so many times or dead-named so many times before you just stop engaging. I’ve built up a certain amount of trust and credibility that not a lot of other reporters have.” That trust and credibility led to hundreds of hours of face-to-face conversations between Lang and eight teenagers who are the pillars of this novel. The stories of Wyatt, Rhydian, Mykah, Clint, Ruby, Augie, Jack and Kylie go beyond the often broad stroke approach of the media and capture the intricacies and complexities of growing up trans. No one story is the same. No one teenager is the same. And by offering nuance and allowing the subjects to propel the narrative, Lang reminds us these young people are just young people, trying to live their lives as their fully authentic, healthy selves. This humanizing approach aims to take the fear out of the trans conversation, and — Lang hopes — replace it with empathy.

That trust and credibility led to hundreds of hours of face-to-face conversations between Lang and eight teenagers who are the pillars of this novel. The stories of Wyatt, Rhydian, Mykah, Clint, Ruby, Augie, Jack and Kylie go beyond the often broad stroke approach of the media and capture the intricacies and complexities of growing up trans. No one story is the same. No one teenager is the same. And by offering nuance and allowing the subjects to propel the narrative, Lang reminds us these young people are just young people, trying to live their lives as their fully authentic, healthy selves. This humanizing approach aims to take the fear out of the trans conversation, and — Lang hopes — replace it with empathy.

Although Lang has been featured in numerous news outlets — ranging from Rolling Stone and The New York Times to VICE and NBC News — they

For Lang, change begins with ensuring the proper voices are being heard: the trans youth whose lives are on the line, not lawmakers who can be quick to hide behind special interest groups.

“The biggest problem with the conversation right now is that we don’t actually include trans kids,” Lang said. “Trans kids should be leading the conversation of their own lives. They’re silenced and marginalized in that conversation. People don’t let them speak and don’t want to hear from them. I hope this book is a reminder of the stakes for people. If you read this and it moves you, you know what to do. You know how to fight. For these kids, there’s a really easy way to do it, and you can do it on Nov. 5.”

Lang will have notable company at the book signing event: Jim Obergefell, a Sandusky native and civil rights activist who was the lead plaintiff in the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges. This ruling legalized same-sex marriage throughout the United States.

Nico Lang in conversation with Jim Obergefell discussing and signing American Teenager: How Trans Kids Are Surviving Hate and Finding Joy in a Turbulent Era takes place on Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. More info: josephbeth.com.

American Teenager author Nico Lang PHOTO: PROVIDED BY NICO LANG

ONSTAGE

AACCM Revels in the Sage Wisdom of In The Green

BY NOAH MOORE

CCM Revels in the Sage Wisdom of In The Green

BY NOAH MOORE

s the leaves turn auburn, signaling the arrival of fall, the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) prepares to unveil a vibrant new chapter in its artistic journey. Premiering on Oct. 10, the regional debut of the musical In the Green marked not only the start of the 2024-2025 season but also a poignant reunion of creative spirits. With a powerful narrative woven through the life of 12th-century mystic Hildegard von Bingen, this production promises an exploration of femininity, trauma and the enduring quest for growth.

The story of this production dates back to 2015 when actress and multihyphenate Grace McLean first worked alongside now-CCM professor Rachel Stevens. The two collaborated in Boston on Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, a new musical that eventually premiered on Broadway to critical acclaim. Through Stevens’ role as the assistant director, she came to know McLean, who played Marya.

“I’ve always been a big fan of Grace as an individual, a big fan of her as an artist and her work,” said Stevens, director of In The Green.

Flash forward to 2018, and McLean was commissioned by The Lincoln Center to write a new musical, which she named In The Green. The story, spanning 30 years, details the life of St. Hildegard van Bingen with a score, lyrics and book by McLean, who also starred as Hildegard’s mentor, Jutta von Sponheim. Locked in a cloister’s cell, Hildegard and Jutta have committed to a life not unlike a dead person, secluded from the world due to a “preternatural sensitivity.”

The show’s plot dates back to a reallife German abbess from the 12th century who, after succumbing to visions, was locked within the monastery with Jutta, who served as a mother figure to her. Jutta worked to educate Hildegard, and, eventually, the latter became a renowned composer of monophony, or a single melody line sans harmony. Through this journey, the characters move through trauma and experience growth, much like the green foliage from which the show’s name derives.

“(Hildegard) is an exorcist and really was one of the most, like, prolific women of the feudal era and continues to be, like, really well renowned,” Stevens said. “There is this propensity for growth and greening because she was a Catholic mysticist, and everything was really related to nature. The entire story is these two women going

University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music

PHOTO: PROVIDED

into the green and finding what’s on the other side.”

Through McLean’s residency at Lincoln Center, In the Green was commissioned to premiere off-Broadway in 2019. It opened its two-month run to rave reviews, earning six Lucille Lortel Award nominations and a win for McLean as leading actress in 2020. In the years since, McLean has appeared twice on Broadway, in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bad Cinderella and the recent Tony-winning musical Suffs. The journey finally culminates as Cincinnati receives the regional premiere of In the Green at CCM.

The show is no Oklahoma, and it doesn’t try to be. In her second year as a professor of musical theater, Stevens sees McLean’s one-act musical as a challenge, but one not without benefits. The intriguing musical composition and niche storytelling convinced her to stage the musical, challenging her students while providing an allfemale space for its process.

“The show is this really inclusive exploration of just what femininity is, and that has been incredibly gratifying,” said Stevens. “We chose this show because it could showcase femmeidentifying students and really explore

a different perspective on musical theater.”

The cast is fully comprised of female-identifying students, playing roles that range from Hildegard and Jutta to Hildegard’s inner thoughts through the use of puppetry. The fact that the show was conceived, written and directed by women is not its only achievement; it also features textured instrumentation that heavily relies on human voices.

“One thing Grace always focuses on is the voice as an instrument. In this, folks have to harmonize with themselves.” Stevens said. “The orchestration of an entire song is one person’s voice that’s sort of layered on top, which is really cool.”

There will be live looping, self-harmonies and, most interestingly, guttural noise-making, all in the name of this show’s creative journey. The musical arrangements echo Hildegard’s own compositions, and, in Stevens’ words, “create a space with permission to express what (women) suppress.”

“In musical theater, our femme humans don’t often get the opportunity to not sing pretty,” she said, remarking on the show’s broad vocal range. “It sounds like it’s of the ancestors, just

like coming from a primordial space. And I think just tapping into that part of our psyche and our spirit is really beneficial.”

The show is CCM’s first musical of the academic year, presented in the intimate Cohen Family Studio Theater and running for two weekends — Oct. 10-12 and 17-19. The show contains references to death, miscarriage and sexual assault, and runs 90 minutes with no intermission. Following this production is Wonderful Town, the classic Broadway comedy from November 21-23, Seussical, the Dr. Seuss-inspired musical at the Carnegie in January, and finishing with the rock musical Hair at CCM in the spring.

As for the show’s intriguing premise, Stevens notes that audiences can expect a blend of drama and comedy, but more than anything, “an experience like they haven’t had before. I hope that they walk away able to explore all facets of who we are, and that it’s the human experience to go through trauma.”

In the Green will be performed by the University of Cincinnati’s CollegeConservatory of Music at the Cohen Family Studio Theater on Oct. 17-19. More info: ccm.uc.edu.

University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music

PHOTO: PROVIDED

FOOD & DRINK

Fruits of Her Labor

New Findlay Market restaurant Juniper Seed aims to address gaps in local vegan dining

BY CAROLINE BECKMAN

It is said that necessity is the mother of invention, and one of Findlay Market’s newest addition, Juniper Seed, is living proof of that. The business was created by a vegan to address gaps in the vegan food market and bring accessible, nourishing and delicious plant-based food to customers.

Juniper Seed’s storefront at Findlay Market opened on Sept. 6 at 1809 Elm St. as a member of the Findlay Launch Storefront Accelerator program. The Findlay Launch program primarily focuses on women-, BIPOC- (Black, Indigenous and Person of Color) and immigrant-owned businesses and aims to diversify the Cincinnati food scene and promote small businesses. A first of its kind in the region, the residency-based program provides a nine-week course on aspects of running a business, such as branding, equipment, mentorship and industry connections, the space for a business to find its niche and a 15-month lease in a storefront.

Juniper Seed initially opened

in 2022 as a fully vegan meal prep delivery service (which is still operating) as a solution to the often prepheavy nature of creating vegan meals at home, but the goal was always to open up a brick-and-mortar store and be the first fully-vegan brunch service in the Cincinnati area. Findlay Launch was an essential part of that journey. Owner and founder Alecia Petroze found the process of integrating into the Findlay community easy, as she had already pulled produce from ETC Produce & Provisions and had a relationship with the owner of Harmony Plant Fare. She also had a deep personal connection to Findlay Market, as she and her 15-year-old daughter have both been going there since childhood.

Though options are more varied and plentiful than they once were, anyone with a dietary consideration of any kind (such as this author, a lifelong vegetarian) knows the feeling of reading a restaurant’s menu and seeing only a small handful of viable options, if any at all. Petroze is no different; she

went vegan five years ago in an effort to lessen her carbon footprint and make a positive impact on the world and the environment. Though she said she “went all in and haven’t looked back since,” she quickly realized that good, varied vegan breakfast options were harder to find than options for lunch and dinner. This was a problem because breakfast is Petroze’s favorite meal. Juniper Seed is Petroze’s way of being the change she wished to see in the world.

“Typically at most places, you’re going to find a tofu scramble or an avocado toast, but really anything outside of that is not in the mainstream,” Petroze said. “I want to be able to provide options for people like me, so that way they’re not limited to one or two things.”

Everything at Juniper Seed is vegan, so anyone with a vegetarian, vegan or dairy-free diet can order any item off the menu. Any dish that is not inherently gluten-free has a glutenfree option. The offerings at Juniper Seed include breakfast options, such

as Belgian waffles; vegan goetta; breakfast burritos with tofu scramble and Impossible sausage; grab-and-go options such as a kale Caesar salad and vegan cheesecake; and staple side dishes like buttered toast, fresh fruit and party potatoes (which this author highly recommends). The party potatoes, Petroze’s favorite menu option, are a riff on her aunt’s recipe for funeral potatoes, a cheesy potato casserole well-known in Utah and the Midwest. (She calls them “party potatoes” because parties are more fun than funerals.)

“When I first went vegan, I was like, ‘I cannot go the rest of my life without eating those,’ so I had to learn how to make them,” Petroze said. Juniper Seed’s party potatoes are made with chao cheese (a fermented tofu-based vegan cheese), a cashew-based cream, hash browns and a cornflake topping. In addition to being the owner, Petroze is the recipe developer for Juniper Seed. As cooking and developing recipes have always been things that she enjoyed, that aspect of

Juniper Seed brunch items

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY FINDLAY MARKET

creating Juniper Seed was a challenge easily accepted and one of the most exciting parts of going vegan.

“I have always enjoyed cooking and testing out new recipes at home, so the transition was fairly easy for me,” Petroze said. “Initially, there were some challenges finding good substitutes for how I was used to cooking, and my options at restaurants were limited, but the market has changed tremendously in the last five years.”

In addition to accessibility, sustainability and affordability, community is a primary focus of Juniper Seed. Local collaborators include Mad Cheese, Farmer Nate’s Hot Sauce, McGlasson Farm, Sixteen Bricks, Rose Hill Farm, Fox Tail Farm and others. Even the furniture in the restaurant is made locally by Cincinnati Wood Collaborative. One notable collaboration is the exclusive pistachio lavender cheesecake, developed between Juniper Seed and Love Thy Desserts.

“I told her my vision, and she somehow created the flavor profile that I had in my brain, which is awesome,” Petroze said.

Juniper Seed also aims to give back to the community that is so important to her. One way of giving back is the “Just Eat” wall. Customers can buy a card and pin it to a corkboard on the wall. Anyone can take a card off that corkboard and redeem it for one breakfast burrito.

“I’d say, for me, it’s really being able to nourish the community through my food,” Petroze said. “I love to cook and I love to serve people, and I love to have the opportunity to provide accessible options.”

Currently, Juniper Seed is open Thursday-Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., with plans to expand hours in the coming months.

Juniper Seed, 1809 Elm St., Overthe-Rhine. More info: juniperseed.net.

Juniper Seed owner Alecia Petroze

PHOTO: PROVIDED BY FINDLAY MARKET

Food & Dining Bites

The latest food & dining stories in Greater Cincinnati

The latest food & dining stories in Greater Cincinnati BY CITYBEAT STAFF EATS

BY CITYBEAT STAFF

Walnut Hills’ The Aperture Makes New York Times’ Best Restaurants List

Asianati Releases List of Food Vendors for BLINK Night Market

BY KATHERINE BARRIER

Asianati Releases List of Food Vendors for BLINK Night Market

BY KATHERINE BARRIER

Walnut Hills’ The Aperture

BY KATHERINE BARRIER

AACincinnati restaurant is getting some national love after it was selected as one of 50 of the best restaurants in America right now, according to the New York Times

Cincinnati restaurant is getting some national love after it was selected as one of 50 of the best restaurants in America right now, according to the New York Times

For the NYT’s annual “The Restaurant List,” reporters and editors travel to nearly every state over the course of a year to scout restaurants. One of Cincinnati’s newest restaurants, The Aperture in Walnut Hills, landed on this year’s list.

“This year, it was about spaces as much as places,” writes Brian Gallagher for the NYT. “As always, there were no-brainers and tough choices — the United States has a vast, diverse spread of great restaurants these days — but these are our 50 favorites for 2024.”

Makes

New York Times’ Best Restaurants List

AAsianati has announced its food vendor lineup for its Night Market activation at BLINK 2024.

sianati has announced its food vendor lineup for its Night Market activation at BLINK 2024.

The BLINK fan-favorite Asianati Night Market promises to once again bring tons of delicious food vendors, art installations, experiences and games to downtown Cincinnati for the immersive art and light festival this October. The activation will set up on Court Street Plaza from 5-11 p.m. for the duration of the festival, Oct. 17-20. Organizers say the popular attraction is expanding this year after seeing over 540,000 attendees at BLINK in 2022.

The Aperture, helmed by chef and owner Jordan Anthony-Brown, opened in Walnut Hills’ Paramount Square in January 2024, enriching the up-andcoming neighborhood with a Mediterranean-inspired menu that focuses on three pillars: intention, balance and focus. The menu isn’t divided into the traditional appetizers/salads/entrées form; instead, it flows from lighter to more substantial dishes, beginning with items that pair well with cocktails and moving onto interesting vegetable preps, pastas and seafood. NYT had this to say about the restaurant: “The restaurant’s regulars already have favorite bartenders and go-to orders like glazed hamachi collar, pita dips built from roasted vegetables, and

“The restaurant’s regulars already have favorite bartenders and go-to orders like glazed hamachi collar, pita dips built from roasted vegetables, and

tomato spaghetti swirled with candied chiles — stars on a menu that reflects the kitchen’s firm grasp of Mediterranean cuisine, particularly its eastern rim,” write Brett Anderson.

“There’s a massive range of emotions that come with an honor like this being bestowed upon your team and the work that you’ve done, but they all can be consolidated into one word - gratitude,” Anthony-Brown shared on Instagram the week following The Restaurant List’s release. “I’m grateful for it all - the easy days and the hard ones. The smooth services and the rough ones. The good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s only through managing and

Gotham-Style Con Pop-Up Bar Coming to Cincinnati

enduring that pendulum that enables us to remain steadfast in our identity and make the most of the opportunity that’s been presented to us. I’ve always said that this is truly an opportunitynothing more, nothing less; what we do with that opportunity, is up to us. And it appears that, thanks to the @ nytimes, we’ve done pretty well with that opportunity so far.”

The Aperture is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and you can make a reservation on OpenTable.

For more information about The Aperture, visit theaperturecinci.com.

On Tuesday, Asianati, which also created the Asian Food Fest, announced 14 food vendors will be part of this year’s Night Market, offering a variety of authentic street food from across Asian cultures. The lineup includes 11 local Asian restaurants and three pop-up vendors, all of which will offer one-day specials ranging from skewers and dumplings to boba tea:

• BentOn

• Boba Cha

• BentOn

• Bridges Nepali Cuisine

• Boba Cha

• Café Mochiko (Sunday only)

• Bridges Nepali Cuisine

• Chino’s Street Food

• Café Mochiko (Sunday only)

• Chino’s Street Food

• Evolve Bake+Shop (Saturday only)

• Gabriela Filipina Kantina (Friday only)

• Evolve Bake+Shop (Saturday only)

• Hawkers Alley

• Gabriela Filipina Kantina (Friday only)

• Pho Lang Thang

• Hawkers Alley

• Queens Bakery

• Pho Lang Thang

• Stone Bowl Restaurant

• Queens Bakery

• Tea N Bowl

• Stone Bowl Restaurant

• Thai Express

• Tea N Bowl

• Tikka Xpress

• Thai Express

• Tikka Xpress

Gotham-Style Con Pop-Up Bar Coming to Cincinnati

BY ASHLEY MOOR

AAbrand new pop-up experience coming to The Banks will be bringing your favorite comic book anti-heroes and villains to life.

brand new pop-up experience coming to The Banks will be bringing your favorite comic book anti-heroes and villains to life.

During the last two weekends in October, Mischief & Mayhem, a Gotham-style Cincy Con Pop-Up Bar, will be taking over the Roebling Event Center.

The Roebling Event Center will be transformed into “a gritty urban nightlife” scene with plenty of photo opportunities, light shows, interactive DJ sets, a dance floor and live characters. In between dance sessions, guests can also test their knowledge of comic book villains during trivia battles inspired by “a certain Clown

Prince of Crime,” according to a press release.

Quench your thirst for justice with themed cocktails, wine, beer and energy drinks, or fuel up for your next hero’s journey with a build-your-own cheese coney hotdog bar and a walking taco bar.

Be sure to dress up as your favorite comic book villain (or hero) for a chance to win prizes during the costume contest.

“This isn’t just a pop-up bar — it’s an all-out thematic takeover of the city’s nightlife,” the press release says.

“Grab your friends, embrace your alter ego, and dive headfirst into a night of games, cosplay, and dance as the line between hero and villain

blurs in the most epic way possible.”

The Mischief & Mayhem pop-up events take place Oct. 17-20 (BLINK weekend) and Oct. 25-26 (Halloween weekend) from 6 p.m.-midnight each day.

Tickets are $10 at the door. VIP tickets are $35 and include two themed drinks, VIP access to a 360photo booth and exclusive entry privileges.

The Roebling Event Center is adjacent to the Moerlein Lager House in Smale Riverfront Park on the Schmidlapp Event Lawn and Stage.

For more information about the Mischief & Mayhem pop-up, visit roeblingeventcenter.com.

“We’re thrilled to bring the vibrant flavors of Asia to the heart of Cincinnati through the Asianati Night Market,” JP Leong, senior culinary curator at Asianati Night Market, said in a press release. “With 14 incredible food vendors offering authentic street dishes, this is a culinary experience you won’t want to miss. Whether you’re a foodie or just curious, the market will transport your taste buds straight to the streets of Asia. Come hungry and fuel up before BLINK!”

In addition to bringing more food vendors, art installations and family-friendly games, Asianati will also host a Cosplay Contest presented by Tokyo Kitty as part of its BLINK involvement. The contest will take place at Court Street Plaza on the first night of BLINK, Thursday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m. Competitors will dress up as their favorite characters for the chance to win $300 in gift cards to Tokyo Kitty, and the contest will feature celebrity judges.

You can see more information about Asianati’s Night Market, including menus at asianati.com.

Learn more about BLINK at blinkcincinnati.com.

The Aperture PHOTO: AIDAN MAHONEY

MUSIC

Cincinnati Musician

Tony! Breaks Down Latest Release nightmare

RADIO*

Cincinnati Musician Tony! Breaks Down Latest Release nightmare RADIO*

Artist and producer Tony LeRoy, simply known as Tony!, dives into his latest album in this CityBeat exclusive.

BY BEN MARS

Artist and producer Tony LeRoy, simply known as Tony!, dives into his latest album in this CityBeat exclusive.

BY BEN MARS

CCrisp autumn air flows through your window, bringing the cold silence of the witching hour. Not even the low rumble of I-75 can comfort you as you toss and turn, searching for the peace to fall asleep finally. With no relief in sight, you turn to your radio to settle your loneliness. Switching through stations, you’re jolted out of your insomnia-driven trace. A howl rings through the speaker, and the music transports you into the world of nightmare RADIO*. Artist and producer Tony LeRoy, simply known as Tony!, dives into his latest album in this CityBeat exclusive.

risp autumn air flows through your window, bringing the cold silence of the witching hour. Not even the low rumble of I-75 can comfort you as you toss and turn, searching for the peace to fall asleep finally. With no relief in sight, you turn to your radio to settle your loneliness. Switching through stations, you’re jolted out of your insomnia-driven trace. A howl rings through the speaker, and the music transports you into the world of nightmare RADIO* Artist and producer Tony LeRoy, simply known as Tony!, dives into his latest album in this CityBeat exclusive.

Raised in Florence, Kentucky, Tony!’s exposure to music came from humble beginnings. Like many kids, Tony! found his love for music through his parents’ CDs and the music around him. This love of music followed him throughout his life, and it was only a matter of time before he started to make his own songs. He started his musical journey in second grade and continued to hone his writing skills until finally making the jump into crafting his own sound. Despite the fear of rejection, he committed wholeheartedly to his first singles.

“My freshman year of high school, Frank Ocean released Nostalgia, Ultra, and it inspired me so much that I felt that I had to start releasing music. I knew some people wouldn’t take me seriously because there wasn’t a soul putting music out in Florence, but I also knew I was good at rapping because I had been writing for almost 10 years at that point.

So I put three songs on SoundCloud and people loved them, and I went on to put stuff out throughout high school.”

After a brief hiatus after graduation, he made a serious return to his craft. In 2018, Tony! began producing his own beats and started to get serious about releasing music and making it accessible on streaming services. Through this process, he started to engross himself in the scene by collaborating with local artists.

“After working with them, I became more acquainted with those in the Cincy scene, and I’ve been locked in with everybody since I’m still constantly meeting new talented people,” Tony! said. “My goal is to work with everybody in the city in some capacity.”

Since then, he has released three LPs and a multitude of singles and EPs. After about a year of preparation, on July 19, fans were delighted to finally hear the enigma of nightmare RADIO*. Reflecting on his evolution as an artist, Tony! shared how his creative process has transformed, especially after stepping into music production.

“I think when I started, I wanted to be the best rapper in a technical sense,” Tony! told CityBeat. “I didn’t make beats at the time, so all of my creative energy was going into songwriting. And looking back on it, I think I was doing too much lyrically at times. Once I started to make beats, I was expressing myself so much through the production that I didn’t feel the need to say as much. Don’t get me wrong, I can still rap my ass off and will. But I’ve developed better judgment as far as deciding whether or not it’s needed for a particular song.”

This focus on the production of each song is apparent through the seamless transitions between songs and his knack for collaboration. “Usually, when I’m

reference the nightclubs in Blade and The Matrix as the inspiration, and I think seeing those movies when I was younger planted the seed subconsciously.”

reference the nightclubs in Blade and The Matrix as the inspiration, and I think seeing those movies when I was younger planted the seed subconsciously.” Crafting an album of your dreams isn’t without its struggles. Balancing his vision and the expectations of the music market crafted the overall experience of nightmare RADIO*. “My biggest challenge was figuring out how to balance experimentation and accessibility. Initially, the album was extremely left-field. It sounded something along the lines of Arca or Sophie with more hip-hop elements. But I felt like it sounded too much like Yeezus, so I dialed it back and ended up making something that was easier to listen to. I still plan on executing that initial vision in the future though.”

Crafting an album of your dreams isn’t without its struggles. Balancing his vision and the expectations of the music market crafted the overall experience of nightmare RADIO*. “My biggest challenge was figuring out how to balance experimentation and accessibility. Initially, the album was extremely left-field. It sounded something along the lines of Arca or Sophie with more hip-hop elements. But I felt like it sounded too much like Yeezus, so I dialed it back and ended up making something that was easier to listen to. I still plan on executing that initial vision in the future though.”

making the beat, I’m already starting to think about which one of the homies would fit on it, and how their voices sound is usually the deciding factor,” Tony! said. “Being open-minded is another one. I’m going to try to get you out of your comfort zone and get you on styles of music you’ve never been on before, so you’ve got to be willing to take risks. Lucky for me, there are tons of super talented musicians here in Cincy.”

His discography reflects these risks, evolving from warm, organic sounds to more synthetic, experimental tones. As he describes it, “The best way I can put it is that this album sounds much more metallic than my past works. ALLSTAR had a lot of organic sounds — a lot of live drum breaks, brass/woodwind instruments, electric basslines, etc. — while nightmare RADIO* is way more synthetic. One feels warm and the other feels cold.” nightmare RADIO* wasn’t conceived on a whim — this album had been brewing long before Tony made his first song.

Known for his introspective lyrics, nightmare RADIO* pivots into experimentation. When asked if any life events inspired the content of nightmare RADIO*, he recalls the inception of his album. “Yes and no. With this project, I wanted to lean into escapism so there are not too many instances of looking within or reflecting on life experiences. But at the same time, the theme and aesthetic for this project have been brewing since I was a kid. I’ve been crafting hypothetical albums before I ever started recording. In middle school, I would write notebooks full of tracklists with notes on how the production would sound and what features I would have. One of the concepts I came up with a while back was this industrial, futuristic version of club music, and it turned into nightmare RADIO*. I always

Although it may not be an exact replica of its original concept, the album still holds the same meaning to him. Tony! points to “prollemz!,” where he collaborated with fellow local artist Nova, as a prime example of how the project evolved during its creation. “Big shout out to Nova for making that with me. When we started on the song we joked a lot about how it sounded Ray J and B2K coded. But we quickly realized how much potential the song had…I revisited the song months later, added everything after the rap verse, and it just felt like one of the most complete songs I ever made. It’s constantly progressing from start to finish. It’s catchy and experimental, but it’s still accessible. I’m very proud of that one.” nightmare RADIO* will be one of the standout albums amongst his work. While it paints just a small portion of his work, when asked how he hopes this album will shape his legacy as an artist, he reiterates the importance of diversifying his discography.

nightmare RADIO* will be one of the standout albums amongst his work. While it paints just a small portion of his work, when asked how he hopes this album will shape his legacy as an artist, he reiterates the importance of diversifying his discography.

“My goal is to have one of those discographies that nobody can agree on. If you ask a bunch of Prince fans what his best album is, you’re going to get a million different answers. So, not to downplay the album, but I want it to be a small (but loved) part of a bigger collection of ideas. And if it has its own little audience of people who view it as my best work, then hell yeah. But we’re so early in my story that it’s hard to say.”

As listeners journey through nightmare RADIO*, they are immersed in a blend of intensity and introspection, feeling the darkness and energy Tony! brings to his music. The album’s layered emotions make it feel like an experience that lingers long after the last track. When asked to reflect on the emotions captured in the album, Tony! compares the experience to a vivid recurring dream: “Probably that combination of fear and excitement. Like riding a rollercoaster or going to a haunted house. The thrill of being in danger.”

You can find nightmare RADIO* on Spotify and Apple Music.

Tony! PHOTO: TONY!

Tony!

PHOTO: TONY!

SOUND ADVICE

JUDY COLLINS

Oct. 23 • Memorial Hall

Every decade since the 1960s, folk/ pop singer Judy Collins has released at least one album. In fact, she’s released more than 60 albums during her career, including 36 studio albums. In 1961 she released her first record, A Maid of Constant Sorrow However, she’s best known for the Joni Mitchell-penned “Both Sides Now” — which won Collins her first and only Grammy in 1969 — the Stephen Sondheim song “Send In the Clowns,” from the musical A Little Night Music, her best-selling album Judith, released in 1975 and her cover of “Amazing Grace.”

Like many folk singers of the ’60s, Collins began her career covering Bob Dylan and Pete Seeger protest songs. She recorded Leonard Cohen’s music before he became a household name.

a wealth of varied material, activism and grace to the world. Collins offers something for everyone — including her divergent cover of Yazoo’s synthy ‘80s song “Only You.”

Judy Collins plays Memorial Hall on Oct. 23 at 8 p.m. More info: memorialhallotr.com. (Garin Pirnia)

RICHARD LLOYD

A lifelong activist, Collins testified in 1969 at the infamous Chicago Seven trial, and was ahead of her time in supporting abortion rights. Besides singing, she’s also an actress, a director (in 1974 she and co-director Jill Godmilow received an Oscar nomination for directing the documentary Antonia: A Portrait of the Woman), a podcast host and a memoirist. At 85 years young, Collins is still touring and releasing albums. In 2019, she finally had her first number one album, Winter Stories. A duet album, it saw her collaborating with Norwegian musician Jonas Fjeld. In 2022, her first album of only original material, Spellbound, came out, and it received a Grammy nomination for Best Folk Album. Even though Collins isn’t known to younger generations the way fellow folk artists like Mitchell and Dylan are, she has contributed

Oct. 23 • MOTR Pub

Richard Lloyd, innovative and influential guitar player and founding member of essential punk band Television, will perform at MOTR Pub on Oct. 23.

Lloyd grew up in New York City, associating with the biggest rock and roll acts of the ‘60s and ‘70s in his teen years, hanging around concert halls and learning what it means to be a musician.

By 1973 he had joined with guitarist and vocalist Tom Verlaine to form Television alongside bassist Richard Hell and drummer Billy Ficca during a time in the New York rock scene that would become the first generation of punk. The band played regularly at the newly-opened CBGB at the center of the new movement, where they would find a following. Hell left the band and formed The Heartbreakers

with Johnny Thunders of New York Dolls, and later Richard Hell and the Voidoids, but was replaced by Fred Smith before the The Heartbreakers’ debut record.

Television’s Marquee Moon was released in early 1977 and is widely recognized as one of greatest rock and roll records of all time and a high point in punk. While retaining the raw edge and energy of the new world they grew out of, Lloyd and Verlaine’s intricately interlocking guitar parts on songs like “Elevation” and title track “Marquee Moon,” along with the band’s orchestrated structures — that owe more to jazz or the great rock bands than the frenetic energy of punk — became a new standard that has never quite been repeated. The band followed with Adventure (1978), but soon broke up. Lloyd went on solo with Alchemy in 1979. He’s also done session work for Jon Doe of L.A. punk band X, Matthew Sweet, including work on his cult favorite album Girlfriend and a reformed Rocket from the Tombs, among others in addition to production work.

Lloyd’s 2017 book Everything Is Combustible: Television, CBGB’s and Five Decades of Rock and Roll: The Memoirs of an Alchemical Guitarist tells his story.

Judy Collins

PHOTO : PUBLIC DOMAIN

Richard Lloyd

PHOTO: BOBBY GROSSMAN

Richard Lloyd plays MOTR Pub on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. Info: motrpub.com. (Brent Stroud)

GIRL GORDON

Oct. 25 • MOTR Pub

On Oct. 25, musical powerhouse Girl Gordon will be presenting the secondannual Ghoul Gala at MOTR Pub in Over-the-Rhine. Decked out in Halloween attire, this local quartet will fill the room with their aggressive and melodic original songs, shaking the foundations of one of Cincy’s favorite venues.

In 2022, Jerika Hayes (bass), Hannah Blanchette (guitar), Patrick Mitchell (guitar) and Cory Linman (drums), met while attending the University of Cincinnati and decided to form Girl Gordon as a way to help relieve some of the stresses of university life. Then, in 2023, the band began playing live shows in and around the Cincinnati area. It was during this time that their focus began to shift in another direction.

“We realized the band was becoming something more than just a hobby meant to blow off steam,” Girl Gordon tells CityBeat. When it became clear to the band members that Girl Gordon was evolving into something more, they turned their attention towards writing their own material.

In 2024, the band released their first collection of original songs, an EP entitled “Corruptor.” From the opening track, “Corruptor,” with its wails of feedback, to the EP’s atmospheric and heartfelt finale, “Blood’s Dried,”

Girl Gordon takes the listener on a multifaceted journey that is designed to keep the listener engaged. Songs like the straightforward, upbeat rocker, “Peripheral Heaven,” the introspective

and noise-fueled “The Need,” the punk-inspired “Great American Speeches” and grungy “Chicago Gyros and Dogs 2” all make for an epic and deeply personal story worth hearing.

Recorded in the Girl Gordon basement by Linman, the group embraced the luxuries of limitless time and freedom not found in a professional studio, and in doing so felt their relaxed, DIY approach helped them develop the songs in a more organic and rewarding manner.

Girl Gordon, with soaring vocals, wielding their various Fender and Gibson guitars bathed in distortion and delay, all propelled forward by powerful Gretsch drums, will fill MOTR Pub with a rich, sonic sound that’s perfect for this Halloween-themed show.

Girl Gordon plays the secondannual Ghoul Gala at MOTR Pub on Oct. 25 at 9:30 p.m. More info: motrpub.com. (Eric Bates)

BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB

Oct. 29 • Bogart’s

Though Americans have been allowed to visit Cuba since 2016 (though not for what they consider to be “tourist activities”), few Americans ever make this exotic trip. But all is not lost, since the Buena Vista Social Club orchestra still export their authentic brand of Cuban music to cities all over America, including Cincinnati. Ry Cooder, the veteran roots guitarist and part-time music ethnographer, embarked on a journey to the island to discover, record and celebrate Cuban music back in 1996.

The project was named after a members-only club in Havana that was formed pre-Castro. Cooder recruited old Cuban musicians from the ‘30s and ‘40s, like Ibrahim Ferrer and Ruben Gonzalez, to collaborate. This resulted in the infectious, Grammy Awardwinning soundtrack and documentary, Buena Vista Social Club, the single biggest music bestseller in Cuban history.

This all-star ensemble became so successful that various members have been occasionally touring under the Orchestra moniker since then. The 2024 combo (excluding Cooder) is led by Jesus “Aguaje” Ramos, a Cuban trombonist, singer and musical director who also played in the original cast.

They play a vibrant mosaic of AfroCuban, bolero, cha cha cha, Latin jazz and other dynamic sub-genres of Cuban music. As Cooder proudly looks back on this project and its extraordinary legacy with Uncut magazine in 2021, he explains, “It’s like Louis Armstrong passing. The end of an era. You can’t go back. A little window opened for just a minute, and we got in there and did great things — and then the window closed.”

The Buena Vista Social Club plays Bogart’s on Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. More info: bogarts.com. (Greg Gaston)

Girl Gordon PHOTO: JAY SMITH

Buena Vista Social Club

PHOTO: XIIIFROMTOKYO, WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

CROSSWORD

YA SECTION

BY BRENDAN EMMETT QUIGLEY WWW.BRENDANEMMETTQUIGLEY.COM

39. Schmear holder

Bad mark

5. Festival entertainment

8. Some gemstones

14. Device that can use a Magic Trackpad

15. Durham sch.

16. Swerve and sway

17. Treats

18. Poke Yogi on the butt?

20. Go wrong

21. Too weird for words

22. ___ training

23. Put a Nissan compact on it’s back two tires?

26. “Something moved in the corner of the room”

27. Champagne name

28. With 64-Across, spewing invectives

30. Former leaders of 45-Across

32. “Twilight” heroine’s total disaster?

38. Martinez commemorated in the Yankee’s Monument Park

40. Acronym for a stellar athlete

41. Have a floor-washing robot clean away shit?

43. Two-time Emmy-winning actress Catherine

44. Went undercover?

45. Asian country that is roughly 55% mountains

46. Gym wear

49. What’ll clean you out out in the open?

55. Photographer Adams

57. Earns some bitcoin, perhaps

58. ___-com

59. Place where dad grows things?

61. Health-nut’s berry

62. Weather phenomenon

63. Red snapper, on sushi menus

64. See 28-Across

65. Cup holder

66. Hold onto 67. Wear away

Down

1. Diaper bag essential

2. Not connected

3. Stand up comedian who wrote “Everything and a Kite”

4. Cowboys sometimes rack them up: Abbr.

5. Respected and dignified

6. A benny

7. Sticking point

8. Lights-out pitcher

9. Dolce’s partner

10. Surrounding neighborhood

11. To the point

12. Really strange

13. Quick bite

19. No longer moving

21. Sappho’s work

24. “I know, I know! Pick me!”

25. Bread with dinner

29. Throw on the couch

30. City planning concerns: Abbr.

31. Sot’s sound

32. It’s not good

33. Self-importance

34. Fifth sign of the zodiac

35. Courtesy from some dealerships

36. Kayak pusher

37. Teacher appreciation organizers

39. R&B singer Erykah

42. Craft for Eddie Rickenbacker

43. Valuable underground rock

45. Trapped during the cold months

46. Records from the ‘80s

47. ___ Gay

48. “College Football” channel

50. SESAC rival

51. Pull a fast one over

52. Wedding attendee

53. Disney princess who sings “How Far I’ll Go”

54. Friendship

56. Larger-than-life

60. Behind

61. Cartoon bark

LAST PUZZLE’S ANSWERS:

CityBeat | October 16, 2024

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What happened?

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About This Guide

What ID to Bring When You Vote *NEW 2023*

Voting on Election Day

Voting by mail

Voting Early In-Person

WHY SHOULD YOU VOTE?

PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

UNITED STATES SENATE - OHIO

Sherrod Brown

DISTRICT 1

Greg Landsman

Orlando Sonza

DISTRICT 8

SUPREME COURT OF OHIO

Daniel R. Hawkins

OHIO STATE SENATE

DISTRICT 8

OHIO STATE HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE

DISTRICT 26

John Breadon

Sedrick Denson

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

DISTRICT 27

Rachel Baker

DISTRICT 28

Regina Collins

DISTRICT 29

Cindy Abrams

DISTRICT 30

DISTRICT 25

Cecil

DISTRICT 24

HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSIONER

TERM BEGINNING JAN. 2, 2025

Kyle Dupler

Adam Koehler

A Llambi

HAMILTON COUNTY AUDITOR

HAMILTON COUNTY APPELLATE COURT JUDGE

- TERM

How to find info on Judicial Candidates

Terry Nestor

WRITE-IN CANDIDATES

Robert A. Goering

Rich Moore

Stacy Lefton

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

Marilyn Zayas

CANDIDATE’S QUESTION RESPONSES:

HAMILTON COUNTY

COMMON PLEAS JUDGE

Chris Lipps

Bernard Mundy

Virginia Tallent

WHAT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR VOTERS WITH DISABILITIES?

HAMILTON COUNTY PROSECUTOR

Connie Pillich

QUESTIONS:

HAMILTON COUNTY

CLERK OF COURTS

Mary Hill

What ID to Bring When You Vote NEW 2023