One of the men is the father-in-law of my daughter's tutor (who is also my personal friend).
Quote: Hearing set for Springboro schools election dispute
By Lawrence Budd
Staff Writer
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
SPRINGBORO — The Ohio Elections Commission is scheduled to consider on Thursday a complaint filed by David Baker, superintendent of the Springboro Community City Schools, against five residents of the school district.
Three members of the state commission will consider complaints against Don Gingerich, James D. Anders, Donald E. Rhodehamel, Len Sholder and Daniel McClure during a probable cause hearing beginning at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at the commission office, 21 W. Broad St., Suite 600.
Gingerich is accused of including false information in leaflets distributed during the campaign leading up to a special August election on a phased-in, five-year property tax levy identical to one on Nov. 4 ballots.
Anders, Rhodehamel, Sholder and McClure are accused of posting campaign signs lacking disclaimers required by state law.
After voters rejected the August levy, school administrators said they were filing a complaint. However the complaint wasn't accepted by the commission until last week.
"They finally filed it properly with us," Phillip Richter, staff attorney and executive director for the commission said on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
If commissioners find probable cause on Thursday, the commission could make a decision on the complaints on Oct. 30 or Nov. 3, the day before the election, Richter said.
"We'll do our best to hear all these matters before the election," Richter said.
Even putting that aside, this smacks of sour grapes to me. Freddy and I were surprised. You mean we couldn't put a sign in our yard opposing (or supporting) something? Would you have known that you needed a proper disclaimer at the bottom? These were not printed signs, simply handmade ones that he posted in his own yard. This sure seems like a free speech violation. ??
I hope the levy fails again just because this superintendent is being a petty, whiny nit-picker.
My friend says there is even more to this story, and she'll fill me in next week. (I guess this has affected his job, too, but I can't remember where he works again.)
Lali