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Madison vs. Waynesville
Opponent questions Husted's Kettering residency
House speaker says he often stays at a home owned by his wife in Upper Arlington.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
DAYTON — Ohio Speaker of the House Jon Husted was accused on Friday, Sept. 12, by his opponent of not living in his district.
"Apparently he thinks the residency laws of the state of Ohio do not apply to him," said Centerville school board member John Doll, a Democrat who is running against Husted, R-Kettering, for the 6th District Ohio Senate seat.
Doll said it is impossible for Husted to be in touch with his district and properly represent the community because he spends little time here.
Husted said the home he owns at 148 Sherbrooke Ave. is his residence, but he said his duties as House speaker require that he spend more time in Columbus than the average legislator. He said he also lives in an Upper Arlington house owned by his wife.
Husted's Kettering home frequently looks unoccupied and newspapers sometimes accumulate on the grounds. He said he has a basket by the front door to collect items in and he does not believe that six weeks of newspapers piled up, as Doll contends.
Husted said he does sleep in the Kettering home but refused to say what percentage of the time he spends living in Kettering and how much he spends in the Upper Arlington house with his wife and two children.
"I've answered these questions many times," said Husted, adding that he is fully aware of the community's needs and has served the area well as House speaker.
Husted is registered to vote in his Kettering district and Doll admits that state law is vague on what constitutes the definition of residency for a legislator.
Doll also demanded that Husted agree to serve a full four-year Senate term should he be elected to the Senate in November, rather than run for Ohio secretary of state in 2010.
"I'm flattered that people are considering me for other offices of a statewide nature," said Husted, adding that it is premature to for him to comment on his future plans.
He said his focus is to complete his term as speaker and to win the Senate race against Doll.
C
ontact this reporter at (937) 225-7455 or lhulsey@DaytonDailyNew
s.com.
