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By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 8:33 AM Wednesday, February 3, 2010

DAYTON — Nine property appraisers working for Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer contributed to his campaign coffers last year, providing him with $7,535 of the $27,985 he raised, according to annual campaign finance reports filed with the Montgomery County Board of Elections.

One of the contributors was Plummer’s sister, Kimberly Solomon, who gave him $1,100. Last month in the wake of controversy over her hiring, Plummer removed her from the no-bid job that paid her $141,763 last year.

The only appraisers who did not contribute were two whose jobs Plummer phased out last year, Stephen Rigler and James L. Ullmer, both of Brookville.

Danny Hamilton, a county Republican party activist and the husband of appraiser Juanita Hamilton, contributed $500 to Plummer’s campaign. Plummer is a Republican.

The reports were filed last week.

All 11 people used by Plummer last year to appraise properties destined for sale at foreclosure had connections to him, his office, or his political party. Seven of them or their spouses contributed to his 2008 campaign for sheriff. He was appointed sheriff in mid-2008 and won in the November election.

“All campaign contributions I have received have been reported as required by Ohio law and are within legal limits,” Plummer said.

He said he has dedicated his career to public service and that elections and campaign contributions are part of the political process.

Last month Plummer said it was a mistake to employ his sister and he sought an opinion on her employment from the Ohio Ethics Commission.

“It is still pending with us at this point,” said Paul Nick, chief investigative attorney for the ethics commission. “It is obviously something that the commission will review.”

The review will continue despite the termination of Solomon’s employment.

“It doesn’t change the fact that the act occurred,” Nick said.

The appraisers and the contributions they made between June 30, 2009 and Dec. 16, 2009 are:

Edgar Copher, $1,100
Gary W. Wick, $725
James K. Davis, $1,100
James W. Scenters, $1,260
Juanita Hamilton, $500
Kathleen Brill, $500
Solomon, $1,100
Lawrence J. Schroeder Jr., $1,000
Michael E. Raiff, $250.

All of the appraisers but Scenters are registered Republicans. Scenters, Copher, Wick, Schroeder and Rigler are retired from the sheriff’s office.

Plummer reported bringing forward $54,181 from prior campaign finance reports and spending $8,688, mostly on a golf outing fund-raiser. He has $73,478 on hand.

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