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Ellen Belcher is the Dayton Daily News opinion pages editor. She writes about state government, education, the environment, higher education and all things Dayton.
Martin Gottlieb is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He focuses on the political process itself and does such national issues as war, the economy, taxes and Social Security, as well as a hodge-podge of local and state issues.
Scott Elliott is an editorial writer and columnist for the Dayton Daily News opinion pages. He writes about education, city and suburban issues, politics, business, workforce and consumer issues.Home > Blogs > A Matter of Opinion > Archives > 2010 > October > 05 > Entry
Editorial: Carl Fisher best pick in Morgan district
2010 ELECTION
Thanks to the implosion of a Republican’s candidacy, Democrats have higher hopes than usual in the northern suburbs of Dayton, where a seat in the Ohio House of Representatives is open. The state party has taken enough notice to send finanical help, which does not always happen. But the party has a very tough job. John McCain won 59 percent of the district’s vote in 2008.
When Joe Ellis got into a physical altercation, Mike Henne won the Republican primary for the seat being vacated by Seth Morgan in the 36th District. Mr. Henne, owner with his brother of an insurance agency in Englewood, had not held local office before, had not run before and had not been much involved before. He said he has long had an interest in politics — was the guy at a party who might want to talk politics — and decided to take a shot.
The Democrats, on the other hand, are putting up a candidate with a pretty high profile in public office, at least in part of the district: Huber Heights. Carl Fisher, a Realtor and restaurant manager, is a long-time member of the school board and a sometime president of it. The board has been through tense times that have won it attention, including levy fights and a teachers’ strike. Meanwhile, Mr. Fisher’s brother is mayor.
Also running is independent Cheryl K. Watson, of Germantown. (From the northern suburbs, the district extends all the way down the western edge of Montgomery County.) Also a first-time candidate, she says she has been a Republican in the past and acknowledges “very conservative leanings.” A substitute teacher who has also worked in other fields as well, she returned to Ohio in 2007 after many years in Indiana.
Ms. Watson does not have strong views on current controversies or much information about debates going on in Ohio. Though she mentions education as a concern, she says “I can’t give you specifics,” as to the merits or demerits of Gov. Ted Strickland’s education plan. She does say, however, that “money isn’t the problem” for schools.
She also doesn’t have a position on Ohio’s most recently passed budget, saying she’s “not familiar” with it. She talks mainly about having an open mind and looking for new approaches.
Mr. Henne has a traditional Republican perspective. His Democratic opponent grants, however, that Mr. Henne might not be quite as conservative as Rep. Morgan.
Mr. Henne says state spending is “out of control.” In listing items to cut, he mentions first the passenger train system proposed for linking Cleveland and Cincinnati via Dayton and Columbus.
He says school districts need to combine services. He wants cuts in the state “bureaucracy,” but acknowledges, unlike some first-time candidates, that simply cutting state personnel won’t do the trick.
Some Democrats hope Mr. Fisher will be seen as a relatively conservative Democrat. In the teachers’ strike, he was the union’s harshest critic on the school board; he was the sole vote against the resulting contract. He worried that the union was jeopardizing public support for levies.
He calls for less partisanship. But he’s not running as a rebel among Democrats. He supports the new federal health care plan, though noting flaws, and seems comfortable with Gov. Ted Strickland. He says that when Mr. Henne won his party’s nomination, Mr. Henne proposed cutting taxes. (In a meeting with the Dayton Daily News editorial board, Mr. Henne said he wants to cut taxes in the long run.) Mr. Fisher says that appeal is just “political,” given the state’s pending $8 billion deficit.
Mr. Fisher is the most experienced, the most informed and the most proven. He has a realistic take on state affairs. He is clearly the best choice.
(A letter in support of each candidate is here.)
Permalink | Comments (1) | Post your comment | Categories: 2010 endorsements, Editorials, Martin Gottlieb, Miami Valley Politics, Suburban Communities
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By Richard L. Price
October 11, 2010 9:28 AM | Link to this
The Dayton Daily News erred in not recommending Mike Henne for State Representative in the 36th District. Mike is needed in the Legislature in these difficult economic times. I have known the Henne family for almost 40 years. Mike is currently my and my wife’s insurance agent, and he has always shown the highest integrity in his business dealings with us. From his interview with the League of Women Voters, it is clear that he understands the scope of the economic problems facing Ohio. His opponent, recommended by the Dayton Daily News, appears to be satisfied with the same old solutions presented by Governor Strickland. Mike Henne is clearly the better choice. Richard L. Price 4710 Burnham Ln. Kettering, OH 45429 (937)298-5967