Is it a man’s world? Men dominate in Ohio’s legislative elections

Mar. 12, 2012, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Politics continues to be a man’s game.

For every one woman seeking a congressional or legislative seat this year in Ohio, three men are running.

Experts give two main reasons for this void. First, not enough women have the right background and experience to run. Second, when they see the increasing polarization and nastiness of today’s political environment, they simply say “no thanks.”

But if fewer women run, fewer women win, and advocacy groups say this affects the debates and policies that come out of Washington and Columbus.

USDA offers job-creation grants to rural areas

Mar. 10, 2012, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is promoting a grant program that officials hope will spur job creation in rural areas.

The department will hand out $15 million to about 20 entities for marketing and planning efforts through the Jobs and Innovation Accelerator challenge, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in an interview Friday.

Vilsack said development in rural areas is a priority for President Barack Obama’s administration. He said many rural areas struggle with coordinating job creation efforts.

Time Warner customers might lose CBS

Dec. 30, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Time Warner Cable customers might lose access to 10TV and the Ohio News Network if a deal is not reached by midnight Saturday.

Judy Barbao, spokeswoman for Time Warner Cable, said The Dispatch Broadcast Group, which owns the CBS affiliate and 24-hour news operation, asked for too much money in the new contract.

The contract initially expired in August, but the sides agreed to a four-month extension of the 2011 contract. This extension expires at the end of the year.

Union support kills Issue 2

Nov. 9, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

CentralOhio.com

If voters weren’t in a union themselves, many of them were close to someone who is.

Strong union support at the polls was one of the reasons Issue 2 was defeated 1,330,013 to 2,115,404 Tuesday, according to unofficial results.

The ballot issue sought to seriously curtail collective bargaining rights of public employees, including teachers, police officers and firefighters.

It was an emotional issue for many voting no, and either a fairness or a budgetary issue for many voting yes.

CentralOhio.com reporters fanned out around 11 counties Tuesday as voters left the polls, collecting thoughts and opinions from 138 voters.

State changes rules for unpaid child support

Sept. 18, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

Non-custodial parents will be able to continually pay just half of their child support obligations with no risk of losing their driving, recreational or professional licenses starting Oct. 1.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 31 of this year, 100,533 parents lost their drivers’ license, 83 lost their professional license and 997 lost their recreational license for failure to pay child support, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. A parent could have more than one license suspended.

Those who lost their drivers’ licenses between Sept. 30, 2010, and Aug. 31, 2011, collectively paid just 19 percent of their child support obligations, according to the department.

This change is one of three the General Assembly made this year to child support enforcement. They were enacted as part of the state budget.

No Child Left Behind still controversial

Aug. 21, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

In 2010, Newark High School received the bureaucratic equivalent of a grounding when report cards went out.

For the seventh consecutive year, the building received low grades in reading and math. For the seventh consecutive year, officials had to send letters out to parents explaining the rating and reminding them that their children could go elsewhere. School officials had to create a plan for improvement and do more professional development.

State report cards come out this week, and Newark High Principal Mark Fullen said his building for the first time will be up to par, getting a rating of “excellent” and meeting math and reading requirements.

He credits the school’s improvement in part to the accountability measures put in place by the No Child Left Behind Act, have rare aging disorder signed by former President George W. Bush 10 years ago.

The annual school report cards tell districts how they’re doing with test scores and graduation and attendance rates and gives them a final rating based on a number of indicators.

10 changes coming to Ohio elections

June 26, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

When you vote next year, you’ll likely see some notable changes. Ohioans might be voting in different precincts or even in different districts for Congress and the Ohio General Assembly.

The rules could change for voting early, by absentee ballot, or casting a provisional ballot.

The Ohio Senate passed sweeping changes to Ohio’s election laws Thursday evening. A similar version of the bill passed the House in May. The bill now will go back to the House for concurrence, then to Gov. John Kasich for his signature.

Rep. Robert Mecklenborg, R-Green Township, sponsored the overhaul, and fellow Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted supports many — but not all — of the measures. Republicans tout the bil as “incorporating 21^st Century technology and establishing much needed uniformity throughout all 88 counties in Ohio.”

Any voting law changes will be in addition to the redistricting that is done every 10 years.

Advocacy groups have grave concerns about some of the proposals, saying they might keep minorities and those in poverty from voting and increase voter confusion.

Census: Residents older, more likely to be unmarried

May 12, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

COSHOCTON — Fewer people in Coshocton County are living in traditional married-couple households than in 2000. This is partially because the population is getting older.

The U.S. Census Bureau released more details on the 2010 population counts today. The census asked the U.S. Population about age, sex, race and housing.

The median age (half above, half below) in Coshocton County has increased to 40.8 in 2010 from 37.8 in 2000. The oldest area, Plainfield, increased to 50.5 from 39. Conesville and Nellie are tied as the youngest areas, with a median age of 37.5. Nellie has stayed the same age throughout the decade, while Conesville increased from 35.3.

Schools react to Kasich’s cuts

Mar. 18, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

More state money would go to education under Gov. John Kasich’s proposed budget, but it is likely many individual school districts still would have less cash to work with.

Kasich unveiled his $55.5 billion biennial budget Tuesday. Despite a 1.5 percent increase in general state aid to schools, the overall K-12 budget in his plan decreases funding by about $1.8 billion (or 15 percent) over the next two years — largely because of an $875 million loss in federal stimulus money and the accelerated phase-out of a tax on equipment.

Although critics of the budget decry these cuts as a slashing of services, proponents say that by cutting special services, more money can be put to general use, giving districts more flexibility.

The Office of Budget and Management has not yet released a district-by-district breakdown on how much each district would receive in the upcoming biennium.

More qualify for food aid, but few can make it last

Jan. 2, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

LANCASTER — A couple of kids were trying to entertain themselves in a dull food pantry waiting room, but the adults among them were quiet.

However, there was a sense of community as each person was called to walk through the four long walls of wire shelves chock full of cereal, canned goods and personal care items. There also was a refrigerator full of milk and cheese and three freezers full of meat. It was the end of the month.

Christy Dilley, 26, and Natasha Blankenship, 27, both young mothers in Lancaster, were there for the same reason — their government food assistance didn’t stretch far enough. This was common for many in the room.

In November, more than 1.7 million Ohioans spent $241.1 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funds, commonly known as food stamps, which are funded by the federal government.

Almost three-fourths of that amount was spent in the first half of the month, and 30 percent was spent in the first five days.

Farming shaped Gibbs’ experience, philosophies

Nov. 14, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

NASHVILLE, Ohio — Just past Nashville’s one traffic light is a deli that doubles as the town’s coffee shop and meeting place.

Pizza is served as early as 10 a.m., and patrons sit on vinyl chairs and eat off red-painted tables. In the back, a wall is lined with photos of locals with their deer kill.

Southeast Ohio’s next congressman pulled up Monday and tossed one of the last “Bob Gibbs for Congress” signs into his white pickup. Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, he greeted the clerk and two customers by name. They congratulated him on beating the incumbent. They asked about his wife.

For Gibbs, Washington will be a different universe from Holmes County, which he has called home for 35 years.

Record $6.2 million spent in 18th District race

Nov. 2, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

No matter what happens today, the uncontested winners in this election are banquet halls, caterers, print shops, campaign staffers and especially TV stations.

U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, and outside political action committees and campaign committees have spent at least $6.2 million, a record for the 18^th District.

That’s nearly what all candidates in the 2008, 2006 and 2004 contests spent combined.

18th District candidates sound off at forum

Oct. 15, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COSHOCTON — When U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, was asked how he plans to work with his opponents toward a common good, he threw his arms up and shook his head.

He’s a moderate, he said, and it’s the moderates that are not being heard in Washington.

“The middle is chronically underrepresented,” Space said. “I have made just about everybody mad in the past two years. It’s unfortunate, but that’s what happens to moderates in Congress.”

Space’s main opponent, state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville, pointed to a different cause of the hyper-partisanship in Washington — a bloated, broken process, where thousand-page bills slip through unread and legislation doesn’t go through the committee process.

“It’s too top-down,” Gibbs said.

It was a question of interest to those in the audience. The crowd of about 75 was polled before the event. Half said honesty and trustworthiness was the most important quality for a congressman.

Space and Gibbs met Thursday evening for a forum at the Coshocton County Career Center along with Constitution Party candidate Lindsey Sutton of Big Prairie. The event was sponsored by the county’s farm bureau and the Coshocton Business and Professional Women chapter.

Gibbs corrects finance reports after accusation

Aug. 31, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

The campaign of 18th Congressional District candidate Bob Gibbs filed an amended campaign finance report Monday morning, shortly after his opponent accused him of accepting illegal contributions.

Gibbs, a Republican state senator from Lakeville, misreported some contributions for his primary campaign as general election donations, said campaign spokeswoman Emily Pettigrew.

Federal Election Commission rules allow candidates to accept $2,400 from each individual donor for each election, the primary and the general.

Bill could save 5,000 education jobs for Ohio

Aug. 6, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

A $26 billion federal spending bill could mean 5,000 education jobs would be saved or created in Ohio, according to government figures.

The U.S. Senate approved legislation Thursday that provides $10 billion for education and $16 billion to increase the federal contribution for Medicaid, providing a cushion for state governments. The House is expected to take up the measure in a special session next week.

“Yesterday was a hallelujah day,” said Patricia Frost-Brooks, president of the Ohio Education Association. “I was holding my breath.”

School bus seat-belt bill unlikely to get look before fall

June 5, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

COLUMBUS — A student’s death on a Muskingum County school bus spurred committee action on a bill that would require seat belts on all new school buses.

However, the legislation has yet to get a vote on the House floor.

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Kathleen Chandler, D-Kent, had hoped the House would take up the bill before members left for summer recess early Friday morning.

Lawmakers worked through the night, adjourning at 5 a.m., but the seat-belt bill never came up.

Dailey concedes House race; it’s Space vs. Gibbs in November

June 5, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

It’s finally official, the 18th Congressional District race will be U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, vs. state Sen. Bob Gibbs, R-Lakeville. Two minor-party candidates also are running.

The May 4 primary ended in a dead heat between Gibbs and former state agriculture director Fred Dailey, the 2008 nominee. The race went to an automatic recount after the certified results had Gibbs leading Dailey by 156 votes.

Dailey conceded Friday morning, calling Gibbs to congratulate him and offer his help on the campaign trail. This was after 15 of the district’s 16 counties completed recounts this week.

Gibbs, Dailey lead 6 challengers for 18th district

May 5, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

NEWARK — There never was any clear leader in the eight-way 18th Congressional District Republican primary, and that remained true early today.

As the night wore on, a recount seemed imminent. With 99 percent of precincts reporting, state Sen. Bob Gibbs, of Lakeville, led Fred Dailey, of Mount Vernon, by 170 votes.

Jeanette Moll trailed 860 votes behind Dailey and said she had no plans to throw in the towel.

According to Ohio law, votes must be recounted if the winner leads by a half percent or less. In this case, that would mean about 250 votes.

Space raises $1.6 million; Gibbs leads Republicans

Apr. 17, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

State Sen. Bob Gibbs, of Lakeville, leads the pack in fundraising in the eight-way Republican primary in the 18^th Congressional District, according to the latest Federal Election Commission filings.

However, U.S. Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover, has raised $1.6 million — more than five times what Gibbs brought in and the most of any incumbent Ohio House Democrat.

Gibbs has raised $299,096 this cycle. Of that, $248,396 was contributed by individuals and $50,700 from political action committees.

GOP candidates bring similar ideas, different backgrounds

Mar. 7, 2010, Coshocton Tribune

BY JESSICA ALAIMO

CentralOhio.com

MOUNT VERNON — They arrived passing out literature with phrases such as “conservative revolution,” “truth in action,” “values we trust,” and “America First.” The Tea Party spirit dominated the first town hall for candidates running for the 18th Congressional District.

When it came to their beliefs, values and ideas, there seemed to be little difference among the seven candidates. What differentiates them are their backgrounds and personalities.

Common themes for the night were the size of government, states’ rights, the national debt and national defense. If a candidate was pro-choice or anti-gun, they didn’t note it.

Candidates were not short on criticism of incumbent Rep. Zack Space, D-Dover. Space was invited to the event but did not attend. He does not have a primary opponent.