Sat Nov 21 2009
Next to football play calling, election outcomes may be the most scrutinized topics in the free world. So it's only natural to focus on a few salient points about Tuesday's results.
It's apparent that Ohio residents are ready to give something new a try to help boost the struggling economy.
Opposed by many on moral grounds, Issue 3 passed by a six-point margin and will allow the construction of four large casinos in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus and Toledo, perhaps as early as 2012.
The biggest attraction for supporters was the investment dollars that casinos will bring to Ohio and a promise to provide local governments and public schools with revenue through a 33 percent casino tax.
These prospects must have been the catalyst in turning a four-time losing proposition -- voters said no to four previous casino issues -- into a winner on Election Day.
*****
Judging by the fate of Defiance's four charter amendments Tuesday, city voters must think a year's worth of seasoning is needed for mayoral candidates.
Voters approved an amendment to the city's governing charter which effectively decreases the required age of council candidates from 19 to 18. But they said no to a similar amendment that would make the same change for mayor hopefuls.
City voters also approved an amendment that eliminates the need for the council clerk to determine whether requirements for recall petitions of city elected officials -- which are rare -- are met. Instead, this task will be carried out under provisions of state law.
The change was needed. Council clerks don't have the time -- and in some cases, perhaps -- the expertise to handle such matters.
However, many voters were apparently confused or non-committal about the issue. Some 3,296 ballots were cast on this issue compared to 3,884 ballots on the charter amendment concerning the age of council candidates.
The other rejected charter amendment would have eliminated term limits for parks board members. Oddly, this board will remain the only one in the city with such limitations. Apparently, many voters had strong reasons for this, given that the amendment failed by 12 percentage points, 56-44.
*****
Think of small township government and the notion of power politics probably won't come to mind. But there has been a power shift in Defiance Township where an incumbent trustee, Richard Ankney, was ousted Tuesday.
Ankney finished third in a four-way race for two seats while incumbent Dan Peck was returned. Peck will be joined by former Defiance Senior Services director Diana Mayer, the top vote-getter.
During their current term, Peck and Ankney were on the same side of some issues which the third trustee, Charlie Bakle, opposed. And, in a letter to the editor on Oct. 26, Bakle advocated Ankney's removal by the voters and Mayer's election.
The realization of this on Election Day may mean a few more 2-1 votes on future township issues, but with a much different majority.
(Todd Helberg is city editor and editorial page editor of The Crescent-News.)
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