Husted on top of legislation

4/21/2009

Most Ohioans recognize the need to remove partisan politics to allow for the sensible drawing of state legislative districts. We are all too well aware of the problems created when legislative districts are drawn for the convenience of legislators and not in the best interests of Ohioans.

To address this, Sen. Jon Husted introduced Senate Joint Resolution 5, which would essentially remove partisan politics from the drawing of state legislative districts. I am proud to be a co-sponsor.

Mr. Husted is sincere in his efforts on SJR 5. Indeed, he has consistently worked on redistricting issues for more than 3 years. As a member of the Ohio House, I was present in May 25, 2006 when then-Speaker Husted brought to the floor a similar proposal, House Joint Resolution 13, to take partisanship out of district line drawing. At the time, Ohio had a Republican Governor, Republicans had strong majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly, and it was nearly three years before Mr. Husted announced for Secretary of State.

Speaker Husted called HJR 13 for a vote. The Resolution failed because of a lack of Democrat support. Not deterred, Speaker Husted then amended HJR 13 to identically mirror House Joint Resolution 6, a similar resolution that would remove partisan politics from line drawing and that had been drafted by then-Democrat Representative (now Congressman) Steve Driehaus. HJR 6 was co-sponsored by 39 Democrats then in the Ohio House. Sadly, the vote to adopt HJR 6 also failed, because remarkably many Democrats refused to vote for a resolution they co-sponsored only a few months before.

As these facts show, Mr. Husted has not recently come to the issue of how to reform the way Ohio draws its legislative districts. He has been pushing it for years

Mark Wagoner

State Senator

2nd District

There are certain things that people need to be reminded of every so often. Like in the fall, there should always be an article about school buses and the laws about when to stop, who should stop, and where to stop. Just a gentle reminder for all.

Recently I have encountered something else that people need to be reminded about periodically, and that is jury duty. I have been summoned for jury duty twice in Lucas County. You can understand my disappointment when the mailman delivered yet another notice this time, however, it was in federal court.

To my surprise, it was a wonderful experience Everyone in that courthouse is grateful that you are there, and they tell you so. You feel like a hero just walking through the door.

The work we did was important and everyone from the judge to the security personnel made sure I knew it.

Jury duty is a great way to give back to this great country. Our judicial system is the best of anywhere in the world. However, to make it work, you need people willing to take the time and to endure the inconvenience to serve. Should you ever receive a summons for jury duty, proudly stand up and accept the challenge. Don t think of it as a duty. It is really an honor.

Kay Drozdowicz

Sylvania

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be used to retain 40 Toledo police offi cers instead of creating jobs in the city. As a resident of Ohio, I find that my federal taxes should not be supporting Toledo s mismanaged government.

The funds were to be used for infrastructure, not to help balance the Toledo city budget. What ever happened to making sure federal funds were used properly?

What will happen when the funds run out?

JIM HINTZ

Grand Rapids, Ohio