VOTER GUIDE

Selected Northeast Ohio political races and ballot issues to be decided in the 2004 elections have been reviewed by this writer and the following recommendations are provided. The bases for the recommendations are preservation of individual freedoms and plain old common sense.

STATEWIDE BALLOT ITEMS

Issue One - Vote NO

This issue is to allow the state to borrow $500 million. It is a textbook case of the government picking the taxpayers' pocket while disguising it as investment, blah, blah, blah. Simple arithmetic will reveal that an increase in the debt of the state is a bill the taxpayer has to pay. The state is merely trying to get a tax increase without calling it a tax increase. Don't be fooled.

LOCAL BALLOT ITEMS

Bedford Heights Ward 1 Councilman - Vote FOR Barbara MacKenzie

Incumbent MacKenzie is challenged by two-time convicted felon, Victor Stevens. I have a fantasy that politicians don't become crooks until after they're elected and I don't think it's a good idea to knowingly vote into office known experienced criminals.

Lakewood Mayor - Vote FOR Thomas George

Incumbent Madeline Cain should be defeated in her reelection bid because she has almost single-handedly turned Lakewood into a battleground. The polarization Mayor Cain brought to the community was quite apparent this summer when she became an flag-waving cheerleader for homosexuals (see Flag Flap in Lakewood). That controversy was followed by the current mess concerning the West End Project where she wants to use eminent domain as the method to take residents' property.

Lakewood Issues 47/48 -

Vote NO on Issue 47
Issue 47 is a referendum on the West End Project which will only benefit the developers and the homosexuals while dramatically altering the character of Lakewood as a traditional All-American residential community.

Vote YES on Issue 48
Issue 48 is a referendum which would require significant developments in the city to have voter approval. This authority should be with the voters.

If I feel it is necessary to weigh in on other ballot items, I'll do so before the polls close at 7pm. In any event, if you're an Ohioan, go vote and remember these recommendations.