Politics and campaigns dominated the discussions at the SW Dems Sept. 17 meeting. Bill Wise, superintendent of the South-Western City Schools, urged SW Dems to vote in favor of Issue 81, the joint operating levy and bond issue. “This is the chance of a lifetime,” he said, noting that state aid will make up $206 million of the district’s construction program, if the levy is approved. The levy and issue will cost the owner of a home worth $100,000 an increase of $300 a year in property taxes.
          District leaders are asking for the “minimum amount of money needed to operate the schools,” Wise said. “It will never be cheaper for taxpayers than it is now.” Most of the district’s school buildings are at least 50 years old, he said. To combat overcrowding, the district has been forced to install 64 temporary modular classrooms. If the tax package is approved, the district will begin all-day kindergartens.
        SW Dems Member Lou Houston predicted it will be difficult to get a tax increase in “these economic hard times.” She recommended levy supporters launched a high-profile campaign that includes eye-catching posters.
     SW Dems Member Bill Ferguson said home property values often depend on the quality of schools. Pleasant Township Trustee Keith Goldhardt said a $500 million school construction program will provide much-needed jobs for the area. But SW Dems Secretary Bob Ruth noted that the district does not have a prevailing-wage requirement, which could mean fewer jobs for labor-union contractors on school construction projects.
       Steve Jerry urged SW Dems to volunteer for Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy, a Democrat running for Congress from the 15th Congressional District. “Her opponent is a former banking lobbyist and has lots of lobbying money,” Jerry said. Phone banks operate for Kilroy on weekdays from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. at 272 E. State St. in the old county Democratic Party headquarters.
     Goldhardt, a candidate for the Ohio House, said he will be canvassing in Grove City and Hilliard every night and on weekends until the Nov. 4 election.
           SW Dems Vice President Randy Reisling urged SW Dems to attend a $50-per-person  fundraiser on Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. in the China Bell Restaurant on Stringtown Road for State Treasurer Rich Cordray, a Democrat running for state attorney general.
    SW Dems Member Steve Chaffin urged SW Dems to back Danielle Blue, a Democrat running for the Ohio Senate. “She listens and is open minded,” he said.
    Michael Wihl noted that all registered voters should have received applications in the mail for absentee ballots. If you didn’t receive one, phone the county Board of Elections at 462-3470, he said.
     

  ENDORSEMENTS

        SW Dems has unanimously endorsed the following ballot issues and Democratic candidates: Issue 81, the South-Western City Schools tax levy and bond issue; Sen. Barack Obama for president; Mary Jo Kilroy for Congress; Keith Goldhardt for Ohio House; Danielle Blue for Ohio Senate; Richard Cordray for state attorney general; Paula Brooks and John O’Grady for county commissioners; Maryellen O’Shaughnessy for clerk of Common Pleas Court; Jim Karnes for sheriff; Ed Leonard for county treasurer; Dr. Jan M. Gorniak for county coroner; Judge John A. Connor and Richard D. Brown for county Court of Appeals, Judge Eric Brown for Probate Court; Judge Tim Horton and Shawn Dingus for Common Pleas Court; and Issues 14-19,  the Columbus bond issues. SW Dems also opposed a statewide referendum that would overturn a recently passed law restricting the interest pay-day lenders can charge consumers. In order to vote against 391 percent interest rates, voters must vote YES on Issue 5.
      

SW DEMS OFFICERS RE-ELECTED

       The following SW Dems officers were unanimously re-elected for one-year terms - Kelly Dillon as president; Randy Reisling as vice president; Joe Palazzo as treasurer and Bob Ruth as recording secretary.

           SEPT. 6 CANVASS A SUCCESS

     Sixteen grass-roots Democrats walked door-to-door on Sept. 6 passing out campaign literature and talking with voters in the 1st and 2nd wards of Grove City. They visited about 400 houses over two hours, said SW Dems Vice President Randy Reisling. "We had a great response,'' he said. The canvass was sponsored by the SW Dems. Congrats to all the dedicated Democrats who showed up. We plan another canvass in the last half of October.