Recordpub.com - OUR VIEW: Dems prevail here, but change in air Tuesday

Although the dust from Tuesday's election is still settling, some trend-lines are clear.

Around the nation, a Republican resurgence seemed evident, but here in Portage County, the Democratic Party retained its clout as is evidenced by the election of Ravenna Mayor Kevin Poland and Attorney Mark Fankhauser to the two Portage County Municipal Court openings. The races are non-partisan, but the mayor and Fankhauser were both endorsed by the Portage County Democratic Party. The two spent more money on their campaigns than the others in the race also.

Kent and Ravenna will end up with new mayors as the result of the election. Former Councilman Jerry Fiala, demonstrating a door-to-door campaign can work wonders, is the apparent winner in Kent by two votes, although a recount is inevitable. Because Judge-elect Poland will vacate his position as mayor, Ravenna City Council in January will select a mayor to fill out two years left in his term.

Aurora Mayor Lynn McGill won a third term, and Art Scott, who had been serving as interim mayor n Streetsboro since the Tom Wagner vacated the post in May, was elected mayor in his own right.

In bizarre outcome, the voters in Deerfield threw out the township's zoning code, reopening themselves to the nefarious influences of past years. Not surprising given hard times, the 2.66-mill bond issue for a new Crestwood High School building was defeated, and the Streetsboro 9.5-mill operating levy, which would have let 3.5 mills expire next year, lost too. Both losses are regrettable.

Ravenna City Council may get an infusion of enthusiasm with its new faces: Amy Michael, president of Friends of the Park, who joins incumbent Joe Bica, both elected to at-large slots, and Sharon Spencer in Ward 1. This council has elements in it that are a reminder of an unusually progressive council during the 1990s. The re-election of Ravenna Board of Education members Michael Tontimonia, Deborah Davison, and Joan Seman promises needed continuity.

Incumbent Democrats Michael DeLeone and Robin Turner were returned to Kent City Council, along with newcomer Eric Valenta. That portends an effort to continue work with Kent State University to leverage its presence for the betterment of the community, but there may be a shifting of emphasis with the new mayor. Valenta, a River Bend resident, may give his neighborhood a voice it needs. The Kent Board of Education will gain a new voice in educator Marlene Dorsey, who succeeds Attorney John Flynn, who chose not to run after 20 years on the job.

In Streetsboro, the election of interim Mayor Art Scott indicates enough voters were satisfied with his performance to keep him on the job. He will be working with two incumbent at-large council members, Chuck Kocisko and Julie Sanders, both re-elected. Timothy Claypool is a newcomer.

In Rootstown, where responsibility for fire hydrants is disputed by the township and the nonprofit Rootstown Water Co., newcomer Brett Housley, an attorney who has not voiced a preference but advocates awaiting a judge's decision, has been elected trustee. Incumbent Diane Dillon was re-elected.

In Ravenna Township, the election of Vince Coia, a newcomer who was the lead vote getter in the trustees' race, is interesting because he is proactive about the township exploring contracting out services it cannot do economically and effectively.

The Field School District saw the election of Allyson Westover, Terry Kettering, and Donna Karg, all newcomers, with Westover and Karg educators seeking a compromise in talks with the faculty.

Some long-standing township trustees were ousted. These included J.J. Leet, first elected Freedom Township trustee 32 years ago, Ron Mishler of Suffield Township, with 14 years experience, Howard Furl of Windham Township with 10 years as a trustee, and Jack Groselle, a Hiram Township trustee for eight years.

Ohio's support of casino gambling, Issue 3, means those who like to use such facilities no longer will have to travel out of state to spend their money at them. The $653 million the casinos are expected to generate annually in tax revenues will be split among cities, counties, school districts for the most part. Casino gambling has been defeated repeatedly by Ohio voters, so the recession and the promise that the casinos will generate thousands of new jobs may have had something to do with its passage.

The care of Ohio livestock will be overseen by a new state commission, named by the governor, because of Issue 2's passing and veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars will receive a veterans bonus of up to $300 each.

Elsewhere in the country, Republicans, tossed from office in the last presidential election, made a big comeback, most graphically illustrated by the defeat of Democrat John Corzine by Republican Chris Christie for governor of New Jersey and the victory of Republican Bob McDonnell, who crushed Democrat Creigh Deeds in the race for Virginia governor. Especially the Corzine loss seems a defeat for President Barack Obama who had lent his support generously.