Donley, Grandey honored at Lincoln Day Dinner
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By
Brandy Chandler-brandychandler@gmail.com
The Highland County Republican Party honored former office holders Paulette Donley and Jim Grandey on Thursday, during the annual Lincoln Day Dinner.
Donley and Grandey, former Highland County Clerk of Courts and Highland County Prosecutor, respectively, each retired in 2011. They were awarded plaques, and thanked for their years of service.
There were more than 200 people in attendance during the annual dinner, held Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro.
Donley and currently clerk of courts Ike Hodson presented Grandey with his plaque, saying that he did, "so much in his 10 years of service to the county."
Grandey said, "This is totally unexpected ... and greatly appreciated."
Hodson then turned to Donley, who was also surprised by the special presentation of a plaque. Hodson, the former Highland County Recorder, said that he and Donley were both elected in 1988.
"Who in the last 23 years do we turn to to get things done? From the decorations on the table, the fair booth. Who's going to do it? Paulette," Hodson said. Paulette just gives of herself. She doesn't hold back."
Donley said, "I cherished the job so much. It was my life for 23 years. What a pleasure it was to serve the people, my friends and neighbors. Thank you for allowing me to be clerk of courts all those years. I love you all."
The decision to retire was a difficult one, Donley said, although it ultimately was the right one.
"(Her husband) Dick and I have learned to like each other again," Donley said with a laugh. "I've learned to do laundry again."
Dick Donley broke into applause at his wife's last statement.
David Daniels, the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, was the mater of ceremonies for the evening. He took was appointed to the cabinet position by Gov. John Kasich last week, and as a result, stepped down from his seat as Senator of Ohio's 17th District, which included Highland County.
Daniels introduced each of the evening's speakers, including Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley, who introduced the evening's featured speaker, Ohio Third District Congressman Mike Turner .
With the redistricting, Highland County will be part of Ohio's Second District beginning in 2013, and Turner will no longer represent the county in Congress. But Turner thanked the people of Highland County for allowing him the opportunity to represent them.
Turner thanked Highland County Republican Party Chairperson Kay Ayres, who is running for reelection to the state central committee, for the work she had done in making him a better representative to Highland County.
"Kay is not just a great friend here in this community," Turner said, but she is astute in finding the best candidates to represent Highland County, and making sure those candidates know and have what they need to be good leaders.
"When I met Kay, she said, 'Mike, we know you don't know diddley about agriculture. But don't worry. We'll teach you what you need to know.' Kay, thank you for your friendship and your leadership."
Turner commended other county elected officials.
"You have great county commissioners in Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin," Turner said. "I wish they were responsible for the federal budget like with Highland County's budget, making the difficult decisions to get through these difficult times and look to the future."
He thanked several other elected officials and people in attendance. Turner said, "I hate to use the word favorite ... but I have a favorite. Ernie Blankenship. Ernie has the ability to walk into a room, regardless of whose room it is, and immediately become the host. He would come to my office in Washington and, and he would be the host. My staff and I loved when Ernie would come to Washington."
Looking back on the time that he ha spent as Highland County's representative, Turner said that there was one story he wanted to share. In 2007, an Eagle Scout named Andrew LaRochell asked for a flag that was flown over the Capitol Building. He wanted to present the flag to his grandfather, a World War II veteran, with the accompanying certificate to include the phrase in honor of "his dedication and love of God, country, and family." However, when the scout received the certificate, the word "God" had been omitted. Turner said they assumed it was a typo.
"I never dreamed that anyone would intentionally leave it out," Turner said. "It turns out, the Architect of the Capitol had decided that he would edit the word 'God' out of Capitol materials. He scrubbed all religious references to God."
Turner said that God had been taken out of the visitor's center, and every place possible, even though "In God We Trust" it is inscribed above the seat of the Speaker of the House, and the Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase, "One Nation, under God." A meeting was set up with the architect, and "We came with pitchforks." But he said that he had the right to remove all religious references, Turner said. Turner said the Architect of the Capitol may have had that authority, "but we pass laws." Due to an act of Congress, the visitor's center now has the entire Pledge of Allegiance inscribed on the wall.
Turner said that was a fight that was important to him, because he knew it would be important to the people of Highland County.
"When you got to Washington and you stand in the visitor's center at the Capitol, and look at that wall and you can know that you made a difference," Turner said.
Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth introduced candidates in attendance who are running for office this year, and Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward introduced current and former office holders who were in attendance.
Daniels said he wanted to take the time to thank the people who were running for office, saying that it was not an easy task to be on the campaign trail, or to ultimately serve in office.
"Everyone is looking for a scapegoat," Daniels said. "Everyone's looking for someone to tag with all their problems. It can be a hostile environment, and people say terrible things about you, whether they know you or not. Thanks, for putting yourselves out there."
As it does each year, the Lincoln Day Dinner concluded with the crowd standing and singing. "God Bless America," which was led by Ike Hodson.
The Highland County Republican Party honored former office holders Paulette Donley and Jim Grandey on Thursday, during the annual Lincoln Day Dinner.
Donley and Grandey, former Highland County Clerk of Courts and Highland County Prosecutor, respectively, each retired in 2011. They were awarded plaques, and thanked for their years of service.
There were more than 200 people in attendance during the annual dinner, held Thursday at the First United Methodist Church in Hillsboro.
Donley and currently clerk of courts Ike Hodson presented Grandey with his plaque, saying that he did, "so much in his 10 years of service to the county."
Grandey said, "This is totally unexpected ... and greatly appreciated."
Hodson then turned to Donley, who was also surprised by the special presentation of a plaque. Hodson, the former Highland County Recorder, said that he and Donley were both elected in 1988.
"Who in the last 23 years do we turn to to get things done? From the decorations on the table, the fair booth. Who's going to do it? Paulette," Hodson said. Paulette just gives of herself. She doesn't hold back."
Donley said, "I cherished the job so much. It was my life for 23 years. What a pleasure it was to serve the people, my friends and neighbors. Thank you for allowing me to be clerk of courts all those years. I love you all."
The decision to retire was a difficult one, Donley said, although it ultimately was the right one.
"(Her husband) Dick and I have learned to like each other again," Donley said with a laugh. "I've learned to do laundry again."
Dick Donley broke into applause at his wife's last statement.
David Daniels, the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, was the mater of ceremonies for the evening. He took was appointed to the cabinet position by Gov. John Kasich last week, and as a result, stepped down from his seat as Senator of Ohio's 17th District, which included Highland County.
[[In-content Ad]]Daniels introduced each of the evening's speakers, including Highland County Auditor Bill Fawley, who introduced the evening's featured speaker, Ohio Third District Congressman Mike Turner .
With the redistricting, Highland County will be part of Ohio's Second District beginning in 2013, and Turner will no longer represent the county in Congress. But Turner thanked the people of Highland County for allowing him the opportunity to represent them.
Turner thanked Highland County Republican Party Chairperson Kay Ayres, who is running for reelection to the state central committee, for the work she had done in making him a better representative to Highland County.
"Kay is not just a great friend here in this community," Turner said, but she is astute in finding the best candidates to represent Highland County, and making sure those candidates know and have what they need to be good leaders.
"When I met Kay, she said, 'Mike, we know you don't know diddley about agriculture. But don't worry. We'll teach you what you need to know.' Kay, thank you for your friendship and your leadership."
Turner commended other county elected officials.
"You have great county commissioners in Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin," Turner said. "I wish they were responsible for the federal budget like with Highland County's budget, making the difficult decisions to get through these difficult times and look to the future."
He thanked several other elected officials and people in attendance. Turner said, "I hate to use the word favorite ... but I have a favorite. Ernie Blankenship. Ernie has the ability to walk into a room, regardless of whose room it is, and immediately become the host. He would come to my office in Washington and, and he would be the host. My staff and I loved when Ernie would come to Washington."
Looking back on the time that he ha spent as Highland County's representative, Turner said that there was one story he wanted to share. In 2007, an Eagle Scout named Andrew LaRochell asked for a flag that was flown over the Capitol Building. He wanted to present the flag to his grandfather, a World War II veteran, with the accompanying certificate to include the phrase in honor of "his dedication and love of God, country, and family." However, when the scout received the certificate, the word "God" had been omitted. Turner said they assumed it was a typo.
"I never dreamed that anyone would intentionally leave it out," Turner said. "It turns out, the Architect of the Capitol had decided that he would edit the word 'God' out of Capitol materials. He scrubbed all religious references to God."
Turner said that God had been taken out of the visitor's center, and every place possible, even though "In God We Trust" it is inscribed above the seat of the Speaker of the House, and the Pledge of Allegiance includes the phrase, "One Nation, under God." A meeting was set up with the architect, and "We came with pitchforks." But he said that he had the right to remove all religious references, Turner said. Turner said the Architect of the Capitol may have had that authority, "but we pass laws." Due to an act of Congress, the visitor's center now has the entire Pledge of Allegiance inscribed on the wall.
Turner said that was a fight that was important to him, because he knew it would be important to the people of Highland County.
"When you got to Washington and you stand in the visitor's center at the Capitol, and look at that wall and you can know that you made a difference," Turner said.
Highland County Engineer Dean Otworth introduced candidates in attendance who are running for office this year, and Highland County Sheriff Ron Ward introduced current and former office holders who were in attendance.
Daniels said he wanted to take the time to thank the people who were running for office, saying that it was not an easy task to be on the campaign trail, or to ultimately serve in office.
"Everyone is looking for a scapegoat," Daniels said. "Everyone's looking for someone to tag with all their problems. It can be a hostile environment, and people say terrible things about you, whether they know you or not. Thanks, for putting yourselves out there."
As it does each year, the Lincoln Day Dinner concluded with the crowd standing and singing. "God Bless America," which was led by Ike Hodson.