The Morning After

Maureen McGovern was famous for her 1973 song – made even more famous by "The Poseidon Adventure" – "The Morning After."

(There's got to be a Morning After, after all.)

The Morning After the 2012 AAUW Candidates Forum was almost as eventful as the political gathering itself.

After packing up, backstage, at the SSCC Daniels Auditorium (with apologies to Rainee Angles for any unintentional disturbances), and returning to the newspaper office, we were able to post a story and video link sometime around midnight.

Less than five hours later, the first of many politically motivated calls, emails and personal visits related to the Monday evening forum began. We'll get to some of those in a few moments.

First, while I fully expect this post-forum column to be mostly misinterpreted by the majority of the 12 candidates for public office who participated in this year's event, my intent is not to disparage, but rather to enlighten. As always, our many thousand readers will be the judge.

All of us might offer an encouraging word to candidates: Peter Pence (91st House District race), Cliff Rosenberger (91st House District race), Tom Horst (Highland County Commissioner race, Jan. 3 term), Randy Mustard (Highland County Commissioner race, Jan. 3 term), Brenda Losey (Highland County Commissioner race, Jan. 2 term), Shane Wilkin (Highland County Commissioner race, Jan. 2 term), Gary Heaton (Highland County Treasurer race), Vickie Warnock (Highland County Treasurer race), Larry Burns (Highland County Recorder race), Chad McConnaughey (Highland County Recorder race), Anneka Collins (Highland County Prosecutor race) and Kimberly McGuire-Haines (Highland County Prosecutor race).

Each candidate has made the serious, tedious and often costly commitment to run for public office. Granted, there are substantial rewards for this service, from salary to benefits to future opportunities. Nonetheless, they took the initiative. Let's recognize that and keep it in perspective.

Let's also keep in perspective that people less familiar with the art of public speaking may be prone to misspeak on occasion. It happens, trust me.

With these two caveats (thank you, Jim Harden) in mind, let's proceed, shall we?

We'll start with the most-asked Morning After question and go from there.

• Highland County Commission President Shane Wilkin was asked: "While serving in public office, have you been in any business partnerships with other elected officials? Also, please share your thoughts on public officials being in private business partnerships and what potential conflicts could arise."

The question regarded a previous business partnership among the commissioner and two other Highland County public officials.

After first saying he had been told the question might be asked, Wilkin responded that at the time he was elected four years ago, he had a partnership (with other public officials).

"Prior to taking office, I worked as a licensed Realtor. Part of my income was buying and selling property," the commissioner said. "I have owned property with another elected official that continued due to our inability to liquidate that property. That relationship no longer exists."

Wilkin said his business partnerships were listed on his Ohio Ethics Commission Financial Disclosure Statement. He also said if a situation arose where a potential conflict might exist, he would seek an opinion from the county prosecutor.

That seemed to be the launching pad for this morning's post-forum questions. How many situations arose in which a potential conflict may exist between the commissioner and the other public officials/business partners, and how many times in the last four years did the commissioner seek an opinion of the county prosecutor?

To the former, I cannot say without requesting considerable public records. To the latter, I can quote both the present county prosecutor and the former county prosecutor. The answer is zero. Nada. Zilch. 

According to both Jim Grandey and Anneka Collins, at no time has the commissioner requested an advisory opinion regarding a potential conflict of interest with his former business partners and fellow public officials.

Granted, it is quite possible that Commissioner Wilkin didn't feel it necessary to request such an opinion. (My opinion would be to the contrary, but it's OK to disagree.)

One of the frequently repeated phrases last night by those seeking public office – or seeking to maintain public office – was this: "I work for you, the people."

Yes, you do.

And because of this, it is important that when it comes to your public office, you do your level best to avoid even the hint of impropriety. Sometimes, even the appearance of a potential conflict of interest is reason enough for public disclosure prior to any votes which may affect the relative public offices.

Is this opinion meant to suggest there were, in fact, any improprieties? Absolutely not. Frankly, if I believed there were, you would've already read about them.

It is my personal opinion that Commissioner Wilkin has, for the most part, done an admirable job as county commissioner. He understands the private business sector, and he has worked to keep public spending in check. In other words, he is looking out for your tax dollars. We all should appreciate that. I know that I do.

On a different question at the forum, Commissioner Wilkin mentioned my name in defense of his attempt to notify The Highland County Press of the, shall we say, irregular and somewhat suspect, commissioners' meeting of Thursday, May 31, 2012.

Yes, the commissioner called me to inform the county's only locally owned newspaper of the May 31 meeting. Did the call satisfy the 24-hour requirement for a public meeting? Probably not.

I responded to this matter after it became a public issue on June 8 of this year. In an e-mail to the commissioner and the county prosecutor, I said:

"For the record, and to the best of my recollection, I will offer this comment regarding the Thursday, May 31, 2012 Highland County Board of Commissioners' meeting which began at 10:11 a.m. At some point on Wednesday, May 30, 2012, I received verbal communication from Commission President Shane Wilkin that the commissioners would be in session on May 31 to discuss Community Development Block Grant funds. Whether this was a 24-hour notice or whether such a notice is necessary, I am not certain."

Frankly, there were other issues at that May 31 meeting beyond the CDBG monies, including public property. All one has to do is look at the public minutes from that meeting.

In the future, I would appreciate a more forthright representation of the use of my erstwhile good name; though I will say, once again, Shane Wilkin has been – to the best of my knowledge – a good commissioner, overall. I mean that in all sincerity.

* * *

• The second Morning After question was broached by mid-morning.

"Did Commissioner Tom Horst really say that after leaving church on a Sunday morning, he found a 'local homeless man' sleeping on a courthouse bench? And was that one of the stated reasons for removing the bench?"

Well, yes and yes.

The conversation continued and I was duly informed that Jesus Christ himself was basically homeless.

The forum question that precipitated the Morning After debate was this: "There have been varying opinions on the public use of the Highland County Courthouse lawn area. Please explain your position regarding public use of the courthouse lawn," followed by a question if park benches might be returned to the square.

"The public use of the courthouse lawn – we're evaluating it," Commissioner Horst said. "We've had a lot of volunteer work – with no tax dollars. Lowe's seeded the grass. Judges Rocky Coss and Kevin Greer used money from their special projects fund. What we're trying to do is keep the courthouse in pristine condition."

The commissioner said the current policy bans grills, tables and tents from the courthouse lawn.

Maybe I missed the public vote on the current policy. To be honest, I miss a lot. (But I wouldn't bank on that admission.)

If the county commissioners' policy bans such things, when was this policy enacted and by whom?

And whether the aforementioned "local homeless man" naps on the courthouse lawn, the church steps, outside the post office, or anywhere else, probably isn't a primary concern for our commissioners. If the person in question is causing a problem, we have local law enforcement readily available.

Not long ago, I saw the same individual in question sleeping on the concrete steps of the Presbyterian Church on East Main and South East streets. The church hasn't removed the steps leading to the sanctuary.

Maybe the words of Finley Dunne are worth remembering: "Comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable."

* * *

A well-known local businessman stepped into the HCP office and wasted no time in asking me: "Who was the best and who was the worst" at the forum?

I can't say there was a "worst" candidate. There wasn't.

In my notes, I gave high marks on multiple occasions to Pete Pence, who is running for state representative.

When asked about State Issue 2 (the redistricting amendment), Mr. Pence really caught my attention.

"I think it's a shame I even have to answer this question," he said. "We have much bigger problems. My position is 'no.' I think it is well-intentioned. But there's uncertainties with the cost, possible litigation and it would require Appellate Court judges to make political appointments. I think there are other ways it can be handled."

To put it bluntly, I couldn't agree more. Pete Pence summed up Issue 2 in roughly 30 seconds. I appreciate that approach in a political candidate.

* * *

And then there was the somewhat adversarial county prosecutor's race. 

OK. I'll say it and hope that I'm proved wrong. Chances are, Kimberly McGuire-Haines and Anneka Collins probably won't exchange Christmas cards this year.

That's too bad.

Both acquitted themselves very well at the AAUW forum. (And I'd hope to be acquitted for that last pun.)

Listening to Mrs. McGuire-Haines for the first time at such an event, I was impressed. She did very well.

On the other hand, having witnessed the recent efforts of Anneka Collins – in many areas – I remain more impressed.

Mrs. Collins will not like me for saying this, but she is a workhorse. (Lord, help me to put this in a better light at some point!)

Simply put, Mrs. Collins is probably more devoted to the office than is commensurate with the pay. She has earned our respect.

But what do I know?

This week's column is not meant to be a political endorsement for – or against – any candidate. What it is meant to be is a reminder that, yes, public officials do, indeed, work for the voters and taxpayers.

Please don't forget that.

And thank you for your service.

Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.