Republicans begin the next round of 'what if...'

As one political season comes to an end, another one is about to begin in earnest. Sadly, that's the way it is these days with political seasons: They last longer than a strike-free NHL season and eliminate about the same percentage of candidates as the NHL eliminates teams.

For the region's dominant Republican Party, another year most certainly brings another round of political opportunities. And this party is nothing if not opportunistic.

One thing that the 2014 political season may bring is a new round of those "what if…" contingency plans for the once Grand Old Party. You know the drill.

What if a Republican incumbent who is up for re-election in 2014 decides not to run? What if he does run?

What if someone, say a county commissioner, hasn't fully decided on his possible bid for re-election? What if more than one fellow Republican is interested in Commissioner Jeremy Shaffer's seat on the board?

What if a Republican city council member has an eye on becoming a Republican county commissioner?

What if a Republican city council member has an eye on becoming a Republican mayor?

What if an incumbent Republican county commissioner has interest in becoming a Republican state representative in the 91st House District? (Granted, this "what if" scenario expands into Clinton and Pike counties as well as Highland.)

There's already discussion (understandable, all things considered) that at least one prominent Highland County Republican has serious interest in running for the Ohio House of Representatives. The more, the merrier! Get those petitions and signatures, already.

What if a Republican mayor also sees higher political office as a calling, maybe as a member of Congress, perhaps? Governor? Senator? Emperor? King?

What if a Republican mayor sees holding no political office whatsoever as an even higher calling? Talk about a late-in-life epiphany!

You can almost hear the wheels of progress in the Highland County Republican Party gearing up once again.

The central committee, of course, has been very busy in recent years.

Most recently, the Republicans' central committee made the appointment of Richard Warner as Highland County sheriff. (Just as, many years ago, the committee made a similar appointment of Ron Ward as sheriff.)

The committee also has made reasonably recent appointments that have included: Anneka Collins as county prosecutor; Dick Counter as county recorder; Ike Hodson as county clerk of courts; Dick Donley as Hillsboro City Council member; and Gary Lewis as Hillsboro city auditor. There may be others, of course, but this gives you an idea of the political process and also helps to explain why there's no "offseason" for political parties.

Resignations happen. People see another office as something more attractive. Maybe it's a higher salary and, thus, a boost in those cherished retirement benefits.

Higher aspirations happen. Newly elected people in office can seek another office in an off-year election without fear of present job dismissal.

And, yes, sometimes unfortunate events happen that require discretion to be the better part of valor and the officeholder simply packs up and moves on – as a recent city safety and service director did after his arrest.

Suffice it to say that even though the 2013 general election was five short weeks ago, there's been no extended period of rest and relaxation for the professional politicians.

That brings us to 2014.

While many of us are looking ahead – with some hope – to the midterm congressional elections across the nation, there's also a good degree of anticipation and theories regarding local campaigns, especially in the Republican camps.

(And, yes, "camps" is plural. There are more than a few local Republican camps, much to the dismay of several Republicans. There are, for instance, some Republicans who can still speak for themselves, rather than simply accept dictation from on high. Silence isn't always golden when you insist you want to "work for the people.")

With absolutely nothing more than a gut feeling to go on, I suspect that it's possible we'll see some interesting campaign filings as the deadlines for 2014 near. That's fine. There's nothing wrong with anyone exercising his or her constitutional right to seek public office.

I also suspect – behind the scenes – discussions are being held on a regular basis. Questions are being asked. Many of them begin with two words: What if…?

Time will tell. It always does.

* * *

You may have noticed that the last column ever written by longtime college professor Bill Horne has been reposted on our website. I hope you noticed.

We lost Bill Horne three years ago this week. His final column, "Be grateful for our greatest gift," appeared in the Dec. 5, 2010 edition of The Highland County Press.

In that column, Bill wrote: "The days slip by one at a time, and we can remember very few of them. Right now, please, would you look back one year and see if you can remember more than five days. (Those days where things happened to you don’t count. Things like a car accident, a flat tire, a raise in your paycheck or the loss of a job are things that just happen to you.) I am asking you to recall the days where you made a memory. You are going to be surprised by how few there are."

In addition to being a college professor, Bill was a member of the Highland County Democratic Party Central Committee and was a 2010 candidate for Ohio’s 86th House District.
   
“I really want to see if one person can make a difference in Columbus,” Bill often told me. “I think I can be that person. I think our political parties are well-represented, but I don’t think every person in our district is represented. I’d like to see if I could make a difference.”

I think Bill would have made a difference. I really believe that. We'll never know.

What I do know is this. After three years, I still miss Bill Horne.

In addition to family members and co-workers, more than anyone else, Bill encouraged me to purchase The Highland County Press almost five years ago. He suggested a business plan and was always quick to remind me that, knowing my history, failure was not an option.

"With your temperament and at your age (I had just turned 48), it's time you had your own newspaper," Bill told me. "I'd like to offer my column."

We had several long talks in that summer of 2009. His advice was always sincere and with never any hidden agenda. We were friends, first and foremost. The fact that we were polar opposites on many political issues never threatened that friendship.

* * *

During the holidays, people like Bill Horne – and others – always try to find ways to help those among us who are less fortunate. I know that at one time Bill and his wife, Connie, used to send the money they may have spent on Christmas presents for each other to Douglas Jiveti (jiveti@gmail.com) for his missionary efforts in Kenya.

There are others in our community who are reaching out and helping others. A few come to mind.

Hillsboro City Schools counselor Janet Fair has coordinated a campaign to reach students and families who could not celebrate Christmas due to circumstances beyond their control.

Last year, they helped 14 families through the outpouring of support from school staff and the community in getting each child a gift and food for the families.

Janet received assistance from the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association, the Hillsboro High School National Honor Society, the National Jr. Honor Society, and member of the Hillsboro FFA. They were able to help 14 families and more than 75 people.

Janet informed me this week that The Cutting Crew Hair Salon in Hillsboro will offer free haircuts for every gift that is brought in for one of the students on the Christmas Wish list.

Rachelle Trefz, of the Hillsboro Uptown Business Association and a local businesswoman on South High Street, recently organized Thanksgiving meals for local families.

Local attorney Susan Davis Thompson has organized and contributed greatly to the Soles for Students shoe campaign.

Former Hillsboro City Council member and former Hillsboro City Schools Board of Education member Mary Brown Turner has been one of the more generous people to those in need.

Mary and I spoke last week. For years, when I wrote about Mary, I referred to her as "local philanthropist Mary Brown Turner."

Mary certainly earned the title.

There are many others in this community who are similarly worthy of recognition.

Some, such as the late Glenn Fordyce, absolutely refused any public acknowledgment whatsoever of their personal good deeds. But rest assured, Mr. Fordyce – and others – worked diligently behind the scenes for the greater good.

So did Bill Horne.

Rory Ryan is publisher of The Highland County Press.