Sheriff Barrera: A welcome bridge across political party lines

By Rory Ryan
The Highland County Press

Judge (and former county prosecutor) Rocky Coss probably knows the history of Highland County Common Pleas Court about as well as anyone.

When he says the Nov. 24 overflow crowd on hand for Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera’s swearing-in ceremony (administered by Judge Coss) was the largest in the present courtroom, I believe him.

Each time I attempted to count those in attendance, I either lost track or found myself in another conversation. My initial reported estimate was “approximately 150.” Then, after looking at some of the photos from the ceremony, I found 55 people in one digital photograph. That photo did not account for anyone to my left or right, or directly behind me. The estimate was revised to approximately 200.

(Imagine what it might have been if those missing GOP stalwarts had attended!)

Regardless, this was – as one HCP reader posted online – a tremendous show of support for Sheriff Barrera, as was the Nov. 4 general election in which Barrera received more votes than any other candidate in Highland County.

It also was a tremendous bridge across political party lines.

Consider: Highland County just elected a Republican sheriff on Nov. 4. Three weeks later, the new Republican sheriff has a Democrat judge perform the swearing-in ceremony.

What are the political chances of this happening on a regular basis? Slim and none – and Slim’s out of town.

Not only is this a testament to Sheriff Barrera’s self-confidence, it says something about Judge Coss’ mettle, too. After all, there are among us those “party loyalists” who’d rather have a hemlock cocktail than associate with one’s perceived political enemy. (All in the name of public service, of course.)

"This great crowd is a tribute to you," Judge Coss told the county’s new sheriff. "The voters indicated their trust in you."

Prior to the official oath of office, the judge shared a story from the late David Pence, a longtime defense attorney in Highland County.

"Dave was a great defense attorney. He always said the most difficult cases he had was when there was a 'down-to-earth, tell-the-truth' officer on the stand. Dave said the first officer that that most definitely described was Donnie Barrera. It's true.”

From the more than 40 years that I have known Donnie Barrera, I’d have to agree with my friend and former lawyer Dave Pence. Donnie has put community service above partisan politics. Nothing wrong with that.

Maybe the majority of local voters, i.e. Republicans, will remember this in next year’s election.

* * *

Someone once said there are lies, damned lies, and statistics.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported last week that Ohio's unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in October 2014, down from 5.6 percent in September 2014. The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in October was 305,000, down 14,000 from 319,000 in September. The number of unemployed has decreased by 119,000 in the past 12 months from 424,000. The October unemployment rate for Ohio was down from 7.4 percent in October 2013.

The U.S. unemployment rate for October was 5.8 percent.

Politicians near and far, from Democrats like President Obama to Republicans like Gov. Kasich, assumed “credit” for happy days being here again.

In southern Ohio, the lies, er, statistics, suggest, at first glance, an influx of new jobs. The Highland County unemployment rate was announced at 5.6 percent. In Clinton County, it was 5.7 percent; 5.2 percent in Brown; 4 percent in Fayette; 4.9 percent in Ross; 6.9 percent in Pike; and an astonishing 5.9 percent in Adams County.

Before area state reps, senators and the governor get those campaign speeches ready, voters ought to remember these numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau (which more accurately correlate to the IRS data).

• More than 17 percent of Highland County residents live below the federal poverty level.

• Almost 25 percent of Adams County residents live below the federal poverty level.

For Highland County's 43,299 residents, the average per-capita income is $19,557 and the median household income is $39,641. The Ohio per-capita income stands at $25,857, below the national level of $28,051. Additionally, Ohio's median household income ($48,246) is less than the national average household income of $53,046.

In Ohio, 15.4 percent of residents live below the poverty level, compared to the national level of 14.9 percent.

For Clinton County's 41,945 residents, the per-capita income is $22,367 and the median household income is $46,443. Clinton County equals the state average in persons living below the poverty level (15.4 percent).

For Adams County's 28,105 residents, the per-capita income is $18,238 and the median household income is $34,282.

While the state politicians like to tout the low unemployment numbers, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any of them talking about the similarly low household income numbers. That’s because they are all making, individually, more than the state – and federal – average household income – all at taxpayers’ expense.

* * *

To wrap up this week’s work in progress, let’s take a good laugh – er, look – at the state’s House Bill 218, a piece of legislation almost as useless as House Bull (Bill) 5.

According to the Ohio House majority (the Republicants), “The legislation would create an ‘entrepreneur in residence’ program, in which private-sector entrepreneurs would volunteer at state agencies and offer feedback as to how the state can better reach out to small businesses. … In addition to making recommendations to state agencies for how they can improve their functions, entrepreneurs’ duties would include educating small businesses about the particular agency and assisting businesses in accessing the agency’s services.”

As a taxpayer and small-business owner, I can only respond to the state lawmaker’s previous quote as follows: Instead of “private-sector entrepreneurs (who) would volunteer,” why don’t you volunteer?

And as to “making recommendations to state agencies for how they can improve their functions,” let me offer this: Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

Right now, you are in the way.

Now, how about a news release on why the Ohio Municipal League, Democrat leaders and Republican tag-alongs who refuse to mention you by name are all wrong on House Bill 5 and why the state GOP is right?

The OML says: “When combined with the significant loss of revenue that municipalities are already facing as a result of policy changes enacted by Governor Kasich and the Legislature over the past four years, the potential impact to Ohio communities is staggering. Changes proposed in House Bill 5, legislation pending in the (Republican-controlled) Ohio General Assembly, could result in a substantial reduction in resources for hundreds of Ohio communities that levy an income tax, and could lead to further budget consequences such as service cuts and tax increases.”

Moving Ohio Forward does raise a few interesting questions on this one, too, and not nearly as politically correct as the OML. Just ask Sen. Bob Peterson of Sabina.

On the state level, everyone from the governor to southern Ohio’s House and Senate voices appears to be on board with HB 5. This may be the greatest Republican legislation since Senate Bill 5 from a few years ago, which most of you were in favor until you were against – due to political expediency.

So, it’s 5 of one or 5 of another, as bills go.

If, as a member of the Ohio General Assembly, you support HB 5 and have previously voted for it, why not tell us why you support it? Is that too tough?

Rory Ryan is publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.