Keep Summit County Republicans Strong

A Candidate for Chairman... Finally...

2008-03-26T10:41:00.000-07:00

The smoke cleared. The candidate emerged. A very nice lady. A very nice lady initially recruited for elected office by Wayne Jones' friend, Kim Hoover. (Judge Hoover, with his wife, appeared in campaign advertisements for Wayne Jones when he ran for Mayor of Cuyahoga Falls against Mayor Don Robart. Mrs. Hoover worked on Jones' campaign. Judge & Mrs. Hoover contributed to Wayne's campaign against Mayor Robart.)

Questions emerge:

(1) Should an individual with a full-time, demanding corporate job serve as chairman while working her job? Will she have the time?

(2) Should an elected official serve as chairman? How will this official ensure that the parties decisions concerning candidate support are made impartially, without favoritism or an eye to advancing the chairman's personal aspirations for elected office?

(3) How will a chairman whose spouse works at the pleasure of two Republican Judges (Coates and Hoover) avoid favoritism in order to keep her husband employed?

(4) Does anyone think that Mrs. Klinger can remain free of the influence of the politically-wired Hoovers, Wayne Jones and Pete Kostoff? Doesn't she owe her promoters a debt of gratitude?

Also, in case you didn't notice, Kevin Coughlin and Pete Kostoff stayed away for Mrs. Klinger's announcement. Were they really that busy? Were they trying to distance themselves from a failing movement? Or, were they trying to avoid weighing this candidate down with their considerable baggage?

Connections...

2008-03-24T07:35:00.000-07:00

Wayne Jones, Don Varian, Kevin Coughlin

2/26/08 - Don Varian Represents Kevin Coughlin before Summit County Board of Elections.

2/27/08 - Wayne Jones recommends Don Varian to Jennifer Brunner for appointment to the Summit County Board of Elections.

2/29/08 - Jennifer Brunner appoints Don Varian to the Summit County Board of Elections.

From today's Akron Beacon Journal:

"When asked about the news conference Sunday, Varian said, ''Stay tuned.''

He declined further comment, except to predict that it will be ''an interesting news conference.''

''I hope to be there,'' he said.

Varian hasn't ruled out the possibility of trying for the chairmanship. He had said he and Coughlin wanted to wait to see the results of the March election before announcing a chairman candidate."

Coughlin - Varian - Jones. The New Summit Republicans' leadership team? Stay tuned, indeed.

Wayne Jones, Wayne Jones, Wayne Jones, Wayne Jones, oh yes, and Kevin Coughlin...

2008-03-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

It's all about Wayne. Truly, it is. Kevin Coughlin is pretty much the palace eunich, carrying out Wayne and Pete's bidding. He's been the beard all along for Wayne's bold move to Roetzelize the Summit County Republican Party...

Dispute is unique, GOP says

Summit party claims Brunner's rejection of appointee is unprecedented in court

By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Thursday, Mar 20, 2008

The Ohio Supreme Court is on new ground with a case filed by the Summit County Republican Party, the party's attorney said Wednesday in a brief filed with the court.

The high court has never decided a case involving a secretary of state soliciting negative information on a local party's recommended appointee to an elections board from the opposite party, state Sen. Tim Grendell, the party's attorney, said in the brief.

''There simply has never been a case like this one, where the secretary of state has brazenly demolished the legislature's statutory structure for maintaining bipartisan balance on local elections boards,'' Grendell said in the 44-page brief.

The party is challenging Ohio Secretary of State JenniferBrunner's decision to reject Brian Daley, the party's recommended appointee to the elections board, and instead appoint Akron Attorney Don Varian to the board.

Brunner said in a videotaped deposition last week that Wayne Jones, the Summit County Democratic Party's finance chair and a member of the elections board, told her she should not reappoint Summit County Republican Party Chairman Alex Arshinkoff to the elections board.

She said Jones also told her she should reject Daley and appoint Varian, who is involved in an effort to unseat Arshinkoff as chairman.

In Grendell's brief, he said Brunner, Jones and other local Democrats ''targeted'' Arshinkoff, and, after ''bushwhacking'' him, ''aimed their political guns'' at Daley, a former Hudson City Council president and retired business executive. He said these actions are ''unprecedented'' in Ohio.

Grendell said Daley is the ''victim'' of ''political chicanery, guilt by association, politics'' and a ''Brunner invited witch hunt.'' He said Brunner's office didn't attempt to verify the information provided on Arshinkoff and Daley, which included letters and newspaper articles and editorials.

Grendell said Brunner didn't subject Varian to the same level of scrutiny as Arshinkoff and Daley, including not reading Varian's resume. He said Daley is ''extremely competent'' and should have been appointed.

''Secretary Brunner and her staff have engaged in a deliberate effort to circumvent her legal duty and to defeat the Summit County Republican Party's statutory recommendations,'' Grendell wrote in the brief.

To allow Brunner's actions to stand would ''render the right of a local party executive committee to make a recommendation totally meaningless,'' Grendell said.

Grendell said Wednesday evening that his office looked through previous cases handled by the Supreme Court and ''couldn't find one that touched on this fact pattern.'' He said Jones solicited negative information on Arshinkoff and Daley and gave it to Brunner, who didn't give either of them the chance to see the information or respond to it.

''That's just flat out un-American,'' Grendell said in a phone interview. ''We have due process. It's one of the cornerstones of our Constitution.''

The party is asking the court to put Daley on the board and to nullify staff changes made March 5 by the election board.

At this meeting, Varian, Jones and Tim Gorbach, the other Democrat on the four-member board, voted to get rid of several board employees who were loyal to Arshinkoff. They also hired several people who are in league with state Sen. Kevin Coughlin, who is leading an effort to unseat Arshinkoff as chairman. Jack Morrison Jr., a Republican board member, was the lone ''no'' vote on these changes.

If the court sides with the party — and puts Daley on the board — the court should overturn these staff changes, Grendell said. Not doing so likely would result in 2-2 ties by the elections board that would have to be decided by Brunner.

''If the court agrees the denial was improper, then the secretary of state and Wayne Jones shouldn't get away with that or any of the benefits of their improper conduct,'' Grendell said.
Brunner's reply brief must be filed by the court by March 31. The party will then have five days to submit a response.

At this point, the court could make a decision. The court could require oral arguments but normally hasn't in this type of case.

Stephanie Warsmith can be reachedat 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.

Wayne Jones, Kevin Coughlin, Pete Kostoff and Don Varian... Oh My!

2008-03-19T10:02:00.000-07:00

Well, the past few weeks have been interesting. Wayne Jones has shown himself (or Jennifer Brunner has shown Wayne Jones) to be at the center of the attempt to take over the Summit County Republican Party.

1. Wayne defeats the appointments of Alex Arshinkoff and Brian Daley as Republican members of the Summit County Board of Elections;

2. Wayne recommends the appointment of "Republican" Criminal Defense Attorney Don Varian, two days after Varian appeared before the Summit County BOE representing Kevin Coughlin;

3. Jones, Varian and Tim Gorbach vote to remove 7 BOE employees who are staunchly loyal to the Summit County Republican Party.

Kevin, Pete and Varian may be the front-men, but Democrat Godfather Wayne Jones is pulling all the strings.

Cleveland Plain Dealer

Editorial: Brunner is too fond of battles fought behind the scenes

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

When Jennifer Brunner ran for secre tary of state in 2006, she said all of the right things about restoring faith in Ohio's elections machinery. She seemed to understand that the voting process must be open and transparent. The only secret at the polls should be what's on an individual's ballot.

It's too bad she failed to bring any such understanding to her efforts to remake the Summit County Board of Elections.

Brunner last month rejected a recommendation from the county Republican Party to reappoint its chairman, Alex Arshinkoff, to the elections board that he's been on for some 30 years. Ohio law allows her to reject a party's nominee if she doesn't believe the candidate would be a competent board member. In rejecting the often-brusque Arshinkoff, she cited allegations that he had bullied the board's staff.

When the county party proposed former Hudson Council President Brian Daley as a replacement, Brunner rejected him, too. Then she made an 11th-hour nomination of her own: Akron attorney Don Varian, a leader of an insurgency to oust Arshinkoff as GOP chairman.
Summit County Republicans appealed Brunner's decision to the Ohio Supreme Court, as authorized by law. But when the party's attorneys sought to depose Brunner, she first resisted answering questions, then insisted that the deposition be closed to reporters, and finally tried to seal both the transcript and a videotape of her testimony. The high court properly rejected her requests.

As the court noted, the administration of elections is by definition a matter of high public interest. Thus questions about Brunner's decisions needed to be aired in public. And she needed to answer them, not refer them to an underling. The buck stops with her.

When the deposition was released, the public learned that Brunner got advice on Arshinkoff, Daley and Varian from longtime Democratic board member Wayne Jones. Like his bitter enemy Arshinkoff, Jones is an unrepentant partisan. He is certainly no impartial adviser.
Brunner promised a professional elections system, not a partisan one. Her testimony suggests that she's as unclear on that concept as she is on the public's right to know.

--------------------------------

Akron Beacon Journal

March 15, 2008

Local Democrat tied to GOP case Secretary of state testifies Wayne Jones suggested Summit board changes

By Stephanie Warsmith Beacon Journal staff writer

Published on Saturday, Mar 15, 2008

It was Wayne Jones, the finance chairman for the Summit County Democratic Party, who told the secretary of state that county GOP Chairman Alex Arshinkoff should not be reappointed to the elections board.

And it was Jones who told Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner that she should reject Brian Daley, the county Republican Party's recommended replacement for Arshinkoff, instead suggesting that she appoint Akron attorney Don Varian to the position.

That information was part of the testimony Brunner gave during a 51/2-hour deposition for an Ohio Supreme Court case filed by the county GOP challenging her decision to put Varian on the board.

''Wayne Jones had indicated that he would be a good board member,'' Brunner testified.
Brunner's 169-page deposition was provided to the Akron Beacon Journal and filed with the court Friday, the deadline for all evidence in the case.

Arshinkoff, who was present for Brunner's testimony, was livid about her comments about Jones' involvement.

''This is an appointment the Summit County Republican Party is to make, not the Summit CountyDemocratic Party,'' Arshinkoff said Friday, his voice raised. ''Wayne Jones lied, saying he had nothing to do with it. Now we find out Wayne had everything to do with it.''
Arshinkoff called this ''a blatant political assassination attempt.''

Brunner, a Democrat, decided in February not to reappoint Arshinkoff, who had been on the board and has chaired the Summit County Republican Party for nearly 30 years. She then rejected Daley, a former Hudson council president and the party's recommended replacement for Arshinkoff.

Brunner instead appointed Varian, who is involved in an effort to unseat Arshinkoff as party chairman. She made the decision hours before her March 1 deadline for choosing election board members across Ohio.

Tense questioning

Brunner's closed and videotaped deposition, conducted Wednesday night in her Columbus office, was often tense, with frequent back-and-forth exchanges between state Sen. Tim Grendell — an attorney who is representing the party — and Assistant Attorney General Richard Coglianese, one of several lawyers representing Brunner.

At one point, Grendell, frustrated over the lack of copies of requested documentation, threw papers at Brunner — for which he later apologized. At another point, objecting to Grendell's questions, Coglianese threatened to end the deposition.

In her testimony, Brunner said she and Jones, who is one of two Democratic members of the Summit elections board, had a discussion in January about problems at the board. She told Jones she hoped that he would support keeping Bryan Williams, the Republican director of the board, because she thought Williams was doing a good job.

''At that point, Mr. Jones said, 'Well, then you should not reappoint Alex Arshinkoff,' '' Brunner said. ''And I said to him, 'I cannot simply not reappoint him. If there's evidence, you would have to send it to me.' ''

Brunner said that in mid-February, she received a file of information about Arshinkoff that she reviewed. She said she wasn't sure who provided the file.

In a Feb. 20 letter to Arshinkoff, Brunner cited a history of Arshinkoff harassing and intimidating board workers; the creation of a partisan working environment; and an affidavit saying he tried to influence three county judges.

Picking replacement

Brunner said Jones was critical of Daley, whom the Republican Party's Executive Committee had recommended to replace Arshinkoff, during a voters forum she held in Akron on Feb. 27. She said Jones told her ''there were people who had information that Mr. Daley suffered from some of the same issues that concerned me not to reappoint Mr. Arshinkoff.''

Brunner said she asked Jones, ''What other Republicans are there?'' and he suggested Varian.
Brunner said James Hardy, her liaison in charge of Summit County, provided her with a packet of information about Daley. It included negative comments from Mike Moran, a Democrat who served on Hudson City Council with Daley, and an Akron Beacon Journal editorial that said Daley had behaved like ''a bully.''

Grendell asked Brunner whether she talked to either Arshinkoff or Daley before making her appointment decisions.

''No, I was not required to,'' she responded.

Grendell asked Brunner whether it was her policy ''to ask the opposing political party to comment on potential appointees to the board of elections.''
Brunner said it was not.

''And so the discussion with Mr. Jones would be out of the ordinary?'' Grendell asked.
''I usually rely on the party making the appointment to send me the name of someone who would be competent,'' Brunner said. ''If they fail to do that by the deadline by which I have to appoint, I look for input on who would be a competent member from where I can find it.''

Conspiracy claim Arshinkoff said Brunner's testimony about Jones' involvement bolsters his contention that Jones and Pete Kostoff, Jones' Republican law partner at Roetzel & Andress, have been behind the effort to remove him as party chairman.

''Roetzel wants to run both parties,'' he said. ''They're doing a damn good job trying.''
Arshinkoff called Varian ''the handpicked man of Wayne Jones'' and ''a lackey of the Democratic machine.''

'A cancer at the board'

Jones acknowledged in a phone call Friday that he told Brunner he thought Arshinkoff should be removed from the board, and he provided Brunner with the packet of information about Arshinkoff.

''It was just the truth,'' Jones said. ''He had become a cancer at the board. He was abusive to employees. Given his record, it was time for him to go.''

Jones said he told Brunner that he heard ''similar things about Daley'' that she might want to check out. He said he had been told Daley was ''combative'' and ''abusive.''

Jones said he thought Varian was ''an honorable guy'' and would be a good board member.
Jones, however, again denied Arshinkoff's claim that he's in league with Republican state Sen. Kevin Coughlin, who is leading the effort to oust Arshinkoff as party chairman.

''I have never had a conversation with Coughlin,'' Jones said. ''I don't have a dog in that fight. I could care less. I hope both of them pull guns out and shoot each other.''

Jones said the elections board is ''near and dear'' to him and Arshinkoff ''turned it into a circus.''
Varian said he doesn't know how or why Brunner selected him for the board. He said his credentials as a Republican date back 35 years.

''My allegiance continues to be with the Republican Party,'' he said. ''I think that is necessary on the board.''

Patrick Gallaway, a spokesman for Brunner, said Brunner based her decision on who should be appointed to the Summit board on the information given to her. He said their office had files on every elections board nominee across Ohio.

Gallaway said David Farrell, Brunner's elections director, interviewed Varian and, based on this, decided he would ''make a good fit'' on the board.

''This process is about following the proper procedures,'' Gallaway said. ''That's what we've done with every board appointment.''

Another Voice Against The New Summit Republicans...

2008-03-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

The Republican Party does not deserve the derisiveness of the New Summit Republicans campaign. When asked to be on their ballot, I understood my role to be creating awareness of a need for betterment in county Republican leadership. Always believing in the need to improve our government, I welcomed this opportunity.

After a few months weighing each side of this divisive debate, I now have the final piece of the puzzle necessary to place my vote firmly with Alex Arshinkoff's leadership.

The latest attacks against Brian Daley are unconscionable. This strategic blunder may cause the Ohio Supreme Court to weigh in and stop the madness, but it does not forgive the political assassination of a fine man.

I imagine that loud voices and a great deal of "bullying" were present when our founding fathers drafted our Declaration of Independence. These same voices that are heard today evoke the passion that comes with the mantle of leadership. I rue the day when all of us in politics accept the status quo and ignore or prohibit needed change. The change we need in Summit County is for politicians to do the jobs we were elected to do.

Our citizens and communities have real problems. A state senator choosing to spend all of his time bashing the Summit County Republican Party's leadership has no time to dedicate to solving these problems. Cozying up with the Secretary of State to thwart a fair nomination by the Summit County Republican Party Executive Committee identifies the New Summit Republican's choice of leadership, whoever that may be, to be leadership I could never believe in.
Let's bury the hatchet and begin working for the people we were elected to serve.

Carol L. Gasper

Twinsburg Township Trustee

State Senators in Glass Houses...

2008-02-29T06:25:00.001-08:00

... Shouldn't be hypocrites...

Kevin Coughlin's at it again...

2008-02-29T06:15:00.001-08:00

When his "campaign for change" has imploded, what's a state senator to do...

What he always does... Lie.

Coughlin Prattles While Ohio Founders....

2008-02-04T17:54:00.000-08:00

Kevinus Primus?

When you're a term limited State Senator and your home state is facing the following threats, what would you do?

- Loss of more than 136,000 manufacturing jobs in Ohio since you took office in 2001 - 3,900 jobs lost in December 2007 alone - (http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Michigan+and+Ohio+continue+manufacturing+job+loss.-a0170862673, http://www.daytondailynews.com/b/content/oh/story/business/2008/01/18/ddn011808blsweb.html);

- A budget deficit for Ohio forcast as high as $1.9 Billion;

- High oil and gas prices that make many Ohioans chose between keeping warm and keeping their families fed;

- An educational crisis in primary, secondary and post-secondary public education;

- An estimated 30,000 - 40,000 people per year are leaving Ohio;

- Ohio is losing more young adults than any other state except Pennsylvania (104,000 from 1996 - 2006) (http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/oh/story/news/local/2006/09/23/ddn092406youngdrain.html);

Most reasonable, responsible public servants would roll up their sleeves and work to improve Ohio. A real leader would spearhead the necessary reforms to move Ohio forward.

Not so with Senator Kevinus Coughlinis Primus, he has his fiddle out and is making a heck of a racket trying to take over the Summit County Republican Party.

Why isn't he focused on Ohio?

Kevinus has stated that his goal is to take over the party so that he can position himself for a run for higher office once he's finished his current "lame duck" term in office. (He was reported to have told the Akron Beacon Journal that his move to take over the Summit County GOP would make him a prime candidate for Ohio's next governor.)

Shouldn't Coughlin be working to improve Ohio's problems rather than advancing his personal interests - all while feeding at the public trough? Maybe just once, Coughlin should try to earn his public paycheck.

He should be ashamed of himself. He sets a poor example as a public servant.

What do you see when you open Kevin Coughlin's Kimono...

2008-01-03T20:00:00.001-08:00

... Pete Kostoff... YUCK!

"Opening the Kimono", "Pulling back the curtain", whatever you call it, some folks are just too dim to realize that they're providing others a front....

So, too, with Kevin Coughlin. So how do we know Pete Kostoff is Kevin's little (or not so little) secret? Let's start in Spring 2007 when Kevin and Pete hatched Pete's little plot to take over the Party - Pete met with Summit County Party loyalist, Sheriff Drew Alexander, and asked for his support. Kostoff is reported to have said that the movement could not succeed without Alexander's support. Sheriff Alexander, a supporter of the Party's current leadership refused to support Kostoff and Coughlin.

More recently, in state central committee filings made by Coughlin, Kostoff and his wife Pam were among the first to sign Kevin's wife's state central committee petition. In filings made on Thursday, January 3, 2008 with the Summit County Board of Elections, Kostoff's wife Pam was a leading circulator of Coughlin petitions. Many members of Kostoff's and his wife's family are candidates for the central committee.

In Coughlin's brave new world, Kostoff is set to assume the role of Finance Chairman. You know the golden rule - "He who has the gold rules." Get ready King Pete's reign to begin if Coughlin is able to unseat the County party's current leadership. More importantly, get ready for the end of an independent Republican Party in Summit County. Pete's law partner and co-collaborator on all things political is none other than Democrat Finance Chair Wayne Jones. Isn't it cosy and convenient, both political parties run from the same practice group of one law firm...

Kevin Coughlin Can't Help Himself...

2008-01-03T19:55:00.001-08:00

Kevin Coughlin has a gift for self promotion. Kevin is running for precinct committeeman against Mayor Don L Robart. He's running his wife for the State Central Committee. Kevin and his wife, Anne, are BOTH Romney delegates. (This is unheard of in political circles.) How much is too much for two people??

For someone who talks so much about team work ("TEAM COUGHLIN" anyone?), it seems that Kevin's team is pretty small... two people - only if he includes his wife.

We can only imagine the additional laurels Kevin will give himself in his brave new world...

Hypocrite! Kevin Coughlin gets caught dealing with the Democrats!

2007-12-16T13:53:00.000-08:00

Apparently, Kevin Coughlin has his holiday shopping done as he's been hard at work over the past few days working to undermine the 2008 Summit County Republican slate of candidates and exposing himself for what he is - a hypocrite.

Case in point -

A republican candidate for County office reported that Kevin called to discourage this person from running for County office. Further, this person claims that Coughlin indicated that he (Coughlin) has been in discussions with the Democrat chairman - and County Executive - Russ Pry in order to work out a deal for Republicans and Democrats for 2008. Kevin asked that this person not run for office. (Is Coughlin making deals with the Democrats? After he accused the party's current leadership of this conduct?)

This person told Coughlin to take a hike. Further, this person asked Coughlin how his search for a chairman has been going - apparently - there are no takers - or so Coughlin claims...

Take aways - Coughlin's up to his eyeballs in collusion with the Democrats. Other examples -

(1) Coughlin's key point person in the City of Green, David Reilly, worked to support a Democrat, Andy Padrutt, for Green mayor against Republican Dick Norton. Reilly went so far as to place his name on a pro-Padrutt mailer.

(2) Coughlin supporter Pete Kostoff has publicly supported Democrats for office, including Lee Fisher, and works for Roetzel & Andress, the politically-wired law firm where one of his partners is the Democrat Finance Chair Wayne Jones. When asked if he was involved with the "new summit republicans" Kostoff is said to have stated "Kinda sorta".

(3) Rumors have it that Kevin Coughlin (or his supporters) provided supporters of Cuyahoga Clerk of Courts, Lisa Zeno Carano, a photograph of her Republican challenger, John Widowfield, with former governor Bob Taft. The photo was used in an attack mailer against Widowfield. Where was the photo taken? The front of Coughlin's home. Who took the photo? A Coughlin staffer.

Can Coughlin be this much of a hypocrite? Or, is he just too dumb to understand that the Democrats are playing him like a violin?

Kevin Coughlin's Leadership Crisis...

2007-12-05T09:43:00.001-08:00

.... He doesn't have a leader for his "new Summit County Republicans"...

Less than one month before the filing deadline for the Summit County Republican Central Committee, and it is clear that Kevin Coughlin is desparate. Desparately in need of a candidate for Chairman.

Coughlin has been burning the phone wires contacting individuals, asking each to run for Chairman in his brave new world. In fact, on election night, Coughlin is rumored to have called an unsuccessful candidate for office to ask him to run for chairman. The candidate was not interested. No one is interested. At least no one that Coughlin can credibly place before the Summit County Republican Central Committee.

No one wants to be associated with Coughlin's movement, especially not at its helm.

The Summit County Republican Party's Five Facts

2007-11-27T06:34:00.000-08:00

Over the weekend, people started to receive the Summit County Republican Party's first formal response to the challenge being led by Kevin Coughlin to take over the party.

The response and its attachment follow:

-------------------

November 21, 2007

We ask you to read and remember five simple facts!

Five simple facts to sweep away all the pessimism, distortion and worse being spread by a small but vocal band of ambitious agitators about your Summit County Republican Party.

Five simple facts needed to pull some in this party out of their negative, doom and gloom attitude. Facts to kick-start them back into the positive, optimistic frame of mind that wins elections and once again brings Republican values to the forefront of American life – here in Summit County and throughout the nation.

We have attached these facts for you to read, remember and pass along to your Republican friends. Over the coming weeks, we also plan to personally contact as many Central Committee members and other party faithful as possible. We want to further explain these facts and answer additional questions about your party’s future.

We want you to know, despite of all the misinformation you may hear, that your local Party has indeed been recruiting Republican candidates, supporting their campaigns, building a strong grassroots team and winning competitive races in Summit County. These are the facts, and we want you to know them!

That’s also why we have set up a Telephone Answer Line to address your questions as quickly and fully as possible. Details can be found on the fact sheet. You can also e-mail us at info@summitgop.org.

We understand why you and others would sincerely question where Republicans (here in Summit County, in Ohio and nationally) are headed after heartbreaking losses in 2006. We know why you fear for the party’s outlook for 2008. It’s hard not to feel disappointment and frustration at this point in the party’s history, when Republican values have never been more under siege.

Locally, statewide and across America, the party’s momentum is at its lowest ebb in a generation. That’s not just a Summit County phenomenon – it’s a nationwide problem that has upset Republicans everywhere. But it’s a problem that demands honest answers and decisive leadership – not a dishonest, reckless rehash of the past, or a clash of selfish personal agendas that can only lead to defeat. Rather it requires a fresh, optimistic call to action for the future!

Optimism and hope have been the keys to Republican success through the years – a spirit of enthusiasm and confidence best embodied by the great Ronald Reagan. That optimistic spirit must sustain us today.

That’s the real threat posed by this latest smear campaign to undermine your local party, sow even greater doubt about the party’s future and threaten any chance we’ll ever have to assure Summit County Republicans of greater gains in the years ahead.

That’s why we are asking you to stand today with your local party, stick with the vast majority of your fellow Republicans in Summit County and help us as we build a stronger, more successful and more hopeful party than ever before.

Sincerely,

Jonathan T. Pavloff, Chairman, Central Committee

Alex R. Arshinkoff, Chairman, Executive Committee

PS: Results of the recent November elections give us reason for thanks. We broke even in local races, despite a down year for Republicans elsewhere! With your help, we’ll continue to build on those successes -- recruiting strong candidates, giving major financial and operational support to their campaigns and keeping your Summit County Republican Party competitive in one of the most difficult political environments in America.

Five Facts
You Need to Know About
Your Summit County Republican Party

Fact 1

The Summit County Republican Party – with your help – contributed $5,909,356 to local and state candidates in hard-fought campaigns since 2000 ($1,016,750 in 2006 alone!) ¹. It’s a record of support matched by few, if any, other urban counties of similar size in America.

Fact 2

We’re winning elections! Not as much as we’d like, but it’s a far stronger record than naysayers claim. Like Republicans nationwide, we had a disappointing election in 2006. But this year in Summit County, we broke even in the November races – a result that other Republican county organizations would envy! No, it’s not perfect, but it’s called momentum, and it bears out the fact that Republicans hold a higher percentage of offices today in Summit County, compared to Democrats or Independents, based on our relative numbers of registered voters.²

Fact 3

Your Summit County party has successfully recruited and supported candidates for competitive races, year in and year out. A number have gone on to statewide office or federal positions. Yes, we’ve conserved our resources and targeted races where any fair observer would give us some chance of success. Our track record is strong – and getting stronger!

Fact 4

Perhaps most important of all, your party has provided vital grassroots support for our candidates – at levels unprecedented for Republicans in urban, historically labor-dominated counties. That means an amazing support system of Central Committee members, booth workers, phone-bank callers and campaign volunteers. Your Summit County organization is among the best of urban counties across the country and second to none in Ohio!

Fact 5

Akron and Summit County present one of the most difficult political environments that Republicans face anywhere! Yet, it’s a fact that your local party has raised record funds for candidate support; we’ve recruited and elected Republican officeholders at greater percentages, based on voter registration, when compared to the other party; and we’ve built grassroots support that’s the benchmark for local Republican parties nationwide.

Questions or comments? Call 330-253-6446 or email us at info@summitgop.org. We’ll be back to you as soon possible.

__________________
¹ Based upon campaign finance reports on file with the Summit County Board of Elections for the Summit County Republican Party, county, municipal, and state elected officials; campaign finance reports for federal candidates on file with the Federal Elections Commission; campaign finance reports for state elected officials on file with the Ohio Secretary of State; and records of the Summit County Republican Party.

² Out of about 390 elected positions [in Summit County], Democrats hold 50 percent of the seats, while Republicans have 39 percent. The political breakdown of the 374,594 registered county voters is 22 percent Democrat, 11 percent Republican and 67 percent nonaffiliated. Per Akron Beacon Journal 9/23/2007 Document ID: 11BE367240F8A840.

He's BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK....

2007-11-27T05:55:00.000-08:00

Kostoff breaks the surface again...

Pete Kostoff, former Summit County GOP loyalist, present-day Democrat supporter, Roetzel & Andress partner and Jim Petro backer has again come to the forefront of the movement to take over the Summit County Republican Party. He was initially reputed to be part of the movement, but disavowed any involvement.

Some months ago a defamatory web site known to those in Summit County as "the pink site" surfaced containing all manner of lies. Summit County insiders wondered who was behind it. While many thought it was Kevin Coughlin, others wondered. Recently, Pete Kostoff was asked whether he was behind the slanderous pink site. His alleged response? "Kinda sorta."

Clearly, it seems that Kostoff is pulling the strings of Kevin Coughlin's Pinocchio. It appears that the folks at R&A want to consolidate both political parties under their control - R&A partner Wayne Jones is the Summit County Democrat Party's finance chair and favored candidate for its chairman in 2008. Now Kostoff wants to pull the strings on the SCRP. How cozy...

Kevin's New Chairman II

2007-10-23T09:44:00.000-07:00

This just in from our sources in the Coughlin camp. Rumors have it that the latest name being bandied about for Coughlin's candidate for Summit County Republican Party Chairman is Former Hudson City Council President George Roth.

Roth, a long-time Republican and construction big-shot, served as a member of the Summit County Republican Executive Committee while President of Hudson City Council. Roth was also co-chairman of a Hudson fundraiser for Senator Mike DeWine that hosted President George H.W. and Mrs. Barbara Bush.

The chairmanship would certainly not hurt Roth's construction business...

Kevin's New Chairman

2007-10-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

The identity of Kevin Coughlin's slate of officers for the Summit County Republican Party's leadership is a better kept secret than Lou & Hy's Cheesecake recipe. Kevin has claimed that he's not a candidate for Chairman. Apparently, he wants a Chairman other than himself so that the Chairman can endorse his candidacy for any future office that Kevin might seek.

While pundits initially pegged former SCRP friend Pete Kostoff as the leading candidate for Chairman, it appears that even Kostoff doesn't want to be associated with Coughlin. So who's the candidate? Maybe Elvis is alive? Howard Hughes? Jim Petro?

Kevin has been dolling out hints to staffers and pundits in Columbus. The latest hint - The person ran against Alex Arshinkoff for Chairman. There are two living people who ran against Chairman Arshinkoff for Chairman - Mark Figetakis and Attorney Don Varian. Mark Figetakis hasn't been involved in Republican politics in decades. Thus, all eyes turn to Varian. Thirty years ago, Republican leaders wouldn't pick Varian because he was the law partner of the Democrat chairman Bob Blakemore.

Today, while Varian may not be partner of the Democrat chairman, his ties to Democrats and Roetzel run deep. Also, his participation in Republican politics has been scant - other than his contributions to the campaign of "pay to play" master Jim Petro. Can Summit County's Republican Party afford Don Varian as its Chairman. We don't think so.

Lies... Damn Lies... And... Well... Kevin Coughlin...Part II

2007-10-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

Some people would not know the truth if it slapped them up-side the head. Unfortunately, for his constituents, Tom Noe-trained Kevin Coughlin has a truth problem.

Kevin couldn't tell enough lies and half-truths on his regular website so he created a shadow website to spew the venom that was too defamatory for his regular website (it takes work to make that much stuff up, but no lie is too big for Coughlin). Some of Kevin's "anonymous" attacks:

1. Kevin claims Summit County's leadership is under investigation by the FBI - Kevin's confusing his own friends with our party's leadership.

2. Kevin claims that the Summit County Republican Party "cut off Don Plusquellic's 2003 opponent late in the campaign, leaving the Republican candidate twisting in the wind." The City of Akron's campaign finance laws permit the Summit County Republican Party to give a Republican Candidate for Mayor of Akron $300. That's right folks, $300. Anything more is a crime.

3. Kevin claims that "In 2006, [the Summit County Republican Party Chairman] stated that there were conditions under which he and the Summit County Republican Party would support Ted Strickland for Governor." That is false. The Summit County Republican Party raised over $346,000 for the Republican Candidate for governor, Ken Blackwell. (See http://keepsummitcountyrepublicansstrong.blogspot.com/2007/08/summit-county-republican-party.html.)

Kevin Coughlin simply cannot tell the truth. It's just not in him to be honest.

We've been away...

2007-10-09T14:16:00.000-07:00

While some public officials have been collecting their paycheck as a State Senator and working to tear apart the Republican Party in Summit County, our party's leadership has been focused on what they do every day - working with candidates to win elections.

Thus, we haven't had a chance to keep our blogspot presence up to date. Beginning today, we will be catching you up on the current news in Summit County.

Coughlin and Casino Gambling...

2007-09-17T19:40:00.000-07:00

Kevin Coughlin alleges the Summit County Republican Party's leadership is in the hands of pro-casino interests because an independent contractor for the party and many of its candidates, Terry Casey, represents proponents of indian reservation casino gambling.

To paraphrase Shakespeare, "We thinks the Senator doth protest too much." According to the facts, Coughlin has been a central player in the movement to bring casino gambling to Ohio.

From http://www.ohiogaminglaw.com/news/2005/04.html

Proponents of Expanding Gambling in Ohio Meet in Columbus
April 20, 2005

Gambling proponents from across the state recently met for the first ever state gambling summit in Columbus. Kegler Brown attorneys attended the meeting. The meeting was a three hour, closed door session, which included proponents from all aspects of the gambling industry. There were approximately sixty participants in the meeting, including representatives of municipalities, horse tracks, Indian tribes, and vending machines. In addition there were members of the Ohio General Assembly in attendance. Representative Bill Seitz (R-Cincinnati) organized the meeting, and was joined by fellow legislators Senator Kevin Coughlin ( R-Cuyahoga Falls); Senate Minority Leader, Senator CJ Prentiss (D-Cleveland); and House Minority Leader, Representative Chris Redfern ( D-Catawba Island).

The attendees at the summit vowed to stick together as proponents of expanding gambling in Ohio. The next step is to conduct opinion polls of Ohio voters regarding casino gambling in Ohio. Participants in the gaming summit agreed to contribute towards the poll, which it is estimated will cost $80,000 to $100,000. Senator Coughlin commented that it is tiring to watch money funnel out of Ohio to bordering states which have casino gambling. Ohioans are gambling, yet Ohio’s not getting any of the profit, Coughlin commented. Cleveland Mayor Jane Campbell, who was in attendance, is advocating for a home rule approach, where the citizens in each community could decide if casino gambling is right for them. Representative Seitz commented that he would like to see a plan put before Ohio voters which gives the greatest chance for economic development, and which keeps the money from flowing out of Ohio to neighboring states.
(Emphasis added.)

Once a hypocrite, always a hypocrite. Does Kevin shoot crap for relaxation? He sure spouts enough....

Lies... Damn Lies... And... Well... Kevin Coughlin...

2007-09-17T13:16:00.000-07:00

Although it's harvest time here in Summit County, it appears that our good Senator Kevin Coughlin has his seasons confused and he has his manure spreader on high.

What's the latest tall-tale you might ask. Well grab your waders. This one comes right from his own personal Pravda, http://www.newsummitrepublicans.com/. Let's just take a couple piles of Kevin's manure, road apple by road apple.

Road Apple #1 - The Republican Party will give the Democrats the Summit County Sheriff's office (an office the GOP currently holds) AND the County Executive AND the County Prosecutor - Apparently, unlike Bill Clinton, the folks at the Coughlin camp are inhaling - HEAVILY. This is plain WRONG.

Road Apple #2 - The Democrats will allow the GOP to win the Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Clerk of Courts race. - Who really thinks that the Democrats will give up a patronage base they have had for DECADES. We think the Coughlin folks have been drinking a little too much of their mediocrity cool aide. This is another LOSER.

Road Apple #3 - The Democrats will allow the GOP to win the Green mayor's race in 2007. - Now this is a great way to discount Dick Norton's strong showing in the September primary. If you believe this, we have some swamp land in the Portage Lakes to sell you folks. Andy Padrutt, the Democrat in this race, has been campaigning for this office since he was in preschool. Moreso, Kevin's own folks have been working with the Democrat Padrutt. This is one hot mess from the Coughlin folks that's too out there to believe. WRONG, Kevin. The word is WRONG.

Road Apple #4 - Republicans will also get the two new common pleas judgeships that will appear on the ballot in 2008. - When you manure the fields you have to be careful. Too much compost and you'll burn your plants roots. There's so much dung in the Coughlin camp that nothing is going to grow there for decades. Kevin, you're WRONG four for four.

Road Apple #5 - Arshinkoff avoids fielding candidates in expensive races in order to finance his opulent lifestyle and bloated headquarters overhead. - This is why the Summit County Republican Party has a strong and funded candidate in every race it can win in 2007. It just keeps getting deeper and deeper. And, you're still WRONG, Kevin.

What the Summit County Republican Party Already Does - "Our party should educate the public on Democratic corruption, incompetence, and loony leftism, where appropriate. And it should strive to field qualified candidates in every race." - Kevin, We couldn't have said it better. You've stated everything we do year in and year out. By the way, right now, you're in the lead for the head of the "loony left."

The Recipe of the Month... Kevin Coughlin's Mediocrity Punch...

2007-09-16T20:24:00.000-07:00

You may wonder how a month into his "campaign for a change" Kevin Coughlin's "movement" has less momentum than Walter Mondale's 1984 presidential bid...

Well, now we know how. Just use this recipe, smuggled from the Coughlin camp's super-secret headquarters (it's almost as secret as his slate of officers to lead his brave new party)...

The Coughlin Mediocrity Punch. Not quite as effective as Jim Jones' cool aide, but it's almost as lethal. With a few simple ingredients, you too can have your own dead on arrival campaign.

Start with one embittered, term-limited officeholder without a career other than feeding at the public trough who has been simmering for several years in a marinade of bile, blended with equal parts of jealousy and resentment.

Add one bitter former Republican activist.

Let simmer for several months. Remove bitter former Republican activist. Save for later use.

Add one pointed letter that is a blend of rumor, misinformation, half-truths and lies. Mix with a slick website funded by a mystery committee and a handful of interviews sprinkled with the same blend or rumor, misinformation, half-truths and lies.

Add no candidates for the "new" party's leadership. Add only a few disgruntled registered Republicans who do more work for Democrats than Republican candidates and you're almost there.

Refuse to answer any questions concerning your personal motivations, conflicts of interest, lack of qualifications, lack of support or lack of supporters, labelling all such inquiries as "the politics of personal destruction." Add liberal doses of invective directed at your "opponents" via anonymous postings to websites, blogs, etc. Let simmer.

Cool for four weeks. Serve cold. It's a bitter drink. No wonder it is so unpopular.

A RINO Can't Change His Stripes...

2007-09-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Once a liberal, always a liberal...

RAB Reports today that Senator Kevin Coughlin has officially endorsed Mitt Romney. Apparently, Coughlin is looking for someone who changes positions on issues as frequently as himself.

Read more about it.... http://www.rightangleblog.com/2007/09/12/ohio-state-senator-kevin-coughlin-endorses-governor-mitt-romney/

Summit County Republicans Make Strong Showing in September Elections... Coughlin Team's Candidates Falter

2007-09-11T20:20:00.000-07:00

The Summit County Republican Party's Primary Election ticket made a strong showing in today's September 11 primary, defeating opposition mounted by Kevin Coughlin's supporters.

In the City of Green, members of Coughlin's team backed Democrat Andy Padrutt and tax-dodging convict Chris Slates against the Summit County Republican Party's candidate, retired bank executive Republican Dick Norton.

Some of Coughlin's team members even sent out a misleading flier to Green Republicans endorsing Democrat Padrutt (http://keepsummitcountyrepublicansstrong.blogspot.com/2007/09/couhglins-team-backs-democrat-padrutt.html). The Coughlin team (including David Reilly and sitting Mayor Dan Croghan) also engaged in other "dirty tricks" to put Slates on the ballot (http://keepsummitcountyrepublicansstrong.blogspot.com/2007/08/who-are-democrats-dancing-bears.html).

The Coughlin team's smoke and mirrors did not work. Dick Norton, with nearly $25,000 in support from the Summit County GOP on top of his own fundraising, lead the Green primary ticket, beating Padrutt by more than 13% and Slates by 45.2%. Norton and Padrutt will advance to the November ballot. Slates, Susan Ridgeway and Dave Lauby will not advance to the November ballot.

Coughlin endorser, Daniel Dismuke, lost a 3-way primary battle for Stow Law Director to Summit County Republican Party's candidate Brian A. Reali. Reali lead the ticket with 63.6% of the vote. Democrat Christina Gray garnered 29.5% of the vote. The Coughlin team brought out 90 votes (or 6.9% of the vote) for Dismuke.

Elsewhere in the County, in the race for Clerk of the Falls Municipal Court, Republican State Representative John Widowfield beat his primary opponent 83.8% to 16.1%. Widowfield will face Democrat Lisa Zeno Carano and seven other women who filed as independent candidates in this November's election. Local Democrats chose not to oppose Akron Municipal Court Judge John Holcomb or Cuyahoga Falls Municipal Court Judge Kim Hoover in this November's election.

Clearly, the Coughlin folks know more about losing elections than they let on. Elsewhere in the County, Republican candidates competed well against Democrats in non-partisan jurisdictions. There were many disappointments for local Democrats in today's election results. It looks to be a promising fall election season for Summit County Republicans.

Overheard from the Coughlin camp - Coughlin claims that he still does not have a candidate for Chairman. Either he's lying or there's no one of stature who's dumb enough to let himself be associated with Kevin. Better not look behind that curtain, folks, you may just see Toto - not even a broken-down old snake oil salesman, just a little terrier.

GREEN RESIDENTS SPEAK OUT AGAINST COUGHLIN TEAM'S ANTICS IN BACKING DEMOCRAT PADRUTT

2007-09-10T07:16:00.000-07:00

Received via email at Summit County Republican Headquarters:

"Two of these flyers (attached) came to my house Saturday; one to my wife and one to me. As you see they are from Andy Padrutt (Green Mayor candidate) and open with “Dear Republican…featuring 3 RINOs, Dave Reilly, Tom Robinson and Joel Reed. Please keep in mind that Joel Reed is actually running for a Green Council at- large position on Tuesday’ s primary. What a joke! I hope the party is not giving him a freakin’ dime.

As far as Dave Reilly goes, what the heck is up with this loser? Kevin Coughlin and Pete Kostoff deserve that two-faced idiot who the party gave money hand over fist in his municipal races for Green Council. What a hypocrite. Be sure to note Reilly’s self-proclaimed “Republican Activist” tag. That’s about as accurate as his “political strategist” tag he used to use on Green Council then could not win a softball re-election as a sitting council president? He’ll make a great “strategist” for Couglin’s train wreck. Tom Robinson…Summit County Sheriff’s Office property appraiser? …Drew Alexander needs to punt on 4th down with that Padrutt campaign manager.

It truly saddens me to read of these RINO scumbags' antics who call themselves “community leaders....’”"

COUHGLIN'S TEAM BACKS DEMOCRAT PADRUTT IN GREEN MAYOR'S RACE

2007-09-08T18:15:00.000-07:00

Kevin Coughlin's team has already provided a foreshadowing of its unique brand of two-faced leadership in its endorsement of Democrat Andy Padrutt for Mayor of Green over Republican Dick Norton.

After helping Padrutt circulate petitions for a convict (http://keepsummitcountyrepublicansstrong.blogspot.com/2007/08/who-are-democrats-dancing-bears.html), Coughlin backer and Arshinkoff detractor David Reilly (http://www.newsummitrepublicans.com/news/article.aspx?id=29) joined a group of registered Republicans in endorsing Padrutt in a misleading mailer (attached below) sent to registered Republicans in the City of Green.

Some of you may remember Padrutt - the former Executive Director of the Democratic Party and a DUI convict. The Beacon Journal wrote this about him:

Akron Beacon Journal

December 11,
2004

DUI COSTS POLITICIAN HIS LICENSE
ANDREW PADRUTT , 24, GETS THREE DAYS IN JAIL,
FINES FOR APRIL INCIDENT

A former Summit County Democratic Party head will spend three days in
Glenwood Jail, lose his driver's license for six months and pay $400 in fines
for driving under the influence last spring.Andrew Padrutt received his sentence Friday in Akron Municipal Court.Padrutt , 24, was convicted Nov. 10 after a one-day trial. In addition to the jury finding him guilty of DUI, visiting Judge Joyce George found Padrutt guilty of impeding the flow of traffic and not wearing a seat belt.

The week after his conviction, Padrutt said he would resign as Democratic Party executive director . Party officials said he stepped down to focus on finishing college and that his leaving had nothing to do with his court case.

He had been executive director since March 2002. He was the first person to hold the position.Padrutt's other political work includes being a Green city councilman.The drunken-driving incident occurred in the early morning hours
April 9.

At trial, prosecutors argued Padrutt was drunk after swigging beers with other young Democrats at an East Exchange Street pub. The drinking caused him to fall asleep at a traffic light at Exchange Street and Hawkins Avenue, prosecutors said.Padrutt's defense was that he wasn't intoxicated but exhausted from his many political duties.

Coughlin's brand of leadership emerges - Surround yourself with weak Democrat-leaning Republicans and tell everyone that you're the most conservative person on the face of the earth. We suppose that Kevin's theory is that if you ignore the truth, believe your own propaganda and repeat it enough times the public may believe it.

Summit County's Republican faithful know better.

The Plain Dealer Expresses its View of Coughlin...

2007-09-04T08:41:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of the Plain Dealer:

‘How I spent my summer vacation’

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

The end of summer marks the beginning of a very busy political season for Ohio politicians. Some will debate health care and energy policy at the Statehouse, while others will jump into the 2008 campaigns.

Fortunately, summer gave many of them time to rest up and get focused. Here’s how a few of them might explain their summer to Gov. Ted Strickland:

Dear Ted:

If you don’t know me by now, you should. I’m the real boss of Summit County’s Republican Party. And though my party is about as popular as toys from China right now, I still have statewide ambition. I could have your job in 2010.

I’ve spent a decade in Columbus as state representative and senator from Cuyahoga Falls. My attractive family is featured in all of my commercials.

This summer, I began organizing a coup against Summit County GOP Chairman Alex Arshinkoff, who raises and spends big money but has little to show for it. And he makes decisions all the time without my input. You may have heard me blast him on Cleveland’s local NPR station, WCPN. (Too bad the only listeners were liberals from Cleveland Heights and Oberlin.)

I have lined up support from dozens of leaders whom I can’t name right now. But trust me: I have a lot of closeted support. If I can just get the support of our babe-liscious state auditor, Mary Taylor – who’s from my county – I could lock up this whole thing right now.

Let’s keep up the bipartisanship!

Sincerely,

Kevin ‘Mad Dog’ Coughlin

State Senator

More Turns Than a Mardi Gras Parade...

2007-09-02T23:25:00.000-07:00

He'll say whatever he needs to for the situation. It doesn't matter if he contradicts himself. A few examples:

"But all too often, that promised support never materialized ..."
- Coughlin, Letter, August 14, 2007

"I've never argued that (Arshinkoff) can't raise money,"
- Coughlin, Akron Beacon Journal, August 29, 2007

"This year's Summit County Republican fundraising drive has once again failed to raise enough money to cover the local party's promises."
- Coughlin, "New Summit Republicans" website, September 3, 2007

Makes John Kerry look like a paragon of clarity, doesn't it? Why let consistency and honesty get in the way of a good smear campaign?

Notwithstanding Senator Coughlin's bluster, the Summit County Republican Party's 2007-2008 fundraising is on target. Perhaps if Senator Coughlin participated in the Finance Committee rather than just knocking it (and asking for contributions from the party to the Senate Caucus), he would understand the party's budget better and he would get to observe and participate in the Finance Committee's work in reviewing and approving the budget.

Summit County Republican Finance Dinner a Huge Success...

2007-08-29T06:07:00.000-07:00

With the Honorable Rob Portman, Congressman Ralph Regula, State Auditor Mary Taylor, Deputy ORP Chairman Kevin DeWine, Speaker of the Ohio House Jon Husted, Ohio Supreme Court Justice Maureen O'Connor State Representatives Widowfield and Batchelder, and a full complement of county and local Republican officeholders, the Summit County Republican Party's Annual Finance Dinner on August 28, 2007 was a huge success. The Ballroom of the Hilton Akron-Fairlawn was filled to capacity.

See what the Akron Beacon Journal had to say, below:

Akron Beacon Journal, August 29, 2007

Summit GOP leader praised

Rick Armon, The Akron Beacon Journal, Ohio

Aug. 29--FAIRLAWN -- The Summit County Republican Party stung by an ongoing, internal effort to overthrow the longtime party chairman raised $742,000 at its annual Finance Dinner on Tuesday night.

The event, the major fundraiser for the local party, turned into a lovefest of sorts as some high-profile Republicans came to the defense of Chairman Alex Arshinkoff, who has led the organization for nearly 30 years.

"It's hard to be a prophet in your own land, isn't it Alex?" Ohio House Speaker Jon Husted said during his public remarks.

Kevin DeWine, deputy chairman of the Ohio Republican Party; Mary Taylor, the state auditor; and Bryan Williams, the co-chairman of the event, also praised his commitment to the Republican cause.

Earlier this month, state Sen. Kevin Coughlin of Cuyahoga Falls announced an effort to oust Arshinkoff, accusing him of misspending party funds, not supporting local candidates enough and losing too many local races.

Coughlin will have to win over a majority of the 400-plus Republican committee persons who will be elected countywide in March to succeed in the coup.

Ticket sales and donations for the Finance Dinner are typically lower in years not featuring big national and statewide races, Williams said. But giving was strong this year, and he attributed that partly to support for Arshinkoff.

When introduced, the party chairman received a standing ovation from most of those who paid $250 a ticket to attend the event, held at the Hilton Akron/Fairlawn hotel.

He referenced the party fissure during his comments and disputed Coughlin's accusations.

"I found out a long time ago that party chairmen are usually the root cause of most defeats and are the forgotten child of most victories," Arshinkoff said. "That's part of the business and we'll live with that."

Gust and Frances Kalapodis of New Franklin, who attended the event, said they were confused by Coughlin's effort. "I think the guy's a little squirrelly," Gust Kalapodis said about Coughlin.

Coughlin, who was out of town Tuesday, did not attend the fundraiser.

In a phone interview before the event, he said he's received positive feedback since he publicly released a letter on Aug. 17 announcing his intention.

He has not said who he wants to be the next chairman. He also has launched a Web site to push his agenda.

Green Mayor Daniel Croghan, Hudson Mayor William Currin and Stow Law Director Joseph Haefner are among the Republicans who have joined the effort, according to the Web site. Other names will be announced soon, Coughlin said.

He said Summit County deserves a true two-party system. Now, one party raises all the money and the other wins all the races, he said.
"I've never argued that (Arshinkoff) can't raise money," Coughlin said.

Who are the Democrats' Dancing Bears??

2007-08-26T10:03:00.000-07:00

Two of Coughlin's six publicly stated supporters!

Senator Kevin Coughlin lists among his six supporters City of Green Mayor Dan Croghan and uses a rant from former Green City Council Member David Reilly on his website in support of his case. An article in today's Akron Beacon Journal sheds some light on Reilly and Croghan.

For most of this year, the rumor in Green has been that Croghan, a registered Republican, was giving only lipservice to the Summit County Republican Party's candidate for Mayor, Dick Norton, and that Croghan was actually supporting the Democrat in the race, Andy Padrutt (a former director of the Summit County Democratic Party). Croghan held a fundraiser for Padrutt earlier in the year and is said to have justified this action by explaining that he had to hold the event to get Padrutt's vote as a City Councilman on a key piece of legislation.

Today's ABJ article (link will be posted as soon as ABJ uploads it to the Internet) states that both Croghan and Reilly circulated petitions along with one of Padrutt's key supporters, Democrat Jim Colopy, to get another Democrat, Chris Slates, into the mayor's race. Slates will be competing with Republican Dick Norton in the September primary election. (Green as a nonpartisan, charter city does not have partisan primary elections.)

According to the Beacon Journal, Democrat Slates, age 24, has criminal convictions for DUI, and disorderly conduct and was sued separately by both the City of Green and the State of Ohio for not paying his taxes and will be under house arrest (355 day sentence) during the primary election in which he is a candidate for Mayor.

Republican candidate for Green Mayor Dick Norton said it best when he labelled this effort, "seedy". How can Croghan and Reilly call themselves Republican supporters when they are gathering signatures for Slates, a Democrat, along with another Democrat? Some may say that this was a covert effort to help Norton. If so, then why did Democrat Padrutt and his family sign Democrat Slates' petition?

Clearly, Croghan and Reilly are acting in the best interests of the Democrat Andy Padrutt and not the Republican candidate Dick Norton. If they are willing to conspire with Democrats against a Republican candidate, then we can see the type of "leadership" Kevin Coughlin espouses.

One third of Kevin's stated supporters are involved in this illegitimate and seedy effort. This is a reflection of Kevin's ability as a leader and his ability to recruit supporters. Can the Summit County Republican Party afford Coughlin's "leadership"?? We think not.

Here's the ABJ Article that discussed this issue:

Akron Beacon Journal, August 26, 2007

HOUSE ARREST FOR CANDIDATE
MAN RUNNING IN GREEN MAYORAL RACE AFTER PLEADING GUILTY TO THIRD DRUNKEN-DRIVING OFFENSE

Rick Armon, Beacon Journal staff writer

GREEN The five-way race for mayor of Green features a candidate who will soon be placed under house arrest after pleading guilty to his third drunken-driving offense in the past four years.

Christopher M. Slates, 24, whose criminal history includes resisting arrest and two disorderly conduct convictions, also was sued this year by both the city of Green and state of Ohio for failure to pay taxes.

Despite that -- and a court order in February that will place him under house arrest for 335 days -- his name will appear along with the four other mayoral candidates on the nonpartisan Sept. 11 primary ballot.

Slates is scheduled to begin serving his time on Sept. 5.

In a further twist, his effort to get on the ballot was helped by current Mayor Daniel Croghan and city Councilman James Colopy -- both of whom don't support Slates but are promoting other candidates.

Slates, who also ran unsuccessfully for council in 2005, has not returned phone calls from the Beacon Journal. He canceled a scheduled interview with the newspaper's editorial board and has not returned a questionnaire mailed to candidates.

He, along with city worker David Lauby, retired banker Dick Norton, Councilman Andy Padrutt and Councilwoman Susan Ridgeway, are running for the four-year position, which pays $78,786. The top two vote-getters in the primary move on to the general election.

Croghan, who cannot run again because of term limits, and Colopy helped gather signatures to place Slates' name on the ballot.

But Croghan supports Norton, and Colopy serves on Padrutt's campaign committee.

So what's going on?

"That's a great question," Ridgeway said.

It's a common strategy for political parties and candidates to place an unknown name on the ballot to suck votes away from rivals or to create a primary, forcing candidates who are not well funded to spend their cash before the general election.

"I'm assuming they wanted to force a primary because they know I don't have a lot of funds," Ridgeway said.

So were they trying to ensure a primary?

"I wouldn't argue with that," Croghan said.

Asked why, the mayor responded: "No comment."

Colopy, who has known Slates since high school, said he wasn't trying to force a primary and instead was just helping out a friend who approached him about running. Even though he was working on Padrutt's campaign, he said he didn't see a conflict in assisting another candidate.

He also said he questioned Slates about his past.

"His response was, 'I want to get my name out there and put that stuff behind me' and I didn't have a reason to say I wouldn't help him out," Colopy said. "I told him straight up, 'Chris, I don't think you have a chance.' He realized he was a long shot."

Slates has been convicted in Akron, Barberton and Cuyahoga Falls municipal courts of drunken driving, disorderly conduct, resisting arrest, driving under suspension and underage drinking.

In February, he pleaded guilty in the Barberton court to his third drunken-driving offense, which stemmed from a traffic stop by the Summit County Sheriff's Office in August 2006, according to court records. Judge Michael Weigand sentenced him to 335 days under house arrest, fined him $1,000, suspended his license for three years and ordered him to attend an alcohol treatment program.

The city of Green sued him in the Barberton court this year for not paying his taxes. And he was sued by the state in Summit County Common Pleas Court for not paying taxes.

In addition to Colopy and Croghan, former Green Councilman David C. Reilly also circulated a petition for Slates. The signatures gathered include the names of Croghan, Padrutt and Councilwoman Christine Croce. Croghan, Padrutt and Colopy's relatives signed the petitions, too.

However, it's not unusual for candidates to sign each other's petitions, knowing how difficult it can be to gather signatures.

Other than signing the petition, Padrutt said he didn't support Slates' efforts.

Norton said he's heard about the Slates issue, but had nothing to do with his appearance on the ballot. If people did conspire to put him on the ballot, Norton called it "seedy."

A primary is required if there are four candidates for mayor. With five candidates, a primary was inevitable.

Colopy and others said that shows there wasn't an attempt to force a primary.

There also had been a question of whether Lauby would really run -- either he was going to drop out or be encouraged not to run. Another candidate, Slates, apparently was needed to ensure a primary just in case, Ridgeway and others said.

As for who's supporting whom, Croghan said he's sticking with Norton.

"He's without a doubt the most qualified candidate," he said.

Colopy, who helped get Slates on the ballot, said he hasn't wavered in his support of Padrutt.

"Andy is the most qualified candidate," he said.

Padrutt doesn't think Slates would be a good mayor.
"I don't think he should be the mayor," he said. "There's no question about that."

Letters to the Editor in Support of Arshinkoff...

2007-08-26T09:58:00.000-07:00

Here are letters from two folks NOT in the Coughlin column...

Published on Sunday, Aug 26, 2007 in the Akron Beacon Journal.

Dogfight at the GOP Corral

Mark Twain commented: ''If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man.'' This quote could be applied to state Sen. Kevin Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, who's turned to name-calling as a way to challenge Summit County Republican Party Chairman Alex Arshinkoff.

Let's look through the mudslinging to examine what's really going on.

Coughlin has lost the financial backing of the Republican Party as a result of his record as a do-nothing legislator. In my opinion, he has mistaken name-calling as leadership. This is emblematic of an officeholder who is all image and no substance.

Coughlin has stated that he has supporters in his movement to dump Arshinkoff, but they wish to remain anonymous until after the November election. This is leadership?

Paul Schweikert Trustee, Sagamore Hills Township

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What's eating Coughlin?

Published on Thursday, Aug 23, 2007 in the Akron Beacon Journal.

State Sen. Kevin Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, has great experience and many excellent attributes that position him as a strong leader to assist Ohio to overcome its downward spiral in terms of job losses and the exodus of young people. He is intelligent, articulate and nice looking all necessary attributes for successful, modern-day political leaders.

Thus, his most recent conduct, reminiscent of a spoiled child in a schoolyard, was all the more surprising (''Summit GOP's Arshinkoff challenged,'' Beacon Journal, Aug. 18).

It is no secret that Coughlin was upset that Mary Taylor, former state representative, was
supported by the local Republican Party to run for statewide office, while he was not.

The incumbent mayor of Akron, a Democrat and one of the longest-serving mayors of a major U.S. city, has been a steady leader for Akron and the entire region. Don Plusquellic has gained the respect of many on both sides of the political aisle.

As a conservative Republican, I personally may not support all of Plusquellic's policies, including his proposed tax increase, but I do acknowledge that his long tenure has delivered economic benefits and greater prosperity for the area.

To ask for new leadership for the county GOP on the grounds that Chairman Alex Arshinkoff did not run a candidate against a well-liked and successful long-term mayor is ludicrous.
Coughlin's letter rant also claimed that Summit County demographics are more favorable than ever for Republicans. Where are his figures coming from? Recent statistics show that for ''likely voters'' (those who actually vote) in Summit County, 43 percent are Democrats, 37 percent are independents most of whom vote for either the Democrat or the best-known candidate (likely to be a ''D'') and only 20 percent vote Republican. Democrats have better than a 2-to-1 advantage over Republicans.

The real accomplishment is that, despite Summit being a strongly Democratic county, Republicans have been able to consistently maintain a strong county party that is envied throughout the state and the country. The reason? Simply, Alex Arshinkoff.

Arshinkoff has been a stalwart supporter of the party and its candidates locally and in Columbus and Washington. To suggest that he is somehow aligned with the local Democrats is laughable.
He's been one of the strongest supporters I have known for GOP candidates and the Republican values of freedom for all, less government, traditional values and a strong military.

It is unclear what has motivated Coughlin to act in such an irrational manner that is so at odds with his normal, reasoned approach to leadership and governing.

Deborah Owens-Fink Richfield Editor's note: The writer is a former member of the State Board of Education.

Better Than Reading Harry Potter?

2007-08-23T19:37:00.000-07:00

At least Harry Potter is entertaining...

Coughlin is just writing lifeless fiction. Examples?

1. "...his attacks on community organizations like the Akron Art Museum..."

- This has about as much truth as Hillary Clinton's "vast right-wing conspiracy".

2. "He’s endorsed a Don Plusquellic-led effort to hike the income tax."

- This is more of a myth than "Lord of the Rings". Arshinkoff did not endorse the 2007 Plusquellic income tax increase.

People in Glass Houses...

2007-08-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

Kevin Coughlin makes much of the expenses of the Summit County Republican Party, however, his expenses might make a maharajah blush with shame. So, what expenses did his campaign fund pay for in 2006 alone?

Food, meetings, events: $15,805.31, including a $2,969.69 tab at the Portage Country Club and $850.09 at the private Athletic Club of Columbus.

Firestone Country Club: $7,995.

Mileage: $2,407.40 for Kevin (not including any reimbursements from the State for mileage on official business which will be discussed in a later post), and $7,500.92 for staff mileage.

OSU Football Tickets: $1,944.

Membership to B.J.'s Wholesale: $65

Hypocrisy: Priceless.

Source: Campaign finance reports from the Secretary of State's website: http://www1.sos.state.oh.us/portal/page?_pageid=74,56431,74_56461&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL

This just in from a supporter...

2007-08-19T16:30:00.000-07:00

Kevin Coughlin stated that one of his gripes was that Alex Arshinkoff was allowing Mayor Don Plusquellic to run unchallenged for Mayor. Mayor Plusquellic is one of the longest sitting mayors of any major US city. While as a conservative Republican I may not agree with all of his policies, namely his intent to raise taxes (again), Akron and Summit County citizens on both side of the political spectrum have been generally well served by the stability of his leadership.

Indeed if Mr.Coughlin felt so strongly about having a Republican run against the incumbant mayor, then with his strong political credentials, and the strong group (he states he has) backing him he should have moved into the city and run himself.

~ Proudly Conservative

Editor's note - Or he could have taken it upon himself to recruit a candidate given his independence from Chairman Arshinkoff...

Summit County Republican Party Fundraising in 2006

2007-08-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

The Summit County Republican Party has a long and proud history of vigorously supporting Republican candidates for local, state and federal office. In 2006, a rough year for Republicans nationwide and in Ohio, the Summit County Republican Party under Chairman Alex R. Arshinkoff’s leadership, contributed or raised $1,013,750 for the following Republican state and local candidates and officeholders through its Central Drive and other fundraising:

Governor Candidate Ken Blackwell - $346,750
Attorney General Candidate Betty Montgomery - $310,500
State Auditor Mary Taylor - $103,500
House Republican Caucus - $50,000
Senate Republican Caucus - $25,000
Summit County Judicial Candidates - $27,500
Other Candidates - $18,500

Chairman Arshinkoff also raised $132,000 for federal candidates separate from the Central Drive:

Senator Mike DeWine - $86,500
Congressman Steve LaTourette - $22,000
Candidate for Congress, Craig Foltin - $23,500

Total 2006 fundraising by the Summit County Republican Central Drive and by Chairman Arshinkoff for candidates: $1,013,750.

From the President of the Ohio Senate...

2007-08-18T09:31:00.001-07:00

We thought that readers might want to see what Senate President Bill Harris recently wrote concerning Summit County Republican Party Chairman Alex R. Arshinkoff and the Summit County Republican Party:

Why this Blog? Background.

2007-08-18T09:14:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, August 14, 2007, State Senator Kevin Coughlin sent a letter to Republican Officeholders, Contributors and Supporters initiating a challenge to the three-decade long leadership of Summit Country Republican Chairman Alex R. Arshinkoff.

Keep Summit County Republicans Strong is dedicated to setting forth the facts concerning Chairman Arshinkoff's leadership and why his continued leadership is needed to insure the future success of the Summit County Republican Party.