Along The Way: League candidates’ forum needed Republican participation
The Kent League of Women Voters hosted an informative “Face 2 Face” meet-the-candidates forum a week ago Saturday that would have been much better if the Republican candidates had participated.
The Republican boycott of the event here in Portage County apparently is similar to what is reportedly occurring in Lake County. Are the League’s objections to Republican gerrymandering the reason for the boycott? Do Republicans think the League’s membership is too Democratic and their candidates cannot get a fair hearing? Whatever the reason, the Republican boycott gave the Democratic candidates the floor for the entire session. Republican candidates missed a good opportunity to tell their stories.
The format of “Face 2 Face” is not a competitive debate, but an information session in which those attending can meet the candidates face to face. The atmosphere is neighborly. The questions are not hostile.
Members of the League working hard without pay, volunteered their time for “Face 2 Face” with the goal of better informing the public about the issues and candidates. Kent and Brimfield Lions, Kent State’s Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusiveness, the Portage County Division of the NAACP and the National Alliance on Mental Illness stepped up to sponsor the event.
The approximately 100 attendees were seated at tables. Candidates circulated, one to a table, where, for several minutes, participants could ask questions before a time-keeper told the candidate to move on to another table. John Graves, a financial and information specialist, facilitated for the table where I was seated. He began each session by asking the candidates to identify the major issues they face.
Here were some of the responses:
Portage County Courthouse space crisis
Both Common Pleas Court Judge Laurie Pittman and Domestic Relations Court Judge Paula Giulitto described the lack of courthouse space as desperate. Changes by the state legislature regarding felony drug trials in Common Pleas Court have added to her caseload, Judge Pittman said.
Ohio legislation that now sends cases involving juveniles with unmarried parents to Domestic Relations Court instead of Juvenile Court is adding to her caseload, Judge Giulitto said. She said adults do not have to stay married, “but they do have to co-parent.”
Judge Pittman’s challenger, Attorney Wesley Buchanan, was a no-show. Judge Giulitto is unopposed, but nevertheless went to the trouble to participate in the League’s “Face 2 Face”.
Better access to health care
Matt Kilboy, candidate for the 14th Congressional District that encompasses all of Portage County along with Trumbull, Lake, and Ashtabula counties, said his work in health care has convinced him the American people need better access. He claimed health care in America has excessive profiteering.
Kilboy operates a nursing consulting business and holds doctoral degree in nursing from Ohio State. The Deerfield resident had graduated from Kent State with a degree in sports medicine and then served two tours of duty in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. His opponent, incumbent David Joyce of Lake County, did not respond to the League’s invitation.
A fairer economy
Kathleen Clyde, the candidate for the Ohio House of Representatives in the 72nd District, said better educating young Ohioans to prepare them for the digital economy is her top focus. She criticized draining money from Ohio’s public schools to support private and online schools.
Clyde credited passage of the Biden Administration’s Chips Act with having helped Intel locate its new plant in Ohio. Her opponent, incumbent Gail Pavliga, did not attend.
Improving communications
Brad Cromes, candidate for Portage County auditor, complimented the current auditor, Janet Esposito, who is retiring, for her “open-door policy. Everyone knows her.” He said he would seek additional ways to inform the public.
Referring to mandated six-year property reassessments, Cromes said, “No one likes surprises and many first learn of their new property valuations when they get their property tax bill.” He said he would add social media as a tool to improve communication with property owners. Matt Kelly, Cromes’ opponent in the election, did not attend.
More public participation
Geraldine Nelson, candidate for Portage County Board of Commissioners, said getting more people involved in determining the outcome of county issues would be her priority. Her opponent, Mike Tinlin, did not participate.
Neither candidate for the State Board of Education in the 9th District showed. The incumbent, John Hagen, is being challenged by Robert Fulton. The big issue concerns Ohio House Bills 322 and 327, which would remove topics deemed divisive from the curriculums of schools. Those opposed say the provisions amount to unwarranted censorship.
The League of Women Voters in Portage County also prepares voter information that is circulated in the Record-Courier. It explains issues and it publishes responses from candidates to questions the League poses. Reading it helps one become better informed before voting.
David E. Dix is a retired publisher of the Record-Courier.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: David Dix: Republicans boycotted Portage candidates’ forum
