I want to thank my good friend John Dolske for spending my tax dollars so wisely. Also thanks to Phil Crist. By the way Phil, how is Gary DeMastry doing in prison? Do you take John on the visits with you? And to barrister McTigue, how many times have you been involved in suits where you either fought for or against the city of Pickerington or made other sage election issue opinions?
So now I have to see my taxes well spent by our illustrious commissioners to defend themselves against the board of elections who are also using my tax dollars to defend themselves.
WHO THE HECK IS DEFENDING ME?????
Article published Aug 10, 2006
Election dispute heads to court
By ALAINA FAHY and
CARL BURNETT JR.
The Eagle-Gazette Staff
LANCASTER - The feud between the Fairfield County Commission and the Fairfield County Board of Elections has moved to a courtroom.
The Board of Elections filed a complaint against the commission Tuesday and an additional motion Wednesday to expedite the process. Board of Elections members would like to move the process along so the office can afford to operate November's general election.
Elections officials are asking a judge to order the County Commission to provide an additional $327,253.58 for the Board of Elections' 2006 budget.
''This has been a last resort,'' said elections board attorney Don McTigue. ''This board is struggling with the costs of recently passed mandates from the federal and state governments. The level of funding approved by the county is jeopardizing the Board of Elections' ability to comply with the law.''
Marc Fishel, attorney for the Fairfield County Commission, said commissioners are disappointed the budget dispute has come to this.
''It is unfortunate that the Board of Elections has chosen this option when the commissioners have indicated on several occasions that we were prepared to meet with them and resolve these issues,'' Fishel said.
Commissioners Jon Myers and Judy Shupe agreed with Fishel.
''Obviously we're very disappointed that they've taken this action and filed suit against the commissioners when this could have been resolved,'' Myers said.
Myers said court proceedings over the complaint will use taxpayers' money that could be put to better use if the complaint were solved with mediation.
The commission has granted the Board of Elections additional funds twice since March.
The commission gave the board $87,500 in March and another $87,500 July 25.
The commission also gave the board $700,000 of its requested budget to operate in 2006.
Elections officials blame the Help America Vote Act for additional mandates and fees associated with upcoming elections.
Myers said in an earlier interview that the elections office has used the new voting system for three elections without error.
Commissioners believe they've funded the board of elections sufficiently to hold open, honest elections.
The commissioners would like to see how the money would be used in a detailed list before making a decision on more money, Myers said in an earlier interview.
''I think the commissioners were trying to exert more control than they are legally able to,'' McTigue said. ''Boards of election are more an entity of the state than a county, and they are supposed to have some independence from the board that controls the purse strings to ensure elections. Between the directors at the Board of Elections, you have 42 years of experience in running elections. They know what they are talking about, and they know what they need to run an election.''
