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Ohio Senate rejects Strickland’s choices for casino board
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Ohio Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
The Ohio Senate rejected all seven appointments to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, as well as more than 70 other individuals named to various boards by outgoing Gov. Ted Strickland.
The rejections came on a split vote during what is expected to be the final voting session of the Legislature before lawmakers adjourn until the new year. Senators also approved 251 other appointments.
Of the 78 rejections, 48 were submitted by Strickland after his loss in last month’s general election. And Republican Gov.-elect John Kasich made it clear he hoped to have a say in naming the members of the casino commission and other boards.
But Senate President Bill Harris, a Republican from Ashland, told reporters after Tuesday’s session the governor-elect did not have any direct input in deciding which appointees were approved and which were rejected.
Harris also said party affiliation did not affect the outcome — the rejection list included Republicans, Democrats and independents. Some boards were targeted because of their role in major policy areas. Others were rejected because of timing — those submitted after the election were “looked at more closely,” Harris said.
“This was not an effort to stab Gov. Strickland in the back, as was suggested,” said incoming Senate President Tom Niehaus, a Republican from New Richmond.
But Democrats criticized Republicans’ decision on the appointments, saying the move was unprecedented and will hamper state governance.
Valley residents whose appointments were rejected by the Senate Tuesday include:
Jaladah Aslam, a Democrat from Youngstown, State Lottery Commission.
Kenneth A. Carano, a former Democratic lawmaker from Austintown, Ohio Retirement Study Council.
Molly S. Seals, a Democrat from Canfield, Eastern Gateway Community College Board of Trustees.
Marybeth D. Shaffer, a Republican from Canfield, State Dental Board.
State Rep. Sandra Stabile Harwood of Niles, D-65th, was cleared for an appointment to a state board. Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams also was approved to serve his term on the Clean Ohio Council.
Valley people whose appointments were approved by the Senate included:
Janet Bonner, Campbell, Financial Planning and Supervision Commission for the city of Campbell.
Delores E. Crawford, a Democrat from Youngstown, Youngstown State University Board of Trustees.
Robert L. Dean Jr., Warren, National Museum of Afro-American History and Culture Planning Council.
Maureen A. Drummond, Canfield, Ohio Community Service Council.
Virginia Duncan, a Democrat from Boardman, Board of Motor Vehicle Collision Repair Registration.
J. Paul Good, a Democrat from North Lima, Ohio Board of Speech Language Pathology and Audiology.
Joel C. Mastervich, a Republican from Poland, Ohio Steel Industry Advisory Council.
Ryan Meditz, a Democrat from Canfield, Youngstown State University Board of Trustees.
The Rev. Willie F. Peterson, Youngstown, Ohio Community Service Council.
Richard D. Setty, a Democrat from Youngstown, State Board of Sanitarian Registration.
Gary Soukenik, a Democrat from Warren, Credit Union Council.
Joe Logan, a Democrat from Kinsman, Ohio Consumers’ Counsel Governing Board.