Strickland picks 7 people to oversee Ohio casinos

COLUMBUS (AP) — Gov. Ted Strickland is appointing a Republican who backed his 2006 election and a veteran of the Cincinnati Police Department to a seven-member commission to regulate the state’s new casino industry.

The governor’s office today said Charles “Rocky” Saxbe and Michael Bolte were among those picked for the commission of four Democrats and three Republicans. Saxbe is group chairman.

Other members are Joseph Rugola, Vanessa Whiting, Jerry Chabler, William Kirkham and Greta Russell. The posts pay $60,000 annually.

By law, the commission must include an attorney, a certified public accountant, a person with law enforcement experience and representation from counties where casinos will be built.

Casinos approved by voters last year are planned in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo.