http://www.wtol.com/Global/story.asp?s=2646613
Four Elections Employees Suspended Over "Clerical Error"
TOLEDO, OH -- Four Lucas County Board Of Elections employees are now on paid suspension after board leaders say there could have been a mistake with the November elections process.
Republican chair Bernadette Noe says there's a possible clerical error concerning the elections that needs to be checked out. When News 11 asked what that error was, Noe said she couldn't go into it until the next scheduled board meeting which is Wednesday.
She says it's not a big error but the board cannot take any errors lightly. Noe has referred the matter to the Lucas County Prosecutors Office to look into it. The investigation involves two Republicans and two Democrats. All of that happened in executive session.
During the meeting, Board of Elections Director Paula Hicks-Hudson told the board she is stepping down. She says it's a personal decision to resign and it has nothing to do with the Secretary of State putting the county on administrative oversight. "It's been a long and arduous trip with this election and I just made the decision that it's time for me to look at my options and move on," Hicks said.
"I feel badly for Paula. She's perfectly capable and well qualified. I don't think the Secretary of State did any favors for any board of elections this year," said Lucas County Chairperson Sandy Isenberg. In response to Isenberg's statement, the Secretary of State's office tells News 11 the board has performed poorly and there have been oversights that can be directly related to the director and the board itself.
There's no word yet on when Hicks-Hudson will officially leave office, but Isenberg says the party will now start looking for her replacement.
Posted 4:50 pm, Friday, December 3, 2004 by MDH
Full Version: Ohio: mysterious error; suspension of
Common Ground Common Sense > Issues that Affect Our Lives > Civil Rights and Civil Liberties > Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Archive
The Senate or DA's office should look into those people that "left". They obviously have something to hide, and they are still accountable to the American people. The leaving of their post is NOT ENOUGH! THE DAMAGE MUST BE REVERSED AND REVERSED FULLY, ONLY THEN CAN THEY JUST "RESIGN" AND WALK AWAY.
QUOTE(rayray222 @ Dec 5 2004, 12:04 AM)
The Senate or DA's office should look into those people that "left". They obviously have something to hide, and they are still accountable to the American people. The leaving of their post is NOT ENOUGH! THE DAMAGE MUST BE REVERSED AND REVERSED FULLY, ONLY THEN CAN THEY JUST "RESIGN" AND WALK AWAY.
Sounds very suspicious to me. Why would both parties be involved? Yes, someone needs to look into this.
How many election "officials" are running for the borders? Can anyone run a check on new Swiss Bank accounts?? (kidding...... but seriously!)
Why in the world are they up and leaving???
That means the F.B.I can arrest them on the spot, if they have no political position. Their safe haven just went out the door!!!!! :o :o :o :o
Lets nab all the crooks at once Cliff Arneback!!!
That means the F.B.I can arrest them on the spot, if they have no political position. Their safe haven just went out the door!!!!! :o :o :o :o
Lets nab all the crooks at once Cliff Arneback!!!
Given all that's going on in Ohio, four election workers are suspended and the prosecutor asked to look into it, isn't this worthy of a mention in the national news?
It seems there have been enough "little errors" in the Ohio State election that warrant setting aside the election. REVOTE! 
Suspended Lucas County elections official resigns
By FRITZ WENZEL
BL:ADE POLITICAL WRITER
Larry Loutzenhiser, a supervisor at the Lucas County Board of Elections, resigned yesterday.
The longtime employee of the office, who had risen to the post of deputy director before being demoted two years ago after two investigations discovered irregularities in the office, was suspended Thursday as a result of problems with the board's official count of ballots cast in the Nov. 2 election.
"He will be sorely missed," said Paula Ross, a Democratic member of the county elections board.
Mr. Loutzenhiser, a Democrat, did not respond to calls for comment. Ms. Ross said that he told her yesterday his decision involved "some personal issues, and also about the changed environment at the board of elections and expectations.
"Larry was in charge of the room on the 12th floor where we think there may have been a clerical error made [in the ballot counting process]. It was because he was supervising a process" that he was disciplined, Ms. Ross said.
He was one of four workers in the office to be suspended Thursday, including fellow Supervisor Bruce Temple and Paula Lykowski, the top assistant to elections Director Paula Hicks-Hudson. An investigation into counting irregularities continued yesterday. A meeting to discuss the matter is set for tomorrow.
Ms. Hudson is also on her way out. She announced Friday she planned to leave her post around the end of the year. John Alexander, the county commissioners' top executive, is considered a replacement candidate.
Bernadette Noe, the Republican chairman of the four-member governing board, said that in the coming postelection lull, the elections board will be able to take stock.
"We finally have somewhat of a reprieve to take a look at the issues that have been pointed out to us by the secretary of state," she said. "We are not halfway done. There are just a lot of things that need attention."
With Ms. Hicks-Hudson on her way out, Mr. Alexander has been named by both Ms. Ross and Ms. Noe as a possible replacement. Both have spoken highly of him, and Mr. Alexander, a Democrat, said he would be available. He is leaving his current post at the end of the month.
"I asked him if it was something he wanted to be considered for. He said he would contemplate that," Ms. Ross said.
"I told Paula Ross that I was hoping they would look for perhaps a seasoned administrator, someone who has had a lot of experience managing staff," Ms. Noe said. "In fact, I said, 'Why don't you talk to John Alexander?'●"
Sandy Isenberg, chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party, said Mr. Alexander could be good for the elections office.
"I think he'd be terrific. I could be supportive of John Alexander. I already said something to Paula [Ross] when she mentioned it to me last week. I said it sounds good to me."
The board of elections must vote to appoint a new director, who, under the board's current organizational scheme, must be a Democrat because the chairman of the four-member elections board - Ms. Noe - is a Republican. Deputy Director Jill Kelly is a Republican.
"It's flattering," Mr. Alexander said, adding that he promised Ms. Ross he would consider the position. He said he has not yet had a chance to do so.
Mr. Alexander, a lawyer and beneficiary of the Public Employees Retirement System after 30 years of public employment, was rehired to a different position at the county three years ago. He said he was unsure if he would stay in the public sector or move to private practice.
Contact Fritz Wenzel at:
fritz@theblade.com
or 419-724-6134.
By FRITZ WENZEL
BL:ADE POLITICAL WRITER
Larry Loutzenhiser, a supervisor at the Lucas County Board of Elections, resigned yesterday.
The longtime employee of the office, who had risen to the post of deputy director before being demoted two years ago after two investigations discovered irregularities in the office, was suspended Thursday as a result of problems with the board's official count of ballots cast in the Nov. 2 election.
"He will be sorely missed," said Paula Ross, a Democratic member of the county elections board.
Mr. Loutzenhiser, a Democrat, did not respond to calls for comment. Ms. Ross said that he told her yesterday his decision involved "some personal issues, and also about the changed environment at the board of elections and expectations.
"Larry was in charge of the room on the 12th floor where we think there may have been a clerical error made [in the ballot counting process]. It was because he was supervising a process" that he was disciplined, Ms. Ross said.
He was one of four workers in the office to be suspended Thursday, including fellow Supervisor Bruce Temple and Paula Lykowski, the top assistant to elections Director Paula Hicks-Hudson. An investigation into counting irregularities continued yesterday. A meeting to discuss the matter is set for tomorrow.
Ms. Hudson is also on her way out. She announced Friday she planned to leave her post around the end of the year. John Alexander, the county commissioners' top executive, is considered a replacement candidate.
Bernadette Noe, the Republican chairman of the four-member governing board, said that in the coming postelection lull, the elections board will be able to take stock.
"We finally have somewhat of a reprieve to take a look at the issues that have been pointed out to us by the secretary of state," she said. "We are not halfway done. There are just a lot of things that need attention."
With Ms. Hicks-Hudson on her way out, Mr. Alexander has been named by both Ms. Ross and Ms. Noe as a possible replacement. Both have spoken highly of him, and Mr. Alexander, a Democrat, said he would be available. He is leaving his current post at the end of the month.
"I asked him if it was something he wanted to be considered for. He said he would contemplate that," Ms. Ross said.
"I told Paula Ross that I was hoping they would look for perhaps a seasoned administrator, someone who has had a lot of experience managing staff," Ms. Noe said. "In fact, I said, 'Why don't you talk to John Alexander?'●"
Sandy Isenberg, chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party, said Mr. Alexander could be good for the elections office.
"I think he'd be terrific. I could be supportive of John Alexander. I already said something to Paula [Ross] when she mentioned it to me last week. I said it sounds good to me."
The board of elections must vote to appoint a new director, who, under the board's current organizational scheme, must be a Democrat because the chairman of the four-member elections board - Ms. Noe - is a Republican. Deputy Director Jill Kelly is a Republican.
"It's flattering," Mr. Alexander said, adding that he promised Ms. Ross he would consider the position. He said he has not yet had a chance to do so.
Mr. Alexander, a lawyer and beneficiary of the Public Employees Retirement System after 30 years of public employment, was rehired to a different position at the county three years ago. He said he was unsure if he would stay in the public sector or move to private practice.
Contact Fritz Wenzel at:
fritz@theblade.com
or 419-724-6134.
QUOTE(searchingforsanity @ Dec 4 2004, 11:51 PM)
Republican chair Bernadette Noe says there's a possible clerical error concerning the elections that needs to be checked out. When News 11 asked what that error was, Noe said she couldn't go into it until the next scheduled board meeting which is Wednesday.
We need members to cover public meetings and hearings. Brendon, care to give us an update on the state coordinator project? Do we have a coordinator(s) for Ohio?
Government at this level is where we need to apply our efforts. National and statewide positions get the spotlight and glamor, but it is the voting commissions, town boards of selectmen, city council, school committees, planning boards, boards of health, etc etc etc etc.
For more information, go to http://www.democracyforamerica.com/about.php
Consider running for local office. Elections are in March, filing deadlines are SOON!
Also consider volunteering to be on local draft boards.
For more information, go to http://www.democracyforamerica.com/about.php
Consider running for local office. Elections are in March, filing deadlines are SOON!
Also consider volunteering to be on local draft boards.
I like the way Blackwell's office seems to be already placing blame elsewhere to cover their butts in case this blows up.
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