Some of Today's State News Headlines
Today is Wednesday March 26, 2008
Audit orders $80,000 in bonuses by former elections chief repaid
COLUMBUS (AP) - Seventeen employees of Ohio's former elections chief must return $80,534 in bonuses and severance payments approved by their former boss as a result of a state audit released Tuesday.
State Auditor Mary Taylor said the payments authorized in late 2006 by then-Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, a fellow Republican, were illegal because he did not have the authority to award the additional payments. The individual employees are liable for dollar amounts ranging from $949.68 to $9,704.
Blackwell, the unsuccessful Republican candidate for governor in 2006, said Tuesday he will legally challenge the findings if the bonding company, Travelers/St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, doesn't cover the payments for employees. The company was contracted by the secretary of state's office to cover taxpayers from any accounting errors, a standard practice for government agencies, he said.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Brunner seeks recount of some primary votes
COLUMBUS (AP) - Amid voting machine uncertainty, Ohio's elections chief wants a fraction of the state's Democratic and Republican presidential primary vote recounted.
Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner has asked county election boards to volunteer to re-examine 7 percent of their results from the March 4 primary so she can find and fix any problems that might mushroom when turnout explodes in the November general election.
Her request involves the first election since a $1.9 million voting machine study determined electronic voting machines in use in much of the state are at risk of tampering. Brunner favors a return to paper ballots in time for the November election.
Protests and lawsuits over Ohio's 2004 presidential election, which swung the White House contest to President Bush, have yet to fully subside - and Brunner doesn't want 2008 to similarly linger. Voting rights advocates criticized directives they saw as obstacles to voter registration and poll access, and later sued over the accuracy of the vote totals in some precincts using electronic machines.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
Cedar Fair roller coasters not selling, likely headed for auction
AURORA (AP) - If someone doesn't step in and buy three wooden roller coasters, their owner says they'll be heading to the auction lot.
Cedar Fair officials say three main coasters from the Geauga Lake park haven't yet found buyers. The Big Dipper, Villain and Raging Wolf Bobs are bound for a Michigan auction house on June 17 and 18 if no one steps forward.
Orlando, Fla.-based vendor Martin and Vleminckx Rides has been trying to sell the coasters since November. Partner Chuck Bingham says it's tough to find a buyer who has the money, the land and the need for the wooden coasters.
Cedar Fair is using Geauga Lake only for its water park starting this year. Officials have moved many of the other rides to its other parks, including flagship Cedar Point.
(Refer to page 5 of today's Daily Chief-Union)
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