Dayton Politics Blog

Debbie Lieberman, Democrat Commissioner, arrested for DUI?

Read this from www.whiotv.com

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ohio — According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a trooper made a traffic stop Saturday and found a Montgomery County Commissioner driving under the influence.

Troopers said the commissioner was then taken into custody after failing a field sobriety test.The Ohio State Highway Patrol confirms the stop and the failed breathalyzer test. They said a trooper pulled over Montgomery County Commissioner Deborah Lieberman over the weekend on I-70 after she allegedly failed to stay in the marked lane lines.According to the Highway Patrol, troopers made the traffic stop Saturday just after 3:00 a.m. Troopers said Lieberman was driving westbound on I-70 near Hoke Road in Englewood when a trooper noticed the vehicle not staying within the marked lanes.Troopers said the commissioner was asked to perform a field sobriety test at the scene and failed. Troopers said she was taken into custody and taken back to the local OSP post. Troopers said Lieberman then took a breathalyzer test at the post, registering a .131. The legal limit in Ohio is .08.Lieberman gave News Center 7 this statement over the phone late Thursday afternoon: “I deeply regret my lapse in judgment, and I made an incredible mistake,” Lieberman said. “I’ve taken sole responsibility for my actions, and it will never happen again.”News Center 7 has confirmed that Lieberman was in court for the OVI charge earlier this week.Officials said she was not convicted of a crime, but instead, the judge gave her diversion. Diversion means Lieberman would not have charges on her record if she successfully completes a diversion program. Diversion is available for first time OVI offenders.

This is the leadership Montgomery County Deserves? Even worse, the GOP is not challenging her this year? Tragedy. Perhaps it’s not too late for an Independent challenger to this drunk driver?

It has been learned by the team here at the X that Montgomery County’s Human Services Levy has again crossed the line.

In September the Campaign willingly used County resources to send e-mails to all county employees regarding Campaign kickoff and fund raising activities. The County intranet also hosted fliers and information about the Levy. Both activities ceased when Board of Elections staff intervened.

Billboards have been purchased with departmental funds to tout county programs in coordination with Levy media. This is not technically a violation of law but is suspect. When the marketing budget increases 5 fold for agencies during the levy year  citizens have to ask the tough questions.

Today the X discovered that Children Services Employees and volunteers are making campaign phone calls from the Haynes Center on North Main. Calls from Children Services Board are being made in the late afternoon and evening using County phone lines and utilities. A clear violation of Ohio Ethics laws. We expect our complaint to be received by the Ethics Commission late on Friday the 2nd.  If you have received these phone calls paid for by tax dollars please email us at dayton.politix@gmail.com  Phone calls soliciting votes and support are being received from the main switchboard at CSB, 937-276-6121.

Wouldn’t these resources be better spent protecting children, building families and providing for a healthier and safer Montgomery County?

This week we all read that Joe Lacey resigned his position as Treasurer for the Montgomery County Democratic Party. In reality this has little bearing on day to day activities. The position is more of a ceremonial position with little real substance. However, Joe’s resignation further demonstrates the division among our Democratic Party.

Joe has been a faithful servant of the party. Most recently making himself known as the only serious Board of Education member left in Dayton. His party has left him behind and he is not standing idly by. Watch for Joe’s influence to spread among the disgruntled party who are looking for a leader. We here at the X have stated before that Karl Keith is the new leader and Joe’s separation from him will have a political cost. We applaud Joe for his courage.

In Joe’s place a 20 year lieutenant of Karl’s was nominated and elected this week. Bill Loy, Mayor from Vandalia and staunch Karl Keith ally was easily elected to the position.  Bill has competed with Steve Harsman for over 15 years to become Karl’s #1. This moves him one step closer.  The X asks this question: Will this further divide the MCDP into a clearer Karl V. Mark camp or will Lacey’s exit from leadership create a third faction among this party who has a long fight in 2008.

Short of house candidates and short on quality incumbents  to hold key offices in one year, the MCDP needs to heal old wounds now and move forward in a quick manner.

DP has learned that Percy and the folks in the DPS Taj Mahal ignored the advice of their paid consults prior to the May 8 levy. Sources inside DPS have indicated that DPS needed only $20 million to make ends meet. This would be the equivalent of 10.5 mills.

The consultants conducted polls and reported to Mack that a levy of of to 11.5 to 12 mills could be passed. Anything beyond that would be met with harsh criticism and would never pass. Mack, ignoring the experts went to the school board, who have little knowledge of these matters, and suggest the 15.17 mills ($30 million) levy. Just as the consultants suggested it would, the levy failed miserably.

More on this topic later this week.

Last week in a “non-partisan” manner Ted Strickland appointed a less than popular Frances McGee to the Common Pleas bench. Strickland stated publicly he would entertain nominees from both sides to replace Judge Jack Davis who died earlier this year. The process was anything but non-partisan. His choice shows that Strickland cares less about a non-partisan judiciary and more about pleasing the party that elected him.

Folks in the courthouse are still scratching their heads a week after hearing the Governor’s decision.

Read it and more from the Governor’s website.

Republican Tom Young, from Centerville, is touting his “screening committee” unanimous endorsement in literature mailed this week to Republican Central Committee members. Mr. Young a twice rejected county candidate is seeking John White’s seat in the Ohio House. The letter stated that John White will be leaving the 38th House seat due to term limits.

No word on the other 3 State House seats that are up in 2008 due to the same term limits.

Mayoral Candidates quickened the pace of their races this weekend. Signs for Johnson and Allison have been placed throughout Moraine. Door knocking and baby kissing should commence soon. No signs from Councilman John Shady. The race is expected to be a tight one between Councilwoman Elaine Allison and disgruntled and Mayoral Candidate Johnson. (He lost by less than 10 votes in the 2005 race to recalled Robert Rosencrans.)

This race has been an 18 month marathon for Johnson. After losing the race in 2005 and having a family member fired from city staff in the months following Mr. Johnson has run an aggressive campaign to unseat those responsible for both his defeat in 2005 and the firing of his daughter in law from city staff. With cash brought to him by a developer who is upset with Moraine Council he has been able to successfully unseat Councilwoman Jackie Coleman, Mayor Rosencrans and another ward Councilman. As information is gathered from sources in Moraine, details will follow later today.

This is the race to watch, voters in Moraine will follow the likeable and educated Allison, or return to the good old boy network that has retained Moraine as a joke in Political circles by giving leadership to Johnson.

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