McAvoy: Board of Elections doesn’t serve voters
On July 25th , Ohio Secretary of State, Jon Husted, sent a terse letter to the Lucas County Board of Elections reprimanding them for failing to execute fundamental responsibilities, and demanding they work together to resolve issues and complete job descriptions and functional diagrams. Advising that personnel changes would follow should the BOE continue to neglect their duties to the voters of Lucas county, Mr. Husted insisted on progress.
On Aug 13th, Mr. Husted issued another scathing letter placing them on administrative oversight, calling the culture at the BOE “dysfunctional”, “divisive and threatening”. Husted also offered a solution to the problems at the BOE stating, “Should any of you choose to resign, I will work with the former member’s respective political party to find a suitable, community-minded, public servant to appoint to the balance of your term”. Unfortunately, the actions at the most recent Lucas County Board of Elections meeting are just another example of why Mr. Husted needs to come to Lucas County and attend to the BOE personally and firmly.
On August 14th the BOE conducted a public meeting. At the opening of that meeting, Chairman Ron Rothenbuhler acknowledged the large number of attendees and indicated they would be given an opportunity to speak at the conclusion of the executive session. However, almost two hours later, at the completion of the Executive session and the final business, Mr. Rothenbuhler made an announcement that the BOE would not be taking public comments. Further, according to Mr. Rothenbuhler, the decision to not allow public input was made in the preceding Executive Session, without any regard to input from the public.
Public input and presentations have been made at past BOE meetings, and Mr. Rothenbuhler even referenced one such presentation in his opening remarks. Many of the attendees at the August 14th BOE meeting attended specifically to address the board with public comments regarding the Secretary of State’s letter.
The assumption must therefore be that the Lucas County Board of Elections is not interested in hearing from the voters they serve, is not interested in performing their duties as outlined by the Secretary of State, is not interested in achieving “long-term solutions for local problems”, and must be deemed incapable of assuring the voters of Lucas county that the upcoming election will be managed in a professional manner. Clearly, they do not respect each and every vote in the manner they should.
The sooner Secretary of State Jon Husted takes over complete control of this do-nothing board, the better it will be for the voters of Lucas county, and the state of Ohio.
John McAvoy
Toledo
