Prepared by the LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OBERLIN AREA

For further information visit www.lwvoa.com and www.vote411.org

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan organization and does not endorse candidates for office. The inclusion of a candidate’s information is for the sole purpose of informing the public and does not constitute or imply League endorsement of any candidate or statement. Candidate replies are not edited by the League of Women Voters, they appears exactly as submitted. The limit allowed for the answer to each question is 150 words unless otherwise noticed.

Representative to Congress:
      9^th District
      13^th District

State Senator: 13^th District

State Representative: Click here to see a map of State House Districts
      56^th House District; (Oberlin, South Amherst, Elyria, Lorain)
      57^th House District; (Carlisle, Eaton, North Ridgeville)
      58^th House District; (Pittsfield, Wellington, LaGrange, Grafton, Henrietta, Amherst, Vermillion)

County Commissioner

County Auditor

Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations

Judge, Court of Common Pleas

Representative to Congress (9^th District)

Term: 2 years

1. Questions posed to candidates:

In these very difficult times for Northern Ohio what specific measures would you propose and support to help our struggling economy?

2. How specifically will you balance the continuing costs of military actions with the costs of domestic needs?

Rich Iott

P.O. Box 5142

Toledo, OH 43611

Email: info@voteiott.com

Website: www.voteiott.com

PARTY: Republican

EDUCATION: attended Hillsdale College (did not graduate)

OCCUPATION: Businessman   AGE: 58

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: I am not a politician; I have never held office. I never even ran for Student Council. I am a businessman who has created jobs, balanced a budget, put my name on the bottom line and made the hard decisions businessmen make daily.

Response to Questions:

1. We must eliminate the uncertainty: uncertainty about future taxes, future health care costs, future energy costs, future regulations, the future credit market, etc. We must create an environment where business can thrive. We must reduce corporate taxes (ours are currently the highest in the world; 50% higher than most countries) as well as personal taxes (many small businesses pay taxes through the owner's personal return. We must repeal "Obamacare". We must kill the job-killing Cap and Trade bill. But mostly, we must get big government out of the way of American businesses. Americans are the most productive and resourceful people on the planet; we don't need government to control every aspect of our lives and businesses. Only the private sector — not government — can create jobs that produce economic growth.

2. Major military actions should never be initiated unless they are absolutely necessary. If they are absolutely necessary then it is also absolutely necessary that they achieve their goal. If it is absolutely necessary that the goal be achieved, then cost containment should never enter into the equation. Domestic spending, on the other hand, can and must be controlled. I believe we should have a balanced budget (excluding the cost of warfighting). The elimination of pork barrel spending is a great place to start. We must eliminate economic black holes like the Department of Education and the Department of Energy which consume billions of dollars annually and accomplish nothing that couldn't be accomplished by the States if we left those same billions of dollars in the hands of the States. We need to reduce the size and scope of our government and apply fiscal common sense to decision making in Washington.

Marcy Kaptur

PO Box 899

Toledo, OH 43697

Website: www.kaptur.house.gov

PARTY: Democrat

EDUCATION: U.Wisconsin- BA History, U Michigan –MUP, U Manchester England- Certificate New Town Development, MIT-Doctoral Studies Urban Planning and Development.

OCCUPATION: Member of Congress Age: 64

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: White House Urban Policy Adviser to President, Secy-Treasurer National Consumer Cooperative Bank, 15 years urban planner, experience as a senior legislator.

Response to Questions:

1. We must advance innovations in high tech manufacturing, precision tooling, specialty metals and composites, agriculture, auto, rail and shipping. Innovation spurs job creation. 60% of new jobs are spun off university-based research. Building forward our region’s natural advantages makes sense. Our sustainable ecosystem, fresh water, arable land, mineral deposits, untapped solar, wind, gas, geothermal, and renewable fuels can undergird a new energy age here on the Great Lakes. Expanded tourism can draw more visitors to Lake Erie.

I support renegotiating trade agreements to create US jobs and voted to close tax loopholes that move facilities offshore. I will continue my efforts to return our region’s fair share of federal tax revenues in sectors critical to economic growth – modernizing transportation and infrastructure, education, and federal installations in the region. I support setting Wall Street tax rates at the same level as Ohio corporations to help balance the budget.

2. We must address the deficit’s root causes: two wars, the outsourcing of jobs and resulting unemployment, and Wall Street’s bailout. Bringing a close to unbudgeted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will help. We must restore long-term stability to the budget (just as Congresses did before the unbalanced Bush budgets.) I supported pay as you go budgeting as one mechanism and support the expiration of Bush era tax breaks for the wealthiest that brought zero net job growth and exploded the deficit to record highs – from $5 trillion to $10 trillion.

Our soldiers deserve all the necessary equipment and support. Veterans must receive the health care and supportive services needed for successful reintegration. At the same time, our goal should be to achieve: quality public education for all; affordable and accessible health care to all; fully funded employment training; a supportive business climate; and sound retirement for today’s retirees and future generations.

Joseph Michael Jaffe  NO RESPONSE

6964 Gettysburg Drive

Sylvania, Ohio 43560

PARTY: Libertarian

Representative to Congress (13^th District)

Term: 2 years

1. Questions posed to candidates:

In these very difficult times for Northern Ohio what specific measures would you propose and support to help our struggling economy?

2. How specifically will you balance the continuing costs of military actions with the costs of domestic needs?

Tom Ganley  NO RESPONSE

10802 Glen Forest Trail

Brecksville, OH 44141

PARTY: Republican

Betty Sutton

1700 W. Market St. #155

Akron, OH 44313

PARTY: Democrat

Email: betty@bettysutton.com

Website: www.sutton.house.gov/

OCCUPATION: US House of Representatives, OH-13   Age: 47

EDUCATION: Kent State University, 1981-1985, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science; University of Akron School of Law 1987-1990, Juris Doctor

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: Member of Congress, 2007-Present; Attorney, Faulkner, Muskovitz & Phillips, 2001-2006 State Representative, 1993-2000; Summit County Council-at-Large, 1991-1992; Barberton City Council-at-Large, 1989-1990

Response to Questions:

1. These are incredibly difficult times for Northeast Ohio families. Our focus must be on creating good jobs while ending policies that make it easier to send our jobs overseas. We can get Ohioans back to work by leveling the playing field for US manufacturers and small businesses that create jobs and treat their workers right, and their customers fairly. We also need to ensure that those looking for work can continue to care for their families – that’s why I fought to extend unemployment benefits. We need to reign in the reckless business practices that got us to this point – that’s why I’ve taken on the insurance companies and credit card companies that prey upon working families. Recovery is not easy and we are on a very long road. There is more to be done, but putting the interests of working Americans first is the first step towards recovery.

2. We are facing many challenges domestically as we work to revitalize our economy and create jobs and opportunities for our veterans and the American people here at home. The safe, orderly, and expeditious redeployment of U.S. troops from Afghanistan will aid us in that mission, allowing us to focus resources on tending to our domestic needs, while still fighting an effective more targeted fight against terrorists. Additionally, it is time for the long, protracted war in Iraq to be over and I am glad to see our soldiers coming home.

State Senator 13^th District

Term: 4 years

Questions:

1. What specific measures would you propose and support to create jobs in Lorain County?

2. What specific measures would you propose and support to restore adequate public transportation to Lorain County?

Sue Morano

1131 Highland Park

Lorain, OH 44052

Website: www.suemorano.com

PARTY: Democrat

OCCUPATION: Registered Nurse, State Senator Age: 50

EDUCATION: Associate Degree in Nursing at Lorain Community College

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: Senator from 2006 to present.

Response to questions:

1. Job creation has been a top focus for me and I have worked hard to ensure that Lorain County's needs are heard in Columbus. We have a solid manufacturing base here as well as a good people with a strong work ethic. We are already building 4 of the 6 main wind turbine parts here; we can do more to expand the alternative energy economy in Lorain County. Tax credits to encourage commercial and residential retrofits will create jobs and lower energy bills for our residents and businesses. Another important aspect of job creation is a strong public education system. A quality K-12 system and a strong post-secondary system are key. We need to keep tuition low at the college and at our public universities, so that students can get the education they need and unemployed workers can get the training to find a good job.

2. A strong, affordable public transportation system reduces our collective carbon footprint, allows our residents to get to work and to local businesses, and helps our seniors and disabled citizens get to the services that they need. It's also important for our rural residents. Making it easier for residents to get to businesses helps our local economy thrive.

We need to work with all the stakeholders to address these needs. Local community leaders, elected officials and our businesses need to be at the table. Public transit is an issue that affects all of us, whether we own cars or not. I will work with our Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. to seek federal funding to expand our public transportation system here and across Ohio. We can also do more at the state level to support local public transit, and that will be on my agenda if I am re-elected.

Gayle Manning

5380 Barton Rd.

North Ridgeville, OH 44039

Email: manning4senate@gmail.com

Website: gaylemanning.com

PARTY: Republican

OCCUPATION: Retired teacher of 37 years in the North Olmsted School District.   AGE: 60

EDUCATION: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, Kent State University, Masters in Reading, University of Akron

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: Former North Ridgeville Council Member – served as Finance Chair and President Pro Tempore -Former member of North Ridgeville Planning Commission

Response to Questions:

1. Coming from a family of small business owners, I know the vital role small businesses play in bolstering our economy. The leaders in Columbus are clearly out of touch and it’s time for a change. It is vitally important that we reduce both the tax burden as well as outdated and cumbersome regulations that make employers look elsewhere when deciding where to locate or expand. For example, Ohio has one of the only monopolistic workers’ compensation systems left in the country. We can’t be satisfied with the status quo or be unwilling to challenge conventional thinking. Lorain County has much to offer, from world class educational institutions, a workforce with an unparalleled work ethic and a location that is teeming with possibilities.

2. Public transit gets people to work, eases congestion, and reduces pollution. The Governor’s plan for 3-C passenger rail using federal stimulus funds is a mistake that must be reconsidered. While I’m not opposed to passenger rail, this plan is a bottomless pit for taxpayers. It calls for trains traveling on average 39 mph, ticket prices between $40 and $50 one way and only 2 trains from Cleveland to Cincinnati each day. Clearly, it is more convenient, quicker and cheaper to drive, which ensures ridership will never materialize. The plan requires an annual state subsidy of at least $17 million on top of the $400 million in stimulus money. Meanwhile, funding for public transit was cut 42% from $18.7 million in FY 08 to $10.9 million in FY 10. Instead of funding a riderless train, a greater investment in public transit would have more benefit for the people of Lorain County.

State Representatives (various parts of Lorain County are in the 56^th 57^th or 58^th House District.)

Term: 2 years

Questions posed to candidates:

1) What specific measures would you propose and support to create jobs in our area?

2) What specific measures would you propose and support to restore adequate public transportation to Lorain County?

State Representative, 56^th House District (Oberlin, South Amherst, Elyria, Lorain)

Henry S. Lewandowski, Jr.  NO RESPONSE

806 East Erie Ave

Lorain, OH 44052

PARTY: Republican

Don Ramos   NO RESPONSE

1828 West 38 Street

Lorain, OH 44053

PARTY: Democrat

State Representative, 57^th House District: (Carlisle, Eaton, North Ridgeville)

Response to Questions:

1. We definitely need to brings jobs to Lorain County. We need to create jobs and offer education to the public to fill these jobs. We have the biggest and best hospitals in the world and yet we don’t produce the products needed for research in this area. I will work to help our State of Ohio attract companies and invite them to do business here in Ohio instead of being a burden to their operations. We need to ease the licenses, fees and restrictions to business coming to this area. We need to cut government spending and cut taxes so we can put the money back in the taxpayers pocket.

2. Public transportation is very important in Lorain County. We have several citizens that depend on the bus system and I would like to see it restored and built better. Maybe we might have to go to privatizing transportation and take the burden off the taxpayers. It seems every time budgets are cut, the transportation system is cut and someone is left without transportation. We need to look closely at the situation and adopt a program that will be successful and helpful to the public. I will work hard for the citizens of Ohio and I will listen to their needs and work hard to fulfill them.

Matt Lundy

PARTY: Democrat

OCCUPATION: State Representative   Age: 50

EDUCATION: B. S. HRM

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: Former Councilman, school, city emp.

Response to Questions:

1. The State must work closely with LCCC to train and retrain workers. We must have a well-educated workforce, must provide grants and low taxes.

2. We must make it a funding priority in Ohio. Public transit is critical and helps us to also have a cleaner environment.

Josh R. Robertson

6233 W. Breezeway Drive

N. Ridgeville, OH 44039

Website: www.votejoshrobertson2010.com

PARTY: Libertarian

OCCUPATION: Supervisor   Age: 31

EDUCATION: On-going Bachelor's degree in Marketing

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE:

1. Chair of the Lorain County Libertarian Central Committee

2. Assistant Vice Chair of the Lorain County Libertarian Executive Committee

3. Belief in the Constitution

4. I'm not a Republican or Democrat

Response to Questions:

1. I don't believe government can create jobs, small businesses create jobs. Government can put businesses in position for job growth, but not create them. I would lower taxes and regulations on small business. Lowering taxes for our citizens puts more money in our pockets to spend locally. Spending locally will create more jobs. More government is a burden on local businesses.

2. If public transportation can prove beneficial, e.g. not increase taxes, remain under budget, I would consider looking into adopting transit. If not, I would turn to a private company that could run a system for our citizens. Private companies can be more efficient and save taxpayers money while creating job growth.

State Representative, 58^th House District (Pittsfield, Wellington, La Grange, Grafton, Henrietta, Amherst, Vermilion)

Term: 2 years

Terry R. Boose

5054 SR 601

Norwalk, OH 44857

Email: mboose@neo.rr.com

Website: www.terryboose.com; www.house.state.oh.us/index

PARTY: Republican

OCCUPATION: State Representative; Norwalk Concrete financial controller   Age: 54

EDUCATION: BA, Bowling Green State University; MBA, Texas Tech University; LEAD program at Ohio State University

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: 8 years as Huron County Commissioner; 1 year as Norwalk Township Fiscal Officer; 23 years experience in family farm and other small businesses

Response to Questions:

1. We must create a better business environment by lowering tax burdens and eliminating some of the regulations that hamper employers. Endorsements I’ve received from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Ohio Chamber of Commerce and the Ohio Association of CPAs reflect my support for the businesses that create jobs in our area.

2. To have money to adequately fund public transportation where we need it, the state must abandon the plan to build a high-speed rail system connecting northern to southern Ohio. Initial projects estimate this project would cost at least $400 million. That money should be spent instead on local transit systems that most citizens could actually use for both work and pleasure.

Gregory S. Davidson  NO RESPONSE

403 W. Emerald

Willard, OH 44890

PARTY: Democrat

Bob Williams

47980 U.S. Rte. 20

Pittsfield Twp, Ohio, 44074-9200

Website: www.OhioWithoutDebt.com

PARTY: Libertarian

OCCUPATIONs: Teacher/farmer/machinist/doctoral student   Age: 53

EDUCATION: B.A. (Walsh), PgDip (DeMontfort), MPhil (Wales)

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: Former Chair of the Libertarian PARTY of Ohio's East Central Region and Northeast Region. Founder of the Oberlin Post of Veterans For Peace.

Response to Questions:

1. Ohio's economy is bad - bankruptcies, foreclosures and unemployment keep rising. I've seen this sad scenario before when the Rust Belt Recession struck in 1980. Afterwards we continued to do what we had always done, so it's no wonder we're in trouble again. I propose to do things differently, as a Libertarian would do. That means undoing the mess wrought by politics-as-usual. I will push to repeal Stanley Aranoff's 1993 S.B. 62 that authorizes foreigners from Red China, etc to borrow Ohio taxpayers' money originally set aside for Ohio small business loans. We are cutting our own throats with our own money when we loan our tax dollars to a Red China Communist corporation to build a factory, who in turn offer it for free rent to an Ohio business if they will close a factory here and move there. Keep our money here!

2. How many of us realize that street cars were once prevalent in Lorain County? The teacher who once taught in the one-room schoolhouse that has since been converted as my home lived in Lorain and took a street car down Rte 58. These transportation services were often provided by competitive free enterprise and served the public well. A return to private competition would result in better and less costly transportation services for the public. The simple step of issuing travel vouchers, which I support, rather than shoveling tax dollars to government-owned transportation bureaucracies would better serve the public interest. A multitude of providers would step forward to compete for the consumers' business.

County Commissioner, term commencing 1.1.11

Term: 4 years

Questions posed to candidates:

1. Do you believe the current system of electing 3 County Commissioners at large best serves all the residents of the county? Give examples to support your position.

2. What specific suggestions do you have for improving public transportation in Lorain County and how would you finance them?

Joseph F. Koziura

5308 Gargasz Drive

Lorain, OH 44053

PARTY: Democrat

Email: JoeKoziura@aol.com

OCCUPATION: Ohio House of Representatives 56th District / Investment Advisor

EDUCATION: Admiral King High School, Lorain County Community College - Accounting, Dyke College - Business

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: I have the needed experience necessary to be a County Commissioner. I have served in local and state government including both legislative and administrative. I understand governing.

Response to Questions:

1. Given the alternatives I believe the present system serves the county well. Running county wide is preferable to having selection from districts. Summit County has had the same system that Cuyahoga County is converting to shortly. The concept of having districts brings pressure on the representatives to concentrate on taking care of their own areas instead of the greater good of the County as a whole. I think that some areas of county government could be streamlined and duties combined.

2. I believe that public transportation is vital for the people who need it. At the very least we ought to provide transportation routes to run at certain times for job requirements. We need to actively pursue federal and state dollars because there is no way that a local entity can afford to pay for the total costs of a full-running system. A voted levy to help support public transportation is also a possibility to explore.

Mike Nunez

21200 White Head Rd

Wellington, OH 44090

Email: mike@mikenunez.net

Website: http://www.mikenunez.net

OCCUPATION; Court Security Officer at the Federal Building in Cleveland, Retired City of Lorain Police Officer with 31 yrs service   Age: 70

EDUCATION: Attended Lorain High School and Lorain County Community College

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: Born and raised in Lorain Ohio. Lifetime resident of Lorain Ohio.  Been active with volunteer work within the Lorain County Community.

Response to Questions:

1. In my opinion the 3 commissioner system would be best if one of the commissioners were from the southern part of the county because currently the townships, villages and the southern part of Lorain County are not adequately represented.

2. Instead of cutting the bus transportation, I think we should improve it by providing bus connections throughout the county and link the bus system to the Cleveland RTA system.  There are increasing numbers of residents working in Cuyahoga County and with the casino’s coming to Cleveland, transportation would be further needed.    We can look into receiving grants and federal funding to make this happen.     This service would be an asset to Children, elderly and handicapped people who are unable to drive.  

Kirk Stewart   NO RESPONSE

219 Park Meadow Drive, Apt. F

Elyria, OH 44035

Unaffiliated

Tom Williams

474 Golden Russet Blvd.

Amherst, OH 44001

Email: TomWilliams@loraincountyfirst.com

PARTY: Republican

OCCUPATION: Electro-mechanical engineer, small business owner Age: 34

EDUCATION: LCCC, Akron University

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE: Engineer and small business background.

Response to questions:

1. No. The rural and suburban areas of the county don’t have adequate representation at the county commissioner’s office. I’ve spoken with the trustees and residents of the townships and they feel they don’t have a voice. They’ve given me multiple examples in which the commissioners haven’t acted in their best interests. If elected, I will be the only commissioner who is not from the city of Lorain and will make sure decisions are made that will benefit the entire county.

2. Valuable programs like these have suffered as a result of companies leaving the county. My goal is to create an environment that will allow existing companies to expand and attract outside businesses. When this occurs, revenue will increase and the problem will be resolved.

County Auditor

Response to Questions:

1. The best time to plan for an emergency is before the emergency happens. Over the past several years we’ve been able to implement plans in payroll, bookkeeping, real estate appraisal, and our information systems that have not only saved money and increased efficiencies, but also produced better tools for the employees, citizens and businesses of Lorain County. Specific examples would be our direct deposit program that saves the county $50,000 annually, our Oracle Financial Software which streamlined the purchasing process for county departments, and our GIS Mapping system which has proven to be an invaluable tool for developers and local business, and also enabled the Auditor’s Office to provide valuable services and cost savings to the County Engineer’s Department. Also key improvements in the workflow of our Appraisal and Board of Revision Departments have enabled the office to quickly and accurately address the chaotic changes in the real estate Market.

2. As County Auditor, it has been my pleasure to work with the many Mayors, councilpersons, school treasurers and trustees throughout the county. I feel the next couple of years are going to be a real challenge to all levels of government. The balancing act of cutting costs while still providing adequate services is going to necessitate an unprecedented level of cooperation on everyone’s part.

Difficult times such as these lead to great innovation. Our GIS Mapping system has allowed municipalities to realize significant cost savings in areas of zoning, planning, emergency response, school district planning, and a myriad of other infrastructure decisions. The logical next step is to extend this level of research and understanding to encompass a regional planning system where the individual municipalities can ensure their valuable infrastructure dollars are spent in a synergistic way benefiting not only their local citizens, but also neighboring communities as well.

Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations

Judgeship: nonpartisan

Term commences: 1/2/2011

Lorain County Domestic Relations Court

Question posed to candidates: (200 word limit)

1. Is it appropriate to impose more restrictions on what cases go to trial? Is there a need for more mandatory mediation and settlement efforts? What specifically do you propose to do about this, if elected?

Debra L. Boros

251 Ashland Avenue

Elyria, Ohio 44035

Website: www.ReElectJudgeDebbieBoros.com

Email: JudgeDebbieBoros@gmail.com

OCCUPATION: Judge   Age: 50

EDUCATION: BA Ohio State University JD Cleveland Marshall

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE:

Eleven years experience presiding over divorce, child custody, child abuse, neglect, dependency, juvenile crime and civil protection order cases. Implemented Juvenile and Family Drug Court. Implemented and supported programming for developmentally delayed youth, mediation services, truancy programs, and parent education programs.

Response to question:

I believe the current restrictions in Juvenile and Domestic cases are appropriate and further restrictions to access the Court system are not necessary. There is a need for more mediation and settlement. In custody cases parents, if appropriate, are in the best position to make decisions about their children. Often they are more familiar with daily schedules and can work out companionship schedules to meet their child’s needs. People are often more committed to work their own agreements and these agreements often promote amicable communication in the best interest of children. Mediation also promotes the exchange of information, honest and forthright communication, and affords parties an opportunity to engage in honest and amicable discussions about finances, support and custody issues. As a Judge, I have already implemented and supported mediation and the settlement of cases. We have a mediation department with a staff to assist in mediating custody, economic and support issues. We have mandated settlement conferences with the Judge to discuss the exchange of information, impediments to settlement and the importance of negotiation. It is my intent, as Judge, to continue to build on this programming and promote the settlement of cases by the parties initiating them.

Jack Kilroy

2560 Shakespeare Lane

Avon, OH 44011

Email: electkilroy@gmail.com

Response to question:

Everyone has a right to their day in court. Restrictions on what cases go to trial cannot be imposed, as it would curtail the right to Due Process of Law, guaranteed by the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution.

While we must uphold our constitutional rights, many cases can and should be resolved without adversarial proceedings. The Judge should be actively engaged, early on in every case, in encouraging parties to settle and in informing the parties of the advantages of mediation and alternative dispute resolution methods.

Anyone who has a friend or relative who has been through Domestic Relations Court knows that the parties spend hours sitting in the corridor while their lawyers are in chambers with the Judge or magistrate. Parties are forced to keep coming back to court because too many hearings are conducted where issues remain unresolved. The process becomes overly expensive, needlessly combative, and stressful for all but the attorneys.

When elected, I will work hard to decide motions promptly, to expedite cases whenever possible, to inform litigants of the benefits of voluntary mediation, and to implement efficiencies to save the litigants and taxpayers money.

Judge, Court of Common Pleas