Candidate Forums: Democracy in Action
In case it’s escaped your notice, it’s campaign season. With so much noise created by the presidential and congressional campaigns, how can voters get to know their local and state candidates? After all, the decisions that state and local elected officials make often affect us more directly than legislation at the federal level.
One way that local and state candidates and voters get to know each other is through candidate forums hosted by organizations in their communities. Candidates get the chance to present their qualifications and ideas, and voters get the chance to take the measure of those who would represent them. It’s democracy in action . . . the old-fashioned way.
Wouldn’t you think that getting a chance to meet and talk with voters directly is an opportunity candidates would eagerly embrace? If only.
For many years, the League of Women Voters has hosted candidate forums in communities throughout the country, inviting candidates of all parties to meet the voters in their districts. These non-partisan events benefit candidates and voters equally.
Sadly, during the past few election cycles, some candidates refuse to participate in the League’s candidate forums or even respond to the organization’s candidate profile questionnaires, which are used to compile the respected Voter Guide that is distributed at Geauga County Public Libraries and inserted into local weekly newspapers.
I’m not sure why any candidate would decline to interact with the voters they want to represent, and whose votes they need to attain office. Maybe, in these divisive times, some candidates believe they only represent those in their own party. That attitude is a disservice to the concept of representative democracy, and it perpetuates the cynicism that permeates our politics.
As voters, please take note of which candidates refuse to meet you in your community or listen to your concerns. If you don’t deserve their time and attention, do they deserve your vote?
If you’re interested in meeting the local candidates who are eager to meet you, please attend one or both of the League of Women Voters Geauga Candidate Forums. The first will be held on Monday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Kenston Auditorium; the second is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. at Berkshire High School Auditorium.
For more information and a list of candidates who will appear at each forum, please visit the League of Women Voters Geauga website at lwvgeauga.org.
Lori A. O’Neill
Bainbridge Township
Mary Jane Trapp: Experience Matters
Tim Snyder got it wrong (Rambo for Judge, Maple Leaf, Aug. 22).
The Geauga County Common Pleas Court judge election is non-partisan because party affiliation is not listed next to the candidate’s name on the ballot. Obviously, judicial candidates have a party affiliation; it’s just not on the ballot at this level. Judge Trapp was not trying to hide anything.
Mr. Snyder was right about one thing: Experience matters. And Rambo doesn’t have enough. Trapp does.
Judge Trapp’s legal career spans over 40 years in probate, domestic relations, civil and criminal law and on the bench. She served as a visiting judge on the Ohio Supreme Court and 12 years on the 11th District Court of Appeals (and was presiding judge).
She wrote over 1,000 legal opinions, 100 of which were published. She served on numerous professional commissions, committees and task forces at the state and national levels. She’s represented children in their parents’ divorce cases.
Compare that to Rambo’s 19 years of experience listed on his website. He graduated from law school (2005), was a magistrate in the Court of Claims of Ohio (2006 to 2013), a Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court staff attorney (2013 to 2018) and is currently in private practice (2018 to present).
There are no Republican laws nor Democrat laws. Just laws. Judge Mary Jane Trapp has the depth of experience to analyze, interpret and apply our laws firmly and fairly. We need her knowledge.
Vote for Judge Mary Jane Trapp for Geauga County Common Pleas Court.
Anne Houdek
Burton
Haitian Pairings
Traveling through Springfield, Ohio, recently, I found a discarded, well-used Haitian cookbook in Veteran’s Park containing recipes for pairing dogs and cats with selected wines and beers. First disgusted then intrigued, I read on.
The cookbook paired libations with living pets (owned, stolen, or strays), especially dogs and cats. Totally Unamerican, I thought, until I remembered that our own American Lewis and Clark expedition of 1804-1806 purchased and ate dogs from the Native American tribes that they encountered enroute. I read on.
In advance, I need to state that this cookbook trumps any cookbook that the more conservative Martha Stewart has offered.
If the kind reader can suspend judgement for a moment, here are of few of the Haitian pairings suggested:
- “German Shepherds and a nice fruity Gewurztraminer pair well; a medium-rare preparation of the Shepherd should be followed.”
- “A Chihuahua’s high level of activity can be contained with the clean and crisp taste of a chilled Mexican lager, like Modelo.”
- “The laid-back vibes of the American Shorthair cat blend well with a white Zinfandel Rose.”
- “The beloved Irish Wolfhound can go with no other pairing than a dark, bold Guiness. A porter or stout may be substituted.””
- “The Japanese Akita appreciates a subdued, warmed rice wine of your choosing.”
- “A French Poodle can only be combined with the exuberance of the champagne-lover’s Mimosa. The Standard Poodle requires a hearty Beaujolais.”
- “Stray dogs, due to their unknown ancestry, will do well with any inexpensive Lite Beer.”
- “Stray cats, however, only need an O’Doul’s.”
- “For the adventurous, a parakeet or canary, when stuffed and properly seasoned do well with that hoppy, Yakima-grown Wildcat IPA.”
- “Our beloved Spanish Water Dog will accommodate any red, full bodied Chilean or Argentinian wine.”
- “Delicate puppies and kittens of any breed (the veal of the pet world) require a well-chosen liqueur.”
This is but a sampling of the many pairings of canines, felines, and other pets with the appropriate alcoholic offerings to be found within its pages. Illustrations are in color and detailed. It may be available on Amazon.
I do not recommend this cookbook, “Haitian Pet Pairings,” given America’s love for its pets.
If you are interested in reading this cookbook after dinner on some Fall evening in November, don your favorite sweater with a libation of your own choosing.
This is America. No one can stop you from reading what you want, believing what you want, and posting what want!
It is an interesting read and very controversial. There can be no debate, or even more than one debate, about that!
Sheldon Firem
Hambden Township
