We urge our readers to vote for Maryellen O'Shaughnessy for Ohio secretary of state in the Nov. 2 election. She is more likely than her opponent, state Sen. Jon Husted, R-Kettering, to take a non-partisan, non-ideological approach to the office.

The Athens NEWS recommends the approval of Issue 3, an emergency medical services levy, on the Nov. 2 ballot. This tax renewal will provide continued funding for these crucial services in our community.

In the race for Ohio Attorney General, we strongly recommend the re-election of Richard Cordray. He has done a masterful job rehabilitating the AG's office since taking over for sleazebag Mark Dann in 2008.

We urge Athens County voters to support Ohio Treasurer Kevin Boyce in his election bid on Nov. 2. Since being appointed treasurer nearly two years ago, Boyce has saved the state money by putting certain contracts out to bid, and has generally carried on the good work of his predecessor, Richard Cordray.

The Athens NEWS strongly supports a renewal of a 2-mill levy for the county's Children Services agency. The 10-year renewal of an existing levy, Issue 1 on the Athens County ballot, will ensure that our county's most vulnerable citizens, its children, are protected.

The Athens NEWS recommends the election of Lee Fisher as U.S. senator for Ohio. Moderate Democrat Fisher's election will pile another sandbag on the dike protecting America from legislative rule by a Republican Party that's as cynical in its pursuit of power as it is lacking in knowledge of basic history and arithmetic.

Athens Ward 1, Precinct 1 Beverly Flanigan Athens 1-3 Patrick Brown Athens 1-4 Janet Polzer Athens 1-5 Cassidy OBrien Athens 2-1 Jeana Davis Athens 3-1 Martina Bell Athens 3-3 Kyle Stahr Athens 3-4 Mary Diles Athens 3-5 Lilian Alfano Athens 3-6 Michele Papai Athens 3-7 James Coady Athens 3-8 C.

The Democratic and Republican primary elections for Ohio are on Tuesday. Athens County has a number of statewide, congressional, state legislative and county races for each party, along with state, county and municipal issues that members of both parties can vote on. We have made endorsements in select races, and a short summary of each endorsement is below. The main thing, of course, is to get out and vote.

On Tuesday, a small number of Athens County Democrats will determine the future direction of their local party when local party Central Committee members are elected.

In a race between two qualified Democrats for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by George Voinovich, we recommend the nomination of Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher. Fisher has more experience than his opponent in the primary race, and has a much better chance of attracting the sort of centrist voters that will be necessary to defeat a formidable Republican in the general election.

Fisher and Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner are battling for the opportunity to face Republican Rob Portman, a former congressman and presidential Cabinet member, in the November election.

Next Tuesday, May 4, a small number of Athens County Democrats will determine the future direction of their local party. If you're not a registered Democrat who's interested in your present representative to the county party, you can quit reading right here.
If you are a registered Democrat, vote in primaries and would like to be involved in how your Athens County Democratic Party is run, then read on.

Susan Gwinn's 12-year tenure as Athens County Democratic Party chair ended with her resignation in January following criminal convictions on misdemeanor charges of falsification. She was acquitted of four felonies.