Officials in Michigan are crediting a new tough-on-gun crimes policy, modeled after Project Exile in Virginia, for inspiring part of the downward trend in crimes committed with firearms in Detroit. As we recently reported, the FBI has observed a 10.5% drop in crime across the state of Michigan in the first two years since passage of a concealed carry law there. For the first time in 40 years, Michigan's crime rate has dropped below Ohio's.

According to the Detroit News, reported shootings in Detroit through November this year are down 2 percent from last year and down 21 percent from November 2001. The city’s murder rate has fallen 11 percent so far this year.

Some residents are noticing the drop in crime in their neighborhoods, said Lorraine Ozment, a longtime east side activist. But many feel protecting their safety is something they largely have to do for themselves, she said.

“A lot of people still feel like they have to protect themselves,” Ozment said.

At least they have that legal choice in Michigan. In Ohio, there is no way for a person to bear firearms for self-defense without risking criminal arrest and prosecution. And the result? Crime is up 5% in Ohio in the same two year period in which Michigan's dropped, and cities like Cincinnati are experiencing a record-high number of homicides.

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December 23, 2003
Gannett News Service

One would like to be a senator and the other would like to have another two years as a state representative.

Joy Padgett, executive director of the Governor's Office of Appalachia, and state Rep. Jim Aslanides were at the Muskingum County Elections Office filing their intentions to run for the respective offices Monday.

Padgett, a lifelong resident of Coshocton, has served Gov. Bob Taft as the executive director for the Office of Appalachia for nearly five years. She wants to replace state Sen. Jim Carnes in District 20, which includes Athens, Coshocton, Guernsey, Meigs, Morgan, Monroe, Muskingum, Noble and Washington counties.

Carnes will step down from his Senate seat, possibly as early as Dec. 31, to accept a post as deputy director at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Padgett is expected to be appointed to the position.

"The local needs of these counties are very specific in each and every county," Padgett said. "I believe that all my years in public service and teaching have provided me with the tools to assist the residents and I know where the resources are for them to help themselves."

She previously served four terms representing Muskingum and Coshocton counties in the Ohio House of Representatives. She was offered an appointment to the Senate about 10 years ago to replace Bob Ney, but declined, citing family obligations.

Aslanides, 43, is seeking his fourth term as state representative for the 94th District. He also is from Coshocton.

"I'm more excited about running this time then I was the first time," Aslanides said.

Aslanides is proud of the bills he has helped introduce and then watched become law.

"I'm very proud of how I've fought to defend small businesses in the area and the concealed carry weapon bill is now before the governor," Aslanides said.