February 22, 2004
Cleveland Plain Dealer

Two incumbent state senators in Northeast Ohio face primary challenges on March 2, and a pair of local state representatives are facing off for a third Senate seat.

Sen. Bob Spada, a North Royalton Republican first appointed to the Senate in 1999, faces opposition from Broadview Heights Councilman Donald Sopka.

Meanwhile, appointed Sen. Kimberly Ann Zurz of Coventry Township is challengeed by former Rep. Tom Seese of Uniontown.

The third race - between Republican state Reps. Jamie Callender and Tim Grendell - went from red-hot to lukewarm this month, when it appeared GOP leaders in Columbus were going to make the contest irrelevant by appointing Callender to the Lake County Common Pleas bench.

However, the appointment had not been made last week, leaving Callender wondering - but still campaigning - less than two weeks before the primary.

He and Grendell are competing for the 18th District seat being vacated by Sen. Bob Gardner. Gardner is running for Lake County commissioner.

Sixteen even-numbered Senate seats are in play this year. Thirteen of them are controlled by the GOP. Due to term limits, five seats are without an incumbent defender.

Among those forced to depart due to term limits are both the highest-ranking Republican in the chamber, Senate President Doug White of Adams County, and the highest-ranking Democrat, Minority Leader Greg DiDonato of Dennison.

Heated primary battles are under way in both their districts.

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February 22, 2004
Akron Beacon Journal

AKRON: The Akron Police Department has started a Main Street block-watch group for businesses in downtown Akron.

Police will regularly share information with block-watch members about downtown crime and crime suspects. Officers also will offer members classes on personal safety.

The first meeting will be at 8:30 a.m. Thursday at Harry Buffalo, 222 S. Main St. The session will include a discussion on a new law that makes carrying a concealed weapon in Ohio legal.

Commentary:
The Summit County Sheriff recently indicated that passage of the CHL law has him ready to move to Cuba. Summit County Executive James McCarthy, in a move that raises legal and Constitutional questions, recently issued an executive order "prohibiting guns in all county buildings and vehicles and on county property." Akron's mayor told reporters he was "sad" when HB12 passed into law. The Akron-Area Restaurant Association is being urged to block-discriminate against CHL-holders.

We can't help but wonder what type of self-defense advice these concerned citizens will be receiving at this meeting. Attendees are encouraged to send us their reports.

Ohio working out 'bugs' in concealed law
February 22, 2004
Palladium-Item (Richmond, IN)

EATON, Ohio -- Camden resident Jan Gitz expects to be among the estimated 71,000 Ohio residents who will carry a concealed weapon under House Bill 12 this year.

Gitz is self-employed and her work takes her out on the road late at night and sometimes to neighborhoods where she feels unsafe. She supported passage of the proposal, which drew adamant supporters and opponents as it wound its way through the Ohio legislature last year.

Bugs in the system must be worked out and application forms must be devised. Still, come April 8, Gitz and other Ohio residents can apply for a license to carry a concealed handgun.

Gov. Bob Taft signed the law, House Bill 12, on Jan. 8.

The Ohio Legislative Service Commission estimates 71,000 applications per year will be filed. That's about 3 percent of the state's population.

Already the Preble County Sheriff's Department has had many requests for applications, but they're not available.

Sheriff Mike Simpson said the Ohio Attorney General's Office is working on the form, and the state is developing a pamphlet on the law that each applicant must receive.

Simpson returned on Friday from training on the new law in Columbus.

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