January 2023 is a re-organizational year for ODCCA. My term is up as are all the other officers of ODCCA. We’ll hold elections at our January 12^th meeting in Columbus during the SOS conference. Per the conference agenda, time has been set aside for us between 5-8pm on Thursday, Jan. 12^th. ODP has generously offered to help us host our meeting at their new offices at 697 E Broad St, Suite 101, Columbus 43215 from 5:15pm to 6:30pm. Following our meeting, we’ll be joined by the Democratic board of elections members for a small reception and networking session. Beverages and holiday nibbles for all! Please invite your attending BOE staff or send me an email address I can use to forward the invite to (Director or Deputy, personal email only!). We hope you’ll join us and share ideas and helpful critiques from 2022.

In order to hold our elections on 1-12-23, ODCCA needs to convene a committee to review candidates for the ODCCA offices. Anyone running for a position cannot serve on this committee. We need at a minimum 3 chairs and up to 7 for a successful committee. Please, please step up and let us know if you’ll sit on the committee to accept notices of intent from Chairs interested in running for ODCCA office from 2023-2025 and then to make a recommendation to the association of any recommended candidates. Requests to be considered for becoming an ODCCA officer must be emailed no later than 1-7-23 to the committee chair, Kathy Wyenandt at kathy@butlercountydems.org. The committee will meet via a zoom call between 1-8 and 1-11. Chair Hagan and Chair Phelps will serve on the committee, but we’d like a few more.

Your current officers are:

Chair                     Janet Carson, Geauga   
1^st VChair              K.W. Bailey, Wayne       
VChair                   Peg Watkins, Delaware
VChair                   Paul Johnson, Fairfield
VChair                   Diane Conroy, Belmont
VChair                   Ray Lembke, Clermont
Secretary              Denise Smith, Portage
Treasurer             Amy Grubbe, Erie
Sergeant/Arms    Charlie Kidder, Columbiana

All your current ODCCA officers have requested to be re-elected to another 2 year term with ODCCA. I’m looking forward to working with them and all our Chairs to ensure better results in 2023 and 2024. I know we can move Ohio forward by working together and focusing on local issues and strengths. I’m hopeful you’ll consider supporting me as your Chair for another two years. Together we’ve accomplished much from holding 3 elections in one year, surviving COVID, holding our Chairs Summit again and assisting with the distribution of nearly 20,000 Whaley/Stephens yard signs. These efforts, and so many others, give me hope for our state and its citizens. You’ve done incredible work and should be congratulated for your efforts. County Chairs are the backbone of democracy and I’m proud to serve with you.