Change Butler proudly congratulates A.J. Smith, Ray Murray, and Catherine Stoker on their victories in Tuesday's elections. A.J. will serve as the youngest and most energetic member of the Middletown City Council, and we are so proud of the excellent campaign he ran. Ray Murray will serve as the first African American member of the Lakota School Board, but more importantly, he will bring such tremendous passion and extensive experience to the Board. We can't wait to see what he can do! And Catherine was reelected to another term as a Township Trustee in West Chester, Ohio's largest Township. We are so excited to see her return and to work with her in expanding access to cheaper curbside recycling in West Chester.

Many Congratulations!!!

The news is dire for local Tri-State residents, according to today's Enquirer.  The numbers highlight the urgent need for real health care reform.  Change Butler will be organizing further Honk and Waves.  Please join our movement to receive updates and notices.

Please check out my column in today's Enquirer Too many suffer too long for health care reform.  Keep the letters and columns coming.  Feel free to post samples on here or email articles to Tony Klimek, our media director.

Please read the following editorial from the Sunday, July 19th, Hamilton Journal News and JOIN OUR MOVEMENT to bring about the change needed in Butler County to stop the abuses, excessive spending, and reckless disregard for the welfare and well-being of taxpayers and residents in the county by our elected officials:

"Sloppy" county practices must end

Nearly three years ago, Butler County Commissioner Greg Jolivette warned his colleagues that “when we sober up, it may be too late.”

That line was from his infamous “drunken sailor” letter of September 2006 when he reminded his fellow commissioners of the old expression “You’re spending money like a drunken sailor,” and noted that “we are getting pretty close to that saying.”

Suffice to say, commissioners are adequately sober now. Last week, they voted to roll back general fund expenses to 2007 levels, a reduction of about $2.6 million, their latest attempt to get the budget under control.

In 2006, Jolivette was protesting a plan to renovate the old county jail on Court Street and an informal agreement to let Sheriff Richard Jones buy a new helicopter. “My main objection is the fact that you made the decision without performing due diligence,” he said then.

Recent reporting by staff writer Josh Sweigart has revealed that Jolivette’s words were prophetic.