The 24th Senate District Executive Committee has chosen a different candidate to represent the Democrats in the November election, so my election campaign is ending.  My passion for service, however, continues unabated.  I will be speaking tonight in Columbus on what I consider a very important part of our government:  the importance of citizen advocacy.

 

I learned this passion for service from my late father, who concentrated most of his activism on union activities and on the tiny country church in which I grew up.  Nearly everything I know about politics, I learned from watching him greeting and serving people every day of his life.  At Dad's funeral, a United Methodist district superintendent said many people came to meet him when he got his appointment and to tell him what they needed, but Dad perched on the edge of a chair and asked, "What can I do to help you?"

 

Like Dad, I lead with my heart, so I find it incredibly painful when people question my motives and qualifications as they did in the senate race. 

 

The sticking point in my run was the legal status of my residency in Bay Village.  I knew it would be questioned; so before I entered the race, I asked the Ohio Senate Democratic Caucus to check it out and let me know if I was qualified to run for the seat.  Their attorney, Donald McTigue of Columbus, examined the issues and said yes.  With that ruling in their hands, the caucus endorsed me in April to run for the post.

 

The law says a person must be a resident of the district for a year when s/he is elected.  It does not say s/he must have been an elector, an important point since I had voted in March from our Old Brooklyn home while holding a second residence in Bay Village. 

 

Had the issue been challenged in a court of law, my lawyer could have presented evidence before an impartial judge who we firmly believe would have agreed with the Senate caucus attorney.  That impartial vetting of the facts never occurred, and the state caucus changed its endorsement this month when Cuyahoga objections arose to my residency.

 

The issue is now moot, since I am no longer a candidate.  Only our landlord and we have a stake in where we live.

We all, however, have a stake in making this county a vital, growing entity.  Only by working together and pooling our ideas can we turn the shrinking city center around to bring in new industry, new businesses, and to provide the services we all need.

 

At the conclusion of the Congressional campaign in March, I set up a blog, Reclaiming Hope, at http://reclaiminghope.blogspot.com. When the new campaign started almost immediately, we decided to hold off on blog entries.  Now, however, it's time. I look forward to hearing your comments and ideas about moving the political process forward.

 

I can't end this campaign, however, without recognizing my phenomenal team who put so much work into the process:

Anthony Fossaceca is an incredibly gifted, creative campaign manager.  He has become part of our family over the past year, and we hope to remain friends.  We appreciate the patience of his wife, Sherri, with this campaign.

 

My husband Paul has channeled his total energy into our campaigns and added depth to our issues development. 

Bobbie Buchs kept my nose to the grindstone in making telephone calls, Megan Tackett provided youthful enthusiasm and levity, while our intern Yary Cora did a great deal of research that will be valuable as we move forward in other directions.

 

Also, Judy Bender, Susan and Tom Meara, Cecil Hickman, House candidates Bob Belovich and Matt Patten, and so many others.

 

Thanks as well to the "Palmer" brigade of church friends who waved signs and supported us Wednesday night at the executive meeting.  Your support has lifted our spirits in ways you can't imagine.

 

This campaign was starting to shape up, and we were so excited at the volunteers eager to help.  Next time!

Rosemary Palmer