–Mike Wilson (Tea Party candidate) said he’d reduce the state deficit by cutting the state’s contribution to “the crazy train from Cincinnati to Columbus” aka the 3C rail proposal.

–Vicky Zwissler signed a pledge to not raise taxes. She said she wanted to do sign it in front of Heimlich, who then promptly grilled her for raising taxes while on Wyoming City Council.

–all four candidates said they’d support legalization of marijuana for medical purposes only. Bryant Callaghan, the Libertarian, went further saying he’d not only legalize marijuana completely (“Legalize it and control it like alcohol and tax it”) but he’d decriminalize harder drugs too.

–Tom Weidman, a Sycamore Township Trustee, made a point of noting he’d rejected federal stimulus money and said there are no “sacred cows” when it comes to looking at state spending cuts.

Hamilton County Commission:

–Chris Monzel said he’d get rid of the county’s economic development department and give that job to the port authority in order to fix the stadium deficit. He said he’d halt work on The Banks project if the stadium fund is going into the red.

–Leslie Ghiz disagreed with both those solutions (“We have to finish The Banks. We need the jobs. We need the sales”). She said cuts won’t be enough to fix the stadium fund so it’d be wrong to flatly rule out a reduction in the property tax credit (though that’e be her last option).

—Cecil Thomas, as the lone Democratic candidate, didn’t have to answer any questions because his two Primary Election opponents, Hubert Brown and Jim Tarbell, weren’t there. “I was the only one who showed up!” Thomas declared. He was permitted the floor for a couple of minutes and tried to win over the crowd with by telling them he’d been baptized twice. “Isn’t that enough for you all to vote for me?” he joked.

State Senate, 7th District:

–Heimlich asked if Shannon Jones or Michelle Schneider had ever accepted tickets to Ohio State football games (tickets are offered to legislators at face value, a perk of the office.)

Both candidates admitted they’d bought tickets. Schneider said she used some tickets herself and gave some away but “If constituents want me to stop (taking the tickets) I will,” she said. “I didn’t know it was such a big sin.” Jones said she’s never been to a game, she’s given all her tickets away to constituents. The idea that taking the tickets ever swayed her vote on anything is “unfounded,” she said.

2nd Congressional District: (these guys only had time for basic introductions, no questions.)

–Jim Parker, a registered Democrat (yes, that makes two at this forum) promised to “turn this economic nightmare we’re living in around”

–Debbie Alsfelder touted her experience as a CPA (“I can balance a budget”) and a military mom.

–Mike Kilburn, noted that Warren County (he’s a commissioner there) has zero debt and “I’m the guy who told Obama I don’t’ want any of your stinking filthy stimulus money.”

–Tim Martz, who has prostate cancer, said he’s been told he only has 2-4 years to live “so my time is now. All I care about is the future I’ll leave behind for you and your children.”