Calls for Board of Elections members to step down ignored - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Two special masters will run the day-to-day operations of the staff at the Lucas County Board of Elections, starting next week.

But the whole issue of the Secretary of State's office taking control of the local board, has some Tea Party members calling for the four on the board to step down.

Roughly 10 people, upset with the bickering among the four board members, wanted to personally tell them all to resign.  But instead, they were told by Board Chairman, Democrat Ron Rothenbuhler, that they were not allowed to address the board at its Tuesday meeting.

The conservative voters say they are embarrassed by what's happening at the board of elections and they are not shy in blaming the two Republican board members, Jon Stainbrook and Anthony DiGidio.   Brad Reynolds told 13abc reporter, Bill Hormann, "We (conservatives) carry a lot of the blame and we're trying to fix the problem right now."

Barbara Spencer, another protester calling for the two Republicans and Democrats Rothenbuhler and Keila Cosme to resign says, "We're stepping up for the citizens of Lucas County and that's what the Democrats should be doing."

Democrats did not join in that demand which appeared to make the crowd demanding resignations seem to blame Republicans and Jon Stainbrook in particular for the troubles on the board.  Indeed, the protesters do not like Stainbrook.

John Marshall, a Stainbrook supporter, told 13abc, "They have not worked with Jon Stainbrook, they don't know him, that is personal and has nothing to do with politics."

Stainbrook has tussled with Democrats on the board since he took a seat a year ago.  Stainbrook had campaigned to be placed on the board since he is the Republican Party Chairman as a way of fighting for what he considers Republican principles on important issues.

Stainbrook says, "Finally, you've got two Republican board members who are standing up to the Democrats, taking the fight to the Democrats.  They don't like it and that's why we're (the BOE) on administrative oversight plain and simple."

Stainbrooks feisty tenure on the board has resulted in a number of tie votes that the secretary of state says shows the board is dysfunctional.  That's why Secretary Jon Husted has decided to place two special masters in control of day-to-day staff operations, beginning next Monday.

But even the Stainbrook's Democratic counterpart on the board believes the criticism are rushing to judgment in calling for the four members to resign.   Ron Rothenbuhler told 13abc, "Let's give it a chance to work.  I don't think that (protest) was positive toward the results we've been asked to address by the secretary of state."

The board has some big decisions to make, especially concerning early voting times and places for the November election.

As for any of the four members stepping down because a few political activists got on t-v to demand it... Don't expect that to happen.