Media Release: Lucas County Democratic Party on Unity
This in via email, sent out by Ellen Critchley, Secretary of the LCDP:
Local Democratic Chairman Advocates for Party Unity
Toledo, Ohio. Ron Rothenbuhler, Chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party, announces that he will hold a press conference with many Democratic Party officers, elected officials, labor leaders, candidates and supporters to promote and discuss Party unity.
DATE: Monday, August 27, 2007
TIME: 3:00 pm
PLACE: LCDP Headquarters, 1817 Madison Avenue
The media is respectfully requested to be present.
“I’m pleased that Matt Szollosi, Bernie Quilter, Tina Skeldon Wozniak, Pete Gerken, Mark Sobczak, Michael Ashford, Frank Szollosi, Vallie Bowman-English, Dennis Duffey, Gary Johnson and many others have confirmed their presence at this important event in the life of our Lucas County Democrats,” says Rothenbuhler.
Isn’t Critchley also working for Chris Myers who is a Republican? Isn’t that a bit strange for the Secretary of the Democratic Party?
August 24th, 2007 at 11:04 pmYes, it does seem a bit out of the ordinary, she also is the media person for Karen Shanahan. I’m not sure what is going to end up being the deal with that scenario.
August 24th, 2007 at 11:10 pmEllen is a paid media consultant. I am contracting with her for her services, which started long before she became the interim exec director of the D’s since the “Strippergate” shake up. While it seems strange, it would be no stranger than I visiting a business known to be owned by a Democrat or a Democrat visiting a business owned by a Republican.
August 25th, 2007 at 7:05 amChris, it is a bit different, you are running against two endorsed Democrats, one of her jobs is to help you beat them and another one of her jobs is to help them.
It’s a bit more of a conflict of interest than merely visiting a business, it’s be like working for two companies who are competing, and knowing trade secrets from both. Not from your end, I realize she’s done work for many people, including the Mayor but Susan’s not alone in raising this as a question.
August 25th, 2007 at 8:41 amIf this is a so-called “party unity” press conference, how come many Democrats I’ve talked to did not know about this until I saw your blog entry? Communication seems to be lacking at the Dem HQ.
August 25th, 2007 at 9:58 amIt’s REALLY about unity within ONE of Lucas County’s democrat parties, not both.
To have both democrat parties unify would be outrageous!
August 25th, 2007 at 12:52 pmI am only speaking from my experience, but we don’t talk about other school board candidates when we meet and discuss what they may or may not be doing, because there is no time. Plus, there is a confidentiality clause in our contract so Ellen cannot discuss my campaign with others. Ellen is very professional and I am sure that she can separate a client work from the party. I don’t think anything nefarious is occurring here; at least this is my experience.
August 25th, 2007 at 1:50 pmChris, it’s the appearance of it that has been raised and that has nothing to do with any accusations towards you at all, as you clearly stated, you hired her to do media for you before she decided to take the position with the Lucas County Democratic Party. I’ve not blogged this issue but I’ve been aware of some of the concerns and I have been told that it has been raised at a party level.
Just wondering, since it was sent out as a media release I’m assuming the goal is to let the media know so that Democrats will know, and why it was sent to the blog.
August 25th, 2007 at 9:33 pm>While it seems strange, it would be no stranger than I
>visiting a business known to be owned by a Democrat or a
>Democrat visiting a business owned by a Republican.
You’ve got to be kidding me! For a CONSULTANT to be working BOTH SIDES of a race is about the sleaziest practice I’ve ever heard of and it ought to end Critchley’s career. We’re not talking about a vendor selling t-shirts here. This is someone involved operationally on both sides.
August 27th, 2007 at 11:45 amI was quite impressed by the Lucas County Democratic Party Press conference today.
August 27th, 2007 at 5:16 pmThere is no way a person can truly realize its importance and impact unless the person was there personally to see the variety of people and hear the conversations and cross-conversations.
I suspect the media will not provide sufficient coverage in such a way as to effectively communicate the extremely positive ramifications that may result from this renewed effort at Democratic Party unity in Lucas County.
I wasn’t there, but I do understand some of the cross conversations were probably very interesting.
August 27th, 2007 at 5:46 pmLR, I understand. I wanted to provide my experience on the issue being my name was brought up.
“Ethical Practices” it is funny that you use that name, say what you say, then post anonymously.
August 27th, 2007 at 8:26 pmChris, I understand, I’m not exactly crazy about those that are bringing my name up in all of this. Some of what has come back to me has not exactly been complimentary, but I take it with a grain of salt.
August 27th, 2007 at 10:16 pm