Less than flattering email sent out by County Republican Executive Director…
Email communication is great, yet the advice I give when it comes to posting might also be applied to emails, don’t send out what you don’t want to get out there, as can be seen by Lucas County GOP director’s e-mail slams Stainbrook’s recruits:
The executive director of the Lucas County Republican Party singled out local precinct committee candidates in an e-mail to party leaders this week, but her descriptions of them – “total loser,” “liberal,” and “nut job” – has raised the ire of the party faithful trying to resuscitate the local GOP.
Now a local Republican activist is calling for the executive director to resign because of that name-calling.“These are derogatory, defamatory things said about good Republican people,” said Jon Stainbrook, who will call for local party Director Joanne Wack to resign today at a press conference tentatively set for 2 p.m. “This is unacceptable behavior.”
Ms. Wack says: “If I had known the list would be public, I wouldn’t have said some of those things”
Yeah, that is akin to people realizing that not-so-flattering photos of them are suddenly posted on MySpace, Facebook, etc and then they say: “If I had known those photos were going to be made public, I never would have done that.”
People. Wake up. Everything and anything has the possibility of being made public when it comes to the Internet and e-mail.
Geesh.
January 10th, 2008 at 12:21 pmNot only that, but isn’t this the same Wack – o that has sticky fingers ? Calling someone else a ‘thief’ ?
Looks like she is Repub ‘A’ team, and the Stain is Repub ‘B’ team.
Any fisticuffs in your party in the near future, Jon ?
January 10th, 2008 at 1:02 pmThe recent charges against Joanne Wack were dropped, charges against Larry “Matthew” Bartow were not.
January 10th, 2008 at 1:07 pmWow, the republicans are just as wacky as the democrats. What next?
January 10th, 2008 at 1:13 pmIn a world where very little communication can be kept private, it is disappointing, but not surprising to see this kind of faux pas come to light.
Ms. Wack probably be should resign, but not for having her own opinions on these candidates, or even for sharing them. She should resign for not having the political savvy to understand the implications of the method in which she did so, the world in which her party has to function, and for a level of naivete that borders on stupidity
January 10th, 2008 at 1:14 pmYou would think that a person who is a representative of a political party would have more common sense.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:24 pmPerhaps I’ve just found new employment? Looks like the Republicans need someone that can do the job failed at for over 30 years here locally.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:44 pmI think her name suits her.
January 10th, 2008 at 3:49 pmSo, Ms. Wack, how DOES foot taste?
You’d think that, with a name like that she’d have learned about tact a very long time ago.
Seconds?
Open mouth, Insert Foot. . .
January 10th, 2008 at 7:44 pmIn fighting amoungst Republicans, in a region where we are out numbered so is bad for all conservatives. But, the lesson needs to be learned, and perhaps a leader who is that naive is not the right person as earlier pointed out.
The A-Hole.
ps….vote no on renewing the income tax.
January 10th, 2008 at 8:30 pmNot smart.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:06 pmWhile it may not have been smart, Joanne worked harder than just about anyone else in the party.
January 10th, 2008 at 11:27 pmThere are really Republicans in Toledo!
Hilarious to find it out this way tho.
January 11th, 2008 at 4:59 amOh Ms. Wack, please know who you are talking about before you say such unprofessional and childish things… It is very sad that you have to resort to 1st grade tactics and attack innocent people’s character just because they stand up for themselves to help make a better city.. I’ve never even met you… how dare you call me a Liberal… i’ve been called worse honey. Let’s hope you put down the bottle and make more informed decisions in the future, and please think before you open your BIG MOUTH!! Sincerely, HEATHER HAYES!!!
January 11th, 2008 at 12:57 pmMs. Wack,
I have never heard of you until the past few days. I would be very surprised if you knew anything about me. It makes me a marginal voter because I don’t vote in primaries? I have not been very politically active, so I saw no need to ever declare a party. I do vote and I do vote on issues. You should be happy that Republicans in Lucas County vote at all. I am appalled at the number of elections that take place here with so many Democrats running unopposed. My wife and I just recently bought a house close to where I lived when I was in high school. This is where we plan to live and raise our sons until they are out of school. I needed to change my voting address since we moved and my wife had never been registered to vote. Mr. Stainbrook graciously volunteered to come to our home with the paperwork that we needed to fill out. Along with this, we decide to become more active in politics to make sure that our children have a better place to live. For this, I am thanked by having my name in the local paper? I would have gladly accepted your assistance with my paperwork, but you weren’t the one on that snowy January night driving around Toledo trying to get new voters, new Republicans.
Sincerely,
Royal H. Barber, III
January 11th, 2008 at 1:52 pmYou know, this really isn’t too surprising to me. This is exactly one of the reasons i really never got into politics in the past. Ms. Wack, i am really sorry, but are you God? Now whether you believe in God matters not to me(although maybe a chat with him might help a bit?). We are all human beings. We have all made mistakes. None of us are perfect, as i hope you have realized after slandering so many people you have never met or walked in any of our shoes. Where were you Ms. Wack when all the struggles in life had me down? Where were you when we needed help? I dont remember you. I dont know you. Im sure you could pull out all kinds of dirty skeletons, even in your closet. The one thing i have realized in this life is that we all,individually, have the right and option to change from who we were or what we did and so on. I thought thats what this great country was supposed to be about? Helping others when their down, giving someone in complete darkness a shiny light of hope that we can rise above whatever lies in the past and strive for a better future. You have pulled up information on people without giving any regard to who they are now, or what they may have been through, what they feel, or where they want to go with they’re lives. Very sad but the only “nut jobs” i saw were the invading, negative, self righteous, and oppressive comments made by you. You know nothing of me or my family, my father is one of the most intelligent people i know. Are we perfect? Hell no. Neither are you. Very sad.
January 12th, 2008 at 2:36 amIt’s simple Lucas county politics…why is everyone acting so surprised?
January 12th, 2008 at 7:48 amWhy are we all so surprised? Well I suppose that nobody expects to be blindsided with insults when their only intention was to cast a vote to something they believed in. Ms. Wack needs to apologize for her actions and resign. Her ignorance is unforgivable and unacceptable. Her words were irresponsible and insensitive. Ms. Wack, I don’t respect you at all.. I will be waiting for an apology from you for me and all of my friends that you have so ignorantly insulted.
January 12th, 2008 at 3:53 pmHeather Hayes
Don’t expect an apology from someone you just lambasted. She deserved it though.
January 12th, 2008 at 5:33 pmOnce you cut through some of this “outrage” – let’s get a reality check here. The background on some of these new people was culled from Voter Vault – a GOP database program. This contains information that Joanne used. This is where one would find voter categories people put themselves in during get out the vote contacts during a campaign. Some of it was from public records. This database is also updated with voting records, namely primaries where a person declares their party affiliation. New people coming into the political process is a good thing. I know people get involved in politics for various reasons and it tends to attract its fair share of “interesting” people to put it kindly, some of who have no intention to do grassroots work but only to serve as votes of one faction or another and never be seen or heard from again. All of these factors, plus Stainbrook’s close association with John Robinson Block, caused this understandable inquiry into who these new people are.
January 12th, 2008 at 6:08 pmI have to admit, stainbrook does have a nasty look about him in the pictures I have seen, and if he is associated with Block, then I guess he is nasty.
January 12th, 2008 at 6:55 pmDave, most people probably aren’t aware of Voter Vault or the Democratic version of it (one article on both). I always wondered what they would say about me.
January 12th, 2008 at 7:53 pmNot Again, when I see pictures of Jon I think…”man he looks a lot younger than me”…
The Blade has connections/associations with quite a few local people, with the discussion on earned media versus favoritism being one we’ve had here many times in the past. I think the 170 signatures is newsworthy, I think the potential take over aspect is newsworthy, I don’t think some of the reports were skewed in Stainbrook’s favor though the editorial today was.
I think the email story was borderline since I’m fairly confident that the Blade knew where the information came from and research being done like that is not that uncommon in politics.
January 12th, 2008 at 7:58 pmI personally have no problem with learning what you can about somebody which is public record. I Google people all the time. I do believe the comments that were added were uncalled for. If it was just the plain facts without any one persons opinion of those facts added in, there would not have been any problems.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:06 pmAgreed Royal.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:15 pmStainbrook is nasty looking? Are we looking at the same pictures, Not Again? He looks like a handsome young guy to me (even though he is — gasp! — a Republican).
January 12th, 2008 at 8:41 pmDon’t worry Lisa, I would doubt that the “Volter vault” is aware of you. I don’t think that their egos would allow themselves to even consider that there is a Toledo. It just isn’t important; Toledo, I mean, in the overall scheme of things.
This Stainbrook character, apparently has been working hard, I just think he has a slimmy look. This to me, has nothing to do with age, Lisa.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:41 pmWell yes, Lily, he looks a little too much like Edwards to me.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:43 pmHe really doesn’t look like a republican to me. He has the look of a far left liberal, I’d say.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:46 pmAlthough there have been some republicans that have been that way without the look.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:47 pmThanks for all that fine substance you have added to this post Not Again. NOT!
January 12th, 2008 at 8:49 pmVoter Vault has most of us from what I understand as well as the Democratic counterpart Demzilla. What magazines we subscribe to and other types of direct mail marketing information and the voter data base information all rolled into one.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:49 pmWelcome
January 12th, 2008 at 8:52 pmPardon my ignorance folks, I am new to this and am learning. Dave, up there in 31 said I added to this post? I thought I added a post to this thread? I thought a post was a comment added to a thread, that was started by someone. That is something that has confused me since I have been on here. Not trying cause conflict, just asking for clarification, if someone has a second.
Thanks
January 12th, 2008 at 9:02 pmNot Again, I believe Dave appears to not feel that several of your comments which can be called posts or comments (either way is used) added substance to the discussion by focusing on Jon’s looks.
There are from a blogging standpoint several types of responses that happen during the course of an online discussion from short retorts, to sarcasm to jokes to long fact filled dissertations to variations there of.
The general rule of thumb is to try to stay on topic, but often a thread begins on one area of discussion and can go off in many different directions. Other than the secondary rule of trying to maintain civil conversation as much as possible there really are not any other standard rules for this particular blog.
The thread you and I were on that the Ball’s visited is one example of how a thread can start on one topic then go off into other areas.
January 12th, 2008 at 9:11 pmOff topic
“Not Again, I believe Dave appears to not feel that several of your comments which can be called posts or comments (either way is used) added substance to the discussion by focusing on Jon’s looks.”
Yes, I think I got that message from Dave’s post. He doesn’t seem like a happy camper. Sorry Dave.
“The thread you and I were on that the Ball’s visited is one example of how a thread can start on one topic then go off into other areas.”
I hope I wasn’t a bad boy on that one?
January 12th, 2008 at 9:20 pmThanks for the clarification Lisa!
January 12th, 2008 at 9:21 pmNo, you were not bad, but the post was a great example of how things can go off topic. If you ever posted something really inappropriate I’d contact you off blog. We’re all adults so I try to give you guys as much latitude as possible to say what you are thinking and I know the majority of time if there are disagreements you all can handle it.
January 12th, 2008 at 9:23 pmYes ma’am, thanks
January 12th, 2008 at 9:24 pmDave,
1. Why didn’t you ask for Bartow’s resignation before Stainbrook submitted the petitions?
2. Why haven’t you asked for Dennis Lange’s resignation from his precinct position and for his withdrawal from the election? Is it because you think that it is ok for Lange to steal from the government as long as it is not from you? He stole from every taxpaying citizen when he committed some sort of tax fraud. He was even sentenced to 30 days in jail.
3. The republican party is paying Joanne Wack (aka Joann/Joanne Letavish, Appenfelder, Wack, Jane Doe, etc.) to write juvenile and malicious comments about people who finally want to get involved. I think the party’s money could be put to better use. Executive Director Wack has been sued more times for ripping people off than I care to mention and even just escaped a forgery conviction. Why aren’t you asking for her resignation?
4. If you care so much, why aren’t you running for any kind of party position?
5. Isn’t it a fact that you are friends with Wack and are trying to help her by using false information to tag Stainbrook with Bartow?
January 13th, 2008 at 12:42 amNancy – unless the bylaws were changed from what I learned today, unless you have a felony conviction you can not be removed. Unless Bartow or any of those who have a criminal record decide to step down there is nothing that can be done except hope they are not re-elected by those in their precinct. The Bartow situation bothers some local Republicans because he was supposed to be helping candidates/issues and not only did not do the work but lied about it. Joanne did not escape a forgery conviction, the charges were dropped, she was asked to do the research through Voter Vault and to make notes. It’s not as if she did this of her own volition or purposely released the information, could it have been more tactful? Of course, and I can completely understand some of those on the list being upset by what was stated.
I can’t speak for Dave on his plans as far as running for office but I do know the Blade also reported Bartow being tagged to Stainbrook, which is why I have talked to several people involved in this story, including Jon to try to find out exactly what happened. I’ve known Dave for several years now, and while he may defend his friends, I’ve never known him to let friendships cloud his beliefs or judgment on an issue. I consider him a friend and he and I have not always agreed on political philosophy but I admire many of the things he’s tried to do when it comes to our local government and the issue of ethics.
There is some concern by some, even as the Blade alluded to that this was designed as a take over rather than an effort to bring in new volunteers. Given the past history and the lack of communication as to what was happening that should not be surprising. It sounds like it’s going to be a challenge for both sides of the party and I hope you guys do a better job in uniting than the Democratic party has done in their past.
January 13th, 2008 at 1:21 amDave,
January 13th, 2008 at 1:21 amQuit making it so obvious you are a patsy for Joanne wack. It is so obvious she is telling you what to say. It is starting to border on ridiculous. You claim to have a mind of your own. Tell me what Wack had to do with your campaign when you ran against Stainbrook. It seems like anybody that you don’t like, you attack them to get yourself press. Please don’t insult everyone here by denying you are a good friend with Joanne Wack, which makes any opinion you might have about Stainbrook biased from the start.
Lisa, I agree but the timing is weird. I think anyone who wants to help the party should be allowed to do so. I just want to say by that by tagging only Bartow, Dave is being somewhat of a hypocrite. Tax fraud robs each and every citizen who pays their taxes! So Lange stole from Dave and from you too. Why isn’t he going after Lange? Joanne should have made sure the voter vault was right. Wack was told to compile a database, but was she told to make fun of them, demean them, and then distribute their personal information.
Many voter registration entries on the list she compiled and distributed were false. She was didtributing them as valid and told the recipients to make phone calls… For what? To intimidate them? To get them to withdraw? What were her intentions? I think her actions are inviolation of the following but need an attorney’s opinion:
ORC 3599.29 Possession of false records.
January 13th, 2008 at 1:38 amNo person shall have in the person’s possession a falsely made, altered, forged, or counterfeited registration card, form, or list, pollbook, tally sheet, or list of election returns of an election, knowing it to be such, with intent to hinder, defeat, or prevent a fair expression of the popular will at such election.
Whoever violates this section is guilty of a felony of the fifth degree.
Effective Date: 07-01-1996
From what I understand about Voter Vault most of it is public information that can be obtained from a variety of sources, including the voter database which as I’ve blogged several times, is not always accurate.
As to the timing? I think quite a few people were surprised when Jon turned in that many candidate declarations (which is how I should state this since the Republican party opted for that manner as opposed to what the Democrats do with the five signatures needed).
I’m not a lawyer so I can’t comment on that section of the ORC except to say if the error in the database as far as people being registered or not or registered as Democrats when they were Undeclared or Republicans, came from the SOS then I don’t think that would make the person distributing it liable.
January 13th, 2008 at 1:53 amHey Nancy, I have no idea who you are. I was never aware of the Dennis Lange situation until I read it in the Blade. So smoke that in your pipe lady. Read where I agreed with Royal about the name calling being unncessary. I have said on the radio that she should have used more discretion but I do agree that some of the background of the new recruits are very suspicious and undermine Stainbrook’s efforts especially his connection with the newspaper.
Also, re: your response about running for something. I am currently the state committeeman for this Senate District and been on the county committee for 10 years. To prove my neutrality in this, I am not running for re-election to either of these posts because I have served my time and have better things to do after my terms are over. So I have no reason to get any press other than speaking my mind on a subject my positions allow me to speak about. Talk about attacking, you sure do a good job throwing crap out there.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:58 amNancy, let me add one more thing. Re: your criticisms of other people in the party having legal issues (Wack and Lange), I think you guys are in your total rights to use these as issues in your “insurgency” as the Blade opined Saturday. They are legitimate issues. Word of advice: Grow a thicker skin and prepare for some blowback when you level attacks like this. I have had alot more stuff hurled at me during my time in politics and you just have to roll with the punches, kid.
January 13th, 2008 at 8:27 amDave, there is a difference between throwing out crap and speaking the truth based on solid facts. So now that you know about Lange, are you going to ask for his resignation too? You knew about Wack already. Do you think she should be in a leadership position at the party? Dave, I just don’t understand why you are upset about Bartow but not equally upset about Lange and Wack.
January 13th, 2008 at 12:07 pmJoanne’s situation: was not found guilty of anything but agreed that it doesn’t look good and as I have said before you are right to make it part of your fight. You have been on this issue in the City Paper for weeks/months now. You started your fight on this – prepare for counterpunches like I mentioned before; see above: grow a thick skin.
Bartow and Lange cases differ in that Bartow stole money from fellow Republican candidates. Whether Jon recruited him or not – they are allied as indicated in the Blade and by Mueller being at Jon’s press conference. Political lesson #2: In politics, perception is reality.
I would think Jon would disavow Bartow since he is the one running on cleaning things up supposedly. Not to mention Mr. Leal’s issues from what I understand. So Jon opens himself up to these things by not being a very smart political operator in making sure his candidates and allies are clean and above reproach.
Furthermore, it is not my job to call for everyone’s resignation. I understand your group may be running someone against Lange so let the people decide.
January 13th, 2008 at 12:19 pmJon was trying to help the party by getting more people involved and they attacked him and his candidates. The party should want more people involved. On the “Get Involved” section of the LCRP website the following is stated:
“To qualify for consideration [central committee], one needs to be willing to work your assigned precinct in a number of ways helping Republican candidates get elected. This is a grassroots effort to help all of our local, statewide and national candidates in their efforts to get elected. We don’t ask too much, just talk to your friends and neighbors! This is a great way to get involved with your own area and get to know people while helping your local party. Consider becoming active in the party at the grass roots (precinct) level. Meet more like-minded people. Get to know our elected officials and candidates. Learn while you contribute in a meaningful way!”
This should apply to anyone who wants to be involved and doesn’t state that anyone interested will be scrutinized and bashed.
Stainbrook did not recruit Bartow as stated by Lisa Renee earlier. Lange did steal from every tax paying citizen of this state by failing to pay his taxes. As our state central committeeman, maybe you should consider disavowing yourself with some people, too. I do agree with you and feel the voters should decide who is best to represent them.
January 13th, 2008 at 1:42 pmPot calling the kettle black. You have started your foray into politics by “bashing” Joanne in the city paper. I know you are a political neophyte but you can’t be so naive to think that you or others associated with yourself wouldn’t be scrutinized in light of your going after Joanne. Politics ain’t beanbag, Nancy.
Trust me, I have done my fair share of disavowing people in our party; see Betty Shultz. I’ve criticized her and EVEN sued her!!!! What good would it be to pile on to Dennis Lange after he paid his price and made restitution? Seems you guys have issues with people who work at the board of elections. I know you will now go on about second chances, blah blah blah. It still doesn’t equate to what Bartow did. Your and Jon’s unwillingness to disavow Bartow speaks volumes about you guys. Would be nice of you to address the issue of why you and Jon are so silent on Bartow and why a Bartow ally was at Jon’s press conference.
January 13th, 2008 at 1:57 pmI am with you Dave. The Party should be rid of crooks. Jon has repeatedly said he is not involved with Bartow and he is not.
Joanne Wack is running for state central committee. I do not want someone who took money from the girl scouts as the Toledo City Paper reported and owes a ton of creditors representing me. I also don’t feel it is right the Party continues to let her behavior go unchecked and hasn’t even apologized for her actions. They continue to employ her in a leadership position and pay her as Executive Director. I do not have the clout that you have to call for her resignation. All I am trying to say that this shouldn’t be only about Bartow. It should be about all crooks in the party, inlcuding Wack and Lange.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:03 pmNancy, “Meet more like-minded people” is part of the issue, since from my understanding some of those who filed out candidate declarations were not previously registered as Republicans. As an example, if I want to run for my precinct as a Democrat, I have to have been registered as a Democrat in the last primary. If I was registered as a Republican in the last primary I would not be able to run for a Democratic precinct person position. I’m not sure about those who did not declare a party, I do know on they can sign petitions but I am not positive if they can run for precinct. (As you can see I’m learning all of the rules to this too.)
People do change their party affiliation, but to be able to run for a position in that party, there’s a set process that has to be followed. If those who were registered as Democrats change their party affiliation to the Republican Party at the March primary then the next time there are precinct positions open they would be able to file a candidate declaration.
This is done for several reasons, the main one being the logical assumption that those who want to officially join a party would support candidates of that particular party. This doesn’t mean that former Democrats can’t decide to volunteer for the local Republican Party or a Republican candidate or vice versa but it does mean that they can’t run for an elected position in the party.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:03 pmGolly. All this discord about a party which is pretty much irrelevant in Lucas County. Take a breath Dave and Nancy, there are plenty of crooks involved on both sides of this dispute. Maybe all this is why good, decent citizens are reluctant to become involved in the political process.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:18 pmJust wondering you are exactly right. That is why many of the candidates have not been officially part of the party because they are decent citizens who were reluctant to become involved in the political process. Unfortunately, their fears were founded given their treatment by the party and wack. The party and wack won’t even apologize for their behavior. Attacking a 93 year old woman? Have they no respect? They should be reaching out to the seniors in our community and not discrminating against them. It is very sad.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:42 pmI can agree Nancy that an influx of new blood into the party could only help. The R.’s have been shooting themselves in the foot for years now when they could actually capitalize on the misdeeds, shenanigans, and squabbling among the Democrats.
You see, the D’s also resist change and if you are not a member of the “A” or B” team and want to become involved for the good of the people your party is supposed to represent, you’ll probably be largely ignored. I guess you need to take a side with the D’s to be relevant. That, too, is a shame.
My hope is that both parties will shed some of the dead weight that hangs like an albatross around their collective necks. Maybe then we’ll see some real progress in this area. Peace out.
January 13th, 2008 at 2:51 pm