At last night’s “Meet the Candidate’s Night,” at Stivers School For The Arts, I was glad to have a chance to speak with one of the Republican candidates for Montgomery County Commissioner, Harold Robinson.

I told Harold that I’ve been seeing his picture on a lot of billboards, and he laughed and said that it is a type of advertisement that seems to be working well.

I haven’t spoken with Harold for a while, but, when I taught at West Carrollton High School, and served as an officer in the teachers’ association, Harold was a member of the West Carrollton School Board. We didn’t agree on everything, of course, but I always thought Harold was motivated to do what was right for the school system and the community and I always appreciated Harold’s thoughtfulness and intelligence. It was nice to see him again.

Former sheriff of Montgomery County, David Vore, is Harold’s opponent in the Republican primary. The winner of the Republican primary will face incumbent County Commissioner Judy Dodge in November.

When Vore resigned his job in 2008, I wrote this post: Did Sheriff Vore Delay His Retirement Announcement To Help Montgomery County Republican Party Insiders?

David Esrati, blogger and candidate for the Democratic Party’s nomination to run for the U.S. congress from the 10th District, writes about last night’s meeting here.

The League of Women Voters, GDA, is presenting a community discussion on Fracking: Facts and Fears, on Wednesday, February 29th, 7:00 p.m. Keller Hall, UD School of Law. Is Fracking Ohio’s gold rush, a disaster waiting to happen or something in-between? You decide. Pros and cons of Fracking will be presented and a panel of experts will be available to answer questions from the audience. Event and parking are free, everyone is invited to attend. Attendees may park in Lot A corner of Stewart/Alberta Streets. Please join the League of Women Voters for this very important discussion. Questions? Contact the League at 228-4041 or league@lwvdayton.org.

This diagram is taken from the “Gasland” web-site.

Big crowd last night at the Montgomery County Democratic Party Headquarters on Wilkenson Street as area Democrats came out to eat pizza to support Karl Keith’s fundraiser. Karl is the county auditor.

It looked like every Democratic candidate and Democratic office holder showed up — along with a big crowd of Democratic activists. I’m guessing there were 300 people, or more, who showed up and paid $15 to support the county auditor. Everyone seemed to have a good time listening to music, and hobnobbing with fellow Democrats.

I have a new camera — a used Kodak — that I’m trying to learn how to use. And I wish now I would have taken more pictures. But here are a few that I snapped:

Karl served as the Master of Ceremonies and, off and on, introduced the many elected officials in attendance.

Karl Keith and Rick McKiddy. Rick is the Democratic candidate seeking election to the Ohio Senate from District 6. I am helping Rick in his campaign, so most of the pictures I took at the fundraiser ended up with Rick in the picture. Rick is a very well qualified candidate who will make a very effective state senator. He is putting together a great campaign team, and I'm looking forward to a very interesting campaign season. District 6 includes the area in Montgomery County that is south, east, and north of the City of Dayton. Peggy Lehner is the Republican incumbent. I wanted to get a picture of Caroline Gentry, the Democratic candidate for Ohio House District 41, where I live, but I arrived late and Caroline was leaving as I got there. I want to do whatever I can to help send both Caroline and Rick to Columbus to represent me in the State Assembly.

City Commissioner, Nan Whaley, with the Chairman of Montgomery County Democratic Party, Mark Owens.

Roland Winburn, Representative for Ohio House District 43 -- with Karl Keith.

Retired Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge A.J. Wagner with Rick McKiddy,

Carley Ingram is running against Darrell Heckman in the March 6 Democratic Primary seeking the Party's nomination to be the Democratic candidate for 2nd District Court of Appeals Judge. The current judge for that office, Judge Thomas Grady, is retiring. I imagine that somewhere in the crowd was Carley's opponent, Darrell Heckman, but I never did meet him.

Judy Dodge serves as County Commission and this year is running for re-election. Shown here with Rick McKiddy.