Senator's Selects 2026/05/05
Well, it's Election Day... again.
From the Desk of…
I’m writing this while listening to testimony at City Hall. Thrilling, I know. City Council is having a hearing on the potential for a proposal to change our elections. Naturally, this is coming on the tail end of the eager petitioning for Our City, Our Say that has only accelerated in the wake of the contentious McCoy Park vote that some say is a sweetheart deal that gives away $25 million taxpayer dollars as well a large park from an underserved part of the city to the billionaire Haslams who own myriad other sports teams of varied quality. Others, of course, say that it’s a necessary concession to bring women’s soccer to the city, with all of its economic benefits and support for women’s sports. Anyway, it got me thinking about how there’s elections today.
Now, I will say that a number of folks have reached out about the lack of a Sample Meowlot this time! Shucks, tell me you need me without telling me you need me. While I’m not strictly endorsing anyone or anything (in part because I still believe most races today to be a fait accompli on the behalf of the power brokers), that doesn’t mean I’m without opinions.
One thing I should’ve mentioned at the start of Early Voting is Issue 5, the Community Crisis Response Amendment. This charter amendment would expand the variety of reactions we would get when calling 911. When called about behavioral health, the unhoused, and other nonviolent issues, a trained team of social workers, EMTs, and clinicians could be dispatched instead of the boys in blue. I think this is a slam dunk of an idea, and so does everyone else. Heck, it’s even endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, which I’m sure is happy to potentially have less work to do. You should probably vote for it, even if they agree.
I’ve seen more of John Kulewicz in the past month, and you know what? I kinda like the energy he’s bringing. I already knew that I wasn’t voting for Forhan, but now I think I might just be actively voting for Kulewicz. That said, a lot of people like Forhan’s forthrightness in wanting to prosecute and, after a fair trial, execute the federal Republicans keeping a stranglehold on the country. I’m less enamored with that ambition from a state-level candidate, whereas John seems interested in getting things done for Ohioans.
It’s been funny to me to see how many people bring up Bryan Hambley’s doctor background. I thought that the farm guy thing would be the play. It made me feel like I made up Allison Russo’s background in public health, including her doctorate and her work on the Health Committee and the Joint Medicaid Oversight Committee and… anyway, I guess that’s not the same as being an oncologist (“cancer doctor” per Bryan’s website, for people who don’t know what an oncologist is). Anyway, I’m still leaning Bryan.
I’ve seen a number of folks saying to vote for Joe Gerard in the 3rd and Don Leonard in the 15th when it comes to local House races. I’ve seen a bit of them, and Joe really didn’t impress me much. Don seems fine. Do what you want, folks! You have free will. If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
State House District 02… I’ve stayed out of this one because I really have no good reasons to weigh in. I was telling one reader that it’s solely for petty reasons that I would, and I am not petty. I am also not voting for Michael Cole. So. There is that. In State HD 07 though, I’ve seen more positive buzz for Michaela Burriss and some questionable stories about Ukeme Awakessien Jeter.
I’ve spoken more with some real judge-knowers in the past, and with a better understanding of why the county party swung against the incumbent George Leach, I’m pretty sure we can lock it in for Kelley Gabrielle Boller, who also sent me three mailers for some reason. I don’t think that result’s going to be in question though. George just doesn’t seem to have the juice.
And, if you should be looking at the State Central Committee races in the 25th… toss a vote to Andrej Rotter, he’d appreciate it. Would be nice to dent Bill DeMora’s armor for once.
Anyway, none of those should be considered formal endorsements. I’m just calling it as I see ‘em. As to the ol’ Senator, I think there’s some room to breathe on my horizon. I fully intend to provide a Sample Meowlot for November (if we should be so lucky to have elections then!). I also have still been collecting my thoughts on the Our City, Our Say initiative. That one… that’s a real thinker. Someone in a meeting today attributed to me the phrase “Never let perfect be the enemy of good.” I’m not going to tell them that was Voltaire, but they’ll figure it out. That’s tough though, especially when people are making good points on both sides. I am fairly confident that the impending proposal from City Council that ‘totally doesn’t exist’ (Rob, I know you’re reading this) will only serve to throttle the actual democratic reforms we need. We’ll have to cross that bridge when we come to it. Oh, and I might have to write about the necessity of property taxes at some point. Regrettably. Love living in Ohio! HELL IS REAL.
So, find your polling place here and get out there if you haven’t. Votes must be recorded by 7:30 PM, and that includes absentees this year! Thanks, Ohio State Legislature.
The Brain Dump
🎶We built Ape City
We built Ape City on Old New Yoooooooooork 🎶
man i didn't think any quote for the tombstone was going to beat "peperony and chease" but i gotta say "live no mas" is a real contender now
[finding myself surrounded by Ohio Republicans and trying to lie low] yeah unvaccinated sperm is the new Bitcoin when you think about it
developing a new policy platform that the internet should be regulated like driving. if you're licensed, I don't care where you go or what you do, but you first have to prove you won't post amen on the Shrimp Jesus AI slop
man some days I miss being stuck in that time loop
At the Movies
I am so thankful that I can actually watch movies again. It’s like realizing I had been holding my breath for two months.
The Age of Innocence (1993), dir. Martin Scorsese ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ❤️
overclocking my brain trying to imagine what I would do if I were in the position of choosing between Winona Ryder and Michelle Pfeiffer
Googling Roman punch recipes
we used to be a proper country
Dante’s Peak (1997), dir. Roger Donaldson ⭐⭐⭐ ❤️
they do a lot of weird angles and reflection shots in this and it's not very good but it does make me smile a lot. hell i'm smiling right now thinking about boat grandma.
Hokum (2026), dir. Damian McCarthy ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I think a version of this with a modicum of subtlety and ambiguity would've rocked. Didn't care for a lot of the scare elements, did appreciate the vibe and plot. The craic was 72 I'm afraid
One Picture
This is me, now that I’m through the large amount of work.
In closing,
Well, this three-hour City Council hearing is wrapping up. Lot of familiar faces, and it seems like a lot of folks had things to say. Sorry to the haters, but I do intend to return to more regular writing than I’ve been at. Maybe I can even get myself to weekly again! I’ll probably cancel the auctions bit… man, that was a real drag on the production time. We did have some fun with it though.
Until next time, try to stay informed. I know it’s tough out there, but you can do it.