OEC: Steed filed late reports
The Ohio Elections Commission (OEC) has found that Clinton County Commissioner Kerry R. Steed did not timely file various campaign finance reports.
The original recommendation was to impose a $50 fine. However, Steed appeared before the Commission and the fine was waived, stated OEC Administrative Assistant Christopher Hughes.
“The Commission finds a violation of the statute, but for good cause shown does not impose a fine or refer the matter for further prosecution,” according to OEC Executive Director and Staff Attorney Philip C. Richter.
Steed said Thursday, “Thankfully, the OEC alerted me to a filing deadline and allowed me the opportunity to complete my report without a penalty.”
In a July 17, 2017 letter from Clinton County Board of Elections Director Shane C. Breckel to the OEC, Breckel wrote, “Enclosed please find five (5) Ohio Elections Commission Complaint referral forms for candidate/elected official Kerry Steed and his campaign committee, ‘Steed for Commissioner.’ We are filing complaints going back to 2015 but have provided your office with all issues going back to 2012.
“Per our conversation, you stated your office can only enforce up to 2 years prior but we wanted to show the campaign finance non-compliance issues have been ongoing and frequent with Mr. Steed and his campaign committee,” added Breckel. “By becoming compliant back to 2015, it will give our office the ability to audit his future filings which we are currently not able to do well because of the infrequency of his compliance.”
Richter told the News Journal that though the complaint from the Clinton County Board of Elections was for both the late filing issue and the failure to file reports, because all reports had been filed by the time the OEC took action and addressed the complaint, the finding by the OEC is for late filings only.
Heating help ends March 31
The Home Energy Assistance Program’s 2017-18 Winter Crisis Program ends on March 31.
To receive assistance the household must be at or below 175 percent of the Federal Poverty guidelines as follows: Household Size & 12 Month Income — 1- $21,105; 2- $28,420; 3- $35,735; 4- $43,050; 5- $50,365; 6- $57,680. The applicant must also have a disconnect notice or have 25 percent or less of bulk fuel.
Applicants will need to bring: Proof of household income for the past 3 months or 12 months (if no income call the office to see what is required), social security cards and/or birth certificates for all household members, identification, and heating/electric bills.
For more information, call 937-382-1234 or visit Community Action at 789 N. Nelson Ave., Wilmington, Mondays through Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Story times set at library
Story Times for preschool children and babies are held weekly at the Wilmington Public Library and Clinton-Massie Branch.
“Kites” are the theme for next week’s story times.
Main Library
Wednesdays 10 a.m. — Babies & Toddlers (Birth – 3 years)
Wednesdays 11 a.m. — Pre-K (3 years – Kindergarten)
Thursdays 11 a.m. — All ages
Clinton-Massie Branch
Tuesdays at 11 a.m. — All ages.
