The Lazarus-Dispatch Endorsement Swindle
Back in the days of Lazarus Department store glory, management would regularly place a full page ad in the priciest sections of the Columbus Dispatch. This sort of thing isn't uncommon, you see it even now with Macy's, JCPenny's and other department stores. However, in the heyday the Lazarus developed a close relationship with the Wolfe's, the Publisher of the Dispatch, arising out of their business ties.
Apparently that relationship continues strong even to this day. I say that because yesterday the Columbus Dispatch violated nearly every tennant of journalistic integrity by granting their endorsement to Cindy Lazarus without even offering a screening interview to John O'Grady.
No call. No offer. Nothing.
Now, maybe I'm wrong on this whole thing. But I thought the endorsement committees were supposed to try and get to know the candidates, consider all aspects, and make a reasoned endorsement free from influence.
Apparently that doesn't happen with the Dispatch. I've had plenty of problems with the paper in the past, but their sheer refusal to even screen the candidate draws their entire editorial operation into the mud. It's despicable, regardless of who you support in the Franklin County Commissioner Race.
...And remember, maybe folks support the Dispatch taking these sorts of liberties when they're supporting the candidate of your choice, but the Dispatch can just as easily take these loosey goosey endorsements against the Democratic party, and our future candidates.
Food for thought.
Notably Jerid has been an outspoken supporter of O'Grady. I have no problem with that fact. It is curious however that some of his prior statements attacking Lazarus appeared bordered by the O'Grady Premium Ad supporting this Blog. Let's call all conflicts of interest as we see them.
Regardless of everyone's opinion of The Dispatch, noone apparently is challenging the content of the endorsement. Lazarus is more experienced and better qualified to lead Franklin County.
It is good to know that Jerid is now so important that his opinions rival The Dispatch. It is interesting to note that Jerid having a paid ad from a campaign is somehow a sign of a conflict. Like most media outlets, BSB no doubt would run a Lazarus ad, too.
As for no one challenging the content of The Dispatch's thoughtless, poorly-written endorsement? Puh-leeze.
Everyone in Columbus knows the Dispatch endorsement was really a John Wolfe endorsement. Lazarus promised to be the second anti-labor, pro-Wolfe vote on the Commission. She promised to vote against prevailing wage and taxpayer's right to expect a fair wage for a good days' work.
Not that Cindy Lazarus would know anything about living paycheck to paycheck. She makes $200,000 a year from a NON-PROFIT, another $150,000 from Ohio's taxpayer-funded retirement system, and wants taxpayers to add on another $100,000 as a Commissioner.
As for the Lazarus experience. She was a City Council member when cell phones were the size of briefcases and Al Gore hadn't yet invented the Internet. She left Council because no one could work with her (other than a Republican Mayor). Then she "worked" as an Appeals Judge, showing up at 9, leaving at 12, and ruling against workers' rights most of the time.
John O'Grady, on the other hand, has served the public in the Treasurers' office, run a small business, and turned around a county office. That is real experience.
Wow, now Interested hates Democrat Paula Brooks too. Apparently Interested wants to replace the Republican thought police that ruled Franklin County with her own version (It turns out that Brooks made the correct call on that stadium contract. Nice pile of doo-doo that Kilroy and Brown stepped into. Bytheway, prevailing wage minimums for public improvements is state law regardless of whether the contractor is a Union on non-union shop. Jerid, check one of those fancy law books and back me up. None of the work on the stadium will be at less than prevailing wage. Not even Republicans can hire contractors at less than prevailing wage.)
Before Interested starts judging the pro-Union credentials of Paula Brooks, you should check the City of Columbus contracts as well. I've talked to the fellows at Building Trades. Ask them if the Mayor and the Council have clean hands. Perhaps O'Grady should come in from the burbs and clean house at City Hall. He could gain some experience, learn how a bill becomes a law, then run for County Commission.
Again, more nonsense to distract from O'Grady's thin resume.....