The Republican gubernatorial candidates visited Chillicothe Friday afternoon, over pizza, at the Triple Crown Family Fun Center. Mike DeWine and Jon Husted stumped for the governorship and vice governorship.
DeWine said he started in government at the local level, and will continue to work with local officials. He says one problem with the drug epidemic is an increasing number of kids forced into foster care - but Ohio is 50th in providing help with that.
He said about half of Ohio counties lack a local levy to fund their children's services, and he says he wants them to get state assistance.
DeWine also restated his pledge to help protect law enforcement. He wants updated police vests for every police officer and Sheriff's deputy in the state, funded by Workers Comp.
Jon Husted said part of getting Ohio better prepared for jobs is to clean up brownfields, and turn the abandoned industrial areas into shovel-ready development sites. He said they have a plan to draw in trillions of dollars in unrealized capital gains, and promised more detail as the campaign progresses.
And Mike DeWine said, as Ohio Attorney General, he is still part of the investigation into the Rhoden Murders in Pike County. He said the Ohio BCI&I is working with the sheriff, DeWine gets briefings every several days...and he can't say more except the investigation is very active.
Kevin Coleman regularly reports on Chillicothe & Circleville councils and local culture