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Rocky COAST: Voters spurn anti-tax conservative group; two education incumbents are out
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COAST did poorly in the November vote, but saw some signs of tax restraint.
The Cincinnati anti-tax group COAST lost heavily in November 3 voting.
COAST — the Coalition Opposed to Additional Spending and Taxes — has been a nemesis of several school administrations and school boards in Southwest Ohio, actively opposing tax issues.
COAST endorsed 14 candidates and took a stand on five ballot issues. Ten of the 14 COAST-endorsed candidates lost, including three incumbents, and voters rejected the COAST position on four of the five issues.
Founded in 1999 by Cincinnati lawyer Christopher Finney and businessman Thomas Brinkman, COAST has a small core of active members, but has influenced policy by assisting school board candidates and tax opponents. Brinkman won election to the Ohio House of Representatives in 2000 and served eight years. Other COAST leaders are Chairman Jason Gloyd and Treasurer Mark Miller.
Losing COAST-backed school incumbents were Arnold Engel in the Fairfield City School District and Jennifer Miller in the Mason School District. Losing with Engel were Victor Rivera and Tony Steer, all of which had COAST backing.
Engel has been a vocal critic of school spending and taxes since before COAST came onto the scene. He founded a Fairfield citizens group called Citizens for Accountability and Results in Education, or CARE.
COAST Chairman Gloyd said the election results had some bright spots.
"I was surprised in Hamilton County that all of the tax issues passed," Gloyd said. "It was also a reflection of the work that the [Hamilton County] commissioners did to pare those levies down."
He said Brad Wenstrup's 45 percent vote for Cincinnati mayor was an excellent showing.
"I think the number of votes that Brad received was testimony to him and to fiscal responsibility," Gloyd said.
The other losing incumbent with COAST backing was Anderson Township Trustee Albert Peter, an eight-year trustee, who finished fourth in a field of five. Two were elected.
Jerome Kearns, president of Fairfield Board of Education, said Engel and his supporters have been a destructive influence.
"Our community got it right this time," Kearns said. "They got out and supported candidates that are good for the community, that aren't interested in being destructive. They were strong in saying that's not what they want for out district and our community."
COAST winners
Chris Monzel, Cincinnati City Council
Charlie Winburn, Cincinnati City Council
Charlie Norman, Cheviot Treasurer
Peggy D. Reis, Anderson Township Trustee
Issue 8, Cincinnati Water Works Charter Amendment
COAST losers
Brad Wenstrup, Mayor of Cincinnati
Albert F. Peter, Anderson Township Trustee
John Banner, Cincinnati School Board
Christopher McDowell, Cincinnati School Board
Arnold Engel, Fairfield School Board
Victor Rivera, Fairfield School Board
Tony Steer, Fairfield School Board
Jennifer Miller, Mason School Board
Shannon Hartkemeyer, Fairfield Twp Trustee
Jeremy Furniss, Fairfield Twp Trustee
Issue 7, Public Library tax levy
Issue 9, Trolley or Streetcar Charter Amendment
Issue 52, Cincinnati School Levy
Issue 57, Little Miami Fire & Rescue tax levy
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