Wednesday, March 1, 2000

Ohio House 72nd District (Rep.)

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BY TOM O'NEILL
The Cincinnati Enquirer

        BATAVIA — Three Republican candidates are vying for the 72nd District State Representative seat that is open now that Rose Vesper's second term is up.

        She cannot seek re-election because of the eight-year term limit.

        The district covers southeastern Clermont County and Brown and Clinton counties.

        The arrival of term limits this year has created dozens of open seats in the Ohio House.

        The three candidates — Scott Boone of Brown County, Melvin Dean of Bethel and Tom Niehaus of New Richmond — will have big shoes to fill.

        Ms. Vesper of New Richmond was highly regarded in Columbus.

        When The Cincinnati Enquirer published its second annual report card on the 19 Cincinnati-area legislators in Columbus in May, Ms. Vesper finished second, trailing only Senate President Richard H. Finan, R-Evendale.

        She has endorsed Mr. Niehaus.

        Nr. Niehaus, 49, is a commercial leasing agent and is a former publisher of the Community Press newspapers.

        “I believe my experience in community, business and education gives me a diverse background that will help me,” Mr. Niehaus said.

        Mr. Dean, 41, is chief of the life squad in Bethel and a member of the Bethel Board of Public Affairs.

        He previously served as an appointee to Bethel council for 2¹/₂ years.

        “I've always attempted to make a difference — it's an extention of my life in public service,” Mr. Dean said. “I've got proven leadership ability.”

        Mr. Boone, 27, is a teacher at ITT Technical Institute who has never run for political office. He has a master's degree in political science from Marshall University. “My youth is a definite advantage because I've proven I have initiative,” he said. “And with over half of the incoming freshman being new, that will be a strength.”

THE CANDIDATES
        Tom Niehaus

        Personal: 49, 1131 Little Indian Creek, New Richmond. Commercial leasing agent. MBA, Xavier, 1986; BA in journalism, Ohio State, 1973. Family: wife, Emily, three children, four grandchildren.

        Experience/qualifications: Mr. Niehaus is a former publisher of the Community Press newspapers. He has been a member of numerous organizations in Clermont, including the county Republican Central Committee, Clermont Safe Communities, Clermont Local Emergency Planning Committee and Clermont 2001 Executive Committee.

        Melvin Dean

        Personal: 41, 214 Main St., Bethel. Wife, Anne-Marie. Chief, Bethel-Tate Emergency Medical Services and owner of Mel's Video in Bethel. Bethel High School graduate, 1975; attended Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.

        Experience/qualifications: President, Bethel Board of Public Affairs; member, Clermont County Republican Central Committee; former appointed member of Bethel Village Council.

        Scott Boone

        Personal: 27, 102 Kiowa Drive, Sardinia. Educator, ITT Technical Institute. BA in social science, Shawnee State; master's in political science/public administration, Marshall University. Engaged to Tracy Kuhn.

        Experience/qualifications: Teacher, board member for the Ohio Valley Resources Conservation and Development Council. Served two-year term as a volunteer with AmeriCorps and has been active with numerous local volunteer groups.

        Back to Primary 2000 page

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