Incumbent Warren County Commissioner Mike Kilburn is far ahead of his Democratic challenger in name recognition and political experience, but not in cold, hard campaign cash.

        Carolyn Tepe, who had no primary competition, tucked away $4,696 over the spring, according to her campaign finance report filed last week. The Mason resident works in social services.

        Mr. Kilburn raised much more — $16,367 — but spent most of it fending off what turned out to be a weak GOP primary challenge from real estate agent Daryl Dunn.

        When the primary dust settled, Mr. Kilburn's balance was $329. He says he'll likely drum up some more money for fliers and possibly ads, but notes that he can re-use his primary signs.

        Thanks: Continental Retail Development President David Kass may have won his bid to get zoning denied for a competing West Chester development last week, but he didn't escape without a verbal spanking.

        He recently unleashed a public relations blitz against Steiner & Associates that whipped the township into a frenzy. The campaign suggested Steiner's development would draw adult businesses and traffic gridlock.

        “You stand before me tonight with damaged credibility,” Board of Zoning Appeals member George Lang told Mr. Kass as the standing-room only crowd cheered. “The campaign that you put out against a competitor is despicable. This is West Chester, my friend. We will count on (Citizens for Community Values President) Phil Burress to tell us when we need to be concerned with pornography and smut.”

        Mr. Kass' comeback: a polite “thank you.”

        No party switch: Rumors circulated rapidly the other day that Hamilton Mayor Donald Ryan had switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party.

        Actually, he never belonged to the Democratic Party, and he doesn't really belong to the Republican Party — although he admits his political philosophy leans to the GOP side.

        “I've always voted for the person I thought was well-suited for the job,” Mr. Ryan said.

        Some people might have believed he was a Democrat because he campaigned for Democrat Dan Gattermeyer in the prosecutor's race two years ago, won by Republican Robin Piper.

        But Mr. Ryan said he campaigned for Mr. Gattermeyer only because he's a close friend.

        At any rate, party affiliation holds little importance on City Council. The seats are non-partisan, and council members hardly ever vote along party lines.

— Steve Kemme

Sign of the times: Infuriated over the Board of Zoning Appeals' decision, Nyla and Robert Kramer, longtime West Chester residents who own and operate Nyla's Flowers, hung a sign outside their shop that minced no words.

        “W/C BZA Prefers Smut Campaign Developer,” read the sign.

        But not for long. The sign's removable letters vanished sometime between 6 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. Saturday, according to a West Chester police report.

        The Kramers have offered a rosy award for information leading to the culprit: free flowers once a month for a year, a $600 value.

— Jennifer Edwards

        Tips and comments on suburban politics may be relayed to reporter Cindi Andrews by phone: 755-4157; e-mail: candrews@enquirer.com.
       

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