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Written byJon Craig
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Kasich releases job applicant list
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10:18 PM, Jan. 20, 2011
Written by
Jon Craig
COLUMBUS - At least 11,700 people sent applications or resumes to the Kasich-Taylor New Day Committee seeking a state government job with Gov. John Kasich's administration, according to records released Thursday. That's more than three times the number of applications received during former Gov. Ted Strickland's transition to office in the closing months of 2006, when 3,526 people sent in resumes.
Kasich initially refused to release names and resumes, arguing they should be kept private so that applicants should not have to fear reprisals from current employers.
The governor later relented, saying he was told by his lawyers that the records would become public once he took office.
In response to public-records requests from The Enquirer and other news organizations, Kasich's office released CDs Thursday carrying the names and resumes of everyone who applied via http://www.fixohionow.com.
But not everyone submitting their name or resume was looking for paid state government work. Cincinnati attorney Christopher P. Finney said he volunteered his legal services when he sent his resume to the Republican's transition team's website. "I was willing to serve in any way the governor wanted," Finney said. "I have a full-time job and I'm not looking for a new one."
Other local names on the Kasich job applicant list: Andrew Boehner Jr. of West Chester, Justin Binik-Thomas of Cincinnati, John Birch of Monroe, Russell Jackson of Anderson Township, former Judge William Mallory of Cincinnati, Charlie Norman of Cincinnati and Sharonville Mayor Virgil Lovitt.
Mallory worked in municipal court, common pleas court and most recently the 1st District Court of Appeals before being defeated in the November election. The Democrat, whose brother is Cincinnati Mayor Mark Mallory, also applied to be a Hamilton County public defender. He could not be reached for comment.
The Enquirer asked for names and resumes, but Kasich's staff also released personal e-mail addresses and a list of all state agencies that their resumes were forwarded to.
Kasich has not released the names or resumes of people who applied through other avenues - like directly to the governor, his staff or state agencies - saying those records were not immediately available.
Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said the bulk of applications came through FixOhioNow.com.In Ohio, the governor controls more than 5,700 so-called "patronage" jobs, as well as another 5,611 appointees to various state boards and commissions. The Republican-led Ohio Senate recently rejected Strickland's seven appointees to the Ohio Casino Control Commission, for instance, including two people from Cincinnati. Kasich has yet to name any replacements.
"Drew" Boehner is one of U.S. House Speaker John Boehner's eight brothers. He could not be reached Thursday.
Binik-Thomas, is a spokesman for the Cincinnati Tea Party and Mike Wilson, who ran an unsuccessful campaign to defeat state Rep. Connie Pillich, D-Montgomery, last fall. He could not be reached for comment.
Norman used to be Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Pat DeWine's bailiff. He is now working in Attorney General Mike DeWine's Cincinnati office
Jackson, an Anderson Township trustee and longtime president of the township's Republican Club, did not return a phone message.
Finney said he was glad the Enquirer called and e-mailed him to double check.
"A lot worse things have been said about me," Finney said.
