Springfield News-Sun from Springfield, Ohio • 22

C4 THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2006 SPRINGFIELD NEWS-SUN Strickland from usual Democratic governor candidates Associated Press COLUMBUS, Ohio Since Democrat Richard Celeste won his second term as governor in 1986, the party has run a lawyer, another lawyer, a third lawyer and a little-known county commissioner as candidates. All were career politicians branded as liberals. All lost. This year, Ted Strickland carries the banner. The congressman from rural Ohio has credentials that are substantially different: United Methodist minister, psychologist and college professor.

He win an elective until 1992, when he was 51, though he had unsuccessful campaigns for Congress in the 1970s. Strickland also has parted with his party on certain core issues. He is pro-gun, having regularly received the endorsement of the National Association. He embraces coal as a power source, in the campaign support received from the electric utility and coal industries. Strickland openly courts the votes of Republicans and independents that he likely will need to win the Nov.

7 election against the Ken Blackwell. reach out and I say glad Republicans. glad here as Republicans. I want you to be part of our effort. glad here as an independent because I want you to be part of our effort and really happy that you are here as Strickland said in an interview in his Columbus campaign I also say to them that problems are so serious that going to take all of us working in common purpose for the common good to move our state This race for governor is framed by an investment scandal in Republican Gov.

Bob administration. In the GOP primary, Blackwell tied his opponent, Attorney General Jim Petro, to Taft in a series of commercials, and the governor has given Blackwell only lukewarm support. The party will enjoy an advantage in the 2008 presidential race, when Ohio is expected to be a battleground that could decide the election as it did in 2004. Strickland can count on his traditional allies in labor and law but sprinkled in among his supporters are people and groups that usually line up behind Republicans. His image as a different type of Ohio Democrat has snagged support from several GOP-friendly names: Les Wexner, founder of The Limited clothing chain; Ann Brennan, the wife of Akron industrialist David Brennan; James Rogers, chief executive of Cinergy; and the family of coal magnate Wayne Boich.

Strickland says Ohioans are sick of Republicans, especially with the scandal that indirectly led Taft to plead no contest to ethics charges. supporters believe he works hard, and there is a go-with-the-winner attitude among many of them, he said. How Democrats faired in the last 4 elections for governor A look at the Democrats who ran in the last four elections for governor: 1990 Two-term Attorney General Anthony J. Celebrezze who also served as secretary of state, was overwhelmed by Republican George Voinovich, the mayor of Cleveland, 56 percent to 44 percent. Celebrezze returned to private law practice and died in 2003 at 61.

1994 In a disastrous year for Democrats nationwide, Voinovich clobbered state Sen. Rob Burch of Dover 72 percent to 25 percent. Burch, the hand-picked candidate of organized labor, spent $440,000 to $6.5 million. Voinovich gave much of that to other Republicans who swept state Burch returned to the Senate and lost his 1996 and 1998 campaigns against U.S. Rep.

Bob Ney, then returned to private law practice. 1998 Former Attorney General Lee Fisher surprised Democrats by clearing the after raising $1 million in 1997. Republican Secretary of State Bob Taft, with his powerful family name, chased other Republicans, then beat Fisher 50 percent to 45 percent. Fisher became director of a private services agency in Cleveland and this year accepted Ted to be his lieutenant governor running mate. 2002 Cuyahoga County Commissioner Tim Hagan of Cleveland became the surprise choice of Democrats as few others were interested in taking on the incumbent Taft, who went on to win 58 percent to 38 percent.

Hagan raised $1.4 million to $10.7 million. Hagan won his old job in 2004. Former minister, college professor is pro-gun and supports coal as a power source. U.S. Rep.

Ted Strickland, D-Ohio, left, raises his hands with Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman as he responds to his supporters on June 19 at a campaign rally in Columbus. Associated Press photo by Kiichiro Sato Man on trial over shooting of his neighbor Associated Press ELYRIA, Ohio A polite, 20-year relationship turned nasty when one man built a garage, infuriating his neighbor and eventually leading to a shooting while snow blowing. The trial of the man charged in the shooting, Paul Hashman, 84, started Monday after he failed in a bid to prove he was mentally incompetent. Hashman says he carried a relatively small pistol for protection because of mounting tensions with his neighbor Darrell Oskins, 54. He says he shot Oskins because Oskins attacked him with the snow blower in January 2004.

Hashman, jailed since his arrest, faces at least 13 years in prison if convicted of attempted murder and felonious assault with a The two men have said an agreeable relationship between the families living in homes perhaps 20 feet apart changed in 1998 when Oskins, a steelworker who worked on antique cars, built a garage to accommodate his hobby. The garage enraged Hash man, who complained about the height and length of the garage and its closeness to the property line and said it blocked his view. The city, a Cleveland suburb, said the garage complied with zoning regulations. Years of bickering ensued, with the Oskins family calling police on numerous occasions. Before the shooting, the worst was a 2003 confrontation between Hashman and the son, daughter and wife of Oskins, who accused Hashman of threatening the daughter with a gun.

Hashman got the worst of it with a broken nose and a $318 for assault. Hashman, with a white crew cut, gray blazer and open-collar white shirt, has sat ramrod-straight at the defense table at his trial, staring steadily at Oskins during the testimony. Oskins stared back at Hashman on several occasions but mostly addressed his comments and glances to attorneys and jurors. came out of his house and started Oskins, occasionally struggling to keep his composure, told the jury. Darrell Oskins listens to questions on Tuesday in Elyria, Ohio, as a prosecutor lifts the jacket Oskins was wearing the day he was shot by Paul Hashman.

Associated Press photo by Tony Dejak Water war: Cleveland faces Fiji in battle of bottled 2 CLEVELAND (AP) blue-collar Cleveland versus trendy Fiji in a war of water and words. The popular Fiji Water, a favorite of Hollywood celebrities, has angered Clevelanders with a new national advertisement that pokes fun of the city tried for decades to overcome a muddied reputation when it comes to 2 0. label says Fiji because not bottled in says the full-page ad running in magazines such as Esquire. After seeing the ad, public utilities director Julius Ciaccia or dered the bottled water tested. The results: 6.31 micrograms of arsenic per liter in the Fiji bottle, said Cleveland water quality manager Maggie Rodgers.

Cleveland tap water as well as bottled brands Dasani and Evian had no measurable arsenic. you take a cheap shot at somebody, know what talking said Cleveland water commissioner J. Christopher Nielson. The Los Angeles-based water president, Edward Cochran, grew up near Cleveland in Bay Village, which gets its water from Cleveland. Cochran said the ad was his idea and his hometown needs to lighten up.

is only a he said. had to pick some Cochran said tests were not independent and his analysis shows arsenic levels never exceed 2 micrograms per liter. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which regulates municipal water supplies, and the Food and Drug Administration, which regulates bottled water, allow up to 10 micrograms per liter. Veterinarian leads change of mission at wildlife preserve Associated Press CUMBERLAND Dr.

Evan Blumer has to know it all: fundraising, management and rhinoceroses. The wildlife veterinarian is the director of The Wilds animal preserve in eastern Ohio, and been charged with turning the struggling tourist attraction into an international leader in environmental conservation and education. The Wilds is home to 25 African, Asian and North American species, including zebras, antelopes and specialty, rhinos. Three-fourths of the species are extinct or threatened, spokesman Guy Googins said. Wilds could become a ark.

Maybe by late this century or so, the only place in the world you will these animals will be at The Wilds and places like said Jack Hanna, a board member of the preserve and host of the TV show Animal goal is nothing short of making this place the center for the advancement of conservation, not just in Ohio, but nationally and Blumer said. Blumer is spearheading a plan to change the mission for the preserve, which he said has a tightly stretched $3.1 million budget. Board members have decided The Wilds needs to focus on science, not tourists, to survive. work with just day he said. More than 62,000 people visited The Wilds in 2005, up from about 59,000 in 2002.

But the attraction in Muskingum County, about 70 miles east of Columbus, is nowhere near its 1998 peak of more than 91,000 visitors. never going to have the kind of that an urban zoo Googins said. you were going to build a tourist attraction, you build it Zebra graze at The Wilds, an animal preserve near Zanesville. The Wilds is home to 25 African, Asian and North American species, including zebras, antelopes and rhinoceroses. Three- fourths of the species are extinct or threatened, spokesman Guy Googins said.

Associated Press photo by Kyle Robertson OBITUARIES Champaign County LOCKWOOD, Ronald Clark County BREWER, Alexander Lee MOWERY, James L. OWENS, Lori L. PERRY, Carolyn THREATS, Freddie L. Franklin County ELLIS, Davi BREWER, Alexander Lee Infant, died on Friday, July 15, 2006 in Community Hospital. A graveside service will be held Friday, July 21, 2006 at 1 p.m.

in the Dayton Memorial Park. Arrangements are being handled by Littleton Rue Funeral Home ELLIS, David 59, of Columbus, Ohio, formerly of Springfield, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006. Services are pending at the Porter-Qualls Funeral Home, Springfield Chapel LOCKWOOD, Ronald Blaine 64, of Springfield, departed life on Sunday, July 16, 2006 in the Community Hospital emergency room as the result of a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He was born on August 11, 1941 in Champaign County the son of Herman B. and Reba (Jackson) Lockwood.

He served our country in the United States Army Reserve. Blaine managed Tire for 35 years. Survivors include his wife of 35 years, Suzanne (Hoke) Lockwood of Springfield; sister and brother-in-law, Marlene and Bill Ruff of Cleveland; bother-in-law, Dr. S.E. Hoke and wife, Carol of Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Springfield Regional Cancer Center, 148 West North Street, Springfield, Ohio 45504. Blaine was a very special person who loved his life and lived it to the fullest and will meet Suzy on a star. The family is being served by the LITTLETON RUE FUNERAL HOME.

You may express condolences to the family at www.littletonandrue.co McCLASKIE, Max E. 83, of London, died Tuesday, July 18, 2006, in Court House Manor, Washington Court House. Visitation Thursday 4-8 p.m. at Rader-Lynch and Dodds Funeral Home, London where funeral service will be held Friday at 1 p.m. MOWERY, James L.

(Maw Dog) 44, past away May 23, 2006 in Springfield. He was born June 13, 1961. Jim is the son of William and Evelyn (Short) Mowery. Jim loved to watch Nascar on Sunday with his mother and a good friend, Charlie Brumfield. He leaves to cherish his mother, Evelyn; three sisters, Joyce (Dan) Willis, Mary and (Jim) Cornell both of Springfield, Susan (Vendell) Gilbert of Irvin, Kentucky; two brothers, Gary Mowery and Jerry (Trish) Seel both of Springfield; special grandson, Little James; several nieces, nephews; aunts; uncles and many close friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, William; brother, Chuck Short. Jim will always be remembered as long as life goes on. OWENS, Lori L. (Lonsway) 27, of Springfield died unexpectedly at 3 p.m. Monday, July 17, 2006 in Riverside Hospital, Columbus.

Funeral services will be held at 12 noon Saturday in the Conroy Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery PERRY, Carolyn M. 73, of Springfield, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, July 18, 2006 in the Community Hospital. She was born on September 9, 1932 in Springfield the daughter of Paul Lamar and Ella Ruth (Baumgardner) Clark.

Carolyn was a member of the Christian Heritage Church for many years. She enjoyed working with her husband, Ray in the Dairy Clipper Ice Cream truck for 13 years. She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband of 55 years, Ray Perry of Springfield; six sons and daughters-in-law, Matthew and Carrie Perry of Springfield, Gary and Theresa Perry of Powell, John and Becky Perry of Springfield, Bruce and Melody Perry of Medway, Robert and Virginia Perry of Urbana, and Dale and Paula Jackson of Kentucky; one daughter, Debbie Kathman of Cincinnati; numerous grandchildren; several great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Ellen Glassburn, and brother, Clarence Clark. A gathering of family and friends will be held on Thursday, July 20, 2006 from 6-9 p.m.

in the LITTLETON RUE FUNERAL HOME where the service will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. with Reverend John Wiseman officiating. Burial will be in the Ferncliff Cemetery. You may express condolences to the family at www.littletonandrue.co THREATS, Freddie L. 79, of Springfield, Ohio died Tuesday, July 18, 2006.

Services are pending at the Porter-Qualls Funeral Home, Springfield Chapel.