Bambi Couch Page was officially selected to fill the remainder of the unexpired term for Richland County Prosecutor after a tumultuous meeting of the Central Committee of the Richland County Democratic Party on Thursday, Oct. 9.
The 49 members of the Democratic Party’s Central Committee met to fill the vacancy left in the Richland County Prosecutor’s position due to the death of James Mayer, Jr., a man described by Central Committee Chairman Matt Finfgeld as “a friend to many and a business colleague who will be dearly missed.”
The meeting began with a motion by Ron Davis, vice-chair of the Central Committee, that the vote to fill the unexpired term of the Richland County Prosecutor be postponed to Nov. 6, 2014.
“We as a committee have to do due diligence to make sure we pick the right person for this,” said Davis. “All I’m saying is we take the time that is needed to go over what possible candidates we might have for this position. I’m not saying a candidate tonight or whoever is in mind isn’t the right person; I’m saying give us the time as a group so we can dig in and make sure we make the right choice. Too often we jump the gun and get into things without even thinking.”
Davis’ motion to postpone was met with opposition by several members of the Central Committee. Cynthia O’Neal, second vice-chair of the Democratic Party Executive Committee, stated that she believed it is the committee’s obligation to move forward with diligence.
“Our chairman (Finfgeld) has called this meeting, and we must act in a responsible way,” said O’Neal. “To postpone I would need to know a full reason why, because we need to act immediately and go forth so this office can work continuously as it has in the past, and as it will do in the future. If it’s not a good reason we need to go forward.”
Couch Page stated the decision to choose a prosecutor on Thursday evening was “critical for the ongoing preservation of the criminal justice system in this county.”
“Although the office is up and running, we have all sorts of deadlines and things that need to be met, and honestly folks this is not a situation where I can go out to the criminals in this community and say can you take a 40-day hiatus until we can get this matter resolved,” she said.
Couch Page also called into question the motive behind postponing the appointment of a new prosecutor until Nov. 6, 2014.
“With respect to the postponement, I find it ironic that you’re asking that we postpone until after the election because the field of people that are able to fill this spot are very few and very narrow,” she said. “There is only one person that is probably ineligible this evening based upon his status right now to throw his name into the ballot. And I believe you’re probably attempting to preserve that possibility of this slot for him.”
Couch Page’s remarks may have referred to Phil Naumoff, magistrate for Mansfield Municipal Court, who is currently running against Republican candidate Brent Robinson for the seat of Richland County Common Pleas Court judge.
After much disgruntlement expressed in response to Couch Page, Central Committee member Cindy Soliday emphasized her belief that a quick decision does not put forth to the community that the committee is showing a sense of fairness.
“I don’t know what other candidates may come forth. I have heard there are a couple and not just one that cannot say anything tonight. That is untrue,” said Soliday. “I am just asking all of us to put away the dirty politics to delay this vote so that we are showing our community that we have a sense of fairness and we are carefully considering this most important that we have to make. And maybe the most important decision that we have ever made as a committee since we’ve been elected.”
Joseph Mudra, chairman of the Richland County Democratic Party, shared with the Central Committee a memo he had received from James Mayer III, son of the late prosecutor. In his memo read by Mudra, James Mayer III expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of support from the Democratic Party and the county as a whole and urged the Central Committee not to postpone appointing the next prosecutor.
“Regarding tonight’s vote, I am opposed to any extension of this process,” said James Mayer III in his memo read by Mudra. “It is essential to both the party and the prosecutor’s office that we project an image of strength, act decisively and promote continuity within the most powerful county office during this incredibly difficult time. I can think of no legitimate reason to delay this process beyond tonight.”
A roll-call vote resulted in a 36 to 13 decision not to postpone the vote to fill the prosecutor’s position. Only members of the Central Committee were allowed to vote and participate in any discussion or debate at Thursday’s meeting.
After the motion to postpone was defeated, the Central Committee moved forward with the nomination process. Committee member Ted Clabaugh nominated Couch Page for the position of prosecutor, which she accepted. Also nominated to fill the position was Mansfield Law Director John Spon.
“I am grateful for the nomination and I have no enemies in this party. I consider myself a friend of everyone including Bambi and others,” said Spon in response to his nomination. “In the interest of party unity, under the present circumstances I’ve only had 96 hours to evaluate whether or not I should proceed if nominated. I’ve been elected by the residents of the city of Mansfield…I’m very grateful to be the Law Director for the city of Mansfield and as a Democrat. But even so, in the interest of the party and the contemplation of who is going to be elected in the face of the greatest number of Republicans to come out to vote in November of 2016, I respectfully decline, and wish only the best for my fellow Democrats.”
Two more rounds of nominations were open to the Central Committee to nominate other candidates to fill the prosecutor’s position, but no other nominations were received.
At the announcement of Couch Page as the only nominee for prosecutor, Jon Parman, president of the Carpenter Local Union No. 735, announced that the union would like to separate itself from the Richland County Democratic Party.
An official vote on paper ballots confirmed Couch Page’s appointment to the Richland County Prosecutor’s position. Couch Page will serve the remainder of the unexpired term for Richland County Prosecutor ending Jan. 6, 2017, in accordance with Revised Code section 305.02.
“As prosecutor, I am bound by an ethical code to seek the truth and justice,” said Couch Page. “I sought this appointment because there should be no question to any of you that I am the most qualified person for this position.
“I have 22 years of criminal experience, the last 14 in the Richland County Prosecutor’s office,” she continued. “In the last eight years I have served in management positions with the office either as chief criminal assistant or first assistant. I’ve tried almost every type of criminal offense or felony, including death penalty cases. I have a perfect record in over 50 jury trials. Those are not the easiest cases; I don’t cherry-pick my cases. One of the cases I tried had 57 counts in the indictment and I got every last count a finding of guilty. So you can be confident in the fact that I know how to do this job, and I’m proud to do it for you.
“With my track record, my abilities and my strengths, I don’t care what anybody says – we’re going to win this in 2016,” said Couch Page. “And I hope you’re there with my support.”
“It is essential to both the party and the prosecutor’s office that we project an image of strength, act decisively and promote continuity within the most powerful county office during this incredibly difficult time. I can think of no legitimate reason to delay this process beyond tonight,” stated James Mayer III in a memo to the committee.
