Heimlich has a heart? So does Portune?

Republican Hamilton County Commissioner Phil Heimlich faked a heart attack today.


That’s because he was getting assistance in his bid for re-election from fellow Commissioner Todd Portune, a Democrat who has endorsed Heimlich’s opponent.

The commissioners were in a staff meeting today being briefed on the 2007 “report card” – a staff-compiled look at the services Hamilton County provides and how well it believes it is doing.

The staff suggested the report card be released to the public Nov. 1.

Portune then noted that was before the Nov. 7 election where voters will either return Heimlich to the commission or replace him with David Pepper -- a candidate who, Heimlich has noted often, is receiving plenty of help from Portune.

Portune suggested the delay partly “for Phil’s protection,” saying some would criticize the report or belittle it as a political document based only on the timing of its release.

Two seats away, Heimlich dropped to the table the eyeglasses he was twirling in his hand, clutched at his chest and joked “Just a second. I may be having the big one.”

Commissioners agreed to release the report card after the election.