Schmidt a big land owner

If you were to drive to the corner of Loveland Miamiville Road and Branch Hill/Guinea Pike in Loveland and look around, pretty much all the land you see belongs to Rep. Jean Schmidt's family.

Schmidt, a Republican from Miami Township, has a one-fourth interest in various family partnerships that together own huge chunks of land in Clermont County, according to Schmidt's personal financial statement released today.

Among the land owned by Schmidt and her siblings is the property leased to Walgreen Pharmacy and the nearby Kroger grocery store. The family also owns a small rental home and tons of farm land adjacent to the land occupied by the Kroger store.

Elsewhere in southern Ohio, Schmidt's family owns two other homes and some commercial rental property. Many parcels are either undeveloped or vacant lots.

Together, Schmidt's interest in the partnerships is worth between $2.3 million and $7.7 million. The properties earn her between $41,000 and $122,500 in rent each year.

Members of Congress are required to file annual financial disclosure statements, but they may report their assets and liabilities in broad ranges rather than specific amounts.