Goering becomes target

Things got a little ugly on the sales tax front Wednesday when Hamilton County Treasurer Rob Goering, a Republican, announced he was against the jail sales tax increase.

He might have just as well posted a target on his forehead.

The ugliness started in the morning when opposition camp chairman Jason Gloyd put out the press release, announcing Goering is encouraging a "no" vote. It included an expected quote from Goering "The commissioners want to have lots of extra funds to spend on who knows what... I can't figure it out and I don't think voters can either."

And Gloyd noted the treasurer "took the time to carefully analyze the jail tax proposal and concluded-- as each of us has -- that this is a super-sized jail tax that we simply cannot afford."
Not so, said Commissioner David Pepper, a Democrat.

"He doesn't know the details of the plan. He's not asked one question about this," Pepper said. "He doesn't want to meet and discuss it. It's all politics. Those who have asked (for details) have supported it."

Commissioner Todd Portune, also a Democrat, went a little further.

"He's attempting to deflect attention from his (shortcomings,)" Portune said. "He's ... contributed to the county's fiscal problems by letting delinquent taxes rise to an unprecedented level. It's political grandstanding at its worst."

Commissioner Pat DeWine, a Republican, supported his new ally.
"We ought to have respect for someone who has had the courage to come out against this. I appreciate the courage of Rob to stand up," he said.

Apparently between the commissioners' comments (around 10:30) and the Goering/DeWine/anti-sales tax camp press conference (2:30), Goering was bombarded with phone calls from the commissioners, the sheriff, the administration, seeking meetings and offering to explain the plan.

Goering still came out against the tax at the press conference, held in front of COAST attorney Chris Finney's law office, citing numbers that DeWine had given him.

"I don't like taxes. I really don't like tax issues and this tax is too much for our community," he said. "To build the jail its $200 million. To fund it its $300 million. Why are we at $770 million? Goering asked.

But afterward the criticism continued as Portune said his comments show he hasn't examined the plan. The rest of the money goes to treatment programs.

"For him to (oppose the tax) when he doesn't even have an elementary understanding of the facts confirms my comments about how inappropriate his comments are," Portune said via phone later in the day.