Nan Baker, a candidate for the Ohio House, answers questions during a League of Women Voters forum Thursday. (West Life photo by Kevin Kelley)

Brady cancels LWV forum appearance
By Kevin Kelley
Westshore
Published Oct. 29, 2008

Incumbent Rep. Jennifer Brady canceled a scheduled appearance at a League of Women Voters candidates forum held Thursday evening at Westlake Porter Public Library.

Brady, a Democrat, gave no explanation for the cancellation, which was made that afternoon, League officials said.

A phone call to Brady by West Life seeking an explanation for the cancellation was not returned.

Brady sent the League a written statement, which was read at the forum by moderator Susan Jankite, describing her experience and platform.

Brady’s opponent in the race for the 16th District Ohio House seat, Republican Nan Baker, appeared at the forum and took written questions from audience members.

As a result of Brady’s absence, League officials, citing Federal Communications Commission regulations requiring at least two candidates be present at any debate, prohibited West Life and WHBS-TV, Westlake High School’s cable access station, from videotaping that portion of the forum.

In September, Brady told West Life that she was eager to debate Baker. The question arose when a debate organized by Time Warner Cable failed to materialize. In that case, Baker and Time Warner could not agree on a suitable time for the taped debate. Moderator Bob Conklin said he believed Baker did not want to debate Brady. Baker said it was a legitimate scheduling conflict.

Also on Thursday, Baker filed a complaint with the Ohio Elections Commission alleging that campaign literature and a television commercial paid for by the Ohio Democratic Party contained false and misleading information.

A commission committee determined that there was probable cause that there was a violation.

The full commission will hold a hearing on the issue on Nov. 3.

The campaign literature and political ad allege that Baker, as a member of Westlake City Council, voted to raise taxes on ambulance trips. Baker said the vote was to have the city seek reimbursement for ambulance service from a patient’s health insurance company. If the person does not have health insurance, the bill will be canceled by the city, municipal officials have said.

Brady said she believes the campaign literature and TV ad may put lives at risk. A sick person may defer calling for an ambulance with the incorrect belief that he or she may receive a bill, she said.

“I deeply regret that my opponent and her surrogates have chosen to frighten seniors, parents and our hard working neighbors, many that depend on Emergency Medical Service (EMS) in life and death situations,” Baker said in a statement. “The overall ‘raising taxes’ lies are bad enough, but to put our residents at risk for personal political gain is unconscionable.”

Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough and Council President Michael Killeen called the Ohio Democratic Party literature misleading at that city’s Oct. 2 council meeting. When asked by West Life to respond to their charges, Brady declined to comment.

On the Web:

• League of Women Voters Cuyahoga Area