Blue Ash Ward Lines redrawn with an undisclosed map by Czerwonka's Emergency Ordinance

Blue Ash passed an “emergency” ordinance redrawing Blue Ash ward at the Year-End city council meeting (12/13/18).  Ordinance No. 2018-12, modifying Council ward boundaries was introduced by Lee Czerwonka.  The revised lines mean that some people will not be able to vote in the next election for a Ward Representative in 2019.  On a personal level I will not be able to run in 2019, and have no interest in running against Tom Adamec, who is a very good councilman.

Even more problematic was that the ward boundaries they voted for were not published prior to the meeting in either the newspaper, the city newsletter nor on the City Website.   In effect, only council members saw the map of the ward lines they voted on before the vote.  The maps they published was not the Ward lines they voted on.

Once again the word EMERGENCY has been distorted.  Note ordinances normally are introduced, talked about, published, reintroduced for more discussion and then voted on.  But not for EMERGENCY ordinances.

Frankly, perhaps a better option would be to have all Council members run At Large like our neighboring city of Montgomery.  One big effect of all members At Large would be a more diverse council.

* See and post your comments on the NEXTDOOR website

BANDC endorses Rob Ryan & Tom Adamec's letter concerning my opponent

Note, I had no influence on this decision to endorse me for Blue Ash Councilman at Large over my opponent.

Rob Ryan

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Dear BANDC members and friends,,

If you live in Blue Ash, please read this important and unprecedented message from Tom Adamec, a Republican on Blue Ash City Council.  He will NOT be supporting Lee Czerwonka, who is running against Rob Ryan for an At-Large position.

I want to thank Bobbie Kalman and Lin Lyon for their statement:

"We have carefully tried to remain neutral on the contested Blue Ash City Council races.  However, one race has become so ugly and dirty that we are dropping our neutrality and taking a stand.  We are endorsing Rob Ryan for the At Large seat.  Rob has run a clean, fact and issue driven campaign only to be repeatedly “swift boated” by his opponent,  Lee Czerwonka, with half truths, untruths and misrepresentations.  The attached stunningly unprecedented email from Vice Mayor Tom Adamec is self-explanatory and a must read before you vote tomorrow.  We urge you to vote for Rob who has proven to be an able and effective representative in Ward 1 and deserves to represent the City at large." 

---------- Message from Tom Adamec----------

From: Tom Adamec <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Mon, Nov 6, 2017 at 7:01 AM
Subject: 
To: Tom Adamec <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

    I am disheartened to say I will neither endorse nor vote for Mr. Czerwonka for City Council this year. 

Since both candidates are current Council Representatives, I have tried to stay neutral in their race.  Recent activities have made it impossible for me to remain on the sidelines.  I am an uncontested candidate this year and do not have a direct benefit from the outcome of their election. These are a few examples of Mr. Czerwonka’s actions that I cannot support: ·        Undermining other council members ·        Inappropriate personal attacks on others ·        Difficulty working well with others ·        Lack of respect for differing opinions ·        Misrepresentation of his voting record in campaign literature His campaign message has included personal statements that are beneath any candidate in our city.  If you have any questions please feel free to contact Tom Adamec at 513-646-9439 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..   Paid for by Adamec for Blue Ash  *********************************

Blue Ash Election Result - The recount is final

Thank you for being interested in my campaign for Blue Ash City Council.  On November 22nd, the Board of Election reported that the difference between Lee Czerwonka and I was less the 1/2 of one percent. Therefore per law, the ballots had to be recounted by hand. The recount was held on December 1st.  I observed the recount and commend the Hamilton county Board of Election for the transparency and professional manner it was conducted.  The recount results appeared to change slightly at first, but then it was recounted a second time.  Czerwonka won with 50.26%.   Below is a chart of the vote by Precinct, the total difference was 15 votes.  In elections like this, where the vote is really close ( i.e. 50.24% vs 49.76% ), it reinforces that everyone’s vote is important and I strongly encourage voting in all elections big and small.

 

 

I found it interesting that my support cuts across political boundaries.  I will take this time to ask for your financial support to help me retire some of the debt I incurred during the campaign.  Below are three links to show your support, you can choose which party below you most identify with while making a donation.

Donation Links

Republican       Independent/Green     Democrat

No matter what which party you identify with the most, I believe we all stand for transparent, respectful and responsible governments. Thank you very much for your emotional, moral and financial support.  I am proud of the manner in which I conducted my campaign and I appreciate all the support that you have shown me. 

I encourage people to be engaged, informed, speak up and most importantly vote.  That is the only real way we can make the future better than the past. I wish the new City Council and Blue Ash a safe and happy holidays.

Best Wishes
Rober R. Ryan
Former Blue Ash City Council Member

Tired of negative politics - A rebuttal to Czerwonka's attack mailer!

This is a response and rebuttal to my opponent’s last mailer he sent out where he denies the facts and attacks me in an extremely negative manner.

Frankly my opponent Mr. Czerwonka has again not been honest with Blue Ash residents.  His last flyer he mailed was a shameful and disgraceful attack and a disservice to Blue Ash and Council.  This latest flyer continues both distorted and false claims of his voting record. Just tell the truth, frankly it is much easier to remember the truth.  You can ask the uncontested candidate like Vice Mayor Tom Adamec if what I am writing below is true or just visit city's government  website to verify the information!

My opponent Mr. Czerwonka has trouble explaining his voting record.  At best he has very selective memory.   I believe your councilman have the obligation to tell exactly how they voted and if the voters like it they can vote for the person, if not, they can vote for the other candidates.  But candidates should not just straight out change the facts. 

 Mr. Czerwonka tried to provide his spin on these past votes and positions and attack me in the process;

Downtown Apartments

Mr. Czerwonka voted during the 12/14/2006 meeting of council on ordinance  No. 2006-60 to modify zoning to the downtown area.  This  approved  high (unlimited) density residential, without any retail on first floor,  that allowed for eventual construction of the massive "4900" apartment complex downtown. Just visit downtown.  If you like it vote for Mr. Czerwonka, if not vote for Rob  Ryan. 

Then on 12/11/2014. Mr. Czerwonka voted for phase 2 during a public hearing that allowed construction of 4900 apartment complex that is under construction now.  He could have voted with others to deny the future construction via the appeal, but chose not to based on zoning regulations.  Of course, he voted for those zoning regulations that allowed the apartment complex to be built in the first place.

Blue Ash Citizens Leadership Academy

The most disengenuous of Mr. Czerwonka's  claims is he was for the Citizen's Academy.  During our workshop on  1/11/16  Mr. Czerwonka  voted against this important program.  The Citizens Academy is intended to provide training for citizens (you) and an understanding/insight/relationship of how government operates in the Blue Ash Community.  Eventually, volunteers could help staff our Boards and Commissions.  Maybe even future City Council representatives to replace me!  I along with 4 others voted for this program that began early this year.   If you believe we should do it the good old boy way and pick friends; then vote for my opponent.  If you believe in good governance vote for Rob Ryan. 

NOPE & Duke's Gas Pipeline

Mr. Czerwonka claims to support NOPE.  Not true!  He was the only Mayor from affected areas to not attend or speak against the Duke pipeline at the Power Siting Board hearing at UC Blue Ash!   Our council voted for legal intervention, Mr. Czerwonka was a "no show" at the hearing.   You can ask the Blue Ash NOPE leadership team if they believe Mr. Czerwonka is really an ardent supporter.    I know I was.

Benchmarking City Goals & Operations

Probably the most interesting vote in the 1/11/16 workshop was Mr. Czerwonka's  vote against measuring and benchmarking City goals.  There were 3 votes to pursue this, but Mr. Czerwonka was against bringing this important business practice to Blue Ash.  I have the experience and will always vote for bringing good business practices to government.  Again I am for Good Governance.

Medical Marijuana

One last item he continues to bring up marijuana and leave out one key word.  That word is MEDICAL. Mr. Czerwonka, claimed we would have more crime and other unsubstantiated negative effects.  I support medical marijuana, so did our State Senator Lou Tehar, who was a co-sponsor of HB523 the medical marijuana bill, and our State Representative Johnathan Dever voted for it and Governor Kasich who signed the bill.  At the local level I supported and voted for a moratorium to let other cities go first so we could see what the real issues were and learn from them.  Then we could make an intelligent decision if we wanted to have those business in Blue Ash, that is Good Governance!

Conclusion

Instead of voting for a candidate that uses dirty smear tactics and innuendos, I believe we should analyze the voting records and then let the voter decide who is best to represent them.   I have made the case and rebuttal to the my opponents latest mailer he sent.

I ask for your vote on November 7th! Vote for Rob Ryan for Good Governance. 

Thank You, Rob Ryan