* Issue 2: Vote NO: We don't need a constitutional amendment to protect Agrofarms from animal rights activists. We're opposed to constitutional amendments in the first place. This one is a power grab by large corporate factory farms, not small farmers, in response to California's recent passage of the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. Instead of compromising, Ohio Agri-Business is attempting to codify into the state constitution current abusive practices by instituting a board that would regulate animal care without public input. Currently there are only two boards in the Ohio constitution: the State Board of Education and the Bureau of Workers Compensation. We don't need a third to allow big farms to confine chickens for up to a year in cages the size of a piece of paper.

* Issue 3: Vote NO: Casino proposal will amend state constitution, licenses and taxes are too low, casinos will suck patrons & their dollars from region's restaurants, theatres and attractions. Another objectionable constitutional amendment that locks in only four properties (and their lucky owners) for casino development in the state of Ohio. The casino licenses are being handed out for $50M each instead of being auctioned off so they could raise as much as $500M each, as other states have done. The tax rate at 33% is too low; other states tax casinos at rates as high as 50%. The fortunate developer/owners have offered no plan for encouraging spin-off Downtown development around the proposed casinos; in fact, they plan to build their own restaurants, theatres and eventually hotels right inside the casinos that will compete with the existing hospitality industry. There is no community development plan to ensure economic benefits to anyone but the constitutionally-determined casino owners, who wrote this measure themselves. Think about the last casino you visited. Did they send you outside the casino for a drink, a meal or a show?

* Issue 4: Vote YES: Tri-C levy (10 years, 1.6 mills replacement + .3 mills increase). Tri-C is essential to our region's competitiveness and economic development.

* Issue 5: Vote NO: County charter commission. Disingenuous smokescreen. Only after Issue 6 was proposed to change Cuyahoga County government did the leaders of the status quo propose Issue 5 to create a commission to "study" the problem and make a recommendation... sometime next year. Same people who have been running the show basically saying, "Trust us..." No guarantee that any real reform will come about.

* Issue 6: Vote YES: County charter reform. Lays out a new charter and structure for Cuyahoga County government. A single elected County Executive would appoint all county positions except prosecutor, but each position would have to be approved by an 11-member elected county council. We suggest you read the actual proposed charter here to fully understand how different this form of government will be. It should result in more accountable leadership, more focus on economic development ("The County shall have as a primary responsibility the promotion and enhancement of the economic well-being and prosperity of the County and all of its residents."), and a more regional approach to county issues.

* Mayor of Cleveland: Vote for Frank Jackson Balanced the budget, has his eye on the ball. Do we need a mayor with charisma, vision and the ability to use the bully pulpit to rally our community? Of course we do. In the meantime, former city councilman and city council president Frank Jackson is methodically taking care of business. If you don't think having a balanced budget in 2009 is a big deal, check out other cities of all sizes that are slashing costs and decimating services. While criticisms of Jackson are warranted, challenger Bill Patmon, a former city councilman, has not impressed with his ability to articulate key issues or exhibit leadership.

* Judges To help sort out your choices in the judicial races in the region. http://www.judge4yourself.com is a service of the Judicial Candidates Rating Coalition (JCRC), an umbrella organization that includes Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association, The Cuyahoga Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, The Norman S. Minor Bar Association, and The Ohio Women's Bar Association. JCRC rates candidates before every judicial election. If you use this guide and read the ratings, you'll see that there are indeed races where there are clearly unqualified candidates. http://www.judge4yourself.com