Suspended member reacts to Husted move

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - The two democrats suspended from the Montgomery County Board of Elections plan to meet with fellow board members Friday after Ohio's Secretary of State lifts their suspensions for now.

Within hours of obtaining a copy of a letter from Jon Husted to Dennis Lieberman and Thomas Ritchie Pam Elliot sat down with Lieberman to get his take on the move.

Lieberman told 2 NEWS,  "I think he's cognizant of that and wants us to get the business done. I want to get the business done. I have no problems with this and Tom and I will appear tomorrow and we will go through the agenda and we will make sure nobody in Montgomery County is hurt by our dispute."

What is pressing is the August 7 elections which include school funding results that need to be certified by the board soon to meet deadlines set by law.

Lieberman was the one who would not take back his motion to keep weekend early voting hours in Montgomery County.  A recent directive from Husted called for uniform early voting hours throughout the state and no weekend hours.

Lieberman  told 2 NEWS, "I can always get another job, but I can't get another conscience."

Monday a hearing was held in Columbus concerning what Husted refers to as "nonfeasance" on the part of Lieberman and Ritchie.   At last check, the Secretary of State had not yet received the hearing officer's report.

Lieberman told 2 NEWS he will not walk away from this.  If Husted removes him from the board, he will challenge that decision in some court.