The Truth Staff
Lucas County Recorder Michael Ashford and his wife Ruth sure know how to throw a party … after all, they have been doing it for 19 years now. And the party continued on Saturday, July 29, in the beautiful backyard of the Ashfords’ home on Collingwood as guests were treated to some grilled food, some cold drinks and a few speeches about Democratic Party politics.
Over of the Ashfords’ friends, colleagues and supporters stopped by on Saturday, including political notables such as Lucas County Auditor Anita Lopez, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur and former mayor Carty Finkbeiner.
The 19th annual fundraiser, a fun event as always, was not without its moments of sorrow and reflection. Ashford, in his opening remarks, said “2023 has been the most unusual year I’ve seen in a while with people passing away.”
He spoke of the very recent tragedies of the deaths of Weldon Douthitt, a longtime advocate for assisting those in the community with their home repair needs as well as a longtime Democratic Party operative, and Jan Scotland, a former city official, insurance agency owner and Republican Party operative. Scotland’s funeral was held on Saturday morning before the Ashford event.
After Ashford’s comments, State Rep. Michelle Grim, District 43, spoke of the contributions those in the Democratic Party have made in recent months in Columbus in spite of having to push forward against the Republican super majority.
Fair school funding, innovation hubs, brownfield remediation, rape kit accountability and free period products in public schools are some of the accomplishments of the Democratic minority which she touted.
Grim also addressed the importance of the current Issue 1 on this August 8 special election ballot. She explained the difference in requirements to place citizen-initiated constitutional amendments on the ballot if Issue 1 is approved by voters – the 88 county requirement for signatures (up from 44 currently) to place the proposal on a ballot, in particular – and the change in passage requirement from 50 percent plus one approval to 60 percent.
Of course, among the predominantly Democratic audience, filled with active operatives and voters, Grim’s message was well received.
Ashford, former city councilman and state representative, was last on the ballot, for re-election to his post as Lucas County Recorder, in November 2022. He won over Republican John Rozic, with 55.7 percent of the vote.
