Ohio Greens Win In 2005
By Nick Teti
In 2005, the Green Party of Ohio celebrated the election of the first two Green Party members to elective office in Ohio. Brian Cummins was elected to the Cleveland City Council from Ward 15, and Dennis Spisak was elected to the Struthers Board of Education in Northeast Ohio. Each of these successful Greens had strong credentials, impressive endorsements, a good campaign team, and a long history of service to his local community. These will be the ingredients for continued Green Party success in 2006.
Dennis Spisak is a school principal and has been a member of the Green Party of Ohio since 2003. He campaigned on fiscal responsibility and innovative funding ideas. |
At its post-election meeting in December, the Green Party of Ohio Coordinating Committee sent formal congratulations to both Cummins and Spisak.
Councilman Cummins
Brian Cummins served nine years in the Peace Corps and then as Executive Director of the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation before resigning to run for council. His platform for the council election was to improve and strengthen neighborhood safety, code enforcement, property conditions, delivery of core city services, and education (including a technology, job training and placement center in the Ward). He also strongly endorsed new business investment, economic development and jobs creation.
Brian's candidacy was endorsed by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Mayor Jane Campbell, former Cleveland Public Safety Director James A. Draper, Fraternal Order of Police Cleveland Lodge No. 8, Teamsters 1164, the Cuyahoga County Green Party, and many others.
Aside from his civic duties in Cleveland, Brian has actively worked to build the Ohio Green Party. He served in the Central Ohio Green Party when he lived in Columbus in 2000-2001, and also was a Co-Convener of the Central Ohio Green Party and a representative to the State Coordinating Committee at that time.
Board Member Dennis Spisak
Dennis Spisak is a school principal and has been a member of the Green Party of Ohio since 2003. He campaigned on fiscal responsibility and innovative funding ideas. Among his most memorable campaign quotes was, "The reconstruction of the football stadium must be done through private funds and not through bond issues or levies."
Dennis will bring strong qualifications to the job as a School Board members. He graduated from Struthers High School, where he was a member of the WKTL-FM afternoon polka party program from 1974-1977. He received his Bachelor's Degree from Ohio University and his Masters Degree from The Ohio State University. He received his principal certification from the University of Dayton and his superintendent certification was granted from Ashland University.
With 21 years as a professional educator, Dennis is a member of the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators, has served on the OASSA Athletic Committee, and currently is serving on the OASSA Legislative Committee. He knows quality education, and will bring this experience and knowledge to help the students, parents, and community.
Congratulatory Letter to the Victors
The text of the GPOH Congratulatory Letter follows:
The Green Party of Ohio Coordinating Committee congratulates you on your recent election to public office.
We congratulate you on becoming one of the first of two Green Party Members elected to public office in the State of Ohio. Running for public office is a major personal commitment and we thank you for making the effort. Many Green Party Members have run for office in Ohio, but you are one of the first to successfully make the transition to elected office holder.
As you learn the requirements of your office, please contact the Green Party of Ohio Coordinating Committee if you believe there is anything we can do to help in your success. You can reach us by contacting Tim Kettler, Secretary of the Green Party of Ohio, at 740-824-3828, or Paul Dumouchelle, Treasurer of the Green Party of Ohio, at 614-563-9449 or any other official listed on the Ohio Greens website.
