Somali Community
Voting RecommendationsThe editors of Somali Link have listened carefully to members of our community.   We urge you to vote FOR these candidates and issues.President and Vice President
o Barack OBAMA and Joe BIDEN
Attorney General
o Richard CORDRAY
U.S. Congress: 12TH District
o Pat TIBERI
U.S. Congress: 15th District
o Steve STIVERS or
o Mary Jo KILROY
State Senator: 16th District
o Jim HUGHES
State Representative: 19th District
o Marian HARRIS
State Representative: 20th District
o Nancy GARLAND or
o Jim McGREGOR
State Representative: 21st District
o Kevin BACON
State Representative: 22st District
o John CARNEY
State Representative: 23rd District
o Cheryl GROSSMAN
State Representative: 24th District
o Ted CELESTE
State Representative: 25th District
o Dan STEWART
State Representative: 26th District
o TRACY HEARD
State Representative: 27th District
o W. Carlton WEDDINGTON
Franklin County Commissioner
o Paula BROOKS
Franklin County Commissioner
o John O’GRADY
Clerk of Court of Common Pleas
o Maryellen O’SHAUGHNESSY
Franklin County Treasurer
o Ed LEONARD
Franklin County Coroner
o Dr. Jan GORNIAK
State Board of Education
o Kristen McKINLEY
Ohio Supreme Court
o Joseph D. RUSSO
Ohio Supreme Court
o Evelyn L. STRATTON
Judge of the Court of Appeals
o Lisa SADLER
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas
o Richard SHEWARD
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas-Probate
o Eric BROWN
#6 Constitutional Amendment
(Casino)
o NO
#14 Columbus Bond Issue
(Safety and Health)
o FOR
#15 Columbus Bond Issue
(Streets and Highways)
o FOR
#16 Columbus Bond Issue
(Water)
o FOR
#17 Columbus Bond Issue
(Trash Collection)
o FOR
#18 Columbus Bond Issue
(Sanitary Sewers)
o FOR
#19 Columbus Bond Issue
(Recreation and Parks)
o FOR
#75 Bond Issue and Tax Levy
(Columbus City Schools)
o FOR

O’Grady oo Caawin Doona
Dadka Afrikaanka ahJohn O’Grady, oo ka tirsan xisbiga Dimuqraadiga, una tartamaya jagada komiishinerka degmada Franklin, (Franklin County Commissioner) ayaa sheegay in uu ka shaqayn doono sidii xiriir wadahadal oo dhexmara labada dowladood, waa tan gobolka Ohio, tan degmada Franklin County, tan Jaalliyada Soomaalida iyo qaxootiga kale ee Afrikaanka ah loo samayn lahaa.
Haddii la doorto, OGrady wuxuu ku dhiirigalin doonaa xubnaha barlamaanka Gobolku in ay u coddeeyaan abuuritaanka xafiiska arrimaha dadka Afrikaanka ee qaxootiga ah (Commission for African Immigrants). O’Grady wuxuu kaloo sheegay in uu shaqaalayn doono qof Somali ah oo ka shaqeeya horumarinta danaha dadka qaxootiga ah si loo adkeeyo xiriirka wadahadal ee dowladdu la leedahay qaxootiga Afrikaanka ah isagoo arrintaas ka hadlayana wuxuu yiri “Waa lama huraan in aannu dadka Soomaalida ah iyo qaxootiga kale ee Afrikaanka ah ee ku soo qulqulaya bartamaha gobolka Ohio gacmo furan ku soo dhawayno”.
John O’Grady oo hadda ah madaxa Franklin County Clerk of the Courts ee degmada Franklin ayaa wuxuu doorashooyinka dhici doona bisha November 4teeda, 2008 isu sharaxay jagada Komiisharnimada degmada Franklin . Jagadaas ayaa waxaa ka tagi doonta Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy oo iyaduna hadda u baratamaysa Jagada Congrareeska Maraykanka, xaafadda 15aad. Mary Jo Kilroy, dimoqraadi, ayaa kursigaas kula tartamaysa Ohio Senatar Stive Stivers, ribablikan. Waxaa la filayaa in tartankaasi uu noqon doono mid adag.
Shaqada ay qabato dawladda Hoose ee Franklin ayaa ah in ay caawiso dhammaan dadka ku nool degmadan oo ay ku jiraan Soomaalida iyo dadyawga kale ee qaxootiga ah, sidaa waxaa yiri O’Grady. Adeegyadaas waxaa soo galaya barashada luuqada, turjumaada, iyo dhammaan adeegyada kala duduwan ee bulshada.
Haddii John loo doorto jagadaas Komiisharnimada ayuu wuxuu ballan qaaday in uu gacan wayn ka gaysan doono caawimaada bulshooyinka qaxootiga ah ee ku dhaqan Degmada Franklin County, kana caawin doono sidii ay ula qabsan lahaayeen dhaqanka dalkan iyada oo laga caawin doono horumarinta luuqada iyo adeegyada kale ee Soomaalidu u baahan yihiin. “Degmadani waa degmo lagu aasaasay gacmo furan iyo soo dhawayn labadaba, taas macnaheeduna waa in dadka wata dhaqamada kale la soo dhaweeyo iyada oo aan la kala saarayn iyaga iyo dhaqanka ay huwan yihiinba”, sidaa waxaa yiri O’Grady.
“Aniga awoowgeey wuxuu ka soo haajiray waddanka Eerland (Ireland) muddo haddeer laga joogo 90 sanadood, wax sahlana uma ahayn in bulshada Irish-ka ee qaxootinimada halkan ku timid ay si fudud kula qabsadeen dhaqanka Maraykanka. Haddana waad aragtaan wiilkii uu awoowga u ahaa ayaa u baratamaya jagada Komiisharnimada, si uu u xukumo mid ka mid ah degmooyinka ugu waawayn gobolkan Ohio”, ayuu yiri OGrady.
“Maamulka Degmada Franklin waxay gudan doonaan waajibaadka dhinaceeda ka saaran caawimaada bulshooyinka qaxootiga ah si aannu si gacmo furan ugu soo dhawayno bulshadeena iyo shaqooyinkeena labadaba,” sidaa waxaa yiri O’Grady.
Qaababka u O’Grady isugu dayi doono in uu caawin doono bulshada Soomaalida iyo bulshooyinka kale ee Afrikaanka ah waxaa ka mid ah in ay helaan goobo wanaagsan oo ay ku bartaan luuqada iyo wixii kale ee soo raaca. OGrady wuxuu dhawaan booqasho ku tagay mid ka mid ah xaruumaha adeegyada bulshada Soomaalida ah loogu sameeyo, isagoo booqashadiisii ka hadlayana wuxuu yiri “Kalaas walba waxaa ka buuxay dad waaweyn oo baranaya luuqada Ingriisida. Macalimiinta iyo ardayduba waxay ahaayeen dad wan-wanaagsan,” sidaa waxaa yiri O’Grady. “Balse goobtu ma ahayn mid sidaa u wanaagsan.”
O’Grady wuxuu sheegay in uu isku dayi doonaa in uu helo goobo ka wan-wanaagsan goobtaas wax lagu baranayay, sida dhismayaasha iskuulaadka la xiray, in loo isticmaalo xarumo adeegyada bulshadu u baahan tahay lagu sameeyo.
O’Grady waxaa taageero codeed siiyay in ka badan 50 xubnood oo madaxda gobolkan ah sida, State Senator Ray Miller, State Rep. Joycye Beatty, Ted Celeste, Tracy Heard and Dan Stewart; Franklin County Commissioners Paula Brooks, Marilyn Brown, Mary Jo Kilroy; Franklin County Treasurer Ed Leonard; Franklin County Municipal Clerk of Courts Lori Tyack; Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman; Columbus City Council members Michael Mentel, Kevin Boyce, Hearcel Craig, Andrew Ginther, Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, Charleta Tavares, Priscilla Tyson; Columbus City Attorney Rick Pfeiffer
Ururada shaqaalaha ee taageerayna waxaa ka mida Ohio AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Building & Construction Trades, and SEIU; carpenters, communication workers, electrical workers, elevator constructors, fire fighters, food and commercial workers, ironworkers, laborers, operating engineers, police, plumbers, sheet metal workers, steelworkers, teachers, teamsters and transportation workers.O’Grady Will Work to Improve Communication with African ImmigrantsJohn O’Grady, Democratic candidate for Franklin County Commissioner, said he will work to improve communication between both state and county governments and the Somali community and other African immigrants.
If elected, O’Grady said he will encourage state legislators to vote to establish an Ohio Commission for African Immigrants, and also will try to establish a liaison person within county government to improve communication with African immigrants. “It is important for us to welcome Somalis and other African immigrants who come to Central Ohio to establish their new homes, O’Grady said.
John O’Grady currently is Clerk of the Courts of Common Pleas for Franklin County. He is seeking election to the County Commissioner seat being vacated by Mary Jo Kilroy, who is running for Congress.
The role of Franklin County Government is to assist all residents of the county, including Somali immigrants and those from other nations, O’Grady said. Those services may include classes in English as a Second Language (ESL), interpretation and translation services, and social services available through the country.
If elected Commissioner, O’Grady pledged to help win wider community support for immigrant communities. “We will help them acculturate to our way of life through language classes and other services,” O’Grady said. “This country was founded on the principle of openness, which means we welcome others to join in our culture without giving up their own culture,” O’Grady said.
“My grandfather came here from Ireland about 90 years ago, and it was not easy then for Irish immigrants to work their way into the culture of America. Now his grandson is a candidate for the Board of Commissioners, to govern one of the largest counties in the state.”
“That’s how I feel about the thousands of immigrants in Franklin county—Africans, Asians, Latinos, everyone,” he said. “They will be our future leaders.” “Franklin County government will do its part, and I will seek the support of other officials and organizations, to help immigrant families be welcome in our community and in our workforce,” O’Grady said.
One way O’Grady said he will try to help Somalis and other African immigrants is in providing better facilities for ESL and other classes. He recently visited an ESL class at a Somali community center. “Every classroom was full of adults who were learning English. The teachers and adult students were great,” O’Grady said. “But the facilities weren’t the best.”
O’Grady said he will try to locate available existing facilities, such as a closed school building, to be used as a community center. He also will ask local members of the Ohio Legislature to provide state funding for community center buildings for immigrant populations.
O’Grady has more than 50 endorsements from elected officials to include State Senator Ray Miller and State Representatives Joyce Beatty, Ted Celeste, Tracy Heard and Dan Stewart; Franklin County Commissioners Paula Brooks, Marilyn Brown and Mary Jo Kilroy; Franklin County Treasurer Ed Leonard; and Franklin County Municipal Clerk of Courts Lori Tyack; Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman; Columbus City Council members Michael Mentel, Kevin Boyce, Hearcel Craig, Andrew Ginther, Maryellen O’Shaughnessy, Charleta Tavares and Priscilla Tyson; and Columbus City Attorney Rick Pfeiffer.
Labor organizations that have endorsed O’Grady are Ohio AFL-CIO, AFSCME, Building & Construction Trades, and SEIU; and carpenters, communication workers, electrical workers, elevator constructors, fire fighters, food and commercial workers, ironworkers, laborers, operating engineers, police, plumbers, sheet metal workers, steelworkers, teachers, teamsters and transportation workers.

The Somali Link’s Endorsements For The 2008 Election Year.

Jariidada Somali Link waxay taageeraysaa Senetor Barack Obama Dooro Barack Obama
President-USA

Jariidada Somali Link waxay Barack Obama ku taageersan tahay in uu noqdo Madaxweynaha Wadanka Maraykanka. Baratanka Obama uu u baratamayo Madaxweynimada waa mid ku salaysan tiirka dimuqraadinmada ah “in kala firkir la kala noqon karo balse wax lawada qabsan karo” iyo in la mideeyo Maraykanka isku meelna looga soo wada jeesto danta dadka iyo dalkaba
Wuxuu aad isugu taxluujiyaa in laga midoobo fikirka iyada oo aan loo eegayn xisbiga uu qofku ka soo jeedo si loo gaadho xal.

Haddii aynu carrabka ku yara dhufano dhamaan waxa aynu wada aamin sanahay in uu isbedel yimaado, Obama wuxuu saamayn weyn ku yeeshay dad badan oo ka kala socda xisbiyada ka jira wadanka ama cadaan ama madow kay doonaanba ha ahaadeene in loo baahan yahay hogaamiye ka siyaasad fiican Bush, hogaamiyahaas oo tixgalinaya dadka aan isaga la fikirka ahayn aan kana shaqaynayn sidii uu xal ugu heli lahaa kaliya Dimuqraadiga, ama Republican ka, balse xalkiisa ugu wayni uu yahay tan wadanka.

For President of the United States:
Barack Obama -D

The Somali Link endorses BARACK OBAMA for President. Leaders of African communities in Columbus believe Obama can unite Americans, and change the federal government so it may provide better services for immigrants to the United States.

Obama can work with Democrats and Republicans to produce the best solutions for all American people, including new African Americans from Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Nigeria, and other African nations. Vote for BARACK OBAMA for President.

Qaxootiga Afrikaanku waa in ay u codeeyaan Congreessman Pat Tiberi si u sii wado shaqadii iyo doorkii uu ka qaadan jiray caawinteena. Waa markiisii afaraad ee uu u tartamo jagadan, Tiberi wuxuu xubin ka yahay laba guddi oo aad muhiim u ah, kuwaasoo kala ah guddiga dakhliga iyo miisaaniyad dajinta iyo gudiga canshuur dajinta iyo dhaqan galinteeda.

Sannadkii 2006, Tiberi wuxuu ansixiyay sharcigii lagu cusboonaysiinayay horumarinta barnaamijyada dadka da’da ah. Wuxuu soo saaray shuruuc lagu caawinayo in qoysasku hanti iyo guryo yeeshaan, fursadna u helaan shaqooyinka dowlada dhexe.

Tiberi ayaa sheegay in uu salka ku hayo qaxootinimo oo uu ka soo jeedo qoys Talyaani ah oo iyaguba qaxootinimo dalkan ku yimid, Tiberi wuxuu ahaa qofkii ugu horeeyay ee reerkooda Jaamacad ka qalin jabiya. Congress Tiberi iyo qoyskiisuba waxay degen yihiin oo ku nool yihiin Westerville, Ohio.

For Congress: Pat Tiberi

Like the Somali Community itself, Somali Link supports the politicians who do the most for the Somali people, such as Congressman Pat Tiberi.

Congressman Tiberi is well known for using his office in the service of the Somali community. He has helped people trying to reunite with their wives, their husbands, their parents and their children. And now, when millions of Somali brothers and sisters are suffering famine, Congressman Tiberi has offered to personally approach Huntington Bank to encourage and help that the bank continue to support the money wiring system, which is so essential to the lives of so many friends and relatives on the Horn of Africa.

Somali Link notes that David Robinson, the Democratic candidate for Congress from the 12th District, advocates positions that are important for the Somali community, such as lower taxes for the middle class.   Nevertheless, the Somali community has enjoyed strong, personal support of Congressman Tiberi for years now. It is this personal support that has earned Congressman Pat Tiberi the endorsement of Somali Link.

U dooro Richard Cordray jagada Ohio
Attorney General

Mudane Richard Cordray, waa saaxiib ay mushtamaca Soomaalida iyo dhamaan ummadaha Afrikaanka ee qaxootiga ahi ku leeyihiin gobolkan Ohio. Mudane Cordray wuxuu run ahaantii gacan wayn ka gaystay horumarinta bulshooyinka qaxootiga eek u dhaqan gobolka Ohio. Cordray oo hadda ah khasnajiga gobolka, ayaa waxa uu u baratamayaa Jagada Ohio Attorney General.

Cordray wuxuu soo qabtay shaqooyin kala duduwan, isagoo ka soo shaqeeyey maxkamadaha degmooyinka, gobolka iyo dowlada dhexe, wuxuuna guulo badan ka soo hooyey u dagaalanka xuquuqda shicibka.

Jariidada Somali Link waxay taageeraysaa mudane Richard Cordray. Waxaanu kula talinaynaa dhammaan Jaaliyadaha Soomaaliyeed iyo tan Afrikaanka ah ee ku nool gobolkan in ay codkooda ku taageeraan mudane Richard Cordray.
Wuxuu noqon doonaa nin si buuxda u anfici doono dhammaan bulsooyinka ku nool gobolka Ohio baahida ay u qabaan dhinaca caddaalada iyo sinaanta.

For Attorney General:
Richard Cordray

The Somali community and all African immigrants have a strong friend in Richard Cordray, Democratic candidate for Ohio Attorney General. As state treasurer, Cordray helped many immigrants recover unclaimed funds from Ohio financial institutions.

He has supported creation of African Commission for African Immigrants. He is experienced in local, state and federal courts, where he has advocated successfully for the legal rights of average people. Somali Link endorses Richard Cordray. We recommend that all African immigrants vote for Richard Cordray. He will be an outstanding Attorney General for all Ohio residents.

For Probate Judge:
Eric Brown -D

The Somali Link recommends that African immigrants elect Judge Eric Brown to Franklin County Probate Court, because he works hard to understand Somali culture and concerns about wills and estates, marriage licenses, adoption of children, and hearings about mental illness.

Judge Eric Brown meets often with Somali community leaders. He attended a day-long training program about Somali culture, and all the speakers were Somali community leaders. Judge Brown treats all people in his courtroom with respect. He is eager to learn more about Somali culture and issues. Vote for ERIC BROWN for Judge.

For Franklin County Commissioner:
John O’Grady

The Somali Link endorses for Franklin County Commissioner. O’Grady has been in the Franklin County clerk of courts from 2001-present.

“We are at a crossroads in our state and our nation. Down one path is a new era of cooperation and growth. Down the other is the divisive old status quo. It is my hope that voters will join me in bringing a new generation of leadership to our county and, with it, new jobs and opportunity for the workers and families of Central Ohio.”

For Franklin County Commissioner:
Paula BrooksSomali Link endorses County Commissioner Paula Brooks. Elected in November 2004, Commissioner Paula Brooks served as 2006 President of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners. She has had a long career in both public service and the business world including eight years as a City Council member.

“Protecting our community and assuring fiscal responsibility are items that rate highly on my list of priorities,” she said, noting the county has maintained its AAA credit rating. “Also, I plan to make sure our young people succeed in life by setting a strategic vision for early learning that leverages public and private spending.”

For County Treasurer:
Edward Leonard -D

Edward Leonard is the money manager, or banker, for Franklin County. His office collects and deposits all payments received by the county. Leonard has helped the Somali community by providing materials used in financial literacy classes taught to new residents arriving from Africa.

Leonard also helps residents recover unclaimed funds that belong to them. Some people do not know that they may be entitled to the return of security deposits they previously made when the rented a home or apartment, or when they signed up for gas, water, telephone or electric utility service. Somali Link recommends that you vote for EDWARD LEONARD for Franklin County Treasurer.

U dooro Dr. Jan
Gorniak jagada Franklin County Coroner

Dr. Gorniak waxaa ay leedahay khibrad Forensic Pathology oo ah baaritaanka dhimashada waxa keena iyo sida qofkaasi u dhintay. Dr Jan waxay leedahay khibrad ugu filan in ay ku guulaysato jagadaas ay u baratamayso.

For Franklin County Coroner: Dr. Jan M. Gorniak

Dr. Gorniak has experienced in forensic pathology, which is the investigation into causes of death. And she has promised to be a full-time coroner.

Dr. Gorniak is an experienced EMT, emergency medical technician, and was Franklin County Deputy Coroner for several years. She is well qualified to be elected the next Franklin County Coroner.

For Ohio
Supreme Court:
Joseph Russo -D

Joseph Russo has been a Common Pleas judge for eight years, and has handled more than 7,000 civil and criminal cases. Judge Russo received a perfect score and ìexcellentî rating from the Judicial Candidates Rating Coalition.

He has worked as an attorney to help people who were injured at work or by their use of manufactured products that were defective.  The Somali Link recommends that readers vote for Judge JOSEPH RUSSO for the Ohio Supreme Court.

Dib u dooro Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton jagada Supreme Court of Ohio

Annaga oo ku hadlayna magaca dadka Afrikaanka ee ku nool bartamaha gobolka Ohio, Somali Link waxay ku boorinaysaa in Evelyn Lundberg loo doorto Maxkamada Racfaanka ee Ohio. Sannadkii 1989 kii waxay noqotay haweenkii ugu horeeyay ee loo doorto jagada Frankling County Commons Pleas Court.

For Ohio Supreme Court: Evelyn Stratton

On behalf of African immigrants in Central Ohio, Somali Link recommends Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton to be elected Supreme Court of Ohio. Evelyn Lundberg came to the bench by a very different route. Born to missionary parents in Bangkok, Thailand, she spent her childhood in Southeast Asia at the height of the Vietnam War.

At age 18, she returned to America alone, with only a few hundred dollars in her pocket. In 1989, she became the first woman to be elected judge of  the Franklin County Common Pleas Court.

For Court of Appeals:
Lisa Sadler -R

The Somali Link recommends that Judge Lisa Sadler be reelected to the 10th District Court of Appeals in Franklin County. Judge Sadler, a Republican, has been a Franklin County judge since 1992, as both a Municipal Court judge and a Common Pleas Court judge. She is experienced and effective.

Judge Sadler is a graduate of Ohio State University and Capital Law School, and is a volunteer mentor in Columbus City Schools through the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization. Elect LISA SADLER to the Court of Appeals.

Dib ugu dooro Judge Richard Sheward jagada Court of Common Pleas

Judge Richard Sheward wuxuu mudan yahay in mar kale dib loogu soo doorto jagada Franklin County Court of Common Pleas oo uu horay u hayay. Sheward wuxuu qaaddi (Judge) ahaa muddo 22 sannadood ah, isagoo 34 sannadoodna ahaa garyaqaan (lawyer) Ka hor intii uusan noqon qaaddi, Sheward waxa uu ahaan jiray kalkaaliyaha mudiciga dowladda ee degmada Franklin muddo 2 sannadood ah. Somali link waxay taageeraysaa Judge Richard Sheward.

For Court of Common Pleas: Richard Sheward

Judge Richard Sheward deserves to be re-elected for another term as Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge. Sheward has been a judge for 22 years and an attorney for 34 years.

Before becoming a judge, Sheward was an Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor for two years, and has been a court referee and court mediator.He is a former president of the Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association. Sheward won several medals for service as a U.S. Army captain during the Vietnam War.

For Court of Appeals:
David Goodman -R

Goodman was a city councilman in Bexley from 1995 to 1998, then State Representative of the Ohio 25th district from 1998 until 2001. Since then he has served as a State Senator for two terms. Goodman has served the Somali community by helping individuals obtain licenses to operate taxicabs, and helping restaurant owners maintain their businesses.

He works closely with other legislators to seek funding for capital projects in the Somali community. The Somali Link recommends the election of DAVID GOODMAN to the 10th District Court of Appeals.

For Congress:
Mary Jo Kilroy -D

Somali Link believes Mary Jo Kilroy, now a Franklin County Commissioner, is well qualified to be elected to Congress. Kilroy thinks the United States should help the UN and other organizations feed and care for hungry people In East Africa who are suffering from hunger.

If she is elected to Congress, Kilroy said she would look for ways to support local programs that help East Africans adjust to life in America.

America is based on a tradition of welcoming people from other countries and helping them become part of America, she said. She has supported that tradition as County Commissioner and will continue to support it as Congresswoman for the 15th Congressional district.

For Congress:
Steve Stivers -RSomali Link believes that State Senator Steve Stivers is well qualified to be elected to Congress. Stivers says he is successful because he listens to other people, then he collaborates with Democrats and Republicans to solve problems. If he is elected to Congress, Stivers promises to reach out to help Somalis and others overcome language, cultural and economic barriers.

Stivers says he has been talking with banking and financial leaders to encourage them to find a way for family members to continue to send small amounts of money to relatives in Africa. He has supported creation of the Ohio Commission on African Immigrants as a way to serve African refugees differently.

For State
Representative
19th District:
Marian Harris -D

Marian Harris has 35 years experience solving \problems for children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. She is very capable of making government work effectively to get families the help they need.

Marian Harris won 45% of the vote in the 2006 race for this seat, and can win this time with support from the Somali community. The Somali Link recommends the election of MARIAN HARRIS as State Representative for the 19th District.

For State
Representative
20th District:
Nancy Garland -D

Nancy Garland is endorsed by Presidential Candidate Barack Obama and Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland for election to the 20th District House seat. Garland believes all citizens Ohio should have affordable, accessible health care, and easy-to-understand health insurance. Garland is chief executive of the Ohio Physical Therapy Association. NANCY GARLAND would be an energetic and creative State Representative, capable of helping people who do not have affordable health care.

For State
Representative
20th District:
Jim McGregor -R

Jim McGregor was appointed to the 20th District Ohio House in 2001, and has been elected three times to the seat. McGregor is chairman of the Alternative Energy Committee, seeking to develop non-traditional energy sources for Ohio.

McGregor was mayor of the City of Gahanna for 18 years, where he worked to improve the cityís roads, parks, and sewer and water lines. McGregor would be an experienced and capable State Representative

For State
Representative
21st District:
Kevin Bacon -R

Kevin Bacon is seeking re-election as State Representative for the 21st District in North Central Franklin County. Bacon, an attorney, says he will work to make sure Ohio schools get their fair share of the state budget, so local taxes may be reduced for homeowners and senior citizens.

He also wants to reduce college costs to make higher education more affordable. The Somali Link recommends the election of KEVIN BACON to State Representative

For State Representative
22nd District:
John Carney -D

John Patrick Carney, an attorney who works in the field of health care, is seeking election as State Representative for the 22nd District, the seat Jim Hughes is leaving on order to run for the Ohio Senate.

Carney organized the Computer Outreach Program, of Columbus Public Schools, to provide free computer training to Columbus residents in basic computer skills, searching the Internet, and using web-based email.  The Somali Link recommends the election of JOHN CARNEY to the Ohio House of Representatives.

Cheryl Grossman oo u baratamaysa jagada State Representative

Cheryl Grossman waxay ahayd Madax Magaalada Grove City muddo 12 sannadood ah, hadana waxay u tartamaysaa jagada State Representative ee 23rd House District. Intii ay maayarka ahayd waxyaabihii ay qabatay waxaa ka mid ah iyadoo dhistay labadan mashruuc ee Fryer Park iyo kii All Children’s Playground.

Ka hor intii aysan maayarka noqon, marwo Cheryl Grossman waxa ay jagooyin kala duwan ka soo qabatay sida City Council member iwm. Jaalliyada Soomaalidu waxaan ku boorinaynaa in ay taageeraan doorashada marwo Cheryl Grossman. Somali Link waxay taageeraysaa Cheryl Grossman oo u baratamaysa jagada 23rd House district.

For State Representative 23rd District: Cheryl Grossman

Cheryl Grossman has been mayor of Grove City for 12 years, and now seeking election as State Representative for the 23rd House District. As mayor, Cheryl Grossman guided the development of Fryer Park and the All Children’s Playground, and the addition of Grove City’s first public swimming pool.   Before becoming mayor Cheryl Grossman was a member of City Council and the Grove City Planning Commission. The Somali community supports the election of Cheryl Grossman as State Representative. Somali Link endorses Cheryl Grossman for 23rd House district.

For State
Representative
24th District:
Ted Celeste -D

The Somali Link endorses State Representative Ted Celeste for election to the Ohio House of Representatives for the 24th District. Representative Celeste, who is a real estate professional, understands the difficulty Somalis have in buying a home, given the prohibition against paying interest.

He and his staff tried to work with a local bank to try to develop an acceptable alternative to permit Muslims to buy homes, instead of renting. He told Somali Link he wants to learn more about this issue from Somali leaders, and he wants to continue to work for an acceptable solution. Somali Link encourages voters to elect TED CELESTE to the Ohio House of Representatives.

Mar-labaad u dooro
Dan Stewart Jagada
State Representative

State Representative Dan Stewart (D-25th District) wuxuu aad maqsuud ugu yahay u shaqaynta dadka uu matalo. Mudane Stewart wuxuu matalaa xaafadaha ku yaalla bartamaha, galbeedka iyo koonfurta Columbus, waxaa intaa dheeri ugu ah xaafadaha Franklin, Hamilton iyo Jackson Townships.

Dan Stewart wuxuu dhowr sano la shaqaynayey Jaalliyadaha Soomaalida isagoo mar walba u dooda xaquuqdooda, raadshana sidii ay ku heli lahaayeen. Dan Stewart ma’aha kaliya nin saaxiib la ah Jaalliyada Soomaalida, balse wuxuu saaxiib la yahay qowmiyadaha Afrikaanka ee ku nool degmada Franklin.

Rep. Stewart waxaa markiisii hore jagadan loo soo doortay sannaddii 2002ka. Waxaana xafiiskan loo soo dooranayay illaa iyo intii ka dambaysay sannadihii 2004 iyo 2006, halkaas oo uu ku guulaystay boqolkiiba 70 codadkii wax dooranayay.

Somali Link waxa ay taageeraysaa mudane State Representative Dan Stewart in dib loogu soo doorto Jagadii Ohio House ee 25th District.

For State Representative 25th District: Dan Stewart

State Representative Dan Stewart (D-25th District) is proud to serve his hometown of Columbus in the Ohio House. Stewart represents the area including central, west and south Columbus, in addition to Franklin, Hamilton and Jackson Townships.

Dan Stewart co-sponsored African Commission Bill pending in the house for approval. Rep Stewart is a real friend of not only Somali Community but also African community residing in Franklin County.

Voters first elected Rep. Stewart to the Ohio House in 2002. He has since been re-elected in 2004 and 2006, when he won nearly 70 percent of the vote.

U dooro Trace Heard jagada Ohio House of Representatives

Somali Link waxay taageeraysaa State Representative Tracy Heard in mar kale dib loogu soo doorto Jagada Ohio House ee 26th District, halkaas oo ay Soomaali aad u badani ku nool yihiin.. “Qaxootiga Soomaalidu waa kuwo horumariyay mushtamaceena” Sidaas waxaa tiri Tracy. Waxaan aad ula qashuucay sida ay isugu duuban yihiin oo ay isu caawiyaan, iyo sida ay ugu dhagan yihiin dhaqankoodaba.

Tracy Heard waxay aaminsan tahay in qaxootiga Soomaalida ee ku nool magaalada Columbus ay tahay in ay helaan iskuulaad tayo leh, shaqooyin wan-wanaagsan iyo caawimooyin ku wajahan ganacsigooda, waxayna ballanqaaday in ay arrintaas ka shaqayn doonto haddii dib loogu doorto jagadan .

For State Representative 26th District: Tracy Heard

Somali Link endorses State Representative Tracy Heard to be re-elected to the Ohio House from the 26th District, where many Somali’s live. Representative Heard will work to have all Ohio government agencies and retirement systems remove financial investments from companies and nations that are unfavorable toward African nations.

Tracy Heard strongly supports a new law to create an Ohio Commission for African Immigrants. She said “Somali immigrants enhance our community. I admire how they stick together and support one another, and how they maintain their cultural identity. Tracy Heard believes Somali immigrants in Columbus want and deserve better schools, better jobs and more support for their businesses.

State
Representative
27th District:
Carleton Weddington

The Somali Link endorses W. Carleton Weddington has reached out to the Somali community when he was Liaison Officer for Franklin County.

And Weddington, who now is a member of the Columbus Board of Education, has volunteered to initiate discussions with Columbus City Schools to see if a vacant school building may be available for use as a Somali Community Center. Weddington is a strong friend of the Somali community, and Somali Link recommends he be elected to the Ohio House 27th District.

Weddington is Experienced Helping African Immigrants

Before W. Carleton Weddington was elected to the Columbus Board of Education he was the Liaison Officer for the Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services, where he tried to improve services to immigrants from Somalia and other African nations including Ethiopians and Eritreans.

Weddington also recognizes the need for better community center facilities for the Somali community. He said he will use his Board of Education experience to be a liaison with the Somali community to see if there is a possibility for a vacant school building to be transformed into a community center for African immigrants. Now Weddington wants to be elected to the Ohio House of Representatives from the 27th District, where many Somali residents live. The 27th District is north of Broad Street and includes the Morse Road and Cleveland Avenue areas, and reaches east to the airport.

“I have had a lot of first-hand experience working in the Somali community,” Weddington told Somali Link. “I feel this experience makes me most able to advocate within state government to find ways to improve health care, education, jobs and business for African immigrants.” “Because I was in a job where I reached out to the community, I will be the most able to support the needs of Somali people, to listen with an open door policy, to work hand-in-hand with the Somali community,” Weddington said.

Weddington said he will “…bring government to the people.” This is something Weddington learned through a long friendship and working relationship with the late Nur Hussein, who, similar to Weddington, also was a liaison worker for Franklin County and a school board member (in Westerville).

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