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Dolan quits Ohio House, eyes Cuyahoga County race
(by Joan Demirjian - January 13, 2010)
Dolan quits Ohio House, eyes Cuyahoga County race
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
State Rep. Matthew Dolan, R-Russell, resigned his seat representing the 98th District this week. The district includes the eastern portions of Cuyahoga County and all of Geauga County.
He said he wanted to complete Wednesday's House session before he left to vote on the Third Frontier package to place it on the May ballot, to pay for creation of new jobs in the fields of medicine, bio-science and technology.
Now, Mr. Dolan said, he's planning to run in the September primary election for the new position of Cuyahoga County executive. He had yet to make the formal announcement earlier this week of his candidacy.
The position is part of the new county government approved by voters in November. The executive officer will establish the budget, lead the county day to day and work with economic development, Mr. Dolan said.
Mr. Dolan moved from Russell Township in Geauga County to Cuyahoga County and has lived in Chagrin Falls since December.
With his resignation from Ohio House seat, a Republican caucus will make a selection to fill the vacancy for the one year left on the term. There is no statutory time limit for the appointment, Mr. Dolan said. People can submit names if they are interested in the position.
Bainbridge Township Trustee Matthew Lynch has taken out petitions and plans to file them in early February to run in the primary for the 98th Ohio House District seat.
Mr. Lynch said Tuesday he plans to submit his name to the Republican Party to seek appointment to serve the balance of Mr. Dolan's term.
"I wish Mr. Dolan well in his Cuyahoga County endeavors," he said. "And I look forward to implementing my conservative principles in the state."
If Mr. Lynch is chosen by the Republican Party to fill the remainder of Mr. Dolan's term, Bainbridge Trustees Lorrie Benza and Jeff Markley would have the responsibility of choosing someone to fill the vacancy left on the board of trustees.
Mr. Dolan said of his goals in Cuyahoga County that he wants to be involved in "re-inventing ourselves in Cuyahoga County and in Northeast Ohio. I want to help create a more dynamic government that helps improve people's lives and to create an atmosphere for continuing economic development."
Summit County has a similar form of government, he said. "I think it allows a single voice to set the path of the county. Someone needs to step up and create a vision for the county, be transparent in the process and be relentless in the pursuit of improving the county," he said.
Elected in 2004 as state representative, Mr. Dolan said he was part of tax reform, the Great Lakes Compact and in supporting the advancement of Northeast Ohio's medical industry.
During his second term, Mr. Dolan served as chairman of the Finance and Appropriations Committee.
He said he partnered to advance many Northeast Ohio institutions and initiatives. They included Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, University Hospitals, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Food Bank, Gordon Square Arts District and Providence House.
"It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve the people of my district and to fight for the well-being of all Ohioans as a state representative," he said.
Mr. Dolan grew up in Geauga County and graduated from Case Western Reserve Law School. His father, Larry Dolan, has law offices in Chardon and is owner of the Cleveland Indians baseball team. His mother, Eva, had a law office in Chagrin Falls.
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