63°
Dec 28
2011
Ohio taxpayers paid more than $438,000 to staff, maintain and repair the official governor's residence this year, although Gov. John Kasich doesn't live there, a newspaper reported Tuesday.
The $438,720 was spent on items including fixing the mansion's roof and maintaining cable service for TVs in the official residence in the Columbus suburb of Bexley, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
The Republican governor and his family chose to stay at their home near the Columbus suburb of Westerville. The state provides security there at an undisclosed cost, which the state Highway Patrol said was comparable to what the cost would be if Kasich were living at the mansion, the newspaper reported.
Ohio spent $448,177 for former Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland to live at the mansion in his first year in office in 2007. That sum would be $488,968 today if adjusted for inflation, according to the Kasich administration.
"We're glad to be saving taxpayers money, $50,000 in savings when Strickland's first year is adjusted for inflation," Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols said.
The state-owned Governor's Residence and Heritage Gardens are on the National Register of Historic Places and must be maintained by the state, Nichols said.
Kasich, who wanted to stay in his home so his daughters could be closer to their school, spent the night at the state-provided mansion at least once this year. His wife and twin 11-year-old daughters stayed there more frequently, and first lady Karen Kasich keeps her office there, Nichols said.
The governor also uses the estate for meetings and receptions for out-of-state groups. A 2011 year-in-review document showed that 5,200 people attended events there this year and 1,500 visitors toured the property, the newspaper reported.
Kasich is only the second governor not to live in the residence, which became the official home of Ohio governors in 1957. Republican James Rhodes lived there during his first two terms, 1963-71, but stayed in his private home during his second two terms, 1975-83.
The Kasich administration spent $224,631 for a manager, housekeeper, groundskeeper and part-time curator for the residence, while Strickland spent $274,891 for an undisclosed number of residence staff in 2007, according to state documents.
The Kasich administration also spent about $25,000 on a major roof repair to prevent water damage, Nichols said. Overall, a total of $207,309 went for a line item called "Supplies, Materials and Minor Expenditures," that included the roof repair, utilities and an assessment fee included for all state buildings, Nichols said.
Strickland spent $168,298 for the same line item in 2007, but his costs were lower partly because prison inmates performed some of the work. The prison-labor program was halted last year after an aborted contraband drop at the residence and incidents of inmates drinking on the job.
Kasich also spent $6,780 on third-party contracts for work at the mansion that Nichols said included elevator repairs, pest control and cable TV. That compared with $1,411 spent by Strickland, the newspaper reported.
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04:59 PM
goofus says
The problem with that thinking is the upkeep comes from the state budget, not the city or school districts in Columbus. Also, the state budget is balanced. The house is more of a convience for governors like Taft from Cinncinnati and Voinovich from Cleveland. With his primary residence being less than 10 miles from the statehouse and his children in Westerville Schools why bother, a very non issue by the AP to stir hatred.
03:52 PM
Rabbi says
Wasn't Issue 2 all about "giving school districts and municipalities the tools they need to be successful?" Seems like quite a bit of waste a little too close to home for Mr. Kasich.
It's this kind of thing that pushes swing voters in the other direction. Voters remember when politicians are so blatantly inconsistent between policy and actions while making their choice at the ballot box.
12:22 PM
kURTje says
Geez Goof last I knew the eagle needed 2wings to fly. Left wing Right wing, who gaves a rats @ss? Wrong is wrong & right is right. Its that E-Z.
05:02 PM
goofus says
To a left wing seminar blogger with a closed mind I suppose my sources in your mind only ,are wrong !! Yours is not the way. In fact people who think like you are thankfully in the minority.
03:15 PM
sanduskysteve says
BD - not sure about where he gets his info, but whereever it is - they are wrong most of the time - hmmm - sounds like an perfect description of fox news to me.
10:16 AM
The Big Dog's back says
That's the guy goof gets his info from, jim hoft. Scary huh?
10:15 AM
The Big Dog's back says
04:01 PM
sanduskysteve says
goofus - you're right - I'm done - there isn't any person here who could possible discuss anything with you because you are right and everyone else is wrong. However, I do have an open mind - I do not pay any attention to those other news services you mentioned anymore than what attention I pay to FNC. Although I watch them all. I have the ability to watch and listen without blindly following. This is what an open mind can do. I do not believe everything that Obama does is right - nor do I think everything Clinton or Bush did was right either. I take each piece of information and determine what I believe and don't believe in my own mind - without the need to take anyone else's word for it. I don't need the television or radio talk show hosts to tell me what someone just said after a televised debate, I just listen to it first hand and determine what I can take away from it based on my own opinions - not those of others.
There is a reason that Rush listeners are called "dittoheads" - they ditto everything the man says and then it becomes gospel because if it is repeated enough someone will listen to it. Unfortunately, this is true with just about everything - and this is the reason that neither side of anything can get along anymore and compromise on anything - which leads to a complete breakdown of any process.
Sorry, but it is impossible to talk with you about anything you don't agree on.
01:07 PM
goofus says
Please get off your sanctimonious soapobox!!!
01:06 PM
goofus says
So the person who watches MSNBC and reads Media Matters, HuffPO, Fire Dog Lake,and Salon has the whole truth? Give me a break. And your mind is open ? I beg to differ, if it doesn't fit in with your liberal thinking, then it can't be true. And everything that has gone wrong in America is Obozo's fault, for he is COOTUS.
12:42 PM
sanduskysteve says
BigDog - not only are you right about Pete, but it is very hard to argue or even have a real debate with people who go by the name of "goofus" as well. There are so many on here that can't think for themselves and simply continue to repeat that same ole' garbage they hear repeated on FNC and those radio talk show jerks who have no original thoughts either. It's hard to get thru to them, because without a mouthpiece to copy every sentence from, they are without original thought - and have closed their minds to other opinions and ideas. It's a good thing that the inventors and settlers who started this great country didn't have closed minds and simply repeated whatever some one they assumed was right was saying. We would be in much worse shape than we are now - probably still be under the control of England or who knows by now.
There are a few here who can open their minds, ears, and eyes to see and comprehend clear and concise thoughts for themselves and tune out that which doens't make sense or at least investigate things that are questionable.
Not everything that has happened in the past 250 years is the fault of Obama - not everything that has happened good in the past 3 years is because of Obama. But I can tell you one thing, both sides are in serious trouble right now - and unfortunately because the GOP has the "I'm not sharing my sandbox" attitude and if you don't want out, I'm going to get you with lies and twisted thruths attitude, they will not survive - once again a major election.
There is still a whole lot of grief remembed from the last GOP president we had in office. There is also a lot of good memories of the last democratic president we had in office. First one was almost booted out early because the GOP claimed he lied to the american people - yes the same GOP that cheered on their leader who lied to the american people.
The american people are tired of being told what to do, what to think, and how to think and do it by radio talk show hosts and Fox News. yes, the GOP loves to follow them, but I think they are becoming outnumbered by the american people at this point. And everytime a GOP nominee opens his mouth, it drives a few more people from the FNC classification to the american people classification.
Finally, if Rush, Beck, Lavine, and the others are so wonderful and konw so much - I mean Rush has never been wrong about anything in his life (so he tells it), why the hell isn't he running for president???? One swift year in the white house and he could fix anything and everything - isn't that true? This man knows everything and has every answer to every question - and is a self-proclaimed prophet - he can predict the future and he has never been wrong - not once.
Rush for President. The only person that can do the job without fail.
08:23 AM
EZOB says
READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE, TOP TO BOTTOM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Compare your apples to oranges. You shouldn't be discussing how much Kasich has spent on the mansion without comparing what Strickland spent. Do you really, really think Kasich climbed on the roof and said " I think we need to repair this roof".
The Governors Mansion is also on the National list of Historic Places and this is a waste of money by both parties. Just like our very own, "Old House Guild". where they dictate what should be done to your own home right here in Sadusky. Make the improvement or they'll have it torn down. And lastly, did anyone catch the $ 207,309 part that explained this was the assessment for all the government buildings. Kasich to Strickland---Business as usual--Very little "Change"--- Just like fishing, a jerk on one end waiting for a jerk on the other!!!!! Do you really miss Strickland ????? WOW, says it all!!!!
07:08 AM
kURTje says
On a bright note, The Castle Law was used in Akron when thugs attempted to rob a guy in his house. One p.o.s. was hit in the elbow by a round. Thanxs Gov. Strickland !
10:58 PM
FruGalSpender says
what a bunch of idiots who post comments on here!
06:10 PM
gilamonster says
05:25 PM
origen says
GooGle is your friend
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rice_Atchison
And yes for 1 sunday he was the president (Still debated)
It is funny we never heard about the state mansion during the preceding years? Maybe the place needed fixed up and hopefully they get a tax break for "Greening" the place up some.
05:16 PM
goofus says
To a basement dweller yes, but it looks like it could be around plum brook
05:06 PM
The Big Dog's back says
Looks like a mansion to me.
05:06 PM
The Big Dog's back says
04:52 PM
goofus says
No moonbat you were trying to compare just a regular house in Bexley with the White House. Kasich already has a house in Westerville, why would he move ten miles? Private security? The OSP provides security for the governor. If you don't know what your talking about why bother talking. How about apples to oranges when you are trying to equate COOTUS to Kasich. Excuse me, but I've been to the governors house on a couple of occasions, and it's no mansion. It's not even as big as the garage wing of Wexner's Abagail house out in New Albany.
04:41 PM
The Big Dog's back says
You have to excuse pete, he lives in a right wing bubble.
04:18 PM
sanduskysteve says
LOL - yes I am aware of the burning of the white house. I was referring to the govenor's manison in Columbus - I was accused of comparing apples to oranges when I asked what POTUS didn't live in the white house requiring security at their private residence while in office. It was Goofus that was confusing the comparison - should have made that more clear I suppose.
03:54 PM
Pete says
Steve,
You didn't know the White House was burned during the War of 1812?
In 1814, during the War of 1812, the White House was set ablaze by British troops during the Burning of Washington, in retaliation for burning Upper Canada's Parliament Buildings in the Battle of York;
03:43 PM
sanduskysteve says
googus - talk about comparing apples to oranges - you're comparing presidents to non-presidents here. Who is David Rice Achison??? And if I remember correctly, was the white house even there when George was President? And I didn't remember anybody reporting that the British or anyone else burned down the governor's mansion. And although Roosevelt left during remodeling - he still resided there. So, my question still is what POTUS did not LIVE at the White House - and let me reclarify - the white house had to exist. it's a real shame when you have to clarify things like that - it must be something in the water - or local education. Probably the later in this case.
02:30 PM
Pete says
Nah. Progressives are bottom dwelling pond scum Brutus. You of all people around here should know that. And while I didn't like Bush II, he wasn't exactly pond scum. Obie however......
02:17 PM
The Big Dog's back says
So you are saying Reagan and Bush were Progressives? Who knew?
12:43 PM
goofus says
A challenge to moonbats, drive around Bexley and try to find the governor's house. No GPS and addresses allowed. You can't, it looks similar to all the houses in the neighborhood. Like Wedge said this all a political slamming instigated by the All Praise obozo news service.
12:35 PM
wedge1 says
Actually, Big Dog, you have it backwards. The quote goes as follows: "Socialism is a great idea until you run out of other people's money."
It's Socialists like Obama, Pelosi, Dirty Harry, Newt, and the rest of the progressives (Dems and Repubs alike) who like to spend other people's money. That's why we're $16 TRILLION in debt and Obama wants another 1.2 TRILLION of debt for 2012.
As a nation, we're now slaves to those who are lending us all of the money that we're wasting. The Chinese and the oil conglomerates of the Mideast. Our day of reckoning is coming, people. Time to wake up.
12:59 PM
wedge1 says
Once again, this is a piece of non-news that the left-wing media is trying to slant and spin in order to slander the Republican governor. And for those who call him a bad governor and question him flying around the state and feel that they have the right to tell him where he has to live (who tells you where you have to live, by the way), let's look at the number of major business entities that are either staying in Ohio or coming to Ohio with jobs as a direct result of his efforts: American Greetings, Republic Steel, Chrysler in Toledo, Ford in Avon Lake (BRINGING BACK JOBS FROM MEXICO NO LESS), Phillips Healthcare in Highland Heights, Steris Corp. in Mentor ... the list is very, very long. And that's just in ONE YEAR!
The fruits of his flights and his labors are on display and are undeniable - he's created an environment where companies want to come here to do business which puts Ohioans to work and creates prosperity, not entitlements. To quote former Gov. Strickland, this is "smarter than the goose."
Perhaps those who supported and rallied against S.B. 5 should stop & wonder how the $42,000,000 that their labor unions spent fighting it could have been better spent. Let's do some math: Take 42 million and distribute that among 100,000 unemployed union members (have no idea what the number really is - just using this for demonstration purposes), and that comes out $420 per member. Don't know about you, but that buys groceries for a month during a time when families really need help. Maybe the union fatcats could have cared more about their members during these hard times instead of their power grab.
12:20 PM
The Big Dog's back says
Atchison was never President. You righties read 2 words and think you are on top of the smart pole.
12:16 PM
The Big Dog's back says
Repubs LOVE to spend other people's money.
12:08 PM
origen says
I personally like Atchison as president, He had a term limit. (Get it ???) lol
11:16 AM
goofus says
George Washington and David Rice Achison. Teddy Roosevelt left when it was remodeled and James Madison fled after the British burned it. Doing a little apples to oranges comparison there steve from moonbatville.
11:01 AM
sanduskysteve says
Has there been a POTUS who did not live in the White House and then we had to pay for security for both their home and the white house? Just asking. I can't remember any.
10:39 AM
bored reader says
It's funny.... are the libs who are complaining about the Governor's mansion also complaining about Obammers multi-million $$$$ vacation? And if it's true, carting his dog to him for a photo op?? I'll bet not.
10:34 AM
goofus says
Ohh Contraire happy camper, according to law, Ohio's budget is balanced. Sleeping in government class when you were younger?
10:32 AM
Browndog271 says
FYI, The White House does not make money, the little income from visitors does not cover Obama's remaining time in the house.
10:24 AM
happycamper01 says
The White House is a real piece of history and more of a museum. People pay to go see the White House at least so it does make money. The governor is important but not as important as the President. The government is in the red so make them pay for housing.
09:55 AM
yea right says
really people..get a life..the "mansion" is there for the governor..if he wants to live in it is up to him or her..
why is there a "white house" in washington dc..the prez only uses about 1/4 of it..i would say the rest is a "waste" of taxpayers money..duhh..
there are certain things you need in the government..
08:53 AM
goofus says
Liberals are so wrong. The Ohio governor's mansion is on N.Parkview in Bexley. When you pull in to the driveway you will notice the garage filled with OSP cars on the left of the driveway. It seems the state patrol of ohio(public sector employees) are in charge of the governor's security. I can't figure out why the left is crying foul. by having two residences he is doubling the left's vaunted public sector workers.
08:20 AM
Pete says
I see a moonbat has already taken a racist position. And it wasn't even Brutus this time!
08:01 AM
The Answer Person says
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained racist or discriminatory remarks. Discussion Guidelines08:01 AM
The Answer Person says
Moderators have removed this comment because it contained racist or discriminatory remarks. Discussion Guidelines06:24 AM
happycamper01 says
Let the governor buy his own house or make him rent this one to help pay for the upkeep. Having a governor's mansion that he doesn't even live in is stupid. Keep it, make him live there and rent it, or sell it and make all governor's buy their own place. The mansion really is a waste of taxpayer's money.
04:48 AM
bucknut36 says
Kasich has increased his governor's staff salaries by over $250,000 to what Srickland's staff was getting paid. He used the state owned planes more in his first 3 months than Strickland did in his first 13 months. It cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars for security of his private home, because he did not want to live in the Governor's mansion.
Yet, he says the union state workers salaries are costing the state too much money. Oh yeah, he publicly called a policeman "an idiot" for giving him a traffic ticket. WORST GOVERNOR in Ohio's history! No contest!!