"This is not over. Money talks. "(about BBV in Diebold territory)

Well, well, well; Stark county is not getting money for voting machines this year. This is an interesting development considering that Stark is the headquarters of Diebold. Down in the third snip is the "Money talks" statement.


http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=159179&r=2&Category=11

No electronic machines for Stark voters (the headline)
(snip)
Matthews, the director of the Stark County Board of Elections, was fit to be tied when he heard that 31 counties, including neighboring Tuscarawas and Carroll counties, will get money to buy machines to replace punch-card ballots, but Stark will have to wait until 2005.
(snip)
Blackwell’s office left Stark off the list approved by the Ohio Senate on Wednesday as part of House Bill 262 even though Matthews has been actively involved in the move to electronic machines for two years. He also regularly has defended Blackwell’s efforts to get the machines in place.
(snip)
“Sen. Schuring did his best,” Matthews said. “Why was someone from Montgomery County blocking Stark County? What is his motivation? Jacobson does not have Ohio voters in mind. He’s playing politics. This is not over. Money talks.”
(snip)
As written, the legislation does not allow any of the 31 counties that may drop out to be replaced by another. The only way Stark can now be included is if the House sends the bill to a conference committee. That seems unlikely because behind-the-scenes negotiations that resulted in Wednesday’s Senate vote was intended to prevent the bill from going to a committee, which would slow it from getting to Gov. Bob Taft’s desk for his signature.