>>> OHIO IS NOT OUT OF THE COVID WOODS YET.

!

!musiC@!!!musiC@!

JOINING US ON "COLUMBUS ON THE RECORD" THIS WEEK.

SAM GRESHAM OF COMMON CAUSE OHIO.

JULIE CARR SMYTHE, CORRESPONDENT FOR THE ASSOCIATED PRESS.

AND TERRY CASEY, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST.

A THIRD OF ALL OHIOAN ADULTS HAVE GOTTEN AT LEAST ONE COVID SHOT AND EVERY ADULT IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

THE CASE NUMBERS ARE GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

>> AFTER A LONG AND DRAMATIC DECLINE, CASES LEVELED OFF LAST WEEK AND ARE RISING THIS WEEK.

THESE ARE JUST ALL VERY, VERY TROUBLING SIGNS.

SO WE DON'T REALLY KNOW WHERE THIS IS GOING TO BE, YOU KNOW, BY THE FIRST PART OF MAY.

WHERE IT'S GOING TO BE BY THE FIRST OF JUNE.

BUT WE KNOW WHAT WE HAVE TO DO.

>> THAT, THE GOVERNOR SAYS, IS STAY ON DEFENSE, WEAR A MASK, GET THE VACCINE.

NEXT WEEK THE STATE WILL MAKE THE SHOTS AVAILABLE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES AROUND OHIO.

THE STATE WILL RUN VACCINE CLINICS AT WORKPLACES ALSO.

JULIE CARR SMYTHE, WE'RE ALL GETTING TOGETHER MORE THAN WE WERE IN JANUARY, BUT DO YOU THINK THAT'S LEADING TO INCREASING CASES?

>> WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS SOME OF THE VARIANTS OF THIS VIRUS ARE GETTING A LITTLE MORE AGGRESSIVE, AND THEY HAVE BEEN CROSSING OVER A LITTLE BIT FROM MICHIGAN.

WE'RE SEEING JUST A HEAVIER CASE NUMBERS THAN WE HAD EXPECTED.

AGAIN, AS YOU SAY, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY'S LOOSENING UP, EVERYBODY'S TIRED, THEY'RE FATIGUED OF THIS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN MAYBE NOT BEING QUITE AS CAREFUL.

BUT I THINK MORE THAN ANYTHING, THE VIRUS ITSELF IS JUST CONTINUING AND THE VACCINE IS TRYING TO KEEP UP.

>> TERRY CASEY, IT'S SPRING BREAK FOR A LOT OF STUDENTS THIS WEEK, POSSIBLY THIS COMING WEEK WITH EASTER WEEK.

THESE SCHOOLS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE PRETTY MUCH BACK IN FULL SWING.

SHOULD THE GOVERNOR RECONSIDER THAT RECOMMENDATION, THAT SORT OF INCENTIVE, WITH CASES GOING UP?

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS PROPERLY ADJUSTING BY PUTTING MORE OF THE SHOTS UP IN NORTHERN OHIO, PARTICULARLY NEAR MICHIGAN.

I HATE TO PICK ON THAT STATE.

THE STATE UP NORTH.

BUT IT KIND OF CONFIRMS OUR WORST SUSPICIONS, THOSE PEOPLE IN MICHIGAN, IT'S ALSO INTERESTING TO SEE STATES LIKE NEW YORK SPIKING UP.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE HARD TO EXPLAIN ABOUT THIS WHOLE DEAL.

BUT CLEARLY, SPRINGTIME GETS PEOPLE ITCHING MORE TO EAT OUTSIDE, BE OUTSIDE, BE WITH OTHER PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S PART OF THE DANGER ZONE.

>> SAM GRESHAM, SHOULD THE GOVERNOR PUT BACK ON SOME BARS, CLOSING TIME 2:00 IN THE MORNING.

WE KNOW THE VACCINE CAN SPREAD IN BARS, ESPECIALLY IF IT GETS LATER AND LATER, EARLY-MORNING HOURS.

CAN THE GOVERNOR REALISTICALLY PLACE MORE RESTRICTIONS AS PEOPLE ARE GETTING VACCINATED?

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR SHOULD DO THAT.

I AM ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A MOMENT IN TIME, AND YOU HAVE TO RESPOND TO THAT MOMENT.

I THINK THE POLITICS OF IT IS TWO THINGS.

THE RED AND BLUE, DEMOCRAT VERSUS REPUBLICAN POLITICS.

BUT THERE'S ALSO AN IGNORANCE QUOTIENT, IS PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE THING SERIOUSLY.

I'VE LOST THREE PEOPLE IN MY FAMILY FROM THIS THING.

IT'S NOT LIKE A WALK IN THE PARK.

THIS IGNORANCE QUOTIENT JUST AMAZES ME.

MIAMI.

I WAS IN A GROCERY STORE, YOUNG FELLOW, SHORT PANTS, T-SHIRT, NO MASK.

I THINK THE IGNORANCE QUOTIENT, AND WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

SOME PEOPLE JUST DISREGARD THE WHOLE THING.

>> SAM CASEY, WHAT HAS THE GOVERNOR BEEN DOING FOR 15 MONTHS?

>> WELL, PART OF IT IS DULY NOTED, THERE IS A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FATIGUE.

AGAIN, WHEN YOU GET OUT OF YOUR CAR AND IT'S NICE AND SUNNY AND THE AIR IS GOOD, SOMETIMES YOU DO FORGET.

BUT IT'S SOMETHING YOU'VE GOT TO DO.

AND ALSO, I'M SURPRISED THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE, THEY MIGHT WEAR THE MASK, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR NOSE COVERED UP, THEY DON'T HAVE THINGS PUT ON THERE MAYBE AS WELL AS THEY SHOULD.

I THINK IN GENERAL, MOST OHIOANS HAVE DONE A PRETTY GOOD JOB, AND THE FACT THAT WE'VE GOT SO MANY PEOPLE VACCINATED NOW, PARTICULARLY ABOVE AGE 60 AND OVER, THAT EVEN THOUGH WE'RE GETTING INFECTIONS, I THINK THE GOOD NEWS IS LESS OF IT'S GOING TO HAVE THE SERIOUS IMPACT THAT WE HAD A LOT DURING LAST YEAR, BECAUSE AGAIN, SO MANY PEOPLE OLDER ARE VACCINATING.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNEW THIS.

THE KENOSHA BASKETBALL PLAYER WHO RECENTLY DIED FROM COVID.

>> THE GOOD NEWS, CASES WERE REALLY COMING DOWN FAST, SET THE THRESHOLD OF 50 CASES PER 100,000 PEOPLE OVER A TWO-WEEK PERIOD, THEN ELIMINATE ALL OF THOSE RESTRICTIONS, INCLUDING THE MASK MANDATE.

NOW IT'S GOING THE OTHER DIRECTION.

YOU KNOW?

IS THERE ANY SIGN OF CHANGING THAT, ANY REGRET ON THE GOVERNOR'S PART FOR SETTING THAT THRESHOLD WHEN HE DID?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT THE THRESHOLD WAS A GOOD MARKER THAT HE FELT COMFORTABLE WITH.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE VIRUS ITSELF, AS WE SAY, IS JUST -- YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO KEEP IT -- THE ENTIRE GLOBE IS TRYING TO KEEP IT FROM GETTING MORE SEVERE AND MUTATING IN SOME WAY THAT ISN'T GOING TO EVEN ALLOW THESE VACCINES TO BE EFFECTIVE.

AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, HE'S PROBABLY GOING TO WANT TO GO BACK ON THAT NOW.

AT THE SAME TIME, ANY DECISION HE'S GOING TO MAKE TO GO -- YOU KNOW, TO GO BACK TO RESTRICTIONS, AS YOU MENTIONED, ON BARS AND OTHER THINGS, IS GOING TO BE PRETTY HARD POLITICALLY SPEAKING AT THIS POINT.

NOW WE'VE GOT NICE WEATHER, AS TERRY SAYS, PEOPLE GOING TO THE POOL, LOOKING TO GO BACK TO ENTERTAINMENT VENUES AND OTHER THINGS THAT ARE TRYING TO OPEN.

I JUST THINK IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY DIFFICULT FOR HIM NOW.

>> YEAH, THE KEY IS THE VACCINE.

AS MORE AND MORE PEOPLE GET THE SHOTS, QUESTIONS GROW AS TO WHETHER WE MUST GET THE VACCINE.

SOME HOSPITALS ARE REQUIRING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO GET THE COVID SHOT.

RESTAURANTS ARE CONSIDERING MANDATING IT FOR THEIR STAFF.

COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE CONSIDERING REQUIRING STUDENTS, FACULTY, AND STAFF GET THE SHOT.

THERE'S TALK OF CREATING A SO-CALLED VACCINE PASSPORT THAT WOULD LET OTHERS KNOW THAT YOU ARE PROTECTED.

AT LEAST ONE OHIO LAWMAKER WANTS TO BAN SUCH PASSPORTS.

TERRY CASEY, DO YOU REMEMBER VACCINES FOR SCHOOLKIDS FOR MEASLES, BUMPS, RUBELLA?

WHY NOT MANDATE VACCINES FOR A VIRUS THAT HAS KILLED 553,000 AMERICANS, NEARLY 19,000 OHIOANS?

>> IT'S A LEGAL SLIPPERY SLOPE IS THE MAIN PROBLEM.

WHETHER IT'S PRESIDENT BIDEN OR OHIO'S GOVERNOR, THEY BOTH RECOGNIZE THAT REQUIRING A MANDATE ON THE VACCINE OR TO REQUIRE THE PASSPORT WOULD BE DIFFICULT.

AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I'VE GOT MY CARD FROM THE CDC.

I'M COVERING UP THE SENSITIVE INFORMATION.

BUT ONE OF THE PROBLEMS ON THE VACCINE PASSPORT, IS THIS SOMETHING DONE BY THE GOVERNMENT, BY PRIVATE INDUSTRY?

HOW DOES IT WORK INTERNATIONALLY AND TRAVEL?

IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED TYPE OF THING.

AND FROM EVERYTHING I'VE READ, IT'S NOT CLEAR LEGALLY YOU CAN MANDATE IT FOR EVERYONE, EVERY PLACE, TO HAVE THE VACCINE AND/OR HAVE SUCH A PASSPORT.

AND THEN YOU GET INTO EQUITY ISSUES.

BECAUSE NOT EVERYBODY'S GOT THE SOPHISTICATED iPHONES TO BE ABLE TO FLASH AND SHOW THE CHECK-IN AT A RESTAURANT OR ENTERTAINMENT EVENT THAT YOU ARE VACCINATED.

SO IT'S DANGEROUS LEGALLY AND TECHNICALLY.

>> JULIE CARR SMYTHE, YOU CAN SEE AT SOME POINT, PERHAPS, ENTERTAINMENT VENUES, A NATIONWIDE ARENA OR THEATER DOWNTOWN, IF YOU WANT TO COME TO SEE THIS PERFORMANCE OR THIS SPORTING EVENT, YOU'RE GOING TO SHOW YOU'RE VACCINATED.

>> SURE.

I MEAN, IT'S ALREADY STARTING TO HAPPEN IN NEW YORK.

THEY'RE TRYING SOME OF THIS.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT VENUES SAYING, WE'RE GOING TO REQUIRE IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, IN THE SAME WAY WHEN WE WERE IN COLLEGE, WE HAD TO SHOW OUR I.D.

IN ORDER TO GET INTO A BAR.

YOU KNOW, IT WAS A -- THAT HAD TO DO WITH THE DRINKING AGE.

THIS HAS TO DO WITH SOMETHING THAT RELATES TO YOUR PHYSICAL HEALTH AND SAFETY.

BUT I THINK POLITICALLY, AGAIN, THESE ARE HARD THINGS TO DO IN THIS STATE.

WE HAVE A SIGNIFICANT POPULATION OF FOLKS WHO ARE PUSHING BACK STRONGLY AGAINST ANYTHING THEY SEE AS RESTRICTIVE.

ON THEIR PERSONAL LIBERTY.

THAT'S THE WAY THEY'RE LOOKING AT IT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THE POLICYMAKERS HERE ARE TRYING TO WALK A VERY FINE LINE.

>> SAM, SHOULD A PRIVATE BUSINESS BE ALLOWED TO REQUIRE THEIR EMPLOYEES, FIRST OF ALL, AND THEN EVEN THEIR CONSIDERS, SHOW THAT THEY HAVE THE VACCINE?

>> YEAH, ANYBODY WHO RESISTS THIS IS POPPYCOCK.

THERE'S ALL SORTS OF REASONS.

THE COUNTRIES THAT HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL HAVE REALLY LOCKED DOWN ON THIS STUFF.

AND THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL.

I MEAN, SOUTH KOREA, I COULD NAME MORE COUNTRIES.

WHAT BOTHERS ME IS, THIS IS A SUBTERFUGE, AND I CALL IT PURE IGNORANCE.

YOUR KIDS HAVE TO GET A SHOT BEFORE THEY ARE ALLOWED TO COME TO SCHOOL.

IN ORDER TO GET INTO MANY FOREIGN COUNTRIES, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE A SERIES OF SHOTS.

THIS IS NOTHING NEW.

IT IS IGNORANCE ON THIS IDEA OF INDEPENDENCE.

THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOTAL FREEDOM TO DO EVERYTHING YOU WANT.

THERE ARE THINGS YOU NEED TO DO AS A PART OF THE COVENANT OF BEING A CITIZEN IN THE UNITED STATES.

I'M TRYING TO ENCOURAGE MY PASTOR TO PUT CHURCH BACK TOGETHER, AND I'D LIKE FOR HIM TO SAY, ALL THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE GOTTEN VACCINATED, YOU CAN COME BACK TO THE CHURCH.

ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET THEIR VACCINATION.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT DOING AN INCENTIVE?

SAY, A $500 TAX CREDIT TO EVERYONE WHO GETS THE VACCINE WHEN THEY DO THEIR TAXES NEXT SPRING?

WOULD THAT WORK?

>> YOU'RE ASKING ME?

>> YEAH.

>> WELL, POTENTIALLY.

BUT $500 TIMES 335 MILLION STARTS ADDING UP TO REAL MONEY.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS, THERE'S COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD THAT ARE RELATIVELY SMALL, RELATIVELY HOMOGENEOUS, ISRAEL'S A GOOD EXAMPLE, THEY'VE HAD PROBABLY THE LEADING SUCCESS IN THE WORLD.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE A COUNTRY OF 8 MILLION, 9 MILLION PEOPLE, MORE HOMOGENEOUS, IT'S A LOT EASIER.

THIS IS A COUNTRY OF 335 MILLION PEOPLE.

I THINK SOME INCENTIVES ARE GOOD.

GENERALLY AMERICANS LIKE THAT KIND OF THING, RATHER THAN BEING ORDERED.

AS THE GOVERNOR NOTED THIS WEEK, IF YOU MANDATE SOMETHING, THAT CAUSES PERSON PEOPLE, RIGHTLY OR WRONGLY, TO FIGHT BACK AND SAY, NO, I DON'T WANT TO DO IT, JUST BECAUSE YOU SAY I SHOULD.

>> WHAT ABOUT ALL THAT MONEY THEY'RE SPENDING IN WASHINGTON?

ANYWAY.

>>> CONGRESS HAS A CIVILIAN POLICE REVIEW BOARD, MAYOR GINTHER INTRODUCED MEMBERS THIS WEEK, THE PANEL INCLUDING ACADEMICS, A COUPLE OF PASTORS, A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER.

THREE OF THE MEMBERS ARE WOMEN, SIX OF THE MEMBERS ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.

THE CHAIR IS FORMER JUDGE AND CITY ATTORNEY JENNA JACKSON, WHO SAYS ACCOUNTABILITY CANNOT COME FROM WITHIN THE POLICE DIVISION ALONE.

SHE CITES THE CURRENT REFUSAL OF OFFICERS TO TESTIFY IN THE INVESTIGATION INTO POLICE ACTIONS DURING LAST YEAR'S PROTESTS.

>> EVEN WITH PROMISES OF IMMUNITY AND GUARANTEES, THEY CANNOT BE PROSECUTED OR DISCIPLINED, THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO TESTIFY.

THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO IDENTIFY OFFICERS WHO MAY HAVE COMMITTED CRIMES.

THEY ARE REFUSING TO LIVE BY THE SAME STANDARDS THAT THEY EXPECT OF US.

WHAT KIND OF MESSAGE DOES THAT SEND?

HOW DOES THAT BUILD PUBLIC TRUST?

>> SAM GRESHAM, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THIS REVIEW BOARD?

>> I HAVE NO PROBLEMS OR QUALMS ABOUT THE MEMBERS THAT HAVE BEEN SELECTED.

I THINK MS. JACKSON IS AN EXCELLENT CHOICE TO LEAD.

THE REASON SHE IS, SHE KNOWS THE LAW.

SHE'S A FINE, BALANCED PERSON.

SHE HANGS AROUND THE TRUTH MORE SO THAN A LOT OF OTHERS.

MY PROBLEM IS, THERE IS AN UNAMERICAN WALL BEING PUT UP BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN REGARDS TO THIS COMMISSION.

THEY ARE RESISTING, AND THAT'S A TYPICAL STRATEGY OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, PARTICULARLY POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

THEY'RE RESISTING EVERYTHING.

THAT'S NOT A SUSTAINABLE STRATEGY IN TODAY'S WORLD.

AND THEY BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT.

I'M A STRONG SUPPORTER OF BUILDING THE PROTECTIVE SERVICES UP.

YOU HAVE A POLICE OFFICER WHO RESPONDS TO ONE SET OF ISSUES, THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER PERSON OR GROUPS OF PEOPLE WHO RESPOND TO PSYCHOLOGICAL ISSUES.

SPLIT THEM UP.

NOW THAT'S A FINANCIAL ISSUE FOR THE POLICE OFFICERS.

AND MY FINAL POINT ON THE POLICE, THAT WE'RE NOT REALLY THINKING ABOUT -- I HOPE THIS GROUP HAS THE POWER TO DO IT.

WE NEED TO CHANGE THE CULTURE OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

NOT EVERY BIG MUSCLEMAN IN THE WORLD DOES NOT NEED TO BE A POLICE OFFICER.

THE SECOND THING WE NEED TO SPEND TIME IS INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES.

HOW IS IT WE HAVE A POLICE OFFICER STILL ON THE POLICE FORCE AND HE HAS 89 COMPLAINTS AGAINST HIM, AND HE'S DONE SOME MORE STUPID STUFF.

I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU LET THAT HAPPEN.

OVER 89 COMPLAINTS.

I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, AT MY PLACE, IF YOU HAD 89 COMPLAINTS, AFTER THE FIRST 5 OR 10, YOU'D BE OUT THE DOOR, MOST PLACES.

>> FOR THIS BILL TO HAVE ANY KIND OF POWER, IT HAS TO BE NEGOTIATED WITH THE POLICE UNION.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET SUBPOENA POWER AND DISCIPLINARY POWER SAM IS CALLING FOR?

>> ONE OF THE FIRST QUESTIONS IS, WE'VE NAMED THE MEMBERS, AND I KNOW JUDGE JACKSON AND SOME OTHER PEOPLE ARE VERY GOOD PEOPLE.

BUT WE HAVE NO RULES AS FAR AS HOW THEY'RE GOING TO OPERATE.

IF YOU LOOK ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THERE'S 120-SOME DIFFERENT CIVILIAN REVIEW BOARDS BUT NOBODY'S YET FIGURED OUT THE PERFECT WAY TO SET IT UP.

AND ALSO ENSURE THE LEGAL RIGHTS AND THE DUE PROCESS.

SO WRITING THE RULES IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT.

OBVIOUSLY NEGOTIATING WITH THE F.O.P.

MOST OF THE MEMBERS, INCLUDING THE COLUMBUS CITY ATTORNEY, NOW SAYS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING IS IMPORTANT, THIS IS A PRODUCT OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.

SO THE DETAILS, HOW DO THEY WORK IT OUT, IS GOING TO BE VERY IMPORTANT IN MAKING IT BE EFFECTIVE AND HAVE THE CREDIBILITY AND CONFIDENCE ON EVERYBODY'S PART.

>> SO MUCH OF THE PAST MONTH, THE ONLY PUBLIC ACTIVITY IN THE 2022 CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN SENATE CANDIDATE JOSH MANDEL'S CONTROVERSIAL TWEETS.

THE OTHER OFFICIAL CANDIDATE IS JANE TIMKEN.

SHE'S ACTIVE.

NOW CONGRESSMAN MIKE TURNER OF DAYTON IS LISTENING TO HER AS HE CONSIDERS A RUN.

ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE WE'RE WAITING TO HEAR FROM DIRECTOR AMY ACTON.

AND BRAGGING ABOUT RAISING $1.2 MILLION SINCE JANUARY.

TERRY CASEY, JOSH MANDEL IN THE FIRST QUARTER, WHAT DOES THAT FUND-RAISING TOTAL TELL YOU?

>> WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS -- FUND-RAISING IS VERY IMPORTANT AND SOME PEOPLE HAVE A LOT OF MONEY ALREADY IN THEIR ACCOUNTS.

BUT REMEMBER, MAYBE THIS ELECTION WILL BE IN MAY OF NEXT YEAR, BUT MAYBE IT'S GOING TO BE JUNE OR LATER.

BECAUSE UNTIL WE GET THE CENSUS NUMBERS AND THEY GET THE DISTRICTS DRAWN ON CONGRESSIONAL SEATS, THE LEGISLATURE CAN'T DETERMINE WHETHER WE'RE EVEN GOING TO HAVE THE ELECTION.

AND I CHATTED THIS WEEK WITH JEFF RENASI, WHO'S MENTIONED MAYBE FOR GOVERNOR, HE ALSO TOLD ME HE'S THINKING ABOUT A SENATE RACE TOO.

THERE'S THIS THING CALLED NAME I.D.

IN OHIO.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CANDIDATES, THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE A REGIONAL BASE, BUT HOW WELL HAVE YOU DONE STATEWIDE?

RAISING MONEY IS IMPORTANT, BUT THIS IS STILL A BIG STATE WITH 11.5 MILLION PEOPLE.

GETTING KNOWN, THERE'S GOING TO BE LOTS REQUIRED, BUT THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT THAT HAPPENS AS FAR AS WHO LINES UP IN WHAT POSITION BETWEEN NOW AND 13 OR 14 MONTHS FROM NOW.

>> JULIE CARR SMYTHE, NAME I.D.

WHEN HE RAN FOR PRESIDENT, UNSUCCESSFULLY, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE NOW, FROM THE FUND-RAISING ACTIVITY, THAT HE'S SERIOUS THIS TIME.

>> YES.

I THINK HE IS SERIOUS.

YOU KNOW, THE REDISTRICTING THAT TERRY MENTIONS IS A PIECE OF THAT.

YOU KNOW, HE COULD BE REDISTRICTED IN A WAY THAT ISN'T GOOD FOR GETTING, YOU KNOW, RE-ELECTED AS A CONGRESSMAN.

I DO THINK HE'S SERIOUS.

I THINK HE'S GOT THE BACKING ALREADY OF FORMER GOVERNOR TED STRICKLAND AND SOME OTHER POWERFUL DEMOCRATS.

WE'VE SEEN EVEN HILLARY CLINTON TWEET IN FAVOR OF TIM RYAN.

BUT BACK TO TERRY'S POINT, WHICH IS A GOOD ONE.

YOU KNOW, WHERE'S THE STATEWIDE NAME I.D.?

AMY ACTON DOES NOT HAVE ANY POLITICAL EXPERIENCE AS FAR AS THAT GOES.

SHE'S A DOCTOR, YOU KNOW, A LECTURER, PROFESSOR, AND RESEARCHER.

BUT SHE ALSO IS KNOWN ALMOST EVERYWHERE, SHE SPENT SIX MONTHS GOING INTO PEOPLE'S LIVING ROOMS DAILY.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, THAT DOES MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE FIELD.

>> SHE DOES HAVE THE NAME I.D., BUT $1.2 MILLION IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

IS THAT DESIGNED TO DISCOURAGE HER FROM ENTERING THE RACE?

>> IT MAY HAVE BEEN DESIGNED TO DO THAT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU OF CANDIDATES WHO HAVE TONS OF MONEY, BUT THEY WERE AWFUL CANDIDATES, SO THEY LOST.

THEY HAVE TO DO THE EXERCISE AND EXECUTE THAT MONEY.

I AM SAYING TO YOU, THIS IS GOING TO BE A VERY INTERESTING RACE.

ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.

WHO'S GOING TO GO AFTER IT?

I AM ALSO GOING TO TELL YOU, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE TYPICAL TURNOUT AFTER A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR.

THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS COMING ELECTION WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT.

THE NUMBERS WILL BE HIGHER.

AND JULIE SAID SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO BRING ON AT THIS TIME.

WE ARE STARTING THE PROCESS ON REDISTRICTING.

COMMON CAUSE AND LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN MEETING FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

AND YOU'RE GOING TO HEAR FROM OUR PUBLIC PRESENCE STARTING NEXT WEEK WITH INFORMATION ABOUT MOVING THE PROCESS FORWARD.

AND WE DO KNOW THAT THE CENSUS DATA IS ONE OF THOSE CONSIDERATIONS.

BUT WE SHOULDN'T STOP THE PROCESS.

THERE ARE MECHANICAL THINGS THAT NEED TO BE PUT IN PLACE, AND THE DATA IS ESSENTIAL.

BUT YOU'VE GOT OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO BE DOING NOW TO START THAT PROCESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL LOOK OUT FOR THAT.

>>> OUR FINAL TOPIC, NEARLY EVERYONE LOVES THE COLUMBUS ZOO, IT'S RANKED AS ONE OF THE NATION'S BEST, IT'S A KEY SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR CENTRAL OHIO.

LATELY THE HEADLINES HAVE NOT BEEN KIND.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH REPORTED THE ZOO'S DIRECTOR, TOM STALF, AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER GREG BELL, AMAY HAVE ALLOWED MEMBERS TO USE TICKETS TO SPORTS EVENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS.

IT WAS FOUND AFTER INTERNAL INVESTIGATION, FIRST THE ZOO DECLINED TO RELEASE CAMERA VIDEO, AND THE BOARD HAS AGREED TO RELEASE MORE OPERATE.

WITH REGARD TO THE WAY THE ZOO OPERATES, IT'S A PRIVATE NONPROFIT THAT GETS DIRECT TAXPAYER FUNDING.

WHAT'S PUBLIC, WHAT'S NOT AS FAR AS DOCUMENTS GO?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, YOU KNOW, THE TRANSPARENCY ISSUE TO SOME EXTENT FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT'S A 501(c)(3) IS THAT THEY HAVE SOME REQUIREMENTS.

LIKE THEY HAVE TO FILE SOMETHING CALLED A 990 WITH THE IRS.

THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE PEOPLE WHO ASK WITH VARIOUS DOCUMENTS.

BUT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THIS IN A WAY THAT WOULD HAVE, FOR EXAMPLE, MADE PUBLIC THEIR OWN INVESTIGATION INTO WHAT HAD HAPPENED WITH THESE TWO EXECUTIVES.

APPARENTLY THERE WAS A VERBAL PRESENTATION MADE TO THE BOARD ON MONDAY.

AND THE "DISPATCH" TRIED TO GET THAT -- A COPY OF THAT, AND THEY SAID IT WAS JUST VERBAL, IT DIDN'T EXIST, COULDN'T BE RELEASED.

YOU KNOW, THE PRESSURE WENT UP VERY QUICKLY WHEN THE MAYOR GOT INVOLVED THIS WEEK AND ED SAID, I'M GOING TO OPEN MY OWN INVESTIGATION THROUGH HIS OFFICE OF CHARITABLE LAW.

AND ONCE THAT HAPPENED, THEY CAME BACK AND SAID, OKAY, WELL, WE WILL PUT THAT IN WRITING AND RELEASE IT NEXT TUESDAY.

SO IT -- YOU KNOW, IT'S A -- IT'S A HYBRID SORT OF THING.

AS THEY GET TAX MONEY, BUT A LOT OF ENTITIES GET TAX MONEY THAT ARE NOT FULLY PUBLIC AND DON'T NECESSARILY FALL RIGHT INTO THE STATE PUBLIC RECORDS LAWS.

>> TERRY CASEY, VETERAN OF CITY HALL, THE ZOO HAS TWO BOARDS.

IT HAS A BOARD OF DIRECTORS THAT SORT OF GOVERNS THE OPERATION OF THE ZOO.

IT HAS ANOTHER BOARD THAT GOVERNS HOW THE DIRECT TAX LEVY MONEY IS SPENT.

IT'S REALLY UNIQUE AND ODD.

IS IT TIME FOR JUST ONE BOARD TO RUN THE ZOO?

MAYBE EITHER TAKE THE TAX MONEY OR NOT TAKE THE TAX MONEY AND MAKE IT A PRIVATE NONPROFIT?

>> YOU MAKE AN EXCELLENT POINT.

THEY REALLY OUGHT TO HAVE ONLY ONE BOARD.

I THINK ONE OF THE BOARDS HAS LIKE 30-SOME MEMBERS.

SO A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE HAVING THE HONORARY TITLE OF BEING ON THE BOARD.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE 30-SOME MEMBERS ON THE BOARD, THERE ISN'T THE PROPER ACCOUNTABILITY AND SUPERVISION.

SO CLEARLY SOME THINGS NEED TO BE CLEANED UP.

AND ANOTHER TWIST AND ANGLE ON THE ZOO IS CERTAIN EMPLOYEES, LIKE PAST DIRECTORS, HAVE BEEN PAYING INTO P.E.R.S., COLLECTING P.E.R.S.

PENS.

HOW ARE YOU PART FISH AND PART FOWL?

YOU CAN'T BE FEET IN TWO DIFFERENT CAMPS.

CLEARLY I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE CLEANUP IN ACCOUNTABILITY ON THEIR BOARDS SO IT'S A SMALLER NUMBER AND EVERYONE KNOWS THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE AND IN CHARGE.

>>> FINAL OFF-THE-RECORD PARTING SHOTS.

SAM GRESHAM, WE WILL START WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MICHAEL.

THERE'S ONCE IN A LIFETIME WE HAVE TO PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY.

REDISTRICTING, BOTH ON A CONGRESSIONAL AND STATEHOUSE LEVEL, WILL START SHORTLY.

PLEASE GET INVOLVED WITH THE PROCESS, BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT OUR POLITICIANS CHOOSING THEIR AUDIENCE, YOU WANT TO CHOOSE YOUR POLITICIAN.

>> TERRY CASEY?

>> THE CITY HALL APPOINTMENT MACHINE CRANKS UP EVEN MORE, NOT JUST ONE, BUT TWO OF THE THREE CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES INSTALLED HAVE WITHDRAWN AND ARE GOING TO RETIRE.

THEN THEY'RE GOING TO APPOINT THE SUCCESSORS AFTER THEY FOUND OUT THE APPOINTMENTS WERE VIRTUALLY NIL.

AND THEN COMING UP IN A MATTER OF A FEW WEEKS OR MONTHS, THE CITY ATTORNEY WHO'S RUNNING UNOPPOSED, ZACK KLINE, WILL BE APPOINTED U.S. ATTORNEY, WILL LEAVE, AND COUNCIL WILL APPOINT SOMEBODY THERE.

CLEARLY WE NEED MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AT CITY HALL, INSTEAD OF JUST MORE APPOINTMENTS AND INSIDER DEALS.

>> ANY CHANCE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY WOULD PROVIDE THAT ACCOUNTABILITY?

>> WELL, IF THEY'D ASK ME, I'D SAY THEY NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF GETTING CANDIDATES.

IT'S A PRETTY SERIOUS STATE OF AFFAIRS THAT ALLOWS THIS TO HAPPEN.

>> JULIE CARR SMYTHE?

>> THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR TRIED THIS WEEK TO PUT THIS TWEET ON IN WHICH HE USED THE DEROGATORY PHRASE "WUHAN VIRUS."

AND I JUST DON'T THINK THAT CONTROVERSY IS GOING TO BE PUT TO BED QUITE SO QUICKLY.

HE HAS A LETTER BEFORE HIM FROM SOME OF HIS OWN NEIGHBORS IN UPPER ARLINGTON WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEE -- TO HAVE A CONVERSATION THAT'S A LITTLE BROADER ABOUT THAT TOPIC.

I THINK IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO WATCH WHAT MAYBE HAPPENS NEXT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AMTRAK'S EXPANSION PLAN IS PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL.

CALLS FOR SERVICE TO COLUMBUS.

IF THAT HAPPENS, I'M GOING TO ASK TRAIN SKEPTIC TERRY CASEY TO WIDEN THE RAILS, SAM AND JULIE, YOU CAN COME TOO, MAYBE DO THIS SHOW FROM ON BOARD THE AMTRAK TRAIN.

>> LOVE IT.

>> CHECK US OUT ONLINE, ON FACEBOOK, ON TWITTER.

CONNECT TO ALL OF THAT AT WOSU.ORG.

FOR OUR CREW, I'M MIKE THOMPSON, HAVE A GREAT WEEK.