COLUMBUS – In my last column I wrote about the legislative conference in Saskatchewan, Canada, and how meetings like that help keep legislators current on state and national issues. That was a working conference.
On Aug. 10 and 11 Emily and I attended a slightly different legislative event. Unlike Saskatchewan, there was no pretense of conducting business, even though I did take several tours to see state-funded programs that fall within my committee responsibilities.
Every two years the community of Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie invites legislators and their spouses for two days of activities to acquaint them with the amenities of the Lake Erie islands. Those of you familiar with the islands, and Put-in-Bay in particular, know the primary attractions are boating, fishing and drinking.
Since neither one of us boats or drinks, and I haven't fished seriously for 40 years, the obvious question is, "Why go?" There are actually several reasons to attend, but the primary one is for the camaraderie. This two-day outing is one of the few times the spouses have a chance to get together in a relaxed setting. It is also a chance for legislators to socialize outside of the partisan atmosphere in Columbus.
Senator Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green) and Representative Chris Redfern (D-Port Clinton), the two legislators who represent the islands, organized the outing. Actually, their staffs do the work, especially Rep. Redfern's. Both Redfern and Gardner are in leadership for the respective caucuses. Redfern is the minority leader in the House, and Gardner is majority floor leader in the Senate.
Legislators foot most of the bill for the two days, although the businesses are very accommodating. For instance, Miller Boatline provided a ferry to Middle Bass and North Bass islands for our Department of Natural Resources tour, and Jet Express gave us free passage to South Bass Island where Put-in-Bay is located. Several companies provided the opening night dinner and the Thursday lunch. Redfern reported that 46 legislators participated in the event.
Two attractions were of particular interest to me. Ohio State University operates its Sea Grant program here, one of 32 programs in the country. The program is designed to increase utilization, development and wise management of coastal resources through research, education and outreach. Ohio's program offers research opportunities for college students, summer programs for high school teachers and ongoing research on Lake Erie's aquatic habitat. Stone Lab on Gibraltar Island, a short boat ride from Put-in-Bay, is the hub of this effort. This is the nation's oldest freshwater biological field station.
I visited the lab four years ago, so I joined a small group on a research cruise this time. A high school science teacher working at the lab helped us take a mud sample from the lake bottom and examine it for larvae, and seine fish to check for different species.
Ohio's Department of Natural Resources is actively working to develop and preserve resources on the islands as part of its statewide parks and wildlife conservation efforts. My Thursday outing consisted of a three and one-half hour tour of progress on Middle Bass Island, purchased about five years ago, and plans for the newly acquired property on North Bass Island.
Middle Bass features a campground and marina, and will be the focus of a major renovation in 2007 to improve the marina and provide more amenities. There is a good chance those of us on the finance committee will see this request when we review the capital bill in early 2006.
The legislative outing to Put-in-Bay served its primary purpose of being a relaxing event. As chairman of the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee, I also found it educational.
To contact Senator Tom Niehaus call (614) 466-8082, e-mail him at tniehaus@ mailr.sen.state.oh.us, or write to him at the Ohio Senate, Room 38, Statehouse, Columbus, OH 43215. Please include your home telephone.
