October 14, 2005 GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE 11

Tumeo

Continued from page 1

that ruling to the Ohio Supreme Court. However, his attorney David Langdon indicated in court papers last winter that they may file a new suit against the registry under the state's new constitutional amendment against samesex marriage.

Hicks' antics have cost the city

According to the city's public records, Hicks' suit against the registry has cost taxpayers $94,994 so far.

Moore v. Malone, the 2002 benefits signature suit, cost the city $25, 140 to defend, after taxpayers paid $560 to process the ill-fated petitions.

Added together, Hicks' anti-gay campaigning has cost the city of Cleveland Heights $120,694 to date.

Many of Hicks' expenses in the registry case have been picked up by the Alliance Defense Fund, a Scottsdale, Arizona legal group that opposes LGBT equal rights in lawsuits around the nation.

"What Hicks did is gravely disrespectful of voters,” said Tumeo of the suit against the registry, "and inappropriate given his oath of office."

Still, Tumeo says he's not targeting Hicks as an opponent.

"There are no polls," said Tumeo, "But there's a sense in Cleveland Heights that there should be a new person on council, but when you talk to some, it's not always Jimmie Hicks."

Pointing out that four years ago, Caplan got fewer votes than Hicks, Tumeo said, "Ed Kelley and Nancy Dietrich are well liked and will win re-election easily."

"There's no benefit to target anyone," said Tumeo. "It's not how I will serve if elected."

Asked how he would feel if he and Hicks were elected and Caplan wasn't, Tumeo said,

"I want to be elected and I would be honored to be elected. I would miss Bonnie [Caplan]. I like Bonnie a lot."

"But I have no desire to split the community and drive a wedge, like Jimmie Hicks did," said Tumeo.

Tumeo now supports the registry

Tumeo has also changed his mind about the partner registry.

"It's nice to be wrong occasionally," he said. "I'm glad it passed, and I'm glad what I predicted did not come to pass."

Tumeo also said he feared that having the registry on the ballot in 2003 would draw out anti-gay forces and put pro-gay members of council in political trouble.

"It was a matter of timing," said Tumeo. Tumeo said he has raised about half of the $20,000 he thinks he needs to win, and will continue raising money until the end.

He will also continue meeting voters at neighborhood coffees in homes, walking doorto-door, and doing direct mailing.

Tumeo said voters will see the candidates square off at candidate forums sponsored by the League of Women Voters and Future Heights on October 20 and 27, respectively.

In addition to the Sun Press, Tumeo's endorsements include the Cleveland Stonewall Democrats, the Cleveland Heights Democratic Club, Northeast Ohio Democracy for America, former state representative Barbara Boyd, former Cleveland Heights mayor Jack Boyle, and current council member Phyllis Evans.

Tumeo is joined by five other gay and lesbian candidates around the state November 8.

Mary Jo Hudson is defending her city council seat in Columbus, while Joe Santiago seeks the Ward 14 council seat in Cleveland. Nickie Antonio is vying for a council-at-large seat in Lakewood. David Schulz is campaigning for an at-large seat on Toledo's city council, while Joe Lacey is running for the Dayton Public School board.

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