For more information, contact:
Richard R. Renner, (330) 364-9900, Cell: (330) 224-0359

Richard Renner, a Democratic candidate for Tuscarawas County Juvenile and Probate Judge, today released a chart showing that Tuscarawas County ranks number one in the state for using expensive state commitment for juveniles adjudicated for felonies. Using data provided by the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) for 2006 (the most recent year for which data is provided), the chart shows that the commitment rate in Tuscarawas County was 69.23%. The rate in Stark County is 18.24%. The state average is 16.46%.

''Our children are not worse than those in neighboring counties, and certainly not the worst in the state.,'' Renner said. ''As judge, I will consider the full range of community services. We need a new judge who really listens to all the parties to find the outcome that is best for families, communities and the tax payers." Renner is challenging the incumbent, Judge Linda Kate, in the Democratic Primary on March 4.

Through its RECLAIM program, DYS provides funding to counties with low rates of using the expensive state commitments. The high commitment rate in Tuscawaras County means that Tuscarawas County does not receive these funds for community services.

Statistics from DYS also show that the recidivism rate for youths treated through the RECLAIM program (20%) is less than half of that for youths sent to state commitment (53%). "We can actually make our community safer by using our tax dollars more wisely." Renner says.

The www.rennerforjudge.com committee released its chart on its web page at:
http://www.rennerforjudge.com/taxdollars.htm
It is based on DYS statistics available at:
http://www.dys.ohio.gov/dysweb/reclaimstats.aspx

''I am mindful of the tax dollars at stake in each case," Renner adds. "The wrong decisions are too expensive. It is time for a change in our juvenile and probate court,'' Renner says.

Click here for a photo of Richard Renner.

Thank you for your interest. Richard would welcome your comments. Contact him at: Email: rrenner@igc.org