Campaign volunteer criticizes coverage

SANDUSKY — A Sandusky State Theatre board member — who's also a campaign volunteer for another board member seeking to be elected county commissioner — is complaining about news coverage of the cost overruns for the project that led to a work stoppage at the job site. The Sandusky State Theatre is shown here just prior to a ceremonial groundbreaking for its reconstruction project in April 2022. Provided photo Ryan Whaley, a Sandusky resident and local business owner, is a volunteer for attorney Leslie Murray's election campaign. Murray is a board member and the board's secretary. She also has served, at times, as the board's attorney, according to sources. She and Whaley, theater board president Kim Redfern and review board chair Dan Moncher all have refused to say how much money the board needs to get the project restarted and finished or how long it will be before it can be completed and reopened. The board hired a Cleveland attorney, John Swansinger, after Murray fired the general contractor last summer. Swansinger, who charges $750 per hour for his firm's services, also has declined comment. Murray and Swansinger both have stated that board members should not be commenting about the situation. It's unclear why Whaley is commenting now, while other board members continue to remain silent. The project is already more than a year behind schedule, and sources have told the Register it is anywhere from $4 million to $11 million short of the funds needed to finish. It's been about two months since work on the project stopped. Whaley Whaley, in a Facebook post, suggested that news coverage of the work stoppage is designed to hurt Murray's chances of being elected. Murray has claimed she will be a better steward of taxpayer money and will be more transparent with voters if she's elected. He contends the news coverage of the work stoppage and cash shortfall "seems more focused on using it as a political weapon to support specific candidates' campaigns." "I believe local media is essential for our community — that's exactly why this biased coverage is so concerning. It's absolutely baffling that our county commissioners and county leaders aren't doing everything in their power to help this project succeed," he wrote. Whaley was asked about whether he's being biased because he's supporting Murray's election campaign. He also was asked if the theater board has asked county commissioners for help or if commissioners declined any request. He did not respond to questions. Whaley also offered no explanation for why a candidate for county commissioner who has promised to be good a steward of taxpayer money and to always be transparent with voters should be given a pass on answering questions about this situation. A commenter at his page also asked Whaley about the "bias" he was alleging. "I am curious, and it may help detail your point a bit more, what part of the reporting do you find to be overtly (inaccurate)? (There's been) $1 million of taxpayer money allocated to this by the city of Sandusky. It is important we have a watchful eye on these sorts of transactions," Luke Swartzmiller asked. "Glad to chat with you about it," Whaley replied. "You know where I'll be slinging drinks. Best discussions are over a beer." Whaley owns a bar downtown and Murray shares her law office in the same building since she left the family firm a few years ago. Another reader at Facebook questioned Whaley's judgment. "If you're going to address the issue of the theater on here, I don't think you and Luke should have a discussion over a drink," the commenter said. "Why can't you elaborate on his comment? Maybe it's a question that you should answer on this post." He also complained in his post that county commissioners were not supporting the project, but he offered no evidence of that and did not answer questions about his comment. Murray, Marcus Harris — another board member running for county commissioner — Redfern and Moncher all also failed to respond to an email asking them about Whaley's comments.