We had the opportunity to meet with Mr. Willamowski yesterday. He explained ! how there had been a miscommunication and the posting of the meeting did not take place. We are convinced that the changing of this date is not any type of political maneuver or planned action to defeat SB 17.

The Judiciary Committee will hold more meetings and SB 17 will be on the agenda in the future. As soon as we get news of the next Hearing Date we will pass on the information to you.

Like some of you, we heard rumors earlier this week when the rumor mill from Columbus started festering. It's off, it's on, it's a maybe. The entire time, we've planned to go, but said 'we'll let you know, when we know firmly something different.'

What does this mean fo r SB17? Nothing at present. This date has just been backed up. When we have something firm, we'll let you know.

For all of you, that have requested time off, or made travel arrangements, cashed in favors and made babysitting arrangements, our deepest apologies. We thought it better to err on the side of assuming it was a go, until we definitely knew otherwise. Imagine how problematic it would be to have broadcast prematurely, yes, then no, then maybe, then yes, then no and finally a maybe. Our fear was that someone would hear "no" and not get the recall of "yes." So, we held out in lieu of hope, that January 12th was a go, even as the rumors festered. If there is one thing we've learned in the last four years, is that legislative stuff undergoes so many changes and things happen without much notice.

Here's a not-so-well known fact. In the Senate, during the second hearing where 26 other people testified (Barbara and Claudia testified at the first hearing), the bill had one status, when we asked, begged folks to "drop everything" and come to Columbus all on a "possibility" that the bill was a go. Then, without warning or provocation, the bill (our bill as we knew it) died -- completely --- flat-lined --- and then was resurrected -- flat lined again -- then resurrected --twice in that same 48 hours.

It's enough to make a "nail biter" out of the most even of temperaments. It's overwhelming. But, 5 years ago, no one was talking about this bill! So, the fact that we're this far, is huge! The fact that we're still he! re is even bigger!

So, we thank you for your ongoing and continued patience. We know how difficult it is to "drop everything" and come to Columbus. We wish there was a "better way" to plan, but so much of this is out of our control, there simply is not. Consequently, we are erring on the side of when we know definitively an answer, before we broadcast the news. And, even then, that can change, depending on other things completely out of our control. Thank you, for your patience. We are making progress with the bill.

The bottom line:

Thank you, to each of you who had put yourself out to make the 12th a possibility. There still is no substitute for all of our presence. We will keep you pos! ted, as we hear more information on our next date.

Here’s some suggestions of things to do in the interim:

• Write a letter to your editor (and any other Ohio paper) about SB 17 and the significance of this bill to the prevention of sexual abuse of children. If you draft a short letter (and we mean very short 100-125 words max), email any one of us below and we'll be glad to look it over before you submit it to the paper.
  
• Make a conscious decision to identify and contact an organization that you belong to and ask them to endorse SB 17 with the window. Everyone of us knows someone who belongs to some group. We need organizations to support this ! bill. Any questions on that, or any organization you can i dentify, please email any one of us below. (We especially need groups that are connected with law enforcement and children's advocacy.) Many groups or organizations have philanthropy initiatives or "platform issues." Many of these initiatives or platform issues are kid oriented. Ask them all! If each of us would commit, to looking within our community and identifying those organizations, contacting those organizations and asking for an endorsement, it would be helpful.
  
• Write a hand written (or typed but individual letters) to the 11 members of the committee thanking them for taking the time to hear all of our testimony. We implore you, do not send emails. Don't fax. Please, send a snail-mailed letter. Express what we've shared amongst ourselves -- the truth behind how powerful finally getting to testify was in terms of healing, justice and most of all! prevention. Ask them to support SB 17 with the window to stop the cycle of violence with us.
  
• Call and schedule a 15 minute appointment with your own legislator in your own district (so you donhave to make another trip to Columbus). Ask your legislator to support SB 17, intact, with the window.
  
• Cut out newspaper articles on child sexual abuse and mail it to your legislator. If it's a great article, mail to the others too. If there is an article over the last few years, that is on point, mail that article with a note tying it directly into SB 17. Mail this to your legislator first, and then members of the committee.

Again, to reiterate, this is ! not a defeat, or even a set-back. It's just a delay. But, at this point, we're used to that and we're adaptable. And, more importantly, we -- and SB 17 are still viable. It's all still good.

We'll keep you posted as we have reliable information to pass along. Thank you, for your continued patience and support. Thank you for being a continued voice for those who have needed it the most. Together, we've come a long way. Together, we'll continue to make a difference.

Claudia Vercellotti 419 810 5375 or 419 350 9234 snaptoledo@aol.com

Christy Miller 513 383 2198 snapcincinnati@cinci.rr.com

Jackiethia Morris Sauders snapcolumbus@hotmail.com

Susan Vidd 216 - 210-1243 snapcleve@aol.com

Judy Jones SNAPSteubenville@direcway.com

Barbara Blaine 312-399-4747 snapblaine@hotmail.com

David Clohessy 314-566-9790 snapclohessy@aol.com