Dear District 5 Supporters:

With your help, your support, your encouragement, and your prayers, I won the primary election for Cuyahoga County Council District 5 - 59% to 41%.

I can't thank you all enough - the volunteers who knocked on doors and handed out literature and attended every community event throughout the District...the residents who greeted us so warmly and listened to our plans to reform and improve county government...the voters who studied the issues and evaluated the candidates' credentials and placed their confidence in me.

It's been an amazing experience!

But, the hardest work lies ahead. Heading toward the November general election - I'll be facing a candidate with a popular "ballot name," but whose platform is paper thin. So, I need your help, even more than before. If you believe that I'm the kind of independent-minded person with the right kind of public service experience and business savvy who can really make a difference in this brand new form of government, please get involved in my campaign.

Consider volunteering time to attend an event, distribute literature throughout neighborhoods, place a yard sign in your front yard, or participate in a weekly phone bank. To help us reach all the voters in the District, consider making a contribution: $20, $50, $100, or whatever you can afford. And please pass this word to your friends, relatives, and colleagues, even if they don't live in the District, or even in the County. Support for honest, efficient, effective government has no geographic boundarries.

Thanks to you, we've given the voters in District 5 a real choice in November and a real chance to restore public confidence in our government and ensure that this new government protects taxpayer dollars.

With your continued support, I'm confident we will be victorious in November!

Thank you,
Ann Marie

September 13, 2010

The Friends of Ann Marie Donegan
8845 Columbia Rd
Olmsted Falls, OH 44138

To Whom It May Concern,

It is our great pleasure to announce that Ann Marie Donegan has been endorsed by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, District Council 6, for the office of Cuyahoga County Executive, District 5.

Her commitment to improving the infrastructure of the County will serve to stimulate the local economy by directly providing jobs and allowing for the efficient transport of goods to places of commerce.

Her efforts in safeguarding human services are a benefit to all our families. It is clear the right choice for District 5 is Ann Marie Donegan.

This endorsement is supported by the 22 local unions and all jurisdictions that comprise the IUPAT District Council #6 in the State of Ohio and parts of Northern Kentucky. Please feel free to use our name on any of your literature.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

James Watroba
Business Manager / Secretary - Treasurer
IUPAT District Council 6

Congratulations to registered nurse and Cuyahoga County Council candidate Ann Marie Donegan for winning the Democratic primary election in District 5 on Tuesday, September 7th! She faced stiff competition from fellow Democrat Mike Piepsny but prevailed by 4,802 to 3,329 among Democratic primary voters.

Ann Marie Donegan faces Republican Michael Gallagher in the general election on November 2nd. Gallagher prevailed over primary opponent Craig Marvinney by a similar margin in the Republican primary (4,622 to 3,395), although it is notable that Ann Marie won 180 more votes in her primary than the GOP nominee did in his, and that there were slightly more Democratic than Republican primary voters in this southwest suburban swing district.

Best of luck to Ann Marie in the general election. For more information and to contribute to her campaign, please visit http://www.annmariedonegan.us.

Dear Voter:

My name is Ann Marie Donegan, candidate for the new Cuyahoga County Council representing District 5, which includes you, your city, and neighboring communities. I was born here, raised here, educated here, run a business here, and was elected here four times by the voters of Olmsted Falls. I have the background, experience, and commitment to represent your interests in these challenging times.

This election will be historic: choosing representatives to direct an entirely new form of government, weed out corruption, implement changes to protect your tax dollars and improve services, stimulate economic development and job growth, and, most importantly, restore your faith in your elected leadership.

Directing this new government will be a huge job: the County has an annual budget of $1.4 billion and more than 7,000 full-time employees in dozens of agencies and departments affecting every homeowner, resident, citizen, and taxpayer in the county. Your representatives must have the governmental experience, business experience, and proven commitment to public service to do the job.

Over the past several years, I have been privileged to serve Olmsted Falls' citizens as At-Large member of City Council, President Pro-Temp, chairman of the Finance, Community Development, and Safety committees, and member of the Utilities, Legislation, and Insurance committees. I have also served as County Grand Jury Foreman, Member of the Cuyahoga County Workforce Investment Board, and advisor to the Common Pleas Court, Corrections Planning Board, and various other county departments and agencies.

As a business owner, health care consultant, and registered nurse, I have helped dozens of businesses, organizations, and agencies perform better and create opportunities for growth, new jobs, and financial strength. And, as a health care professional and legislator, I understand how to meet government's role in providing effective human services while meeting the obligation to efficiently manage public tax dollars.

I have also demonstrated my commitment to public service through my leadership and membership in many civic and community-based organizations, including the Board of Trustees of the Southwest General Health System, the Urban Affairs Leadership Academy at Cleveland State University, the Olmsted Community Emergency Response Team, and the adjunct faculty of Ashland University.

I understand government, business, and I understand what citizens have every right to demand of their representatives: experience, integrity, and commitment.

I ask for your support. I look forward to meeting you personally in the weeks and months ahead at events throughout the District and in your neighborhood. Please visit www.annmariedonegan.us for more information and for opportunities to make your voice heard.

Thank you.

Ann Marie Donegan

By Kevin Gareau, Sun News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, May 28, 2010, 2:19PM

Olmsted Falls Councilwoman at large Ann Marie Donegan is among the latest to join the race for the new County Council.

She filed petitions with the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections as a Democratic nomination for the District 5 seat.

So far, the only other Democrat to file in District 5 is Mike Piepsny. Donegan said she decided to run for a number of reasons.

"I've been a public servant for 10 years," she said. "This is a fundamental change in the way our government works. We will not see this kind of change again in our lifetime."

Donegan said her legislative and budgetary experience make her qualified for a spot on County Council.

"I have a great deal of business experience," she said. "I've spent about 17 years running my own health care consulting business, and I've worked with both the private and public sectors."

Donegan also said she is the right kind of person to regain the public's trust in the wake of the county corruption scandal.

"It's important that those who run for office restore confidence with the public," she said.

Donegan added she has always been a supporter of reform. "I'm proud to have always been about reforming and streamlining," she said. "It definitely hasn't always been popular."

Cuyahoga County voters approved the government reform plan in November, replacing the three county commissioners with an elected county executive and 11-member council. Donegan ran in November as part of a slate of candidates proposing an alternative reform plan.

That plan would have created a 15-member panel that would have proposed a reformed county government for voters to consider. Donegan said she supported the alternative reform plan because she did not like the process of the other plan.

"From the small minutia to many other issues I had with the plan, I would have preferred greater political participation," she said.

Candidates have until June 24 to file for the partisan primaries, which will take place in September, if necessary. The top Democrat and top Republican from each district will face off with Independents in the November election.

For more information on Donegan, visit annmariedonegan.us.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Ann Marie Donegan, a registered nurse and healthcare consultant now serving her fourth term as Olmsted Falls Council-at-Large, was officially certified today by the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections as a candidate for the new District 5 seat on the Cuyahoga County Council.

Donegan, a Democrat, filed her nominating petitions last week to run in the September primary to represent a district that includes Olmsted Falls, Berea, Middleburg Heights, Strongsville, North Royalton, and Precinct D in Olmsted Township. Her petitions far exceeded the number of signatures required, and included registered voters from every community in the new District.

"We're embarking on a bold new course for county government," Donegan said, "and we have to make sure that the new leaders we elect have the right blend of governmental experience, business acumen, and personal commitment to steer that course effectively." Donegan, who also serves on the board of trustees of the Southwest General Health Center, continued, "I've worked as a member of Council, including as Chair of the Finance Committee. I've served on the Cuyahoga County Workforce Investment Board and worked with numerous county departments on local projects. And, as a business owner and health care consultant, I understand what it takes to effectively and efficiently manage and operate businesses and organizations to create the environment and infrastructure that creates jobs and promotes growth."

One of the biggest challenges, Donegan said, will be the consolidation of departments and functions that have been managed by independently elected public officials. Beginning in January, they will be directed by one elected County Executive, with the advice, consent, and oversight of 11 County Council members.

"As a consultant, I've helped companies and organizations navigate through mergers, acquisitions, consolidations, expansions, and reorganizations," Donegan said. "Even though the various transition advisory groups are deeply involved in analysis and planning and will be making recommendations, it will be the responsibility of the Executive and the Council to decide what to do and how to do it. I've worked in those kinds of collaborations, in both the public and the private sectors, and I'm confident that my experience will benefit the taxpayers of the 5th District and the county in general."

Donegan noted that she has deep roots in the District. She grew up in Brook Park and graduated from Berea High School. She received her undergraduate degree at Baldwin Wallace College, lived in Middleburg Heights for 10 years, and has served on the Olmsted Falls Council for more than six years. As a board member of the Southwest General Health Center, she has policy and oversight responsibilities for a health system that provides services to all of the communities in the southwestern part of the county, including Strongsville and North Royalton. She received her nursing degree from the Fairview Hospital School of Nursing.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 3, 2010

Several major labor organizations have endorsed Ann Marie Donegan in her bid for the Democratic nomination to serve on the new Cuyahoga County Council, District 5, which includes Olmsted Falls, Berea, Middleburg Heights, Strongsville, North Royalton, and Precinct D in Olmsted Township.

"I've been very fortunate over the years to win the support of working men and women and the organizations that represent them so effectively," said Donegan, a registered nurse and healthcare consultant serving her second term as Olmsted Falls Council-at-Large. "I'm grateful for their continuing support, and I look forward to working with them in the months ahead as we develop the strategies and initiatives to install an entirely new form of government in Cuyahoga County.

The unions that have announced their endorsement of Donegan are:

* Cleveland Building & Construction Trades Council
* Sheetmetal Workers Local 33
* Bricklayers & Allied Crafts Union, Local 5
* Plumbers Local 55
* Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers International Union Local # 19
* Pipefitters Local 120

In previous campaigns, Donegan was endorsed by a host of major labor groups, including the North Shore Federation of Labor (AFL-CIO), United Auto Workers, Cuyahoga-Medina Counties CAP Council, Teamsters Ohio DRIVE, Building Laborers' Union, Local 310, and police and firefighter unions. Those unions have not yet made endorsements in the District 5 race.