The Associated Press
Original article

LEBANON, Ohio — A historic Ohio restaurant that has served as a presidential campaign backdrop says it is declining any taxpayer help with expensive renovations.

The owners of the Golden Lamb in Lebanon (LEH’-buh-nuhn) said Tuesday they have asked the southwest Ohio city to forgo considering aid to the restaurant.

Former GOP U.S. Rep. Rob Portman, who is running for the U.S. Senate, co-owns the property on which the Golden Lamb sits.

After the council discussed the possible relief for the restaurant on Monday, a political spat broke out.

The Ohio Democratic Party says Portman should be able to make improvements to the restaurant because of a net worth of around $17 million.

Golden Lamb Operator Mike Mullinger says in a letter that he won’t be seeking aid because of the fiscal pressures on the city.

By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer
Original article

A day after requesting economic aid from the city of Lebanon, the operator of the Golden Lamb has retracted his request.

In a release, the historical restaurant and inn operator Steve Mullinger said, “…(G)iven the economy and the fiscal pressures on the city, the Golden Lamb has determined it will not be seeking any economic development incentives at this time. We have asked the topic not be on the agenda at the Aug. 4 Lebanon City Council meeting.”

Mullinger appeared before council Monday, July 20 to “ask what kind of help could be available to (his) business.”

“We’re a small business that operates with unusual and above normal expenses,” Mullinger said.

Mullinger said the appearance was the continuation of talks he had been having with the city for two years regarding seeking historic tax credits.

The Golden Lamb is owned by the family of Rob Portman, who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2010. After news of Mullinger’s request became public, Portman was blasted on local radio shows and in an e-mail from the Ohio Democratic Party.
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By Elaine Trumpey
Original Article

LEBANON – After investing $5.5 million in major renovations to the Golden Lamb Restaurant over the last two years, owners are looking for some financial help from the city.

The Portman and Mullinger families have incurred extraordinary expenses in making repairs and updates to the historic 200-year-old inn and restaurant, according to Steve Mullinger.

The renovations are essentially complete, but owners want to continue to make improvements, Mullinger said.

Utility rate credits that would forgive part of the electric bill might help, he said. Tax credits were another possibility mentioned during Monday’s council work session.

“I’m not feeling that cash is the answer,” Mayor Amy Brewer said.

The city has helped the business in several ways over the two-year course of the project, including waiving building permit fees. That waiver saved the Golden Lamb $10,000.
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