The Mecklenborg Story

The Mecklenborg family has roots that run deep on the West Side, and the values, needs and dreams of the people of the West Side are ingrained in Bob Mecklenborg and all members of the Mecklenborg family.  Bob's parents, Betty and Bob, met while attending Western Hills High School and were members of St. Teresa parish and Our Lady of Lourdes parish, where their parents attended.  They settled on the West Side where they grew up and raised three children, Bob Jr., Randy and Lori, in Bridgetown.

The values that Bob Jr. learned from his family were reinforced by his school.  He graduated from the first class at St. Jude School to complete grades one through eight.  Bob got his first job while he was in the 6^th grade, and he has been consistently employed ever since.  Bob then went on to graduate from St. Xavier high school to attend Ohio University.  After graduating from Ohio University, Bob continued his education to earn a law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law.

Bob became an assistant County Prosecuting Attorney and married his sweetheart, Jan.  Jan and Bob made their first home in the city of Cheviot adjacent to Green Township where Bob grew up.  The Mecklenborg family grew as Jan and Bob had three children, Jill, Rob and Laura.  In 1981 Bob was elected Cheviot Law Director, and served after three consecutive elections.  It was during this time that Bob developed his understanding of what it takes to win an election, hold office and serve the people of his community.  Bob became active in Hamilton County Republican politics since 1980 and has been a steadfast, active member working on campaigns and contributing money ever since.

At home Bob instilled the same values in his children with which he was raised.  All of his children completed grade school at St. Al's in Bridgetown where their values were strongly reinforced.  In 1991, the Mecklenborg family returned to Green Township.  They settled about two miles from the house where Bob grew up, and Bob became immediately active in the Green Township Republican Party.  Jan and Bob have remained active in civic, parish and charitable organizations.

Bob's law practice on the West Side has been open since 1982.  The firm has clients ranging from individuals and small businesses to localities like Green Township, one of Ohio's largest townships.  Hyle and Mecklenborg is a firm where Bob learned the complexities of public law, constituent service and the vast amount of effort and knowledge serving the public sector requires.  Just as importantly, Bob became a small business owner and employer and understands the needs, hopes and dreams of businesses trying to make it in the State of Ohio.

One of Bob's current projects teams him with Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters in a case before the Ohio Supreme Court.  In the case of Hyle vs. Porter, Gerry Porter is a sex offender challenging the constitutionality of Ohio's sex offender laws.  Mr. Porter lives within 1,000 feet of St. Jude School where Bob attended as a youth.  Joe Deters is supporting Mecklenborg's firm in representing Green Township and upholding residency restrictions for sex offenders.

On October 9, 2007 Bob received his life's highest honor when he was sworn in as Ohio's newest State Representative.  In referring to Bob's selection to replace Bill Seitz in Ohio's House, Speaker Jon Husted  said, "Bob Mecklenborg's vast legal experience and dedication to public service are tremendous. I have no doubt he will be an asset to this caucus, to the Legislature and to the people of the 30th House district. I'm looking forward to having him on the team."

Bob and his family are proud to call the West Side their home.  Bob has been honored to serve as an elected official in the past and looks forward to taking our West Side Values to Columbus.