DAYTON DAILY NEWS                   Copyright (c) 1997, Dayton Newspapers Inc.DATE: Friday, August 1, 1997                TAG: 9708010073EDITION: CITY          SECTION: NEWS        PAGE: 8A TYPE: SIDEBAR                                  REMEMBRANCE                             RIFFE FONDLY RECALLED * Politicians speak of the impact the former House speaker had on minoritiesand Ohio.By Laura A. Bischoff  DAYTON DAILY NEWS    A legend, a master, a statesman, a king. That is how some political leaderssay they will remember former Ohio House Speaker Vern Riffe.   "He meant a lot to me. I'm really going to miss him," said state Sen. RhineMcLin, D-Dayton. "He was the last, for Ohio, he was the last of the leaders ofleaders, because with term limits and all the changes that have been made withpublic officials no one will be able to even carry his gym shoes in Ohiopolitics."   Mr. Riffe, a Democrat from Scioto County who served 20 years as speaker,was a close friend and ally of Sen. McLin's father, the late state Rep. C.J.McLin.   Senate Minority Leader Ben Espy, D-Columbus, said Mr. Riffe's alliance withRep. McLin had a longterm benefit for minorities.   "Through his legendary coalition with the late C.J. McLin, Speaker Riffeopened up opportunities for African-American legislators in Ohio," Espy said."Today, that unique McLin-Riffe partnership can be seen in the key committeeand leadership assignments of minorities at all levels of Ohio government."   Montgomery County Democratic Party Chairman Dennis Lieberman described Mr.Riffe as an old fashioned and skillful politician who exercised the power ofhis position to get things done. "He would reward those who were with him andpunish those who were not. And that's how he was able to hold onto the powerposition for so long.   "He was a major influence in Ohio legislative politics," Lieberman added."He had courageous stands on issues. He demonstrated a wisdom and humor andpolitical ability to get whatever he sought. ... There will never be anotherVern Riffe. You either loved him or hated him."   Joe Shump, former Montgomery County Democratic Party chairman, said Mr.Riffe lived up to his word and was a practical politician who found the middleground.   James E.P. Sullivan, local Democratic historian and Shump's right-handperson during his chairmanship, called Mr. Riffe a "king" in politics, anddescribed him as charming but busy.   "He worked very hard all day and then at nighttime, around 10:30 or 11o'clock, he'd go across the street and eat, and there would be the real proswho wanted to talk to him when he was in a good mood. He'd spend an hour therebefore he went home," Sullivan said.   Gov. George Voinovich has ordered all flags in the state to be flown athalf-staff for 10 days in Mr. Riffe's honor.   ``Of the thousands of individuals who have served our state in the OhioGeneral Assembly, Vern Riffe, in my respectful opinion, stands the tallest,''Voinovich said. ``In Ohio's political history, only one individual earned thetitle, `Mr. Speaker.'''      *  THIS REPORT   contains information from the Associated Press.      * CONTACT   Laura Bischoff at 225-2446 or e-mail her atlaura_bischoff@coxohio.comLENGTH:   67 linesCATEG: GOVERNMENT & POLITICS - STATE OF OHIOSUBJ: OBITUARY      OHIO HOUSE      MINORITIES NA: VERNAL G. RIFFE JR.    C.J. MCLIN GEOG:  AT: HOUSE SPEAKER ENHANCER: ref8