Contemplating the “Cloud”, By Jim Surber
My last writing described nine common items that could easily be
eliminated over the coming years, mostly as a result of our expanding
use of computers and technology. One of these was our “things” such as
documents and pictures, currently stored on our personal computers,
which soon may be stored on a universal service known as “the Cloud.”
My first experience with a computer was some forty-two years ago... read
more
|
Family Events... Taking the
risks out of childhood can lead to anxiety, By Marybeth
Hicks
I remember standing in my kitchen giving directions to the babysitter
when my daughter shouted for me urgently from the back yard. “Mom!
Help!” I looked out the window and saw her perched on the crossbeam of
our swing set, balancing precariously 12 feet above ground. I leaned
toward the kitchen window and calmly called back, “You’re fine. If you
got up there you can get down.” Missy and I... read
more
|
Was anyone really mad
at the school board? By Bob Rhoades
The firing of the coaches by the City School Board caused an eruption
of sentiment that ranged from support, to get rid of all of them.
I wrote on this site after it happened and offered a couple of
solutions for the problem of dealing with this board. There was a
recall petition of all of the board. That is a simple matter; all
it takes is identifying the act that would warrant the recall, getting
the petition signed by... read
more
|
The verbal arrows
have sure been flying… By Joe Payne, GSD Board
Member
“Quit micromanaging!” “What a stupid decision!” “This board never does
anything right.” “How could you do such a thing during a building
campaign?!” “We need to replace the whole BOE!” I was hoping the arrows
would begin to subside. After all, body armor is hot in the summertime.
However, just this Sunday morning a few of my parishioners greeted me
with sly smiles and said, “Nice Cartoon!” “What cartoon... read
more
|
Family Events... Friendship
struggles all part of the game, By Marybeth Hicks
07/14/11 - A week ago, my teenaged son, Jimmy, announced he was headed
down the street to play one-on-one basketball with his lifelong pal,
John. “This is it,” he said confidently. “I’m finally going to beat
him.” Jimmy and John have had a rivalry on the driveway since they were
old enough to tie their own sneakers. But in all those years, Jimmy has
never been the champ, despite the fact that... read
more
|
Representative Richard Adams...
Boosting Small Business Growth in Ohio
Small businesses are the bedrock of our state economy. Each day, we
come into contact with local entrepreneurs when we visit a family-owned
business, call an electrician in our community, or stop by a
neighborhood store after work. These Ohio-based companies and stores
drive our economy and support our families by providing nearly half of
all Ohioans with employment... read
more
|
The times they are
a-changin’ By Jim Surber
06/25/11 - Bob Dylan wrote this song about the changes in American
society and anyone old enough to remember the 1960’s can now appreciate
its insight. Technology, and how people use it, may now be laying the
groundwork for the elimination of many things that people have become
very used to. I recently received predictions of nine things that will
be gone in our lifetime. I list them here because they... read
more
|
Recovery, Relief,
Reform: Ohio’s Budget in Review, By State Senator Bill
Beagle
COLUMBUS – Dull moments have been few and far between since entering
the Ohio Senate in January of this year. However, the past three months
have been especially busy as my colleagues and I worked to develop a
responsible state budget for Fiscal Years 2012 and 2013. Now that the
process has ended, I am glad to report that we were able to produce a
balanced plan that cuts spending, eliminates a... read
more
|
Family Events... Stay in sync or
kids will divide and conquer! By Marybeth Hicks
Here’s a familiar scenario: Child wanders into the kitchen in the
middle of the afternoon and asks for an ice cream treat. Mom says no.
Child meanders to the den where dad is on the computer and says, “Mom
says I can’t have a popsicle but I want one. Can I have one?” Dad says,
“Sure. And bring me a purple one.” Child heads back to the kitchen and
helps himself to two treats, while mom... read
more
|
State Representative Jim Buchy... Fighting
to Safeguard Life in Ohio
Representing so many towns across the 77th House District, I knew going
into this term what a hard task the legislature was taking on. With a
struggling economy that is affecting the lives of those in our region
of the state, my focus from the first day forward has been to find jobs
for Ohioans and provide business-friendly policies that will bring
about economic growth. In addition to the many bills we have focused...
read
more
|
Pell Grant Funding a
Necessity as Economy Recovers, Dr. Cristobal Valdez
The looming crisis of the national debt is forcing Congress and the
President to make tough decisions on spending, taxes and entitlement
programs in an effort to get the economy back on stable ground.
However, a current proposal to cut funding for Pell Grants, the federal
government’s primary program to help economically disadvantaged
students attend college, is shortsighted and would... read
more
|
Lemons or Lemonade?
By Bob Rhoades
Last week I attended the Greenville City School board meeting with an
idea on how a committee could present the idea of a new school to the
general public and how to fund it. It was received very well and
I was later advised that we would probably move in that direction. I
didn’t realize that later on the fiasco over the non-renewal of the
contracts of two coaches was going to put the community... read
more
|
Lincoln: The past and
the present, By Bob Rhoades
When I look back at the 4th of July and the celebration, I always think
of A. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. To me it says it
all. I wonder how many people actually think of what has happened
since 1776 and the 235 years since then. I paraphrased the Address for
2011: Eleven score and 7 years ago, our fathers brought forth on this
continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty and dedicated... read
more
|
State Representative Jim Buchy... A
Memorable July 4th
Gathering together and watching fireworks for the 4th of July is one of
this country’s longest-standing traditions. Even as a young boy, I can
remember the excitement that came with the day. It was one of the most
enjoyable times to gather with family and friends. However, as we enjoy
the festivities that come with celebrating our nation’s independence,
we must honor the sacrifices and personal risk put... read
more
|
Senior Citizen
Benefits... In My Opinion, By Sharon Hopper
Why in the world is AARP and the rest of the senior advocates sitting
so silently by as the government raises benefits for everyone else
except our nations Senior Citizens on Social Security? We are the
people who fought in the wars that have made us who we are today and
the people who have made this country prosperous beyond words. We are
the people who have set the standards for equality for women... read
more
|
State Representative Richard Adams... Having a Thankful Fourth of July
As I spend time throughout the 79th House District, working on
legislation in Columbus, and simply visiting with my family and
friends, I am constantly reminded of all the rights as an America that
I’m exercising on a daily basis. In our busy lives, it’s often hard to
routinely think about how fortunate we are as Americans. Even
when we do, we don’t often think of where our freedoms originate. For
this reason... read
more
|
Family Events... Teaching our
children to love their country, By Marybeth Hicks
Last year, Jay Leno produced a clever “Jay Walking” edition for
Independence Day. This time, Jay stationed himself in a California
theme park to conduct his man-on-the-street interviews. In keeping with
the spirit of the holiday, he asked passersby to answer some simple
questions about the founding of our nation. The answers were funny, in
a “we’re in big trouble” sort of way. For example... read
more
|
Comment on “To Tax or
Not to Tax”
A final word from Commissioner Mike Stegall on the Conveyance Fee -
Bob, good article! It brought back memories of when my mom would say
the same to me about jumping off a bridge. I learned the lessons
of not being a follower. With that being said, I would like to take
exception to a few of the statements in the article. Bob, we are
not following everybody and “jumping off the bridge”. I don’t... read
more
|
Reinvent Greenville?
By Bob Rhoades
Somewhere right after 1950, the City of Greenville sort of started
re-inventing itself from a quiet farming community to the beginning of
an agricultural/industrial community. The first evidence of that
was the south water tower which I can remember seeing rise over the
trees from our Central Avenue home. Soon on the same block, a
second fire station was built and eventually a small park with... read
more
|
The lessons of our
youth, That’s My Opinion By Bob Robinson
It should have come as no surprise that the Conveyance Fee (Transfer
Tax) increase passed on Monday. I had heard from a number of people who
questioned why the public hearings were held in the first place,
believing it was a done deal from the start. Up to a point I agree,
however I would allow that if someone had come up with something
earth-shattering they might have taken notice. I’m guessing they... read
more
|
Why Do They Do That?
By Bob Rhoades, Senior Scribe
A recent Chat Box entry on another website asked the question about the
number of emergency vehicles on an accident site on Sweitzer St.
The writer categorized it as a “fender bender”. A couple of
respondents theorized that the responders were already on duty so what
difference did it make? Actually it makes a lot of difference.
Emergency response is based on a lot of things... read
more
|
How to Live Positive
on Less Income, by Sharon Hopper
Hey everybody… It’s summer and we need to have some fun. Yes I said old
fashioned cost effective fun. The Fourth of July is just around the
corner and there are several places that you can go and really have a
show of shows. For instance the whole family can go to Anderson Indiana
to the Hoosier Racing Park and enjoy a night of stage music, hot dogs,
jumping balloons for the kids, and the most spectacular... read
more
|
Family Events... Discipline
questions spark debate, decisions, By Marybeth Hicks
6/23/11 - It’s one of the most controversial issues in parenting — to
spank or not to spank. And recently, the issue of spanking landed in
the media thanks to a judge in Texas who declared from the bench, “You
don’t spank children.” Then, he sentenced a mom to five years of felony
probation for doing just that. The Texas case is probably more complex
than the news stories reveal. Last December... read
more
|
Buchy: Ohioans Should
Have the Freedom to Determine Fate of Health Care Mandates
6/23/11 - COLUMBUS—State Representative Jim Buchy (R-Greenville) today
expressed disappointment that despite unanimous support from the House
Republican Caucus, the Ohio House failed to pass Senate Joint
Resolution 1, which would propose an amendment to the Ohio Constitution
to preserve the freedom of Ohioans to choose their health care and
health care coverage. In order for this resolution to... read
more
|
Guest Column from Representative Richard Adams, Focusing on Job Creation in Ohio
6/23/11 - Since the beginning of the new legislative session in
January, the Ohio House of Representatives has made job creation a
primary focus. In recent years, our state has suffered from crippling
unemployment rates and a steady exodus of businesses to more
economically attractive states. While these trends have begun to turn
around, we still have a long way to go in order to have a booming job
market and a... read
more
|
Bath Salts: Possible
Legal & Health Problems... even Death
Juvenile & Probate Judge Jason Aslinger - 6/23/11 - There has been
much discussion recently regarding the abuse of “bath salts.” While
recent events have received a lot of media coverage, local law
enforcement and the juvenile court were already well aware of the
sudden use of this drug in Darke County. Make no mistake, “bath salts”
are a powerful and dangerous drug. The chemical compound is similar... read
more
|
Commissioners Corner
6/21/11 - The month of June has finally started to act like
summer. The rains have abated some, and warm temperatures have
slowly returned. We are sure that by now most of the farm
planting has been done, and from our own observations, crops seem to be
doing fairly well, at least the ones that have not had to be
re-planted. We know it is hard to believe, but at
the... read
more
|
Living Positive on
Less Income, By Sharon Hopper, Senior Scribe
6/18/11 - I went into the store to purchase a few things to keep the
bugs and
ants at bay and discovered I could not afford to get rid of the bugs,
clean the house, and eat in the same week. After giving the situation
some thought I left the store with salt, soda, Bounce, and Comet in
hand prepared to do battle at a fraction of the cost of purchasing the
advertised products. My grandmother taught me years ago that salt... read
more
|
State Senator Bill Beagle... The
Importance of Being a Good Dad
June 14, 2011 -
Senate restores funding for the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood - As we
celebrate Fathers’ Day, I thought I would take this opportunity to
share some thoughts on the value of the fine fathers in our community.
Often a challenge and always a blessing, the role of father is what I
am most proud of in life. As a father of three, I am quite familiar
with the many hats one must wear in order to be a good dad. The list...
read
more
|
Family Events... This dad has
always been “more funnier” By Marybeth Hicks
6/18/11 - Years ago when she was only six years old, my daughter Amy
said the
biggest difference between mom and dad is, “Dad is more funnier.” So
true. Dad was the parent who composed rap songs about doing dishes,
taught the “I’ve Got Too Much Homework” blues, and cheerfully chatted
it up before school in the morning while all around him, mayhem
erupted. Some would call this oblivious. In fact... read
more
|
Secretary of State Jon Husted…
Encouraging Ohio’s Graduates to get Involved
6/14/11 - It’s June and that means high school graduates are
celebrating across Ohio. As these young men and women are busy
preparing to take their next steps in life – going off to college,
joining the military or becoming part of the workforce – there is one
“to do” that I hope will be on each and every one of their lists:
Registering to vote. This spring I devoted four weeks to touring Ohio
high schools spreading... read
more
|
An Ode to
Neighborhood Schools, By Dr. Steven Gruber
6/14/11 - One day a father was walking through a community with his
young son Billy. As they walked, the father directed the conversation
to the importance of receiving a good education and of good schools.
Billy asks his father, how were you educated? What were schools like
when you were a boy? The father replied by saying, Billy when I went to
school they were located in the neighborhoods where children... read
more
|
Tee it up,
By Nathan Eagle
6-13-11 - Fore! I doubt the dead Hawaiians can hear the golfers yell,
but their
spirits may have something to say about all the errant balls landing on
their final resting place in Po‘ipu. What may be entertaining to some
on a Sunday morning is downright disrespectful to the host culture. The
state has labeled numerous archaeological sites near Joe’s on the Green
and Hapa Road. Educational signs — although incredibly... read
more
|
Family Events... Teaching
self-control a great summer exercise, By Marybeth Hicks
6-12-11 - Here’s a moment in parenting I’ll never forget. I’m in the
car, and my
delightful, exuberant, eldest child is keeping time to the song on the
radio by rhythmically thumping her foot on the back of the driver’s
seat. Gazing out the window, she hums along with the music while I
quickly come to a frustrated boil in front of her. How often have I
asked the kids not to kick the seats? Without taking my eyes off the...
read
more
|
Darke County Chamber
urges legislators to pass Jobs Budget
DARKE COUNTY, OHIO – The Darke County Chamber of Commerce
participated in the Jobs Budget Advocacy Day at the Ohio Statehouse in
Columbus on June 7, 2011. As part of Ohio’s Campaign for Jobs,
businesses, community groups and chambers of commerce from across the
state converged on the Statehouse to urge legislators to pass the state
budget bill with its original government reforms intact. “The Jobs
Budget closes an $8 billion hole in state finances without... read
more
|
The State of Ohio
Agriculture, By State Representative Jim Buchy
Agriculture is one of the top issues for our local communities, and for
that reason it has been a priority for my office. Currently, I am
working on HB 229, an agricultural omnibus bill. The bill has
passed committee and awaits a vote on the House floor. This bill
will streamline regulatory operations at the Department of Agriculture
and help Director Zehringer operate the Department more efficiently... read
more
|
Competence trumps
tenure, That’s my Opinion, By Bob Robinson, Editor
For those of you who wish to attend, there will be a funeral Monday at
4:15 on Courthouse Square in Dayton. “Putting People First” will be
mourning the death of Ohio. According to Shawn Cassiman, a social work
professor at the University of Dayton, “It (Ohio) is on life support
and is hurdling towards death.” He is correct. I’m not sure anyone
would take issue with that statement… certainly not me... read
more
|
Signs make things
easier? By Bob Rhoades
The big push a few years back was to make things easier.
Illiterate people, foreigners, and other people who just don’t
understand would have it much better here in the US. Signs, we’ll
use signs, with pictures on them. The big plus was that we would
be like the rest of the world. If we don’t want you to turn left,
we put up a big left handed arrow with a slash through it. The
same for right handed no... read
more
|
Living Positive with
Less Income, By Sharon Hopper, Senior Scribe
When my husband and I retired a friend told me you will learn how to
live well on less money. You will find that you do not need as much as
you think. Now I have friends who do not need to be concerned with
money or the economy but that is certainly not the situation here. So I
have put on my thinking and practical cap and have discovered a lot of
ways to save a dollar so I have some money to enjoy life... read
more
|
Family Events... Kids don’t need
to network to be social, By Marybeth Hicks
In the past few years as I’ve traveled across the country speaking to
parent and civic groups about raising children in today’s
“grow-up-too-fast-world,” the most frequently asked question I get from
audience members is, “What’s the right age to let my son or daughter
open a Facebook account?” I’m always glad to be asked a question that
has no right or wrong answer. It’s easier to sound smart... read
more
|
Memorial Day in the
Treaty City, By Bob Rhoades
The beginning of spring, the pool is open, people in the park that’s
the way I remember it. During my last two years of High School I
worked in the park after school and on weekends readying the park for
the 100’s of people who enjoy our park every year. So on Memorial Day
this year, I drove to the park to see what this year would bring.
Right on cue there were people fishing in just about... read
more
|
Point Counterpoint,
Follow-up to opinions published last week
Bob Robinson, CNO Editor, Mike Stegall, Darke County Commissioner - The
Darke County CIC and Economic Development Office has requested that the
Conveyance Fee (that is charged when real property is sold) be
increased from $2 per thousand to $3 per thousand. CNO Editor Bob
Robinson wrote a column to which Darke County Commissioner Mike
Stegall... read
more
|
A
message from Ohio State
Treasurer Josh Mandel
This weekend we salute and remember the men and women who paid the
ultimate sacrifice for our country. I'd like to recognize those
who served in previous generations so that we could live free today. I
am proud to be the grandson of a U.S. Army Air Corps veteran, and am
thankful for the men and women who served during WWII, Korea, Vietnam,
Desert Storm and other conflicts to pave the way for young guys like
myself who had the honor to serve in this current chapter... read
more
|
Memorial
Day… U.S. Senator Rob
Portman
Last month, I was honored to visit our brave troops in Afghanistan,
giving me a chance to get a firsthand look at the challenges they are
facing, and to thank them on behalf of all Ohioans for their service to
our country. I took a bunch of Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds
baseball caps that were a big hit. Even though they are thousands of
miles away, our troops are staying up with their families and friends
and what’s going on back home. The men and women I saw are on... read
more
|
Reflections,
By Bob Rhoades
Memorial Day is usually thought of as a day of reflection. What better
place for reflection than our own Bear’s Mill. The mill in
operation since 1850 has watched from the side of the road as young
citizens marched off to war in so many places. Millard Fillmore
was President when the mill opened its doors. Two years before
that, the Mexican American War had ended... read
more
|
Family Events... Clothing for
girls sends wrong message, By Marybeth Hicks
Recently, I read an article about a research report that says 30
percent of all the clothing made for young girls is sexualized —
meaning, it’s designed in such a way to promote a sexy image. I had a
hard time believing this. I figured it had to be more like 80 percent.
At least, that’s what it feels like when I’m shopping with my
13-year-old and it’s all we can do to find things that completely cover
the... read
more
|
Darke County Commissioner Mike Stegall
Response to
Robinson’s “That’s My Opinion” on the Conveyance Fee
I thought your article on the conveyance fee was very well done.
You make some very good points, especially since this is a tax.
Calling it a fee makes it easier on us, but it is what it is. When we
were campaigning I said I was not for new taxes, and I meant it.
I also knew that some taxes were necessary... read
more
|
U.S. Rep. John Boehner, 8th District
Government Reforms
And Spending Cuts To Secure Our Country’s Future
May 20, 2011 - Washington - Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester)
released the following column today discussing House Republicans’
solutions to put us on a path to balance the budget and pay down our
debt. Full text of the column is included below: “For the past
few weeks, House Republicans... read
more
|
A tax is a tax is a
tax - That’s My Opinion, By Bob Robinson
The Commissioners announced on May 11 that they were considering an
increase in the County Conveyance Fee from $2 per thousand to $3 per
thousand. They intend to hold public hearings at their regular meetings
on Wednesday, June 15 and Monday, June 20. After that, they will make
their decision. Because it is a fee increase, they can vote to move
ahead without public support... read
more
|
Suicide in Darke
County, By Bob Rhoades
Wikipedia says that Suicide is the act of a human being intentionally
causing his or her own death. Almost every reference book that
you can find suicide discussed in says that it is caused at least by
despair. Beyond that some of the other contributing factors are
depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism and drug abuse.
They all also agree that financial difficulties, troubles with... read
more
|
How to Cut the
Federal Deficit, By Delbert Blickenstaff
Almost all Americans want to cut the federal deficit. There is an easy
way to accomplish this. The bipartisan deficit commission found that
$100 billion a year could be saved from the Pentagon budget by getting
rid of obsolete Cold War-era weapons. So why doesn’t congress do
something about this? In my opinion the military-industrial complex,
about which President Eisenhower warned us, has... read
more
|
Guest Column from Representative Richard Adams
The Importance of
Memorial Day
- Pictures of barbeques, picnics and days spent out in the sun come to
mind as we think about the day that kicks off the summer months every
year: Memorial Day. On this day, we often take part in our
favorite summertime activities, getting together with our families and
communities to ring in the new season of relaxation and beautiful
weather. These are some of my favorite thing... read
more
|
Rhoades on the SB5
Poll
Jeff Bell, a Dayton Business Journal contributor, says that half of
Ohio Voters disapprove of the way Gov. Kasich is handling things.
Not much of a surprise! The fury that he has stirred over SB 5
has brought people together from both sides of the aisle as well as
management and labor. Kasich was able to buffalo a lot of people
into believing that there was a problem without ever giving anyone a...
read
more
|
Family Events... Financial
literacy begins at home, By Marybeth Hicks
“Mom, I need new running shoes.” “Mom, can I have $9 for the field trip
next week?” “The AP Bio exam is $85. Should I get your checkbook?”
“Mom, there’s no food.” Sigh. If you’re like me, the joy of parenting
is tinged only by the relentless, unimaginable, skyrocketing expense of
raising children in today’s economy. From keeping up with growing feet
and gangly limbs to restocking the pantry, it seems not a... read
more
|
Response to salary comparison from DBJ…
The “How” and the
“Why” that no one has asked, By Bob Rhoades
Joe Cogliano had an excellent article in the Dayton Business News and
published here on CountyNewsOnLine. He cited some good figures
that are probably pretty accurate and noted that a state of Ohio
worker’s salary was about 33% higher than the average worker here in...
read
more
|
Thou Shalt not Kill,
That’s My Opinion By Bob Robinson
Every year, about this time, Jane comes home with a pretty, new
blanket, or a sleeper, or a picture book or some toy. Every year, about
this time, Jane plans a party for little Danny. She drives by the local
schoolyard during recess and watches the children at play. She knows
exactly who she’s going to invite to the party. Every year, about this
time, she writes out the invitations and addresses the envelopes... read
more
|
Give me some substance
- That’s My Opinion, By Bob Robinson
I believe most will agree that County News Online, under my
“leadership,” leans to the right. Some might say it has stepped off the
right-wing cliff, though I would disagree. I try to make sure that the
opinions CNO publishes are backed by some semblance of support for the
conclusions of the authors. They occasionally might be wrong in their
facts or assumptions – and I could have published unsupported
rhetoric... read
more
|
Family Events... A wholesome
prom night isn’t just a Disney movie, By Marybeth Hicks
Tomorrow night, I’m Prom Mom. I’ve been down this road a couple of
times before, but only with daughters. Come Friday night, rather than
apply make up and wield a curling iron, I’ll have to explain how to put
the studs in a starched, pleated white shirt and tweak the waistband on
a pair of adjustable rental trousers. There will be no outbursts about
unwelcome zits. No wailing that I used too much hairspray... read
more
|
Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy, A Budget of Principle
These next few weeks, Ohioans will witness a historic time as the
legislature passes a budget that has less spending than the prior
biennial budget, this has not occurred often in the history of
Ohio. This is not a matter of choice, but necessity. This
is the result of many Ohioans stepping up to the plate willing to take
cuts to their agencies’ budgets and looking in house for places where
savings could be garnered... read
more
|
The trees in the
forest, That’s My Opinion, By Bob Robinson
As I have noted on occasion, I’m an adjunct instructor at Edison
Community College. One of the courses I teach is Technical Writing… and
one of the topics of that course is ethics. Ethics in technical
writing? While that may seem like a strange marriage, it isn’t. The
unit is entitled Ethics & Responsibility, and like any other field
of study it has rules of behavior and standards that are required of
the... read
more
|
I’ll drink to that, I
guess, By Nathan Eagle, Columnist & Editor, The Garden
Island
As the nightly newscasters slur their words between Osama and Obama, I
examine photos for Monday’s front-page news about U.S. forces killing
the al Qaeda leader. One image captures a jubilant crowd outside the
White House. Another is a screen shot of an Arab television station
supposedly showing bin Laden’s bloody dead body. Recognizing that this
is a small community newspaper, I err on the... read
more
|
The Other Side of the
Coin, By Bob Rhoades
Tabitha Hale had an interesting comment on this website yesterday
concerning President Obama’s handling of the budget problems as well as
our own Governor Kasich’s view on the problem or as she put it,
Kasich’s opinion on Obama’s opinion. Well, I’ll have to say Mr. Obama
having an opinion on what is happening in Ohio or Wisconsin would
probably be better spent on dealing with his own... read
more
|
Family Events... Crucial life
lessons amid today’s headlines, By Marybeth Hicks
From this week’s news about Osama bin Laden to the daily headlines
about crime, abuse, suffering and tragedies, it’s hard to help kids
understand the events of our world without scaring them. How can I talk
to my children about the news of the day without making them anxious,
but also not leave them ignorant of the real world? How much
information is enough, and how much is too much? Post... read
more
|
Darke County Chamber
Endorses and Joins Campaign for Jobs
Following a seismic election like the one we saw last fall it is
important to take stock and remember what voters were saying and why.
The message was loud and clear from every corner of Ohio; “we need jobs
and we need them now.” Unified – not by party, gender or background,
but by a common need – voters demanded solutions and bold ideas.
Recognizing the message and seeing the state of our economy, the Ohio
Chamber of Commerce kicked off 2011 by launching the... read
more
|
Family Events... Violent video
games leave their mark on moral reasoning
By Marybeth Hicks - Recently, I got a fancy new smart phone. As is
typical, my children already knew how to use it before I even opened
the box, but that’s a topic for another day. Before I could even read
the package insert and learn how to charge the battery, my daughter had
downloaded the game “Angry Birds” onto my phone and was on an advanced
level. If you don’t know, “Angry Birds” is... read
more
|
Capitalism in
Government
Guest Column from State Representative Jim Buchy - At the age of 16, I
began to peddle bologna for my family business. In the summer my
extra help was needed and I didn’t mind making the money. It was
a great lesson to save money and earn a living. In 1956, more
than 65% of the males 16 to 19 were holding down jobs. Today,
under 50% of males 16 to 19 are employed outside of the home... read
more
|
Keith Faber’s Weekly Column... Senate
Bill 5... Jobs: By the numbers
April 19, 2011 - Will Senate Bill 5 save any money? This is the
question I have been asked several times in the last few weeks.
Opponents of the bill have tried manipulating the truth, asserting that
this bill has nothing to do with the budget. Furthermore, in an
effort to capitalize on the emotions of fear and uncertainty, they’ve
deemed Senate Bill 5 as a political attack. Neither claim is
true. Senate Bill 5 is not a political... read
more
|
Greenville Levy: The
Board’s Perspective, by Joe Payne, Board of Education
Very soon citizens living within the Greenville City School district
will have an opportunity to show their support for our kids WITHOUT
paying additional taxes. On Election Day May 3rd a “Yes” vote is
urged for the passage of the Greenville City Schools Operating Levy
Renewal, a vote that will yield NO additional taxes. Here are the
up-front facts concerning this very important vote... read
more
|
Family Events... Do kids need a
spiritual life? By Marybeth Hicks
Back in 2008, I wrote a parenting book called “Bringing Up Geeks,” in
which I asserted a radical parenting philosophy: we ought to raise
geeky children for success in life, and not for popularity in the
seventh grade. (These goals generally are mutually exclusive). Among
the reviews I received was one by a blogger who liked my premise, my
acronym for “GEEKs” — Genuine, Enthusiastic, Empowered Kids... read
more
|
Representative Richard Adams... Eliminating
Government Waste and Fraud
As Ohio’s government tries to balance the state budget, all eyes are on
public spending practices. Ohioans are scrutinizing the way state
government is allocating the tax dollars they provide, and rightly so.
It is the government’s job to operate in an economical manner
beneficial to the public. Our families and communities want to ensure
that their tax money is being used as effectively as possible... read
more
|
The Ghoulbus,
By Bethany J. Royer - The Mother of the Munchkins
The munchkins and I were standing at the corner one fine school morning
when the most ancient of buses pulled up alongside of us. Really, it
was so old the windows were dusty, a couple of moths hovered over a
back seat and there were cobwebs galore between and under every seat.
(Okay, so the latter was imagined, but still...) A mental picture
quickly followed of one Ms. Wee Emma... read
more
|
State Senators
Announce Recall Legislation, By Bob Rhoades
Two Democratic senators one from Cleveland and the other from
Youngstown have introduced legislation that would allow recall of,
among others, State Legislators and the Governor according to
ProgressOhio.org. This comes on the heels of the passage of
Senate Bill 5 which the governor says will give local politicians tools
to help govern. The two congressmen say that this is just
another... read
more
|
Family Events... Resist the
“tweening” of America, By Marybeth Hicks
Every so often, my friend Jen posts a link on her Facebook page that
I’m sure is intended to get a rise out of me. All she has to do is
direct me to a news story about tweens. Once, she found an article
about the trend among tween girls to have professional hair treatments
such as highlights, lowlights, chemical straighteners and permanent
curls. Unlike the home treatments we may have had our... read
more
|
|
From Kasich for Ohio Blog... Emma
and Reese Kasich: Student Art Exhibit
and Civil War Reenactment - See also Kasich’s Week in Review
- April 11, 2011 - First Lady Karen Kasich and daughters, Emma and
Reese were proud to have been a part of the Governor’s Student Art
Exhibit Ceremony and to visit the Ohio Statehouse Civil War
commemoration event this past weekend. Emma... read
more
|
Here we go again!,
By Bob Rhoades
Back in 2006 some well-meaning people got together and proposed that a
referendum be put on the ballot asking that smoking be banned from
commercial establishments, including bars, taverns and
restaurants. The petitions were drawn up and passed around and
with the needed signatures being acquired it was placed on the ballot
in a general election. This folks is an exercise of the basic
rights... read
more
|
Family Events... A threat to
civilization as we know it, By Marybeth Hicks
They’re everywhere and you simply cannot escape them. They follow you
to church on Sundays. They sit behind you on airplanes, in restaurants,
even in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. They disrupt family
reunions and afternoons at the park. They’re the unwelcome but
ever-present subtext to countless moments of irritation and
unpleasantness. And now that it’s spring break, they’re out... read
more
|
Guest Column from State Rep. Jim Buchy... SB 5 Becomes Law—What is in the Bill?
The contentious Senate Bill 5 was signed into law by Governor Kasich on
Thursday, March, 31st. As a legislator for 18 years prior
to this current term I can attest, never before have I seen a bill with
so much controversy, yet so much time spent ensuring it is the best
possible piece of legislation. The changes made to Senate Bill 5
from introduction to law were extensive, mostly because... read
more
|
War is Hell,
By Bob Rhoades
We’ve heard that war is hell many times. It’s been hell on earth
for a lot of people since time began and the first argument was had
between two people. Many people don’t stop to think how many
lives are affected and how long they are affected from what happens in
war. Today is April 6th and 66 years ago today my dad, 1st LT. Eugene
F. Rhoades found out about war being hell... read
more
|
Okay, Kasich, you win!
By Bob Rhoades
I have read just about everything that I can read about SB 5. It didn’t
make any sense in the beginning and the only thing that makes any sense
now is that local political subdivisions may have gained some things
that before they had to negotiate for. OK, I’ll give you that.
I’ll also be watching very closely to see how this helps to fix
everything. I’ll take Mr. Buchy’s explanation at face value and
then hide and watch... read
more
|
Responding to Faber’s
Explanation, By Bob Rhoades
On Sunday, in County News Online, Sen. Keith Faber gave his explanation
of why SB 5 was a good thing. I’m not sure that he’s right so
we’ll see if there is a counter point. In the first paragraph he says
that many of us contacted his office to express our opinions and our
opinions were noted and he welcomed the many constructive
suggestions. S B 5 is needed for the several political... read
more
|
Family Events... Manhattan mom
needs a reality check, By Marybeth Hicks
Did you hear about the New York City mother who’s suing her child’s
preschool because she believes the teachers there didn’t prepare her
daughter for admission to an Ivy League university? I couldn’t make
this up. It’s true. Nicole Imprescia filed a lawsuit against
Manhattan’s York Avenue Preschool for a refund of the $19,000 per year
she paid in tuition. She claims the preschool didn’t... read
more
|
To
see Archives for
the Previous
Month's Opinion...
click
here
|
