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The views
expressed on
this page are soley those of the author and do not
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of County
News Online
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Grumpy
Old Men, By Bob Robinson
Probably one of the most rejuvenating things a 68-year-old can do is
try to manage and teach a class of 20-plus 5, 6 or 7-year-olds.
They put new life into you… take you back more than six decades. Were
we ever like that?
I’ve had that privilege. I’ve taught spelling and reading, math,
science and history; even music and dance (no comments please). All to
kindergartners, first graders and second graders. Come to think of it,
third through sixth graders… read
more.
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U.S.
Senator Sherrod Brown… Speeding
up Home Sales
One sure way to reduce the deficit is to strengthen the economy—so more
Americans have good-paying jobs and can support themselves and their
families rather than relying upon the safety net to make ends meet. We
have grown our way out of past recessions through a strong
manufacturing sector and a robust housing market. But when empty homes
are scattered from Cleveland Heights to Kennedy Heights, we know that
the housing market still has… read
more.
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Broke
Wife, Big City… Liar,
Liar,
Bigger Pants Than You'd Like On Fire, By
Aprill Brandon
Now that it's getting warmer (and then colder...and then warmer
again...and then snowing...and then slightly warmer again before a cold
front comes in around 3 p.m. and makes it hail), all our collective
thoughts are slowly turning toward spring and summer. And as such, all
the things we'll finally be able to do again now that winter is over
(like the ability to go outside without looking like the little brother
from "A Christmas Story")… read
more.
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Life
with Levi… Levi’s
little lamb,
By Amanda Rodeheffer-Olson, Assistant Editor
As many of you may remember, I wrote a column about the Great Lambie
Swap of 2012. I still get asked about how the new Lambie is getting
along, so I figured that I’d fill you in. Levi still has no idea that
Lambie was even swapped out. He still loves his lamb just as much as he
ever did. Even more it seems sometimes. Levi and Lambie are nearly
inseparable now. Everywhere Levi goes, Lambie goes too. Even
to
the babysitter’s house. And the… read
more.
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U.S. Representative John Boehner...A
Balanced Budget Would Create Jobs and Expand Opportunity
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester)
released the following column discussing House Republicans’ plan to
balance the budget in 10 years: “Recently I had a chance to meet with
several employers in Butler County. It’s always great to
gather
feedback, listen to concerns, and talk about ways to help job creators
grow and hire. “In contrast to what the White House and Democrats in
Congress are saying, I know – and I hear… read
more.
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From the Other Side of the Edge….Gun
Control? ……or just CONTROL???
By Joe Facinoli
The Second Amendment to our Constitution guarantees and allows any
citizen of the United States of America the right to possess and own
Black Hawk helicopter gunships, machine gun turrets, and any Sherman
Tank which they can find, if they so desire, and can afford them. And a
half million rounds of ammo, too, if they want. Really. Find and show
me anything to the contrary. “A well regulated militia, being necessary
to the security of a free State, the right… read
more.
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On
Fracking Controversy...Just
one
little detail, By Lyn Bliss
The League of Women Voters (LWV) was formed with a purpose they
declared to be, “helping women carry out their new responsibilities as
voters”. What a great and noble cause… except for one detail. “From the
spirit of the suffrage movement and the shock of the First World War
came a great idea - that a nonpartisan civic organization could provide
the education and experience the public needed to assure the success of
democracy. The League... read
more.
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State
Representative Jim Buchy… The
Common Sense Initiative a Benefit to all Ohioans
Two years ago, I began talking with constituents about the Common Sense
Initiative (CSI). The Common Sense Initiative is the brain
child
of Lt. Governor Mary Taylor. The core principle is providing
a
government watchdog to ensure bureaucracy makes doing business in Ohio
less challenging and as a result increases job opportunities in this
state. The office of the Common Sense Initiative examines all
administrative rules before they are approved and… read
more.
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Broke
Wife, Big City… To
the tax
break(ing) point, By Aprill Brandon
You guys, I feel so bad. I can't believe I have been so selfish and
near-sighted. Not to mention, so utterly unfair. I mean, to think! That
I could possibly be the cause of so much financial strife and anguish.
I am so so deeply ashamed right now. Yes, dear readers, it is with a
heavy heart that I inform you my husband and I just finished our taxes
and as it turns out, we have cheated our poor government out of their
hard-earned money. To… read
more.
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U.S.
Senator Sherrod Brown... Reducing
Prescription Drug Costs for Consumers, Saving Money for the Government
Right now, everyone in Washington is focused on fiscal issues – getting
our financial house in order. This is something families in Ohio have
been dealing with for some time. We know how to do this. We can improve
health outcomes and simultaneously save money for our consumers and for
the federal government. A couple of years… read
more.
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Life
with Levi… Speaking
Minion,
By Amanda Rodeheffer-Olson, Assistant Editor
Levi is bilingual. He can speak English a little, but his first
language seems to be Minion. I know I’ve mentioned it in a previous
column, but for those of you who missed it, or who don’t remember, the
minions I speak of are the little yellow guys in the movie, Despicable
Me. And they speak some form of gibberish that I can’t fully
understand. This is the language my son speaks fluently. Or at least I
figure that must be the language that he’s speaking… read
more.
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State
Representative Jim Buchy… Responsible
Budgeting Key to Ohio’s Success
You don’t have to watch the news for very long to realize the federal
government is in disarray. The national debt is approaching $17
trillion and there seems to be no sign of slowing down. Taxpayers of
future generations will be on the hook for the excessive spending of
today, which is unsustainable by anyone’s estimation. Not long ago,
Ohio was acting in much the same way as the federal government. By the
end of 2010, the state was staring at an $8… read
more.
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State
Representative Richard Adams… Transparency
Integral to Democracy
A democracy is defined as a “government by the people; a form of
government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and
exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free
electoral system.” To me it seems that the United States was built upon
the idea that the people and government are interlinked to form a
great, free nation. This means the government should be held
accountable and also should be transparent. I’m happy to say… read
more.
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U.S
Representative John Boehner…The
President’s Sequester Still Needs to Be Replaced
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester)
released the following column discussing the president’s sequester:
“For two weeks now, President Obama’s sequester has been in place. And
for two weeks, the White House has rightly faced criticism for its
implementation of the sequester’s across-the-board cuts. “From shutting
down White House tours to spreading fear of long lines at airports, I’m
disappointed in the way that the…
read
more.
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From
the Other Side of the Edge…Blinded
by the Wrong Light..., By Joe Facinoli
The wide and wonderful, political and cultural diversity in this
country should be celebrated. The abuse, misuse, and overuse of
it,…..should not. With so many people, from so many different and
varied groups, desperately seeking some sort of Light, some source of
fulfillment, of hope and opportunity, or motivation, it has become far
too easy for them to find, accept, and ultimately settle for and
believe in, …..the “truth as we say it is” pretenders. Enter…
read
more.
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Broke
Wife, Big City… Perhaps
it's
lupus, By Aprill Brandon
So, I've been sick the past few days. Or at least, I think I have. It
could be that I'm dying. To tell the truth, even though I've
"technically" never died before, it feels pretty similar to what I
imagine dying is like. The only thing missing is a tunnel, a bright
light and the ability to legally obtain morphine. Yes, now that I've
entered my 30's, getting sick is a whole new ball game. A horrible,
horrible new ball game composed of hulked up… read
more.
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Life
with Levi… Levi’s
snowy day,
By Amanda Rodeheffer-Olson, Assistant Editor
Even though Levi is nearing his second birthday, he has never
experienced snow. Or at least playing in it. He’s seen his share of
snow over the last couple of winters, but the poor little guy has
always been too sick to go out and play in it. And of course Mommy
isn’t going to send her sick baby boy outside in the cold even if it is
for a little fun. So finally, last week when we got what will turn out
to be our last big snow before spring, Levi got to go… read
more.
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State
Representative Jim Buchy… Protecting
Our Local Bingo Halls
Currently, the General Assembly is reviewing House Bill 7, which would
change current law as it relates to sweepstakes terminals and games of
chance. This bill is a culmination of two years of work to
ensure
illegal gaming is eliminated and charitable gaming is protected. This
legislation is supported by Attorney General Mike Dewine, who told the
Policy and Legislative Oversight Committee that “40 percent of the
people seeking help for problem gambling at … read
more.
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From
the Other Side of the Edge...Hiding
From the Light..., By Joe Facinoli
There is still a Light out there, and it is not dimming, nor dying, nor
going anywhere. It is always shining, sometimes
brighter
than in other moments, has many varied sources, but is a constant. And
most politicians spend a lifetime trying to hide from it. Leaving
religious thoughts aside, for the purpose of a more politically based
discussion, this Light is indeed what we are about as a country, and a
culture, and where we are from. And where… read
more.
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U.S.
Senator Sherrod Brown… Ensuring
Ohio Taxpayers Don’t Pay for Wall Street’s Failures
Most Ohioans would be surprised to know that the same Wall Street
megabanks which received bailouts from taxpayers in 2009 also receive
taxpayer-funded advantages today simply because of their “too big to
fail” status. This taxpayer- supplied subsidy is wrong, and it puts
community banks in Ohio at a competitive disadvantage. This gives them
access to cheaper funding and more favorable borrowing terms than
dependable Main Street institutions - like… read
more.
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Broke
Wife, Big City… Pills
and
creams! Pills and creams! By Aprill Brandon
Last night, my husband and I had a small dinner party. Just a few
friends, some good music, a delicious meal and a few (dozen) bottles of
wine. It was a wonderful time had by all. Cut to this morning, when we
woke up exhausted and suffering from indigestion, a major headache, and
sore muscles (from the effort of cooking...COOKING!). All of which we
remedied by swallowing a ridiculous amount of pills with two gallons of
black coffee… read
more.
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State
Representative Jim Buchy… Legislation
Aimed at Getting Ohioans Back to Work
Since JobsOhio was signed into law two years ago, businesses have had
more confidence to invest and expand, resulting in the creation of more
than 120,000 Ohio jobs. The unemployment rate has fallen by nearly 2.5
percent, and with the national unemployment rate increasing last month,
Ohio’s rate now stands more than a point lower than the national
average. In Mercer and neighboring counties, we have the lowest
unemployment rate in Ohio thanks in large… read
more.
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Commissioners
Corner… Proposed
Sales Tax,
Wellness Program & More
February has been a mixed bag weather-wise this year. One day
it
is 50 and sunny, then in the afternoon we have snow showers.
Hopefully, as February closes, the weather will even out and we will
have an early spring for everyone. February has been an up
and
down month in the Commissioner’s office as well. We have many
things we are working on, but once we get things set, we have to wait
on a… read
more.
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The Other Side of the Edge…“Stepping
on the Throat….”, By Joe Facinoli
Military leaders have a saying. Coaches in all sports use it as well.
When your enemy, or your opponent, is down, and nearly out, “Step on
their throat!” Nearing victory, or close to imposing a stinging defeat,
they will exhort to their underlings: “Don’t let them up!,…..Don’t give
them the chance to breathe again.” The idea being, that if you “let
them up”, then they could possibly get new life, have time to regroup,
and… read
more.
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U.S.
Senator Sherrod Brown… Helping
Ohio Workers Compete in a Global Economy
At the President’s State of the Union address, I was joined by Cookie
Hall, a second-generation Cleveland steelworker who knows from
experience that American workers are the most productive in the world.
Cookie works at Cleveland Works, a steel plant owned by ArcelorMittal
North America. Workers at this plant produce one ton of steel per each
man hour of work – making it the most efficient steel plant in the
world. There is no disputing that our workers… read
more.
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