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Darke
County Park District Board of Commissioners Pass Resolution
By Park District Director Roger M. Van Frank - On March 13, 2013 the
Darke County Park District Board of Commissioners passed a resolution
stating the necessity to request a 1⁄2 mill
replacement
levy be placed on the November 5, 2013 general election ballot for the
purposes of (a) maintaining, upgrading, improving, and/or expanding the
Darke County Park District’s parks for conserving their natural
resources and to benefit the general public… read
more. |
Commissioners Corner… Parade
and
festival season begins
May has been a very interesting month. It started out a lot
like
April, wet and cool, and now it is warm and humid, and setting up for
bad weather. The good news is the farmers have had a chance
to
get the planting done, and it is finally feeling like summer.
Summer always makes people feel better, and with the sunshine and
warmth, it is a good time to complete those projects we thought about
last winter. Here in… read
more. |
Broke Wife, Big City… The
Credit
Card Twilight Zone, By Aprill Brandon
By reading this, you’re traveling through another dimension. A
dimension, not only of sight and sound, but of the contents of your
wallet. A journey into a heinous land whose boundaries are only those
of your credit limit. Next stop-the Credit Card Zone. The place is
here. The time? Now. Street scene: Summer. A woman is on the sidewalk,
pacing back and forth as she talks on her cell phone. Age: 31.
Occupation: Hack writer who steals… read
more. |
Life with Levi… My
first
favorite baby, By Amanda Olson, Editor
If I said Levi wasn’t my favorite baby in the whole world, I’d be a bad
mom. But there was a time, long before Levi, that I had a different
favorite baby. And that’s my baby sister, Brittany Jo Ulman. You’ve
heard about Brittany before but probably know her as Levi’s Aunt Beej
or Aunt Beejy. And from the things I’ve written, you can also probably
tell that she’s no longer a baby. Far from it, actually. This past
weekend I had the immense pleasure of… read
more. |
Strong Schools, Strong Community… Survey
Results for the Upcoming Bond Issue
By Doug Fries, Superintendent - Recently the Greenville School District
conducted a survey about the upcoming August 6th bond issue to
construct a new K-8 school building facility and renovating the high
school. The survey was communicated through various news
media
outlets and school district evening events. Here are the results of the
community members who participated in the survey. 761people
took
the survey in which 91.8% were… read
more. |
From the Other Side of the Edge…It’s
Time…..Flat Tax, Term
Limits, Amnesty, End Welfare…. By Joe
Facinoli
Times have changed, so it’s about time that we dealt with it. The time
for making everything just oh so perfect, for every, single,
body,…..has passed. We need to go back to the start, before we can go
on to the future. Re-set, rewind, re-boot, do over, do not pass “Go”
this time. Do it again, similarly, but different. Change it, by
restoring it. Return… read
more. |
U.S. Representative John Boehner… Americans
Deserve Answers & Accountability
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester)
released the following column: “Americans need common-sense solutions
to help create jobs, and they need accountability from their
government. In the House of Representatives, we’re working to
deliver both. “With millions of Americans still struggling to find
work, our top priority is jobs, and putting in place policies that
create sustained economic growth and job creation. We cannot…
read
more. |
Grumpy Side of 60… Back
in the
saddle again, By Bob Robinson
(Note: The Grumpy Side of 60 is a bi-weekly column for The Early Bird.
It is reprinted here by permission and will contain occasional comments
published in previous CNO columns. The author can assure you, however,
that he offers something new for those interested in spending a couple
minutes on it). “I love working with old people,” a young lady told me
recently. “That’s my career goal, to take care of old people.” “You
mean like me?”… read
more. |
Broke Wife, Big City… When
Nature Attacks, Part 2, By Aprill Brandon
Being a newspaper columnist is a huge privilege. Not only that, it's a
huge privilege that comes with a whole lot of responsibility. Like
Spiderman-level of responsibility. And those of us lucky enough to get
this public mouthpiece gig have to use it wisely to shed light on
important issues. Which is why I'd like to take this opportunity to
continue my saga of the bumblebee and the wasp who won't let me hang
out on my back porch… read
more. |
Life with Levi… Levi’s
big day,
By Amanda Olson, Editor
It’s official… My baby is a two-year-old. And Mom-Mom and Daddy made
sure that his birthday was special. Before Levi was born, Aaron and I
made the decision that no matter what, we would always spend Levi’s
birthday together and do things as a family. Last year, we took Levi to
the park. This year we decided to take him to the Newport Aquarium
since he loves our aquarium and he gets a kick out of looking at the
fish at Wal-Mart… read
more. |
From the Other Side of the Edge…Is Anyone
Wearing Big Boy
Pants? By Joe
Facinoli
“….a government OF the Grownups,….BY the Grownups,….and FOR the
Grownups…..” I’m pretty sure that’s what Mr. Lincoln actually meant, at
Gettysburg, in 1863. But how long has it been since we’ve had that,
going on? Ever?? Maybe Abe was the last one. Or Truman. Maybe Reagan.
Responsibility, accountability, mature decision making, understanding
the rubrics and mechanics of the process, providing clear direction,
knowing the consequences of and… read
more. |
State Representative Jim Buchy… A
School Funding Plan that is Fair to Rural Schools
The Ohio House of Representatives made some significant changes to the
governor’s original school funding plan, which in many ways will
benefit the schools in the 84th House District. While I commend the
governor for his ideas and leadership, the original version was not as
friendly as it could have been—or should have been—to area schools. But
that is why the legislative procedure is so important. Discussion with…
read
more. |
OSU Extension, Darke County … Tips
to get the most out of pesticides, By Sam
Custer
This is the time of the year you will get busy with spraying. Just take
a moment to review some common sense ideas to get the most out of those
expensive pesticides you will be spraying. Achieving satisfactory
results from pesticides depends on five major factors: a) positive
identification of the pest, b) choosing the least persistent and lowest
toxicity pesticide that will work, c) selecting the right equipment,
particularly… read
more. |
Impeach
Obama? By Bob Robinson
Well, the media’s at it again. Just when I thought they were finally
beginning to take Obama to task, they are lauding him for firing IRS
Acting Commissioner Steven Miller when he would have been out of the
office in two weeks anyway. Under the law as I understand it, Miller
had to be appointed Commissioner, or removed by June 1 and a new acting
commissioner appointed. It was all over CBS News Thursday… read
more. |
Broke Wife, Big City… When
nature attacks, By Aprill Brandon
I've lived in a variety of places. The mid-West, South Texas, Boston.
And each place has its own unique set of pros and cons. For example,
the Ohio countryside where I grew up has some of the most spectacular
sunsets on the the planet. On the downside, every single road in that
state is currently under construction and will continue to be under
construction until the end of the world (and even then the roaches that
survive will still have to deal… read
more. |
Life with Levi… My
second
Mom-Mom’s Day, By Amanda Rodeheffer-Olson,
Editor
For me, Mother’s Day has always taken a long time to get here.
Literally. My first Mother’s Day came after waiting what seemed like
forever. Since Levi was born at 11:09 a.m. the day AFTER Mother’s Day
in 2011, I literally had to wait a full year to get my first Mother’s
Day. And since I went into labor at 12:03 a.m., I couldn’t even claim
that he was my Mother’s Day gift, just a little late. No, leave it to
my son to be stubborn… read
more. |
U.S. Representative John Boehner… Building
a Stronger Economy for New Graduates
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester)
released the following column: “Earlier this month President Obama
delivered the commencement address at Ohio State University. It was a
fine speech, and I join the president in congratulating the Class of
2013. “But while the president used his address to highlight the noble
aspects of service and citizenship, he missed a chance to focus on the
opportunities our government… read
more. |
U.S. Representative John Boehner…Carney Claims
on Changing
Benghazi Talking Points at Odds With the Facts
May 8, 2013–It’s well documented that in the days and weeks following
the attack on the American consulate in Benghazi on September 11, 2012,
the Obama administration conveyed to the American people a wholly
inaccurate account of the events. The talking points used by senior
administration officials, including U.N… read
more. |
From the Other Side of the Edge….The “Fog of
War”….?
By Joe Facinol
How stupid do they think we are??? On how many levels? Truth,…..or
Spin?? Do the “Right Thing”,…..or get re-elected? And why do those two
have to be mutually exclusive?? Defend the Country, its honor, and the
people who were willing to give their lives for it,…..or, go for a bump
in the polls, with misdirection and falsehoods, made of whole cloth? A
“Faustian” deal, with Satan his ownself, to secure a bogus legacy and
their jobs, on our dole for another four year… read
more. |
Vote YES for Strong Schools Strong Community… You Become Your Choices - Make
Good Ones!
By Doug Fries, Superintendent - As a young man growing up I recall my
parents instilling in me a phrase I have never forgotten. That phrase
was "You become your choices so make good ones." This is a phrase I
have used to guide my own personal life and career as an educator. Of
course, making the best choices often involves taking the hand you were
dealt, identifying the alternatives, evaluating the options and doing
what makes the most sense… read
more. |
The Greenville Levy… It’s
really
about the kids, By Bob Robinson
“Why won’t Greenville support us?” Two sharp, talented Greenville High
School students asked that question a few years back… it was after
voters had defeated an earlier attempt to approve a new school
facility. I didn’t have an answer for them. I’d heard “reasons.”
They’ve been discussed ad-nauseam. The question these two seniors asked
has haunted me over the years. Not one of the “reasons” was about the
kids, but how to make them… read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… 10
Reasons
Why Whatever You Got Your Mom For Mother's Day Isn't Good Enough,
By Aprill Brandon
1. You puked on her as a baby. Repeatedly. And I guarantee that at
least once, she managed to catch your vomit in her bare hands when you
got sick in public. 2. That
gerbil/bunny/kitty/puppy/fish/hamster/bird/ferret you just couldn't
LIVE without? She's the reason it didn't die within three days. 3. No
matter how hard Dad or anybody… read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City… Diary
of a
Wimpy Adult, By Aprill Brandon
Pssst...kids...hey...PSSST...kiiiiiiids... Wanna know a secret? About
being a grown-up? You do! Well... us adults? We're really just big kids
with bank accounts. (Some with...ahem...smaller bank accounts than
others). I know! I was as shocked as you are to learn this. As I got
older, I kept waiting to finally, officially feel like an adult. But lo
and behold, the years kept passing by... 18... 22... 26... 29... 29
again... the second anniversary of turning… read
more.
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State Representative Richard Adams… Performance Audit Bill Identifies
State
Spending Reductions
A bill passed during the previous General Assembly is responsible for
revealing huge savings for Ohio this year. The legislation was a joint
effort between the House and Senate, and ultimately, Senate Bill 4
became law. It requires performance audits of most state
agencies, and was passed in April 2011. The goal of this
legislation was to make spending by the state more resourceful and
accountable by conducting performance audits. This year… read
more.
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Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted… Graduating Seniors Equal First
Time Voters
One of the most rewarding aspects of being Secretary of State is
traveling around Ohio to meet with high school students as part of my
Grads Vote program. Through Grads Vote, we provide high school seniors
with information about registering to vote for the first time and work
to instill in them the importance of being active participants in our
democracy. This year, the Grads Vote program holds special meaning for
me as my son Alex, is turning… read
more.
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State Representative Jim Buchy…Expanding
Budget Options for Local Governments
In an effort to assist local governments and school districts, the
state legislature last year passed a bill that established an
innovative program called STAR Plus. The program gave Ohio’s local
governments and school districts the ability to deposit funds into
FDIC-approved banks in Ohio, which, after earning interest, would
generate more money in the future. The money that would be deposited
into banks comes from reserve funds as a way to provide public… read
more.
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From the Other Side of the Edge….Who
Do You Trust? By Joe Facinoli
Who would you trust with your Rights? Who would you trust with your
individual liberties, and your Rights?? Who would you trust with your
Rights, your individual liberties, and with approval over all the
personal choices you make in your everyday life??? If you were given
such a option, just who would you allow to hold power over your daily
actions, movements, and decisions? And would it be anyone ?? Would you
choose a group of men who had just… read
more
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U.S. Representative John Boehner....Leading by Example, Creating a
Better
Environment for Jobs
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester)
released the following column:
“Three years ago I and my fellow House Republicans made a pledge to
rein in government spending, starting with Congress’ own budget.
“From the very first vote of our new majority in the House, we’ve
worked to keep that promise. Currently we’re on track to save taxpayers
more than $400 million by the end of the fiscal year.
“At a time when… read
more.
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CO2 sequestration
group
reorganizes... Western
Ohio
Fracking Awareness Coalition,
By Anne Vehre
In
2009, the Citizens Against CO2 Sequestration organized to stop a carbon
dioxide sequestration project proposed for Greenville’s Industrial
Park. Soon that group grew to encompass thousands of citizens
throughout the county who were willing to stand up and speak out for
their rights.
It was because of their numbers that the project was stopped - - a
project which not only threatened the lives and livelihoods of many
Darke County residents but also the area’s soil and sole-source aquifer
in one of
… read
more.
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To
enroll or not to enroll: that is the question,
By Donna Kemp, Premier Senior Insurance
Enrolling in Medicare Part B if you are age 65 or older, still working
(or spouse is still working) and have insurance coverage from that job.
First things first, you should know that your Initial Enrollment Period
begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months
after your 65th birthday. Then you need to consider if you or your
spouse will continue to keep working after this time and if either will
be receiving health insurance from that current… read
more.
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Broke Wife, Big City... All
I
want to do is sit down, By Aprill Brandon
I remember once hearing a teacher say something along the lines of "an
object in motion tends to stay in motion and an object at rest tends to
stay at rest, especially if that object is a person sitting in a
coffeeshop and you want their seat." Or something like that. I don't
know. I was too busy sending professional-grade orgami-esque folded
notes to my best friend about very important topics, such as what fast
food restaurant parking lot we were… read
more.
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State Representative Jim Buchy… Voting
for a Balanced Budget
The U.S. National Debt is now over $16.8 trillion, and our children and
grandchildren are each in debt over $53,000. We owe China too
much money, and that is something I think could be agreed upon by both
sides. In the Ohio House of Representatives, we passed a
balanced
budget with bi-partisan support. It seems that Uncle Sam is
always looking for ways to influence state government and all too often
his preferred method is by way of cash with strings… read
more.
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U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown… Connecting
Ohio Consumers with Ohio Producers
Buy local, eat local? - Despite the fact that agriculture and food is
Ohio’s largest industry, too many Ohio consumers struggle to access
fresh, affordable food and too many Ohio farmers need help selling
their products locally. Time and time again, I’ve heard the same
message from farmers across the state: connecting Ohio farmers with
Ohio consumers just makes sense. Yet, during my most recent
“Grown-in-Ohio” tour, I heard from many people about… read
more.
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