county news online
February 26, 2011

Columbus follow-up from Al Bliss

This is a brief follow-up to the article about a trip to Columbus on Thursday February 17, 2011.

The number of protesting individuals at the State Capital in Wisconsin and in Columbus has increased my attention on a daily basis because the numbers seem to be increasing also on a daily basis. The single bus load of west central Ohio folks that are supporters of Ohio Senate Bill 5 cost something over $1200.00 when food, police ticket and basic bus costs are added together. The actual total cost is significantly higher when a day’s wages or salary for each working person is considered. Yes, there were many retired folks but many retired folks also work to make ends meet... Read More

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February 9, 2011

Kasich’s Wall Street Experience

Kasich’s Wall Street experience is beginning to emerge as he reveals his plans to balance the budget. Although balanced budgets are the mantra of Republican politics, Kasich’s proposals do not measure up to the old standards. For example, he proposes selling the turnpike and three of the prisons. This is very much akin to a factory owner burning the worktables to fire the boilers. The statement is made “no one knows where the turnpike revenues go” and that “toll takers that could be replaced by machines are receiving salaries of $66,000 a year”. How could these things have happened in a state that is as Republican as Ohio? Isn’t it time that Republicans correct the problem rather than liquidating our assets? Selling the turnpike – a Wall Street plum – is problematic. Who then would own this valuable right-of-way that could be the corridor for 21st century high speed rail service? China already has trains that travel 268 miles per hour - a speed that could allow Clevelanders to commute to a job in Chicago. If the balanced budget is to be achieved by this means it should be relabeled as “faux balanced budged” or better yet “mock balanced budget”.

We are extremely disturbed by his statement that turnpike revenue does not come to the state and he is puzzled that no one knows where the turnpike revenues go”. It should be an absolute mandate of our Republican representatives, Buchy and Faber, to answer these questions.

Charles & Rebecca Reier

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February 1, 2011

Sex Offender Controversy

To: The Mayor and Members of the Greenville City Council, January 31 2011
From: Charles E. Reier, MD and Rebecca A. Reier

We believe the letter from John Graham to his supporters will serve as a template for their communication to you. The arguments and threats contrived are fatally flawed and without merit. Graham states “this law is bad for three reasons”.

Graham: They have no research data showing this will make the community safer.

Response:  Studies in sociology and criminology seldom produce the conclusive proof that Graham requests.  He has sent the Council on a fool’s errand. One of Graham’s early sex offender enrollees with a drug addiction was sentenced to 30 years for rape within six months of leaving the program.

Read More...  

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January 31, 2011

Henry St. Clair Story

Bob,

The current Junior High building is not the building that Mr. St. Clair paid to have moved. The current Junior High was built in the 1920's after his death. However, the current Junior High is on the site of the high school building that was moved and later razed to build the "new high school" which is now the Junior High.

The structure that was moved was of wood construction whereas the current junior high building is of concrete and brick.......way too heavy to move.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Dr. Steve Gruber
Associate Professor of Education
Chair of the Education Department
Director of the M.Ed. Program
Cedarville University

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January 30, 2011

From Lyn Bliss…

Thought some of you might be interested in this – Scott is the author who came to Greenville and spoke about the Lincoln Train for our cooperative project with the Men’s Club that we held at the Garst Museum.
 
Hello Lyn:
 
I see the local media is starting to promote the Hallmark flick THE LOST VALENTINE that airs Sunday on CBS (Channel 7).  You might be interested in knowing that I was one of the historical consultants who worked with the production company on certain scenes.
In summary, back in August, the production arm of Hallmark out of Atlanta called seeking information about WW II canteens.  After some conversation they offered a copy of the script to read.  The show does have scenes involving the typical trackside WW II canteen and apparently I am the go-to guy for information on those canteens.  They were sent copies of one of my books, photos and copies of letters written by servicemen in WW II served at the canteens in Bellefontaine, Lima, Troy and Crestline.

One of the producers has indicated that the cover for my book ANGELS AT THE STATION should be included in the on-camera production however, I am not in a place to have seen an advance copy of film to say for sure whether it will or will not be included.

That said, the filming site was Chattanooga, Tennessee and the two lead actresses are Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White.  My opinion of the show -- its a definite show to be watched.
 
Scott Trostel
 
PS. I'm in the throws of completing a book about the Lincoln Inaugural Train.  That's a real story to be sure!  The anarchists tried to kill him three times before he ever got to Washington.  Nearest to this area he came was Cincy and Xenia, staying a total of five of 13 days in transit here in Ohio.

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January 22, 2011

Dr. John Graham’s mini Autobiography

Editor:

Note these words by John Graham[1]: “She walked faithfully beside me on this journey from the construction business in Texas, to a seminary in Indiana, to pastoring three small and oftentimes difficult, churches in Ohio. Then when I grew disillusioned with the traditional pastorate, she encouraged me to move into the street where the needs of the people we met were overwhelming most of the time. Yet through it all, she stuck with me amidst all of the criticism, financial emergencies, disappointment and setback, and even the legal battles that always accompany radical ministry.”

Note the words that are reflective... Read More

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January 21, 2011

Editor:

I do think reworking or revising the present health bill is much more realistic than repealing it. I watch a show on PBS, the Nightly Business Report, on which they have analysts from all economic sectors and they say the effect is really unknown because much of the bill doesn't take effect until 2014.

But it does help hospital stocks as there will be more patients and also young physicians starting out as they will have  a chance for more patients as the idea is to get more people into the health care system and promote a healthier population.

Small businesses that have not been offering health care to their employees will see an increase in costs but maybe it will be offset somewhat with having fewer absences , etc.

I have always had health insurance even when I was unemployed so to me that is something everyone should have.

Young people that work here have a cell phone, fast Internet and cable TV so they can afford health care.

Ron Griffitts

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 We deserve what we get
 January 20, 2011

Editor:

During the last five years or so I’ve really been ticked off at my Republican party. George Bush turned out to be a big spending closet liberal. In my opinion Robert Taft was the dumbest Governor in my lifetime. The state Republican Party only gave us recycled retreads to vote for year after year.

Here in the county we had three financial fools in the Commissioners office trying to bankrupt us by building a new courthouse we have no real need for.

Then came the November elections. I couldn’t believe it. The majority of the country felt the same way I did. Stop wasting our taxpayer dollars... Read More

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January 15, 2011

Hello Bob,
 
I read with interest the article by our principal and I do not agree with some of his statements.  He states that we have a discipline problem, and he seems to imply that this is the fault of the students.  Kids will be kids and this has not changed since I was in school, so what has changed?  Answer: The approach to discipline. 

When I attended Greenville High I had Leah Huston as my teacher for several math classes. Alg.I, Alg.II Trig. etc.  Her approach to discipline she laid down on the first day of class.  If she had a problem with any student in her class the student would be ejected from class and if they needed this credit the only way they would get back in class would be if they brought their parents to see her with a formal apology.  There were no problems!!! 

I was also in a class taught by another teacher which included many of the same students as were in the math classes.  This was the most unruly class I attended.  The difference!  The teacher.  Don't blame the kids.  Put the blame where it belongs. The administrating staff and the teachers.
 
I have another comment concerning school delays.  Why do we have a 2 hour delay?  The school would like you to believe it is for safety.  This is a joke!!!!!  When I was in school everyone was aware that the buses would be running 1/2 hour early during bad weather.  This made more sense because the drivers could drive slower and safer and arrive at school on time.  Now we have a 2 hour delay and the buses run two hours later and school starts two hours later.  Have you seen the way these drivers drive under good conditions?  They have to hurry to make it to school on time.  The bus schedules are such that they still have to hurry in bad weather.  Safer?  I think not!!!  I think we should go back to two weather condition strategies:  Early departure time for buses or school closing.

Keith Hocker

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January 10, 2011

Thank You Minuteman Press

In these tough economic times money is tight.  When a non-profit organization requests a donation, usually it is in the form of money.   However, donations can also be given in the form of time, speaking engagements, or supplies needed.

Several months ago, Hope in Recovery approached Nevin Eley, of Minuteman Press, asking for a discounted rate to run flyers.  Nevin responded by gifting to us flyers for our three programs, all on different colored paper, and folded.  WOW!  Just how awesome is that?  More than you might realize!

I would personally like to thank Nevin and Minuteman Press for helping us, through flyers, to spread the information about Hope in Recovery, Hope-a-non, and the Hope for Teens programs. Through his gift, many more will be able to learn that help is out there.

Blessings,
Art Garland
Hope in Recovery


 
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