July 24, 2011
Re: Increasing taxes on the ultra wealthy...
Kurt Fritsch
Dear Dr. Reier,
Referring to your “Letter to Mr. Obama,” published on CNO, I must admit
that basically you would be right in your reasoning and in encouraging
Mr. Obama to increase taxes on the ultra wealthy....
... if there wouldn’t be several problems:
1) the folks you mentioned belong to the group (of ultra wealthy
people) of Obama’s greatest supporters (funds as well as in the usage
of Internet and Social Media in the 2008 campaign)... Read More
***
July 23, 2011
Increasing taxes on the ultra wealthy
Charles E. Reier MD
TO: President Barack Obama
July 20, 2011
Subject: Necessity of increasing taxes on ultra wealthy
individuals: If low taxes are good, why has the 21st century been so
disastrous for the country as a whole while simultaneously spawning a
new class of multi-billionaires?
Dear Mr. President,
As a lifetime Republican millionaire at age 76, I urge that you not
depart from your commitment to increase taxes on the ultra wealthy to
levels approaching historic norms.
Who are Larry Page, Sergey Brin, Geoff Yang, and Mark Zuckerberg? They
are a group of young men hardly out of their tennis shoes that have
made excessive fortunes on the Internet that was built by the United
States Defense Department with hard earned American tax dollars at a
time when they were in grade school... Read More
***
July 9, 2011
White House Rural Council
Al Bliss
All Darke County Residents:
I believe that we in Darke County truly qualify as a part of rural
America. This is July 8, 2011 and until yesterday July 7, 2011, I did
not know that the President had issued an Executive Order (EO)
pertaining to Rural America. I have included a copy of the EO
below with the addition of the individuals in the offices identified in
the EO for your information.
You are probably wondering why I am bothering with this and what
difference this EO makes or could make. Because of the importance of
this document and the fact that it was issued a month ago with
absolutely no fanfare... Read More
***
June 23, 2011
To All Darke County Voters/Taxpayers/Homeowners and County Commissioners
Transfer Tax/Conveyance Fee
Reference: Monday June 20, 2011 Darke County Commissioner’s Meeting
An improved name for the subject Tax/Fee has been suggested and will be
used subsequently. The appropriate name [my opinion] is the STEALTH
TAX. The reason that this is meaningful is that to date, no one asked
has any idea that this tax even exists. So STEALTH TAX it is.
The comprehensive report by Bob Robinson in the County News Online was
detailed and professionally done. Kudos to Bob for a job well done... Read More
***
June 19, 2011
Letter to the Commissioners
Folks,
As we are out of county, cannot attend the public meeting(s) on the proposed conveyance fee increase, here is my input .....
The current ‘fee’ rate of $2 per $1000 is composed of two parts -
A- the OHIO mandatory charge (R.C. 319.54(G)(3)), called “real property transfer fee” of $1
B- the county permissive charge (R.C. 322.02), called “real property
transfer tax” of $1, (and for which state law allows for a max rate of
$3)
The proposal is to increase the permissive portion (the tax) to $2
A tax is a tax, any increase in tax rate is and will be unpopular... Read More
***
June 15, 2011
Attention Darke County Commissioners:
A footnote to the Darke County Commissioner’s meeting today, Wednesday
June 15, 2011 at 1:30 P.M. in the Commissioner’s Conference Room.
My personal assessment of the hour and a half discussion regarding the
“Real Property Transfer Tax” --aka Conveyance Fees -- was that
virtually all present considered an aggressive Economic Development
effort was vital to the growth and financial well being of Darke
County. It also seemed that all present with the exception of the
Economic Development Director and the members of the Community
Improvement Council (CIC) opposed the option of increased funding for
the Economic Development effort via an increase in the current
permissive conveyance fee from one dollar ($1) to two dollars ($2)... Read More
***
June 5, 2011
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Next Coffee with the Commissioner
Commissioner Mike Stegall will be having his next “Coffee with the
Commissioner” on June 18th, 2011 at Sweet One 0 One in downtown
Greenville. Commissioner Stegall will be answering your questions
and discussing any county issues that are brought up. This is an
opportunity for people to meet with your county officials and to learn
what is going on in Darke County. The session will last from 8:00
a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Everyone is invited, and it is sure
to be a fun time for both the commissioner and the people. Please
join him for an informative and fun morning, June 18th at Sweet
one-o-one in downtown Greenville. See you there!
***
June 5, 2011
The issue was swimming in Greenville Creek
Editor:
I really didn't think my article would have been classified as a rant.
But that's OK. Although it is a little odd that the pool wasn't open on
Memorial Day I can deal with that and accept Ms. Beam's reasons for its
tardy opening this year. I'm not sure, however that the pool
should have been the real focus point of the article. Since the
Greenville Creek runs right through the middle of the park but in the
city of Greenville, it seems that one of those entities should concern
themselves with kids in the rain swollen creek. This didn't just start
yesterday. It's been going on for a while. The very day in
question, WHIO reported on a kid who jumped into a creek and the
undertow took him away. It could have easily happened in
Greenville Creek and still can. Budgets being what they are,
disabling the stairway to the creek could relieve the Park Board and
the City of some liability, maybe even a sign posted "No Swimming",
even though it wouldn't be read, might help. Next time I'll be very
explicit on what the problem is and I won't be accused of ranting or
have to write an explanation.
Bob Rhoades
Greenville
***
June 3, 2011
Right back atcha
Editor:
If there is a brain running loose in the Darke County Commissioners
Office it will die of loneliness. Nowhere in my letter do I even
mention the commissioners in relationship to what I said about CAUV and
the new taxes. A third grader should have been able to see that my
letter was on multiple subjects.
As for the real estate taxes and unemployment in Ohio, the key word
here was “real.” These investigative reporters dug out the “real”
numbers on Ohio. I believe them. Politicians lie to look good and keep
their jobs... Read More
***
June 3, 2011
Response to Bob Rhoades’ Memorial Day in Treaty City
Bob, I really think that Bob Rhoades should have checked all the facts
before writing his rant on the park and park board. First, our pool and
general budget was cut by several thousands dollars, so this board had
to make decisions on the pool and other areas. I have been on the park
board for almost 2 years and I can count on my fingers how many people
have attended meetings, or even called me as a board member. In these
board meetings a lot of information is given and decisions are made. I
would invite those that want to “Rant” about the park and the park
board to come to our next meeting and voice your concerns. Thanks.
Kathy Beam
Greenville
***
June 2, 2011
We have to wake up
Editor:
According to Ted Finnam a proponent of CAUV and Scott Zumbrink
representing the State Treasurer Association, CAUV is losing it’s clout
in Ohio. Taxes on our farm acres will increase 100 percent to 300
percent in January 2012.
We have to wake up immediately and begin to protect ourselves from any additional taxes.
A national TV program just revealed that Ohio has the highest real
estate taxes in the nation. Can you believe we pay more than New York?
We have the second highest real unemployment rate behind Michigan in
the nation... Read More
***
May 17, 2011
Regarding the letter from Mr. Al Bliss dated May 15th:
Any writing gives food for thought. However, there is always some
knowledge that can add to the understanding of any article. Mr.
Bliss noted that one member of the Board abstained from the vote.
The reason was attributed to Ohio Law which prohibits a board member
from voting on employment which could impact them personally. In
this case, the Board Member is married to a special education aide... Read More
***
May 15, 2011
Letter to the Editor:
To all voters and taxpayers and folks who care,
The following information is presented to start a process of keeping
Greenville voters and taxpayers informed about the Darke County and
Greenville School Systems with emphasis on financial elements and
consistant review and comment regarding the performance of the team
that constitutes the Board of Education, Why, well the seven Boards of
Education and eight superintendents in Darke County control more money
than the County Commissioners and are directly responsible for the
future of our county and country through the education of our youth. It
has been suggested that a comment made by a Board of Education Member
in Darke County that indicated his real job kept him from spending much
time preparing for the Board Meeting, is easily justification to
replace the Board Member promptly... Read More
***
May 11, 2011
Letter to the Editor
Thank You to Arcanum
I would like to thank all of the people who came to the first “Coffee
with the Commissioner” at Smiths’ Coffee House in Arcanum on Saturday,
May 7th. There were a lot of good questions asked, and the
interaction between myself and the people was informative and
enjoyable. I would personally like to thank Chuck Zell who came
well prepared and asked a lot of great questions. In the
next couple of weeks I hope to announce where the next “Coffee with the
Commissioner” will be held... Read More
***
May 5, 2011
GCS District
Voters... Thank you for your support
GCS District Residents,
On behalf of the students, staff, and administration, please accept our
thanks on the recent passage of the Operating Levy Renewal. We
truly appreciate your support!
Thank you!
Ben Studabaker, Cindy Scott, Sue Bowman, Joe Payne and Jim Sommer -
Board of Education Members
Susie Riegle-Superintendent
***
May 4, 2011
To all Darke County
Folks who care about their schools
The following three tables consist of facts derived directly from
reports generated by school districts in Darke County as required by
the Ohio Board of Education, the Ohio Board of Education Annual School
evaluation report or the School Facilities Eligibility Ranking List.
The purpose of presenting these three tables is to give each eligible
voter an opportunity to look at relevant information about the schools
in Darke County. As you can see, Bradford School District is included
because it is physically in Darke County. The Ohio Board of Education
considers it to still be in Miami County and is still tracked as
such... Read More
***
April 28, 2011
To the Republican
Voters of Greenville –
On May 3 those of us who vote Republican will be choosing the candidate
who will not only likely be the Mayor of Greenville, but will also be
the Republican Party’s candidate for Mayor.
One candidate has contributed to the party and actively participated in
party activities on a routine basis. When asked to help, he has been
there and was always willing to take on whatever job was asked of him.
He has contributed funds to party activities and attended party events
on a regular basis... Read More
***
April 27, 2011
Petition to Repeal
Senate Bill 5
ATTENTION!!! The first opportunity for Darke County residents to sign
the petition to repeal Senate Bill 5 will be in the former Marsh's
Parking Lot in Greenville (around 125 Martin Street) this Friday, April
29, from 3:15 to 5:30 PM... Read More
***
April 24, 2011
Space Shuttle
Commentary
Hi there,
Thanks for your informative web site.
I've quite enjoyed the articles on your site as they pertain to the
soon-to-be-relocated space shuttles and have refrained from saying
anything. However, today's piece, "Commentary: Brown had no help
from Obama aides on shuttle effort" on your web page was amazing beyond
belief. How sad it is that a senator or anyone would think the
POTUS's aides would help in any way with NASA's decision. Given
what's going on with the debt/economy, the POTUS... Read More
***
April 24, 2011
Versailles School
District Citizens
This is the third in a series of articles to inform you of the serious
financial condition of our school district. A new contract Master
Agreement is being negotiated between the Versailles Education
Association and the Versailles Board of Education for the period of
July 1 2011 - June 30, 2014. The state has finalized how they will
increase/decrease funding for all school districts in Ohio. The
funding will be based on a formula that divides the total
property values in a district by the total number of students in that
district. The good news is state funding for our district will increase
by $295,675 (5.2%) in fiscal... Read More
***
April 21, 2011
Help us stop
Obamacare in Ohio!
It was March 23, 2010 when President Obama signed his health care bill
into law, and it was one of the worst pieces of legislation our country
has ever seen. Please join us in supporting the Ohio Liberty
Council in their efforts to promote the Ohio Health Care Freedom
Amendment... Read More
***
April 20, 2011
Letter to the Bloggers:
In fulfilling a campaign promise that I made to make your County
Commissioners more accessible, I will be at Smith’s Coffeehouse in
Arcanum on Saturday, May 7th 2011, from 8 until 10 a.m. I will be
answering your questions about the County or any other topics that
affect your lives. I firmly believe that better communication
between elected officials and the people makes for much better
government. Government belongs to the people, not those who
govern. This is your chance to ask questions and to find out what
we are doing in the Commissioners office that affects you.
Smith’s Coffeehouse is located at 109 West George Street in downtown
Arcanum. I look forward to seeing you there!
Mike Stegall- County Commissioner
***
April 13, 2011
Proposed 28th
Amendment
No one has been able to explain why young men and women serve in the
U.S.
Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only
get
50% of their pay while politicians hold their political positions in the
safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and
receive full pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not
make
any sense.
On Monday, FOX news learned that the staffers of Congress family
members are
exempt from having to pay back student loans. This will get national
attention if other news networks will broadcast it. When you add this
to the
below, just where will all of it stop? ... Read More
***
April 1, 2011
Educate Versailles
Members express their Concerns
Editor:
RE: Versailles Board of Education (BOE) Meeting of 3-15-11
Several Educate Versailles members presented questions, made comments
and noted responses. These are noted below.
*Has the BOE run any financial projections relative to the impact of SB
5 (Senate Bill 5) and state funding reductions? The Boards
response was NO.
*Does the Board intend to attempt to complete a new "Master Agreement"
prior to SB 5 being signed into law? This question was related to a
3-12-11 article published in the Dayton Daily News entitled, "Teachers
rush for contracts before SB 5 becomes law"... Read More
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