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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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March 13, 2011
Editor:
Attn: Versailles School District Citizens
Educate Versailles
Description and Mission Statement
Description
Educate Versailles is a non-profit organization whose goal is to
educate Versailles School dis-trict taxpayers about the fiscal
policy and quality of education issues facing
Versailles schools and the education system in Ohio.
Mission Statement
Through research, discussion and comparison obtain a comprehensive
understand-ing of the op-erations of the Versailles School system
including fiscal policy, school procedures, labor con-tracts and
long term planning. We will convey this information and any
recommendations to school district taxpayers through various media
so they will be afforded the knowledge to cast a fair and
informed vote at the bal-lot box... Read More
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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.
***
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
***
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
***
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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