State of Ohio SB 5 Issue 2

A young man hiding his face for some reason. I never understood why. He was being paid by people who wanted to repeal SB5 which ends some collective bargaining rights public employees now enjoy. Some one or group felt they needed to hire people to collect signatures to get the repeal on the November ballot. It is now Issue 2 on the State of Ohio November ballot. A YES vote on Issue two will keep the new laws in place. A no vote will repeal the laws. The law returns the state of Ohio some where back to 1983 prior to when Democrats changed the laws for the Unions.

To quote a great leader in some ways, FDR.

"... Meticulous attention should be paid to the special relationships and obligations of public servants to the public itself and to the government. All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. It has its distinct and insurmountable limitations ... The very nature and purposes of Government make it impossible for ... officials ... to bind the employer ... The employer is the whole people, who speak by means of laws enacted by their representatives ...

"Particularly, I want to emphasize my conviction that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of government employees. Upon employees in the federal service rests the obligation to serve the whole people ... This obligation is paramount ... A strike of public employees manifests nothing less than an intent ... to prevent or obstruct ... Government ... Such action, looking toward the paralysis of Government ... is unthinkable and intolerable."

Hotel Lakeside - End of November

It was a busy month with the trip to Lakeside Ohio for Mom's memorial service and burial. The cottage was huge and very nice. The Breeze Inn right next to the Hotel Lakeside and a short walk to the pavilion and Lake Erie swimming and fishing dock. There was a nice gathering of the family as well as friends and the service. Mom is now at rest and enjoying life again with Danny. We spent Sunday night there just the four of us in that huge house. It was nice, hearing the Lake and bells ring from the Pavilion Steeple. It is much more quiet in Lakeside Ohio in November compared to the Summer months.

Thanks giving was nice. Got to spend time with Dad and Martha's family is always enjoyable. Feel old talking to Ben and Jake who I use to see run around as 1 year old kids. Got news we maybe going on a cruise on the Oasis this summer. Now that would be very cool. The ship is huge and it would be fun to photograph.

Did something to my foot Friday night, not sure what but it sure hurt Saturday morning. Wanted to go to Rowe Woods but the cold and my foot put the trip off till afternoon. Met Ken Dunn who is one excellent photographer for a walk in Rowe Woods. Ken and I met last year at Capture Cincinnati's Book awards and book signing. My foot was still hurting but I can not recall anything that could cause it, so I went for a nice long walk showing him some of my favorite locations in Rowe Woods. It felt a little better till last night. Was very sore but I put on a cast and it feels better today. I guess I will gimp around unless it gets worse, same foot I broke a couple years back. It is hell getting old, but I prefer it to the alt.

Concert at the Lake

This years Concert at the Lake had good weather for a change. Director Mr. Chris Moore handled the concert and marching Clermont Northeastern Rockets. There was a nice crowd and it was the last concert for the class of 2009. A large part of the band is graduating. Chris Moore has been more than a teacher to the kids, he has been a friend. I know the kids and parents very much appreciate what he has done for the school band and music program and Clermont Northeastern High School.

22 years - Happy Valentines

Over 22 years ago Min and I got married. We have been together since 1984, but tied the knot for a washer and dryer on Valentine's day 1987. Bliss ever since ... * I know she reads this blog.

We Pray

We pray people come to their senses before they pass this pork bloated horrid spending bill. Government spending helps little, private sector spending brings good jobs and employment. This bill will not bring us jobs or the desired effect to improve jobs or liquidity. Elections have consequential outcomes.

It is a bad bill and it needs to start over, but that will not happen. Nancy and Harry will not let their egos allow that. This will lay on the backs of our children if we do not do something. Steve Forbes keeps pointing out, change the market to market guidelines. That will quickly open up cash flow. Pass a bill full of direct tax relief to people and small businesses. They will spend it, at some point people need new cars and new appliances. Jobs will follow.

The money flow issue was not addressed today with enough detail. Lets face it they really do not know what to do. They need to look at history, JFK, 1960 big problems in the economy. Huge tax relief, things got much better. RR, early 80s after Jimmy Carter the worse president we have ever had left us with high 10%+ unemployment, double digit interest rates and a economy as bad if not worse that what we now face. Solution tax cuts.

Roosevelt tried government spending, WPA, etc. They did little to bring the economy out of the depression. WWII did that will all the jobs and allied counties coming together in a time of war. Japan spent 10 years in the 90s trying the same. Did not work, till it let the markets open. I pray we do not fall victum to history.

Winter of 2009 - Ohio Valley

We got more snow last night and ice is still coating everything. The drive to work was worse yesterday than Tues or Wed. I am sure today is going to be a joy, people can get nutty in snow around here. The grocery stores are empty or low on some products since the trucks can not get to them. We got about 12-15" of snow and freezing rain coating the house, trees, roads just about everything. Many people have lost power and crews are in town from the south helping to get the grid back and all connected. The family have been off school all week except Monday, they are out of snow days so they will have to go extra days in June to make it up. Ty is not concerned, he will be graduated and they are exempt. These are just a few pictures I have taken since Tuesday, more coming as is the snow today and tomorrow.

CNE Home Coming 2008

Max went to his first Home Coming dance at Clermont Northeastern High School last night. He seemed to have a good time and his mother was happy to see him go to a dance.
Ty drove him to the dance after Sam and Max all had dinner at Chipotle. After the dance he came home and enjoyed the evening with his friends and brother. He and Ty seem to be growing up so quickly, makes me reflect more everyday.