Because you know you want to

Yes, you do need to check out http://clevelandteapartyprotest.blogspot.com/

There's going to be a protest of the government throwing all of our money around at the laundry list of things that they haven't been about to throw money at for the last ten years or so. These protests are going on all over the place. Wear black on Friday if you can't attend.

My favorite post is here

Slogans

Here are some ideas for slogans you can use on your signs.

• Pay for Your OWN Mortgage
• Free Markets, Not Free Loaders
• No Public Money for Private Failure
• Reward Responsibility, Not Irresponsibility
• Andrew Jackson was Right: No to Bank Nationalization
• Cut Taxes, Not Deals
• Next Time, Read the Bill Before You Sign It
• You Can’t Borrow to Prosperity
• Don’t Mortgage the Future
• Solve Problems, Don’t Sweep Them Under the Table
• 220 Years to Build the Republic, 1 Month to Destroy It
• Why Should I Pay for YOUR Bad Decisions
• Restore the Republic, Revolt Against Socialism
• READ THE BILL NEXT TIME
• No Taxation Without Deliberative Representation
• No Spending Without Deliberative Representation
• The Very Small List: Things Government Does Well
• REPEAL THE PORK

Comparisons

A nice tip of the hat to Seftor, a long-time acquaintance here on the intertubes. Below you see a Wordle overview of the Obama speech this evening.



To this, compare the most prominent speech that our previous president presented prior to projecting our power to parts previously unknown.



Its interesting that the "big" words are pretty much the same. The drumbeat is always the same no matter who is in office. Point one for anyone who wants to be president - ALWAYS TALK ABOUT AMERICA. Downplay the word "I" especially. Whether we're talking about terrrrrists or the economy, Americans like to hear about themselves. Maybe this is one of those things that proves a great point that I believe. Our nation is based largely on the inestimable value of hope. If you can inspire hope within the people of this nation, you will be the one leading it. Its been true since at least the days of Jimmy Carter. Perhaps longer, but I can't remember back that far.

Hope doesn't necessarily need to be tied to change, but it is far easier to package them together as a two for one deal.

Speaking of deals, if you'd like a night at the Inn where I work, call me in the next couple of days. Its bargain basement pricing! I was told to raise occupancy, but no mention was made about room rates. Come one come all!

WHAT????

Ok, I can deal with the infatuation that seems to surround our new president. He's a good looking guy, won the election handily, is well tanned... But really, again with the primetime speech? And we all know what he's going to say...

"well, to put it simply, the economy is pretty slow, but the money from my spending plan is going to go a long way. Really, it is. Trust me, throwing money at a problem works every time that it's tried. Right?"

Ok maybe not in so many words.

Not good

Ugh, I just realized how dreadful this blog looks. That will have to be remedied very soon.

I gotta say...

I've finally started to catch up with the technology revolution. Sure, there's no AT&T Wireless service down here in Holmes County, but this iPod Touch works just fine. I can even hack out a blog post on it now. Granted, I've always been a bit of a technophile. (And for you folks in Garrettsville, that does not mean that I like to do naughty things with my computer.) This thing is completely amazing though. I can now definitively tell you exactly which houses between here and Berlin have wireless internets that I can leech off of, but of course I'd never do anything like that.

No, not me.

But on a more serious note, my thoughts and prayers go out to Mark Manlove's family and friends. I know that this is a very hard time for you all. Take every chance you get to talk with one another for support. He was a great help to me on more than one occasion, but I'm sure I was a bit of a nuisance at times. May the Lord bless you in your time of need.

Sooner or later

Ok, so one looks around this quiet hovel in the snow-blanketed (though believe me, that's a relative term, right Windham type folks?) village of Glenmont, and find themselves prepared to call out to the world once again.

Far too long one might say, not nearly long enough another.

I debate within myself which side I fall upon, but that very question is answered by this dance of pixels on a vibrant stage. But what to address? What vital issue arises that needs the voice of someone far inferior to those who have gone before? Has a village council decided to navel-gaze rather than be forward looking? Has a lonely fire hydrant gone sour once again? Are there pizzas that need delivered?

Alas no.

Nothing exciting. Which is normal for every day life here in Holmes County, don't get me wrong. The seedy underbelly of life here doesn't really seem so seedy, though local folks would have you to believe that our problems are the same as the larger and more populated areas. Sure, drugs, alcohol, rampant stupidity and all of the other maladies of life persist, even here. On the other hand, we are still able to hide those things, rather than being played out in the open in many other communities. Our life is good, pleasant, yea verily. We deal more with disparity between east and west, the proverbial discord between the "haves" and "have nots". Thankfully, the naturally following whining is not as obvious, even though the dirty looks have persisted.

So let our discussion begin.

What the...

Huh? What am I doing here?

Oh, hi folks, I notice that every once in a while someone drops by and pokes their head in the door. I just wanted to say hi, how's it going? Things are good here, got a new job running the Front Desk at this place right here. Yeah, I know, who'd have thought? Me? In the high-class hotel industry? I think not! But seriously! I am! So what's up with you? Mmmhmm. Really? I'd have never thought that either!

Well, I need to get going, lots of stuff going on here, schedules and stuff. Hey, I'll catch you later?

We've got to make it sooner next time though. K?

Happy 4th!

Torn by David Armand (as Johan Lippowitz)

I love interpretive dance! Ok, not really, but seriously...this is good stuff.

Could it be?

Is the end near?????

Wow, I missed a whole month

Luckily nothing really happens for me to post about anymore. Sure, there’s NDS meddling in the affairs of a duly appointed government. Of course there’s that whole Cleveland sports run that we’re on. Then there’s that entire moving thing that’s moving along, though not as nicely as one would like. I’m still torn as to what to do with this blog, I’m hoping that after getting off of this midnight shift will help with the posting, but that’s not going to happen for at least another month, if not longer.

Ugh.

I haven’t even been able to play much World of Warcraft or update my myspace page. What’s the world coming to?

Haiku(s)

Sometimes late at night, things get pretty boring slinging coffee at the ’Buck. One has to find ways to fill the time, here was my solution from a few nights ago that someone liked.

• The Starbucks coffee


• Tastes so good to so many


• Serve it with a smile

But honestly, that was just too happy for me, so I added a second, more apt haiku.

• The Starbucks coffee


• Caffeine for angry drivers


• Harbinger of doom?

That was much better.

Blame

In lieu of my own incoherent thoughts concerning the VT tragedy, here’s Jeff Harrell

Everybody wants to put the blame someplace

It was the video games. No, wait. It was the violence on television. He snuck in to see an R-rated movie. He read a Bret Easton Ellis novel. He read two Bret Easton Ellis novels. Cover to cover. Twice.

It was the war. It was the glorification of death. It was porn. It was gay porn.

Somehow, it was the President, who let it happen. Or the opposing political party, who didn’t stop it. Or vice versa.

It was the cops, for not having enough security. It was the taxpayers, for not having enough cops.

It was the school pharmacy, for being closed on Sunday. It was the girlfriend, for cheating on her man. It was the other kid, for letting the girl cheat with him.

It was the school for allowing boys and girls to fraternize in the first place.

Oh, no. Wait. How silly of me. Of course it was the guns. Everything will be fine as soon as we get around to banning those.

Then things will be great.

How Did I Miss April Fools Day????

One of the drawbacks of not posting regularly is that you miss wondrous days like April First. At least I got to honor Groundhog’s Day this year, right? Anyway, I’ll just post this here link:

The Museum of Hoaxes Top 100 April Fool’s Day Hoaxes of All Time

...and say that my all-time favorite is Number 4 - The Taco Liberty Bell. I remember that one from a few years ago. Priceless.

A Lesson We All Should Learn

Desk Jockeyed

In September of 2005, a social studies schoolteacher from Arkansas did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with permission of the school superintendent, the principal, and the building supervisor, she took all of the desks out of the classroom. The kids came into first period, they walked in; there were no desks. They obviously looked around and said, "Where’s our desks?"

The teacher said, "You can’t have a desk until you tell me how you earn them."

They thought, "Well, maybe it’s our grades."

"No," she said.

"Maybe it’s our behavior."

And she told them, "No, it’s not even your behavior."

And so they came and went in the first period, still no desks in the classroom. Second period, same thing. Third period. By early afternoon television crews had gathered in the class to find out about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of the classroom. The last period of the day, the instructor gathered her class.

They were at this time sitting on the floor around the sides of the room. She said, "Throughout the day no one has really understood how you earn the desks that sit in this classroom ordinarily. Now I’m going to tell you."

She went over to the door of her classroom and opened it, and as she did 27 U.S. veterans, wearing their uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. And they placed those school desks in rows, and then they stood along the wall. By the time they had finished placing the desks, those kids for the first time I think perhaps in their lives understood how they earned those desks.

Their teacher said, "You don’t have to earn those desks. These guys did it for you. They put them out there for you, but it’s up to you to sit here responsibly, to learn, to be good students and good citizens, because they paid a price for you to have that desk, and don’t ever forget it."

As recounted by Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas about Martha Cothren’s military history class at Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock, Arkansas.

What Makes Me Feel Badly

When I sit down here at my computer and think about blogging, its pretty easy to convince myself that no one reads all of this and that my clickthrough counter really is just going up because of people checking things out rather than looking for some reasonable posting or erstwhile entertainment. Then of course, I run into someone while on vacation in Pennsylvania (of all places) who mentions that they have read the blog.

This does not sit well with me for some reason.

Why? Well now I feel all of this burden of "responsibility". What is that anyway? Who came up with the concept that you have to be accountable for your actions or lack thereof? I’d like to sit down and have a long talk with them, because they’ve ruined a lot of well-intentioned actions. Because seriously, who among us wouldn’t like to rob a bank someday, but no, we have to be "responsible" and not do such things. We have to live in a respectable society so that we can breathe freely and without rampant heists breaking out in every financial institution.

C’mon, admit it, you’ve thought "I wonder if I could get away with..." then your mind trails off for a few moments thinking of how exactly you could fulfill your anti-responsible dream of anarchistic action. You would have to find a driver, craft a cleverly worded note directing the sultry blonde teller that you would like all of the money in her drawer put into one of those cool moneybags with the bank’s name on it, plus her phone number for good measure, because you never know, she may be into the who heist scene and you wouldn’t want to pass that anarchistic action up either. Then, after weeks of planning how to walk out of the building, you totally botch your escape plan by waving to the security camera with a sly smile and a wink that’s sure to make the six o’clock news. Sliding over your getaway car’s hood Dukes of Hazzard style, you jump headfirst into the open passenger window as it takes off into the waiting sunset, disregarding that sunsets happen long after most banks close. Living life on the lam might be a bit tough, bouncing between run-down motels, one step ahead of the law, creditors, and the three or four loan sharks that you’ve not paid in months.

Ah what a life. That’s what all of this responsibility talk keeps us from living. Disappointing I know, but I suppose its for the best.

Reversal

Good Morning Kids! Its 3:45 pm and I’m just rolling out of bed. About a month and a half ago I took a job with Starbucks, evil corporate conglomerate that it is. Oh sure, they put on this aura of helping the environment and all, but lets be honest here, their coffee is expensive because they just happen to like money.

Anyway, there was a midnight position open there and a friend of mine told me to sign up. I’ve worked midnights before and it really doesn’t bother me terribly much, but it does put my whole routine out of sync with the rest of the world. That’s not good for blogging or even just keeping up with things. I should figure out how to post from my cell phone, limited service that I get there, and describe some of the freaks that come in to get coffee at 2:45 am. Actually, they usually order a tall soy mocha because they’re looking out for themselves, but then say go ahead and put whipped cream on top of it, which pretty much blows away the idea of looking out for themselves. It is pretty good stuff though. I do recommend the Hot Chocolate, or even a Cinnamon Dolce Steamer.

But I’m firm in my resolve. I’ve never actually drank Starbucks Coffee.

So you think you can type?

I thought I was pretty good with a keyboard. Sadly, I can only get about halfway through the third stage of this game. Go ahead and make me look bad.

Pepsi NEX game

On the upside, if I can get like five thousand hits on this post, maybe I can get some free Pepsi.

Legalese

Ok, can anyone speak this stuff? Here’s a Quinlan quiz that deals with high-crime areas and how they can have an effect in searching someone. It can be considered one of the factors in reasonable suspicion. If an officer sees two people pass a bag and/or money between between themselves in an area defined as a "high-crime area", there is reasonable suspicion that can lead to a legal search of the people involved.

Yeah, it can hurt the head to overthink this stuff, really, its more common sense. Its a reasonable conclusion to imply that there is something nefarious going on. Also, factor in the "good faith" implications that have been worked out in the courts, the police department here in town shouldn’t have any legal trouble following the Ordinance the Chief has proposed and Council has passed.

Foul Language

Yeah, we’ve all heard it, likely every day, but George Washington’s quote comes to mind:

The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it.

Someone did a quick study of profane language being used on blogs over the last six months and the results are interesting.

The News Buckit Story

Someone Gets It

Perhaps you’ve seen the Piltz article in the Courier, if not, its online here. The new chief seems to really understand the position as being more than just pure law enforcement. In today’s world there is a second angle to the job of being a policeman that involves public image that didn’t exist previously. Just look at these two quotes:

"I think Windham really has got great potential; we just have to get out more so the people see us and know we’re taking preventative measures."

"In order to get public opinion to swing your way, you have to show them what you’re doing and what their taxes are paying for," he said. "We want to show them we’re professional, educated, competent and caring, but also that we’re going to be very proactive in law enforcement. I’ve been told that some people don’t want the police department here in the village, but that’s OK because we don’t want those people here,"

Sounds like the Mayor and Council made an excellent choice to replace retired Chief DeSalvo.

Nuke the world

I’ve never in my life wanted to kick a kid as much as I’d love to with this one. Y’know, Greenpeace is an ok organization overall I guess, trying to save the world, though I’d disagree with a lot of points of how to do so, but this really takes the proverbial cake. Single out a strange-looking kid, make him a self-righteous, confrontational, entitled, classwarring, misinformed, save-the-world snob and here’s what happens:

C’mon, admit it, you just want to pour radioactive waste into this kid’s backyard and watch him shriek like the Wicked Witch of the West in her water-fueled death throes. What a world, what a world!!!!!

Its really cold in Cleveland

Here’s a clip from the news last week during the really cold snap we had. Its made its rounds, so some of you have likely seen it.

Free pancakes!

The worst thing about being sick is that you don’t get to enjoy free stuff like this. If you read this before 10:00 pm and can get to Niles, enjoy yourself some free pancakes at IHOP.

National Pancake Day

Down With the Sickness

Ugh, what kid went to school and gave my kids this horrible sickness? Why did my kids decide to give their sickness to myself and their mother? Is this what a migraine feels like? Ugh.

A Song for A Day Like Today

I heard this song on a snowy day way back in 1993, it's my own official winter song.

Its Great to be a Gun-Toting Republican

Because we get to have touching moments like the one found at Six Meat Buffet.

I’m So Proud

Obligatory

Hey there citizens, just checking out a new software program. Please disregard this non-important message. Its pathetically boring. Because its not about anything. Except boring software. I have to actually post something to see if it works well, so here I am with this post. Sorry to waste these precious moments of your day. You could have been surfing the net for the OK Go video or something, but I’ve detained you for too long. Go and be free. Free your mind, and the rest will follow. Blame it on the rain.

Bad news for you alcoholics

Your favorite excuse doesn't work anymore. I read this in a newspaper twelve years ago, but here it is again. Now with shiny internets!

Grape Juice Good for the Heart

LONDON (Reuters) - Grape juice seems to have the same protective effect against heart disease as red wine, French scientists said on Wednesday.

Researchers at the Universite Louis Pasteur de Strasbourg were examining the effect on the heart of Concord grape juice.

"Grape juice can have a similar effect (against heart disease) as red wine but without the alcohol. That is a very important message," said Dr Valerie Schini-Kerth, lead author of the study published in the journal Cardiovascular Research.

Red wine and certain types of grape juice have high levels of polyphenols, which block the production of a protein linked to cardiovascular disease -- the number one killer in many Western countries.

10000

Wow, the push from 9000 to 10000 visitors was pretty quick, and then to top it off, the 10000th came on while I was sleeping yesterday. Normally there would be a big celebration or something, but when I went back and saw that the 10000th visitor was from Connecticut, well, I decided to put it off.

Why?

Because I don't like Connecticut. I find it to be pretentious. They go around saying, "Hi, we're Connecticut, we're better than you. We have a silent 't' in our name, how many other states have a silent 't' in their name? Huh? Do you know? None! So put that in your pipe."

See? I just don't trust folks like that.

Slap Bet

Slap Bet Montage



Add to My Profile | More Videos

I got to see some anti-war hipsters!  Whoohoo!  They had their nifty Peace Surge buttons on and everything!  Plus, one lovely young couple came in dressed to the hilt in wonderfully warm wear, but the young man had wore a beard, which I’m sure he was proud of, but even John Lennon would give him a strange look, it was quite out of place.

Anyway, the hipster moonbats came in, then the oldster moonbats came in later.  I know there was some cane waving down in DC the other day!

Oh, and for better coverage, check out this linkage

Kitten Cannon

Yeah, this is awesome

Kitten Cannon - Presented by AddictingGames.

And your new Council member is...

From the Record Courier

Council names new member
January 18, 2007
By Tom Prusha

WINDHAM -- Village Council this week named Philip C. Snyder to replace Councilman Jason DeBolt, who resigned in December.

Snyder has lived in Windham for more than 50 years and served on the village's board of public affairs and on council. He also was a member of the Windham Board of Education.

He is a baseball coach with the Windham Hot Stove League, softball coach and softball manager, a Cub Scout den leader, Boy Scout Merit Badge Advisor, and Boy Scout executive board member. He belongs to the Friends of the Windham Library.

He is a Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 1040, a charter member of the Kent State University Vietnam Veterans Association. The Second Vice Commander and the Child Welfare Officer of the American Legion Post 674.

Mayor C. James Moore presented his annual report in which he said more income taxes were paid in 2006 than what was expected with the total amounting to $520,747.54.

The East Center and North Main sewer line construction was completed in November 2006 but there are some remaining street and landscaping repairs to be finished this spring.

Community Road construction is expected to be started this year.

You can send roses to the Administrative Office.  No real reason why, just because.

HR 78

Perhaps you’ve missed it in the fray.  HR 78 is a resolution that allows the representatives from the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to vote on the floor of the House, rather than only in the committees to which they’ve been assigned.  There’s a big problem with this.

It violates the United States Constitution.

And its not some obscure line hidden way down in the many lines of the Constitution, Article 1, Section 1 points out that “The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen…by the people of the several states.”  Nice and clear, right?

If HR 78 passes, not anymore.  Thanks Democrat House Leader Steny Hoyer!  We really appreciate your efforts to streamline government!  This will make so much more sense!

Meltdown

From Opinion Journal's "Best of the Web"

"At a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee yesterday, Sen. Barbara Boxer quizzed Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Iraq strategy. The New York Post is rightly appalled at what Boxer had to say:

"Who pays the price? I'm not going to pay a personal price," Boxer said. "My kids are too old, and my grandchild is too young."

Then, to Rice: "You're not going to pay a particular price, as I understand it, with an immediate family." . . .

The junior senator from California apparently believes that an accomplished, seasoned diplomat, a renowned scholar and an adviser to two presidents like Condoleezza Rice is not fully qualified to make policy at the highest levels of the American government because she is a single, childless woman.

It's hard to imagine the firestorm that similar comments would have ignited, coming from a Republican to a Democrat, or from a man to a woman, in the United States Senate.

Part of the reason this is shocking, of course, is because it breaches feminist etiquette. If Boxer had said this to a male official who had no children, it wouldn't have carried quite the same sting--though it would still be creepy.

We've remarked frequently upon the tendency of war opponents to infantilize American servicemen--by demanding, for example, to know why President Bush hasn't "sent" his daughters to fight in Iraq, as if he had the power as their father to order them to enlist.

In truth, members of the military are adults who have made an adult commitment. They deserve to be respected for their maturity, not patronized as victims. It dishonors them to use their sacrifice as a political cudgel."

Thinking Outside the Box

So I’m perusing the hometown papers and came across something I’d forgotten. At my alma mater, Hiland High School, basketball is king, or in this case, queen. The Classic in the Country is going on this weekend back home. Its a showcase of the best girls basketball teams in Ohio (and other parts). College head coaches fly in to see this thing and its become quite the boom weekend for the area.

They schedule it every year over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend because of his work and the progress made in the area by Perry Reese Jr., legendary boy’s basketball coach of the 80’s and 90’s. Its really quite amazing and is a great weekend of basketball.

Classic in the Country a 'can't miss event'

By ZACH BOLINGER
Daily Record Sports Writer

The Classic in the Country is set for its third go-round, and the girls basketball showcase to be held Saturday through Monday continues to draw rave reviews.

It's ranked as one of the top three high school events in America by the USA Today and it's also drawing a few important new faces this season.

"With a lot of college head coaches having tight schedules, most have sent their assistants to scout the first two years," Hiland coach Dave Schlabach said. "This year we actually have a decent amount of head coaches who have made arrangements to fly into (the Holmes County Airport). They want to come in, see a game of a kid they're recruiting, talk to the family and then be on a private plane out of here."

There are plenty of quality players and games to be seen, as 30 teams will play 20 marquee games over the three-day event hosted by Hiland High School in conjunction with Tom Jenkins and the Ohio Girls Basketball Report. More than 75 Div. I college prospects will take to the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center court between Saturday morning and Monday night.

"I wonder if we can keep saying it year after year, but it should be bigger and better than last year," Schlabach said. "If you look at the player rankings, the state rankings that come out later this week, and the national rankings, it's just unbelievable."

Three of the four reigning Ohio state champions will compete in this year's Classic in the Country. Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (Div. II) is the lone title-holder who will not be on display, but Dayton Chaminade-Julienne (Div. I), South Euclid Regina (Div. III) and Berlin Hiland (Div. IV) will all play in Berlin.

Also joining the host Hawks from the area will be Waynedale and West Holmes.

Waynedale and Lexington tip off the event Saturday at 10 a.m., while West Holmes battles Hoban Monday at 5 p.m. Hiland is the nightcap on two occasions - Saturday at 8:30 versus Fort Recovery and Monday at 8:30 against Garfield Heights Trinity.

"Hoban is an established program with a very solid backcourt," West Holmes coach Matt Voll said. "I feel like our team has gotten out of the chute very well and solidified ourselves as being a good team, but this will be a good test.

"I'm intrigued about how we come out and play in this environment. I am going to learn a lot about my team and I really do think this could act as a springboard for the rest of the season."

Waynedale coach Don McConnell knows his team has a stiff challenge awaiting them.

"We tried to beef up the schedule a little bit to get prepared for tournament time, and to be honest with you, this will be our biggest test of the year," Waynedale coach Don McConnell said. "Lexington has athletes across the board and provide some matchup problems ... but it will be a good opportunity for some of our kids to get some exposure, and for us to play in a tournament-like atmosphere."

The event is not only about good basketball, though.

Intentionally scheduled over the holiday weekend honoring Martin Luther King Jr., the CITC is intended to remember the sacrifices Dr. King made in order to bring about racial harmony in America. It's also meant to remind people of the racial barriers the late, great Hiland boys coach Perry Reese Jr. faced by being the first black coach in Amish Country.

"It's a special event, honoring two special men and held in a special corner of the universe," said Jenkins, the director of OGBR which was voted the No. 1 single-state scouting service in America by NCAA coaches. "The Columbus public schools are not allowed to play on Sunday or Monday in order to honor Dr. King. But to be honest with you, 85 percent of the kids would learn more coming to Berlin and being part of the Classic than they would staying home."

The credit for quality matchups must also go to Jenkins, who projects strength of teams and schedules the CITC games 14 months prior to the event.

Trinity head coach Chrissy Falcone, whose team beat West Holmes in the CITC last season, was sure impressed with the matchups her club received this winter. The Trojans will play the defending Div. I state runner-up (Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame) Sunday and the reigning Div. IV state champions (Berlin Hiland) Monday. After playing Bedford Chanel in a conference game Saturday.

"Do you like that? I did at first, but now I'm not so sure that I do," Falcone joked. "Seriously, though, I didn't request it - but I'm very, very, very excited about it.

"We went 20-3 and 20-2 the last two years, but we had two, three or maybe four decent teams on our schedule. Our schedule has not helped us get ready for the tournament, but I made sure that was going to change this year."

Aside from removing the softball field at the front-entrance area of the Reese Community Center and replacing it with handicapped and regular parking spots, this version of the CITC will not change much.

The sponsorship of 89 area business, and the efforts of close to 250 Holmes County volunteers, will again help the event run smoothly.

Hopefully the college coaches flying in will have as smooth a landing.

And perhaps for our community’s part, this is pertinent…

Dreaming big has paid off for CITC

By AARON DORKSEN
Daily reocrd Sports Editor

A few thoughts from the week in sports ...

If you dream big, there's no telling what the result might be.

Just look at what the folks in Holmes County have done with the Classic in the Country Challenge.

Mmm, cookies

And in another food themed post, let’s talk Girl Scout Cookies.

If you frequent The Forum, you know that Sonya’s Troop 555 is now observing that long standing tradition of teaching young girls the secrets of Big Business. The unmitigated evil of Girl Scout Cookies is making another appearance in the earth, bringing us one step closer to Global Annihilation.

And they’ve coerced my two daughters into their subversive web.

So if you want some “stuff”, you know where to get it. If you live within 1000 feet of a school or any building that children frequent, we’ll have to set up a meeting.

I'll never (part seventeen)

Of course, the number of the parts to this particular category number more than seventeen easily, but as the Farmer said, “that’ll do”.

17. I’ll never sit down in Cal’s again.

Oh I know, this is gonna be one of the harder nevers to keep, because we are, after all, dealing with food, and personally, I kind of like food. Rumor has it that you need it to survive or something, I really wasn’t paying that close attention in biology class. There was this really cute little red-headed girl that sat in the row next to me who was far more interesting than hearing discussions of mitochondrial RNA or the such like. But I digress.

My parents owned a restaurant during my formative years. We did ok, nothing spectacular, but there was always food around, good customers, close friends, and a girl (now woman) who I may be working for when we move back to the area, which honestly is not exactly irony, but something closely resembling it. I took her to my Junior Prom. The guys at school were jealous. Something that wasn’t directed toward me very often in High School, so I drank it in. There’s nothing like a little envy directed your way to really bolster that self-esteem. So anyway, I think I know a few things about being a restauranteur.

There are two keys to running a successful restaurant. Without these two things, a restaurant will have a great deal of trouble and never really get much more than breaking even. First, you have to give the customer just a little more than they expect. There’s no need to go overboard with anything. You don’t give a customer a filet mignon for $3.98 a plate. That’s just insane. You do give him just a slightly larger steak than expected. You give them a few more fries than a normal serving. Make the glasses just a little larger than what someone has at home. It doesn’t have to be grossly larger to the point of being noticeable; just a bit. The second key is quick service. No one likes to wait, but we all have different ideas of what waiting too long is. This is where the owner or manager needs to step in with the waiting staff to show them what a customer who is ready looks like. This is a developed skill, there are very few people who are born with the ability to look at someone and know what they are thinking. Generally it is a general disinterest in the menu, noticing that the eyes aren’t focused at the table anymore, things along those lines.

Put simply, I waited too long this evening. You may say that never going back is being a bit trifling about the whole situation, but this isn’t the first time its been this way. I’ve always been pleased with the serving sizes there, but there is a continual lack of attentiveness on the part of the wait staff which grates at my nerves. We’re still polite and offer a nice tip at the end of the night, but it isn’t nearly what it could be with excellent service.

Luckily we have a restaurant here in town that for a while now has been offering excellent service and ideal portion size (I’ve noticed!) that draws people back. Even those of us who kind of forget those points sometimes.

Thank the Democrats!

Finally, some good news!

For all of 2006, the nation's unemployment rate dropped to a six-year low of 4.6 percent as the economy added 1.8 million jobs. In 2005, the unemployment rate averaged 5.1 percent.

Oh wait, that was 2006, who was in power then?  I think I’ve suddenly caught the amnesia that the AP has had for the last four years.

167,000 Jobs Added to Payrolls in Dec

Why I Love Google Ads

Right now, they’re showing ads for the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  Maybe I’ll finally get a visit from them again now! 

Some Randomness

The Discovery Channel totally rocks!  Dirty Jobs, MythBusters, It Takes A Thief…and the list goes on and on.  If you (or your kids) aren’t taking in some of this stuff, you’re really missing out.

My obscene passion of the moment is anything Doctor Who.  Yeah, I’m geeking out with British television, even watching the Torchwood series playing in Britain right now, but really, its good stuff.

MySpace is both the coolest thing in the world, and the scariest.

How can any adult forget the old adage, fifteen will get you twenty?

Is it just me or is the Villager much smaller lately, old media it is, but it is definitely worthwhile.  Make sure to pick it up and patronize its advertisers.

For that matter, patronize Windham’s businesses.  The return on investment will be worthwhile.

Oh I'm getting around to it

Seriously, one of these days, I’ll be inspired.  Maybe its the tree coming down today, or the putting away of the Christmas decorations.  Perhaps its the furniture rearrangement.  Things are sliding back to normal.

Now, on to those pesky resolutions that are destined to be broken by Friday.

The Day After

Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house,
Every creature was hurting - even the mouse.

The toys were all broken, their batteries dead;
Santa passed out, with some ice on his head.

Wrapping and ribbons just covered the floor, while
Upstairs the family continued to snore.

And I in my T-shirt, new Reeboks and jeans,
Went into the kitchen and started to clean.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the sink to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the curtains, and threw up the sash.

When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a little white truck, with an oversized mirror.

The driver was smiling, so lively and grand;
The patch on his jacket said "U.S. POSTMAN."

With a handful of bills, he grinned like a fox
Then quickly he stuffed them into our mailbox.

Bill after bill, after bill, they still came.
Whistling and shouting he called them by name:

"Now Dillard's, now Broadway's, now Penny's and Sears
Here's Levitz's and Target's and Mervyn's--all here!!

To the tip or your limit, every store, every mall,
Now chargeaway-chargeaway-chargeaway all!"

He whooped and he whistled as he finished his work.
He filled up the box, and then turned with a jerk.

He sprang to his truck and he drove down the road,
Driving much faster with just half a load.

Then I heard him exclaim with great holiday cheer,
"ENJOY WHAT YOU GOT ... YOU'LL BE PAYING ALL YEAR!"

Source

So ya want some free stuff?

Specifically free software that is actually useful rather than that three year old stuff that software companies like to give away?  Try this site!

Giveaway of the Day

The catch is that you have to download the software that day, and install it the same day to get it activated.  It is truly free, no 60 day trials or anything.

Got a problem with JW's or Mormons?

Here’s a possible solution:

The Jehovah's Witnesses Have Finally Returned

 

Ladies and Gentlemen today is an exciting day! I am no longer banned by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. This is a major milestone in my life.

Today, I came home and found on my doorstep the first Watchtower to be rolled up and placed there in six years!

You see, it was about that long ago that Mrs. Erickson and I decided we would need separate bathrooms and a king size bed to make our marriage work. We were still just engaged at the time. So, we found a house with separate bathrooms and ordered a king size bed. On the day it was to be delivered, Mrs. Erickson went to work and I stayed home to study for the bar exam.

I had my coffee then took my shower. While in the shower, the front doorbell rang. Now, nobody ever used that door in the house. It was inconveniently located unless you were delivering large furniture — then it was the door you had to use. So, fearing I’d miss my new bed, I raced from the shower dripping wet, ran to the front door wrapping an oversized towel around my overly white, naked body (this is the point where I should point out that I am so white that my white socks look tan compared to me).

I hurled open the door, which caught on to my towel, which dropped my towel, which causes the very nice ladies from the local Jehovah’s Witnesses organization to flee. I’ve never seen them since.

But today, today they started leaving me Watchtowers again. Today is an exciting day.

They pretty much stay away from my house anymore, but for an entirely different reason.  Seems like they’re pretty convinced that they can’t convert the person that lives in this house.  Its a shame really, I love the looks on their faces when I ask them a few questions.

Tis the season

For the end of the year blogging slowdown.  I think this year I’m going to try to not make it last until about mid-February. 

So your kids like to have their apples peeled before they eat them?  You like to have an orange or two during the day?  Take those peelings and put them in a saucepan on your stove, put some water in it and let it simmer for a while.  It makes the kitchen smell really nice, like you actually did some cooking that day!  No, its no ancient Chinese secret, but hey, as we’ve said before, perception is reality.

I need more tips that that one.  Thanks Mom!

Getting in the spirit

Yes, Christmas is just around the corner, and what’s that you say?  You’ve still not decorated the house?  Well here’s a few ideas.

10 Ways to Silly Up Your Christmas

I'm tired of it

Honestly, I’m tired of the wondering who’s running the Discussion Forum.  Waiting for days to get a response to a thread question.  No stinking private messages.  I went and did it.  I created a forum for me to just blithely talk to myself as much as I want.  Beyond this blog that is.  Its an ezboard, so its laced with popups until I decide to pony up some money for preferred status.  You all are more than welcome to join up.

The Windham Soapbox

Cookies

I need some cookie ideas, does anyone have any favorites that are not chocolate-chip blah blah blah cliche kitty cookies?

The Forum

Looks like the Forum has been hit again with some…

Bidding adieu to war

From Jules Crittenden via Gay Patriot

The loud chorus of Kumbaya that precedes any American military unit will alert anti-American terrorists that here are people who want to understand why they hate us. Surely this will cause these heartless killers to pause, and reconsider their ways.

Indeed.

Chickenus Dovus Asniniensis

Storytime, part Deux

Someone asked the question about how did the Mrs. reply to the forlorn substitute from a few posts below.  She let her go on for a while, then told her that she was from Windham.  The woman asked her, “Don’t you fear for your life?”

She said no, not at all, she even ventures out at night without fearing for her safety too, which drew a shocked look.  To leave her car somewhere unattended, she could understand, no one really wants to do that anywhere, but its not a dangerous place to live.

I wonder if it did any good though.  It goes to prove one of my theories of life, “People are stupid.”  That woman proved it.

2006 Politics, Funny? Definitely.

Of course, politics really are funny most of the time, here’s Extreme Mortman’s list of the top 10 funny moments in 2006 politics.

Could we put together a list of the top funny moments in local politics?  Hmmm.

So I have these kids...

What is up with so many kids being sick this year?  Mine have had laryngitis, some random cold, this new head/cough thing, and its only December.  We haven’t even had our annual Flu Turnstile start yet.  Everyone knows what that is, one kid brings it home, passes it to a brother, who gives it to Dad, then to Mom, then to the other kid, then, if you’re REALLY lucky, it goes back to the first kid and you get to have another round of it or something very similar!  Whee!

Its especially awesome when the sick kid starts on Friday and you have all kinds of things planned for the weekend.  You know, its time to set up the Christmas tree, but watch out for Wheezes over there, dont’ pick up what she’s handing out, you won’t like it, believe me. 

Then there’s the Phantom Puker who shows up in the middle of the night to do his business on your kids bed, but they don’t wake up in the process.  There’s nothing like walking into a closed room with the humidifier running and getting hit with the rosy aroma of old vomit.  I love being a parent! 

For you folks who are reading this just after supper, I apologize for that last comment.  I’m sure that just mentioning that caused you to vomit in your mouth a bit.  Again, I apologize.

As much as we joke around about having a test before allowing someone to be a parent, its things like this that need to be taught to our youth in middle and high school.  Don’t go handing out condoms to guys or anything, just have them take care of a sick kid for one night and remind them that kids are what happen if you have sex.  Its what the whole “process” was designed for.  Yeah, kids all cute and cuddly sometimes, but the other things that are hidden in the whole package are not nearly as pleasant.

You know, there are quite a few folks who come to this little blog that’s been kind of running on and off for about a year and a half now.  I get all kinds, and even allow some people from Garrettsville to come over and read.  There are times when I am totally amused by some of the comments on here. 

A few posts below this one, the one where I relate the Mrs.’ story that was told to her, someone asks the question why I would post something like that, asks when I’m leaving, and then comes up with a “minister, huh?” comment that really doesn’t make much sense in context. 

First of all, to whomever wrote that, hi!  Thanks for stopping by.  You’ve driven up my page views and doubled my Adspace revenue ($0.00 and counting!) for this month. 

So I’m sitting back here and wondering why someone would be so offended by posting something like that and realize, its because they don’t want to face reality.  That is a genuine account from someone who actually said those things.  Should we bury our collective heads in the sand and run away from it?  We can’t, if we ever expect to change the view of Windham as a whole.  That is one of the perspectives that exist out there right now, whether we like it or not. 

And yes, I’m still here.  I do still plan on moving, but obviously not quickly enough for this person.  According to them, when I leave, their worldview will become much better, Windham will magically become a nicer place to live, the lion will lay down with the lamb, drugs and alcoholism in town will evaporate, a thousand police officers will be able to be employed by the Village and Jesus himself will return.  Unfortunately you’ll have to wait until next summer sometime.  And even then, I still might just keep posting stuff about Windham.

Why?  Because I can.

To the last “minister” comment, I’ve always been amused by the thought that most people seem to have that ministers/preachers are perfect in every point.  Every church is plagued with people who are more than happy to put the person that fills the pulpit on a very tall pedestal, disregarding the fact that the person is just that.  A person.  Read your New Testament and see that Jesus wasn’t always peaches and cream in his preaching.  He called people hypocrites and vipers.  He got angry.  He used sarcasm.  He wasn’t always what most people today want in a preacher.  We have the itching ears of 2 Timothy 4.  If someone doesn’t fit into our mold, he’s obviously wrong and should be made fun of until he falls into line.  We want to be catered to and have everything given to us on a silver platter.  It doesn’t work that way, by design. 

And to top it off, the author was so proud of their comment that they signed it “anonymous”.  Nice lack of testicular fortitude there.

Yeah, I suppose that kind of set me off.  Sorry.

Power

So at around 12:30 or so this afternoon, the electric flickered off here at the house just after the biggest gust of wind of the day blew through.  I think I saw a few children fly by my back window, but I couldn’t open it fast enough to catch them.  I know I saw a teacher with a black dress riding a bicycle too, she was saying something about a dog I think. 

Anyway, later I took a drive to survey some of the damage around town since the fire siren went off at least five times, and I was flat out astonished at what I found.  Befuddled.  Perplexed. 

There were many residents of Windham that were without power for hours this afternoon.  The number of the unfortunate is simply unknown.  But you know who had electricity at his house?  That’s right.  C. James Moore.  I don’t know if this guy has a deal with the First Energy or has a pact with the great Electric Gods in the sky, but there’s something very wrong going on here.  How is it fair for someone who holds a position of power to hoard electricity like that and not share it with his fellow residents?  Where does he get off thinking that his power needs are greater than my own?  I think that the Village Council should take a serious look at the power lines around his home and check for blatant tampering or some device that sucks electricity covertly from the surrounding homes.

Because, c’mon, everyone thinks that the guy is the source for every bad thing in town, why not blame him for the power outage? 

Sarcasm anyone?

Hello Visitor 9000!

Sorry to have missed you a couple of days ago!

Domain Name verizon.net ^? (Network)

IP Address 70.106.131.# (Verizon Internet Services)

ISP Verizon Internet ServicesLocation 

Continent	:	North America
Country	:	United States  (Facts)
Lat/Long	:	38, -97 (Map)
Distance	:	876 miles

Time of Visit Nov 27 2006 10:56:37 am

Last Page View Nov 27 2006 10:57:59 am

Visit Length 1 minute 22 seconds

Page Views 1

Visit Number 9,000

Storytime, as related by the Mrs.

Lady Windhamite had an interesting encounter at her work yesterday.  It seems that there was a substitute teacher at one of the schools in town yesterday that had her van break down on Maple Grove near Katherine Thomas Elementary.  She related to the Doctor that Lady works for that she feared for her life, because she just knew that if she stayed there she would be raped or murdered or mugged because the Projects were such a horrible area.  She refused to leave the van there because she was afraid it might have been broken into (which I can fully understand).  She also said that one of her unruly students threatened to track down where she lived and kill her.

You can’t beat press like that.  I think the last statement is a fabrication, because if someone told a teacher that, they are required to report it to the administration. 

I'm glad someone checked...

Suddenly, that economy isn’t so bad.  But wait, it has more to do with media coverage than anything.

Black Friday - Same Effect, Different Media Coverage

Doing my part...

Well, for the first time, I ventured out in the early morning to hit the doorbuster Christmas sales on Black Friday yesterday.  There was a deep-seated need within my evil Conservative heart to go out and do the right thing for our evil Capitalist pig-dog economy. 

Many other people joined me in this celebration too. 

The plan was to go to Best Buy and get a camcorder and laptop computer.  The plan was not exactly realized, but I knew it ahead of time when I drove by the back entrance of the new Circuit City and the line to get in there wrapped around the front of the building, along the side of it, clear out to the road that I was on.  The line at Best Buy was even longer.  There were at least 750 people in it, probably more.  And why didn’t anyone warn me that actually getting into the building was only half the battle?  Getting out was even worse.  I did get a camcorder, but waited in line an hour and a half just to checkout.  Luckily there were some nice people there that had fought valiantly in previous similar battles before to talk me through it.  It was a test of patience, and we won the day.

Unless I'm mistaken

And let's be honest, I'm very rarely mistaken, it is the third Monday of the month, which means its time, once again, for no one to show up for a Village Council meeting! There have been some seriously non-record setting numbers showing up for these things. You'd think for a bunch of folks that like to complain as much as we do, we'd like to have more cannon fodder straight from the horses' mouths. But alas, it is likely not to be.

O H...

I O

And as always, Michigan sucks.

Dead Schembechlers? Call me a fan!

So its part of the lunatic fringe?  Who cares!?!  I love it!

Check it out here.

Favorite quote:

Do you have any favorite memories from the rivalry?

"I believe we're 102-0 against the Wolverines," Biafra insisted. "If you go back and check the lying, liberal Wolverine media, they'll make you believe they won many of the games."

Biafra explained that game footage was doctored, and crop dusters were flown over the stadium to drug fans and make them believe they were seeing Michigan victories. He pointed out the vast reach of the international Wolverines conspiracy by mentioning that the founder of Walgreen's, Charles Walgreen, is a Michigan alum -- and where do you think the maize and blue got the pharmaceuticals to drug Buckeye Nation?

Go Buckeyes!

What's That?

You say you really wish you could by that special someone (read: special blogger) something for Christmas and can’t think what it would be, because he has everything?

You might want to try ThoseShirts.com.  Highly recommended. 

You can get shirts like these:

…and my personal favorite:

Don't Tell

Why do secret societies even exist anymore?

If you really sit down and think about it, there’s really no need.  Back in the day, there was a desire to keep artisan tradesecrets, well, secret.  There was also the old political secretkeeping that kind of still goes on today, but really, is there a need for a bunch of men to gather in the basement and lock the doors to pat themselves on the back for a job that at best is only kind of done, but not very well?

Don’t get me wrong, I’ll defend the right of folks to be as secretive as needed or possible.  I don’t think that anyone needs to step in and squash these meetings.  I think even the Boy Scounts have some secret traditions and rituals, one being Pipestone.  My best friend when I was younger was a Scout and wouldn’t even tell me about it.  I told him that it was ok to come out and tell me that it was just a bunch of teenage boys running around naked humping trees, but he would never fess up.  It was a “bonding” thing for the boys.  Nonsense.  It was the same as that joke that two people have between each other that no one else gets, because they “weren’t there”. 

Maybe someone’s trying to manipulate Windham’s massive political power behind closed doors?  Oooh, there’s a huge prize to be had.  Everyone knows that if you’re after power to that degree, you start a blog.  Then automatically you have perceived credibility, even when you’re talking about things you haven’t the faintest idea concerning.  Plus, folks automatically start crediting you with awesome political powwer to shift elections and turn out mind-numbed voters that can’t think for themselves.  Then of course, the power begins to go to your head and you step away for a while to get your bearings, creating various and sundry conspiracy theories as to why you’re gone, when in actuality, you were in the Betty Ford clinic because of your addiction to the Internets.  Upon your return, the drug reasserts itself and you’re thrown into another downward spiral.

But at least this time, you can enjoy it.

Phantom Images

Yeah, nothing serious going on yet.  In the meantime, here’s a neat little optical illusion.  Load the page below, stare at the black dot in the weird looking picture, then put your mouse over the picture about fifteen seconds later.  I’ve seen a couple of these pictures lately, it must be the newest fad or something.

Hi, I'm a link. Click me.

So....did you?

You paid attention during 86% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

In consideration of Veterans Day.

One of the greatest sculptures in Washington D.C. is the Iwo Jima Memorial. Most pictures that are taken are from the side standing a good bit away. This one is taken from a different angle and I think brings out a different feel for the memorial. Take some time today to thank a veteran today for their service to our country. May we never lose sight of the sacrifices of this special group of citizens. They have been willing to offer their lives in service to this country and its freedoms.

Thank you all.

Why didn't anyone tell me?

I suppose that its partially my fault really, I have never really made it a habit to read the front page of the Villager.  As of the November 17th issue, the paper will be going on hiatus.  Jody Schroath has accepted a position in Maryland with the Chesapeake Bay Magazine.  As of this time, there’s no one to replace her.

Hmmm, I wonder….

Financial Figures

In 2007, the Village will pay $42024.00 to the Bureau of Worker’s Compensation, fulfilling (hopefully) a bill that has been outstanding for three years.

The Village’s responsiblity to the BWC in January of 2006 was $77,274.18.  The Village’s responsibility to the BWC in July of 2006 was $77041.64.

In October, the Village reported that it had paid down the loan from Cortland bank that was taken out a few years ago to keep the Village afloat, but has been a burden ever since.

In March of 2007, the Dangling Debt of $36345.33 will be paid off.  There will be $24000.00 going to this debt in 2007. 

For you immigrants from Garrettsville, that’s $66024 in past due payments to be made in 2007 that could be going toward a Police Officer or two.  If you want to know why the Village is in such bad shape right now, this is a big part of it.  The Village had horrible management of its finances in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. 

If you’ve given a thousand dollars to a buddy of yours and you watched him gamble it all away, will you be likely to give him more when he comes back to ask for it?

Think for a moment if all of those old bills could have been paid off on time.  We wouldn’t have been burdened with a huge loan from Corland Bank.  We could have gone without this Dangling Debt that hangs over our heads.  Perhaps we could have even caught the Worker’s Compensation problem before it became so huge.  Any cutbacks during the weak economy would have been nearly insignificant in comparison to what we’ve had to deal with for the last few years.  Business would have a better opportunity to come here because of the stability in government and protection.  With a regular police force, some of the problems in the Projects would not have been as pronounced as they have become.

Many of our problems today could have been prevented with a good accounting process.

Boy, it would be really nice to get my hands on a relatively detailed budget for the last three years.  I wonder how much it will cost me to get it? 

QuickClix

I’m kinda sorta trying to look into starting a business of my own by selling on eBay for other folks.  Basically, you give me that lime green candy dish that you keep hidden in the back of the cupboard and I research and try to sell is on eBay.  Of course, being an evil Republican, I take a cut from the winning bid, but you don’t even have to think about that.  See it as doing your part in getting a thorn in your side out of town.  Unless you like me of course, then you would be doing your part to increase tax revenue for the Village. 

All jokes aside, if any of you would like to get rid of something that you don’t need on eBay, I’d be more than happy to help.

The next two years...

I’m really looking forward to the next couple of years now that the Democrat party has won control of the House of Representatives and likely will take control of the Senate in a few days. 

“Huh?” you say.  “Why would he look forward to that?”  Well let me respond.

Well, for the next two years Conservatives don’t feel the need to defend the decisions of a huge group of morons who couldn’t legislate their way out of a wet paper bag.  Many of us have been quite disappointed in the recent Congress and their decisions and the attitude that they’d taken on.  Now granted, I certainly believe that the current set-up in Washington will not be any better, but really I don’t think it will be much worse either.  Hopefully we will be able to find more people like Michael Steele, I’ve stated my support of him before.  I don’t agree with him on every point, but his attitude and charisma took him a long way in a race in which he should have gotten pounded.

Here in Ohio, DeWine loses, no surprise, he lost the support of Conservatives a long time ago, plus boneheaded moves by Taft and Bob Ney drove any chance he had into the ground.  Blackwell, who is a very nice guy in person, suffered Taft backlash and also ran a horrible campaign. 

The Village won’t be getting any tax increase anytime soon.  It didn’t even garner the numbers that is had back in February. 

One thing to notice for everyone.  When Democrats lose, there are charges of voter fraud, Americans being stupid, and threats to flee to Canada.  When Republicans lose…well, I haven’t heard anything shrill like that yet.  I don’t anticipate it either.

Your Taxes...

…will not be going up because of the Village.

For the Levy – 173 – 31.00%

Against the Levy – 385 – 69.00%

What now?  How about a detailed prospectus of the Village’s finances?

Rumored

Has anyone heard that something very serious happened in town this evening?  I’m hearing word of a murder, but have no confirmation yet on that.  I’ll try to track down some more information.  I’ll update this post as more information comes in.

Update:  There was a seventeen year old man shot in the face sometime around 5:30 this evening.  There is the possibility of drugs being involved somehow.  The victim was being transported for LifeFlight, but may have been pronounced DOA.

Update 2:  It seems that it was an eighteen year old.  The bullet entered under the right eye and exited behind the left ear.  There is an ongoing question about whether the young man was murdered or accidentally shot.  There are two Windham cruisers, two Garrettsville cruisers, two unmarked cars (likely detectives), and one county and one K-9 unit at the scene.  One young man has been taken for questioning.

Update 3:  Latest word is that there were a few kids drinking in one of the apartments in 9145 Maple Grove.  One of the boys was screwing around with a gun, wasn’t paying attention, and it went off.  They had planned on blaming it on suicide, but one of the people there broke down and told the truth.

Update 4 (per comment by G.R.I.T.S.):   Fisher was charged with reckless homicide for the death of Frazier.

Final Update:  From The Record Courier

Ravennan shot in Windham Allegedly shot in head with rifle

Marci Piltz

15 hours ago

Record-Courier staff writer

A Ravenna man was shot and killed Monday at an apartment in Windham, and another Ravenna man is in custody, charged with the shooting.

Jesse Frazier, 18, of 470 S. Prospect St., was pronounced dead Monday night at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna following the shooting.

Brandon Fisher, 20, of 531 Coolman Ave., was arrested and charged with reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, in connection with the shooting.

Fisher was arraigned Tuesday in Portage County Municipal Court in Ravenna, where Judge Barbara Oswick set bond at $500,000 cash. A preliminary hearing has been set for Friday in the same courtroom.

According to Portage County Sheriff Duane Kaley, a 911 call was received around 5:30 p.m. regarding a shooting at 9145 Maple Grove Road, Apt. C. The call was transferred to Windham police, who requested assistance from the Portage County Sheriff's Office, Kaley said.

Kaley said officers found Frazier had been shot in the head, and he was transported by the Windham Fire Department to Robinson Memorial. He was pronounced dead at the hospital, Kaley said.

In addition to the charge of reckless homicide, Kaley said Fisher also could be facing additional charges of tampering with evidence for allegedly attempting to hide the gun, a .22 caliber semiautomatic rifle, used in the shooting.

Both Kaley and Portage County Prosecutor Victor Vigluicci declined to elaborate on the circumstances of the shooting.

"All I can say right now is that this individual apparently pointed the firearm at two other individuals, then pointed it at the victim, at which time the weapon discharged," Kaley said.

Kaley would not comment on whether the shooting was accidental.

The rifle was taken from the scene, along with other items Kaley said were being considered as evidence.

Kaley said the sheriff's office is working with the Windham Police Department and its acting chief, Dale Korman, during the investigation.

For the record

Since I’ve made it plain that I’m going to be moving in the middle of next year, I don’t feel that it is right for me to cast a vote on a tax in which I don’t have a part. 

But if I was, I’d keep in mind…

• The property tax issue is designed to do directly to the Village Police Department to the tune of $100,000.
• It costs a lot more than that to run the Department.
• Will the allocation from the General Fund stay the same, decrease, or increase?
• The Village has paid their responsibility to the State Worker’s Compensation system.
• The Village is in the process of paying off their “Dangling Debt”.
• Those payoffs net approximately $100,000 per year.
• Regardless of this issue’s passage or rejection, the majority of that revenue should flow back toward the Police Department.
• What will be the state of the Village’s finances upon repayment of all debt?

But, you know, that’s just me.

Remember Mark Foley?

Watch him get punched.  Repeatedly.

And hopefully helping Negron in the process.