If you haven't heard it yet...

You must not live in town…

15 charged in Windham vandalism 5 adults, 10 juveniles allegedly trashed park

Maybe we’ve got 15 “volunteers” to blacktop Center Street.  By hand.  I’m sure the Water Department can find some really nice jobs for these cretins.  Nothing like a good bit of sludge to remind people that being stupid has consequences.

I think some of the parents need a good thrashing too.

Edit to add: I removed the linkage, as it seems to change with each new day. One more thing to complain about with the Record Courier I guess.

News

Abu Musab al-Zarqawi killed in air raid

Positivity

Or “The Continuing Theme”.  Taken from the Washington Post:

And Now For Some Good News

By now Americans know the litany: The nation is engaged in a difficult and costly war in Iraq; Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon; gas prices are high; the costs of reconstructing the Gulf Coast region are huge; illegal immigration is a major problem -- and more.

These issues are real and pressing. But they aren't the whole story -- and they ought not color the lens through which we see all other events. We hear a great deal about the problems we face. We hear hardly anything about the encouraging developments. Off-key as it may sound in the current environment, a strong case can be made that in a number of areas there are positive trends and considerable progress. Perhaps the place to begin is with an empirical assessment of where we are.

Read it all.

History Lesson

President Bush gave a very interesting commencement address to the newest class of West Point.  Michael Barone comments upon it:

Bush Knows His History

Remember "Reform Ohio Now"?

I recall seeing some signs supporting the amendment in the Village back in November.  I’m sure that those folks aren’t very happy with their own party right now.

Reform won’t wait from the Columbus Dispatch

“After House leaders, who needed three-fifths approval to place a redistricting amendment on the statewide November ballot, lost the first vote, they cleverly repackaged the bill to mirror a Democratic reform plan drawn up last year. And Democrats proceeded to vote down their own idea.”

On this Memorial Day...

A different view of our present struggle:

Looking Back at Iraq

There may be a lot to regret about the past policy of the United States in the Middle East…

Top 50 Conservative Rock Songs

Yeah, we rock.  Really we do!  No seriously!  Why are you laughing?

Rockin' all night long!

Maybe Ohio has finally decided to get on the bandwagon

Some good economic news from Ohio.

Ohio among tops for job growth

Ohio's job growth in April outpaced that of all but two other states, while the nation's overall jobless rate fell compared with a year ago, according to federal statistics released Friday.

Ohio added 18,500 jobs in April, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics. That brought Ohio's total number of jobs to 5.46 million in April, compared with 5.44 million in March.

April's largest job growth was in Illinois, with 23,100 jobs added, and in Georgia with 19,500. Ohio outpaced Michigan, where 16,600 jobs were added, and Minnesota with 15,800, according to bureau statistics.

North Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana, Oklahoma and California experienced the largest job losses for April.

National unemployment dipped to 4.7 percent, compared with 5.1 percent in April 2005.

Is it just me?

If there’s work going on at the Center Street/Maple Grove intersection, shouldn’t there be a “Road Closed” sign beside KT’s driveway?  It is the “point of no return” for folks driving down the road in that direction, and for parents who perhaps weren’t paying all that much attention, it would save some hassle without having to turn around.

Of course, its most likely just me.

So there was this Council Meeting tonight

And there was huge community interest in it.  I was totally astonished to see a whopping five people turn out.  One of those folks even got to be on Council!  Not a bad deal if you ask me.

It wasn’t me if you were wondering.

Anyway, as Council Meetings go, it was rather dull overall.  Sorry folks, it really was a toss up between watching paint dry and taking notes.  Anyway, a brief review.

Council President Scott Garrett commended the Edwards’ for coordinating the Clean Up Day.  It does look pretty nice and they did a lot of work pulling this all together.

Sonya Edwards was appointed to the open Council position.

Mayor Jim Moore compared the last three attempts at passing the Income Tax issue.  He pointed out that in November it had 30% support, in February it had 24% support, and in May it received 36% support.

The Safety Committee is looking into any federal grants to help with financing the Police Department.  Rachel Barrett will be the new chair for this committee and it will meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 7:15 pm after the Finance Committee’s meeting at 6:30.

The Financial Committee discussed issues with improperly depositing USDA money into the General Fund and conforming to the advice of the Auditor.  A Worker’s Compensation payment is to be made for the months of April and May to the tune of $28,606.00.  Marian also pointed out that the interest on the sustained debt is compounding continually.

Two ordinances were passed as Emergency measures.  They are as follows:

Ordinance No. O-2006–13  Declaring it necessary in order to continue to provide services in the Village of Windham to increase the Village Income Tax by .5% effective January 1, 2007, declaring an Emergency and repealing all prior inconsistent ordinances.

Ordinance No. O-2006–14 Declaring it necessary to place a .5% General Income Tax increase on the ballot for the August 8, 2006 Special Election said increase to be effective January 1, 2007 and notifying the Portage County Board of Elections to cause notice of the election, and declaring an Emergency and repealing all prior inconsistent ordinances.

The Committee also pointed out that there has been a request made by the Portage County Commissioners to purchase a 12 x 12 granite brick for the Veterans Memorial that will be in the front lawn of the County Courthouse.  It will be a Level III donation at the cost of $1,000.00.  The Council tabled the issue until next meeting.

The Service Committee presented an ordinance pertaining to the continuing issues with the water meters in the Village.  Presented was this ordinance, which was passed unanimously by Council:

Ordinance No. O-2006–11 Enacting new Section 927.06 of the Codified Ordinance of the Village of Windham to assess a monthly fee for water meter rentals and to create a fund for meter repair, replacements, and maintenance to be effective July 1, 2006 declaring an Emergency and repealing all prior inconsistent ordinances.

Through this ordinance, the Village Water Department will be able to purchase new water meters from a fund set up specifically for that purpose.  A $5.00 fee will be assessed per meter beginning in July, 2006.

The committee also presented issues raised by Kevin Knight.  Some fences in the Village are in need of repair which is estimated to cost $5,600.00; a valve on the water tank needs replaced which will cost $7,000.00; and some of the storm sewers in the Village are in need of maintenance.

The Public Housing Committee recommended that their Ordinance be tabled until the next meeting:

Ordinance O-2006–15 Amending Section 1341.02 (49) of the codified Ordinance of the Village of Windham to include single family rental units to the housing code to make them subject to inspections and licensing fees repealing all prior other inconsistent ordinances and declaring an emergency.

The Ordinance is intended to tighten up on licensing and enforcement of such in the Village.  There was also discussion about the method of inspections.  The housing inspector has not been filling out reports correctly and has not responded to a request made by the Mayor two weeks ago.

The Planning and Zoning Committee put this ordinance before Council, which was passed unanimously:

Ordinance O-2006–12 Authorizing a request to the Ohio Board of Building Standards to certify the Village of Windham for enforcement of the Residential Code of Ohio with the condition that the Portage County Residential Building Department exercise enforcement authority and accept and approve plans and specifications, and make inspections, and authorizing an agreement for such enforcement between the Village of Windham and Portage County Residential Building Department declaring an emergency.

The ordinance is a formality to make the PCRBD officially the building code inspectors.

In Guest Recognition, Robert Edwards thanked the Village and Council members individually for their help during the Clean-Up Day.

The Council went into Executive session twice during the meeting, first to discuss the selection of the new Council member and second to discuss legal and police personnel issues.

Mother's Day

To the women of the world who have taken on the most underappreciated job in the history of the planet:

Happy Mother’s Day

I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by two women in my life who have been excellent examples of motherhood.  First, my own mother who raised me to be the charming chap that I am today.  Without her example of patience and persistence, my perspective (alliteration!) would be totally different.  She showed me what love truly means and can do within a person, and how that love interacts with another person who loved her back, even though things may not always be perfect.  Everyone should be able to say that they love their mother, and have the love of their mother to show to others.  I’m lucky enough to be able to say the same.

My wife is the second dear mother in my life.  She has now raised three excellent children and shown them the same type of love that my own mother showed to me.  I’ve witnessed the struggles of young motherhood and how she has adapted to the changes in life, personality, and the simple differences between each of the kids.  She has shown how to be flexible, yet tenderly remaining resolute in the things which will better the kids’ lives.

To both of the mothers in my life, I love you dearly and couldn’t imagine life without you.

To everyone that is a mother, may the kind thoughts offered you this day always be a reminder of how truly important you are in so many lives.  You are the guides to the next generation and that is a tremendous responsibility.

And now, for a post that makes very little sense.

Chris!

Nooooo!

Some random pictures from Saturday

Let’s hope we get these sized correctly. 

Hmmm...

Traffic has spiked after the election.  What do you folks want?  A nasty repudiation?  Spit and vinegar?  Clever snark? 

If I had it in me, I’d do it.  I’m thinking more along the lines of submitting a resume to Council for the soon-to-be resigned seat.

The outcome of the Income Tax vote

 FOR THE INCOME TAX – 131 – 36.09%

AGAINST INCOME TAX – 232 – 63.91%

Got five minutes to burn?

Did you love to play Mario Brothers on the old Nintendo? Then check this out.

Mario Live!

Hey...

I hear that a Village Council seat is being resigned.  Who could fill that seat?  Hmmm……

The Resignation Letter of Ms. Shelley Craine

The title pretty much sums it up, doesn’t it?

April 8, 2006

 

Village of Windham

9621 East Center Street

Windham, OH  44288

 

To Mayor Jim Moore, Council President Scott Garrett, Council members Rachel Barrett, Jason DeBolt, Robert Donham, Marian Garrett, Scott Garrett, Jodi Minotti, and to the residents of the Village of Windham:

 

It has been my privilege to serve as Village Fiscal Officer for the past 16 months.  I want to say thank you for the opportunity that you have given me.  After thoughtful consideration, I am submitting my resignation effective Friday, April 21, 2006.

 

I would like the residents of the Village of Windham and the Village Council members to know that when I accepted this position, I understood completely that this job is an “Executive position” which is defined as Exempt from Overtime according to Federal Wage and Hour Laws and beyond my normal and reasonable salaried wage and the one (1) week of vacation time that I am due, I will not under any circumstance seek additional compensation for hours worked above my normal 40 hour work week from the Village of Windham.  There will also not be any attempt on my part to seek any compensation from the State of Ohio Office of Job and Family Services Unemployment Division.  In resigning this position, I acknowledge that I forfeit all rights to those options.

 

I also acknowledge that all work completed during my tenure belongs to the Village of Windham and will be willingly surrendered and all records will be left on the premises for future reference.  Upon my last day of work, I will voluntarily surrender all keys, passwords, safe combination, bank signature rights, all files, records, official copies of Council minutes, official copies of Ordinances & Resolutions, Village cell phone, email addresses and rolodex phone files, cash balances, financial records, UAN procedures and training manuals, LGS Conference Manuals, all Village owned computer equipment and furniture and computer backup CDs and floppy disks.

 

To the best of my ability, I will leave the 2005 and 2006 Financial and Clerical records in a condition that will be conducive to the upcoming Audit.

 

In addition, I would request that Marian Garrett contact the State Auditor’s office to inquire concerning any reporting requirements that may exist as a result of my resignation.

 

I understand the confidential nature of the financial work I have completed for the Village and will not make any further public statements, nor speak in any capacity on behalf of the Village.

 

This will include speaking to any member of the press in regards to the financial affairs or any other matter regarding the Village of Windham.

 

Thank you and my best wishes to you all.

 

May God Bless the Village of Windham.

 

Sincerely,

 

Shelley K. Craine

Wow, I haven't seen you since....

Well, April 16 has rolled around and the church celebrates a great day.  This day has great significance for Christians across the world, and is observed with honor and reverence.  Why?

• Its the day in which we remember the Lord’s death – 1 Corinthians 11:23–26
• Its the day in which we rejoice in his resurrection – Matthew 26:26–29
• It is the day in which Jesus rose from the grave – Mark 16:9
• It is the day in which Jesus was shown to be the Son of God with power – Romans 1:4
• It is the day upon which the church officially began – Acts 2:1
• It is the day when the Apostles received the Holy Spirit – Acts 2:1–4
• It is the day when Jesus was worshipped for the first time (by Thomas) – John 20:25–26
• It is the only day when Christians are recorded as gathering together – Acts 20:7
• It is the day in which John received his Revelation – Revelation 1:9–10

That’s right, it is that blessed holy day which all Christians are to observe, to worship upon, to partake of the Lord’s Supper, and to enjoy fellowship with and the edification of other Christians.

The first day of the week.

And to prove that I'm a geek...

I give you…

The Greatest Lightsaber Duel EVAH!!!

(evah = ever for you uncool types, you know, from Garrettsville)