When we were young, Friday nights were our favorite times. Several families would meet at our house and the dads would go to the Ice Boat Club meeting...the moms would hang out with us for a while and order pizza.
As I was old enough to babysit, the moms would join the dads after the meeting and that's about the time that we'd get out the blankets, sleeping bags and chairs from the kitchen. We'd make "tents" in the living room using the blankets for the roof and the sleeping bags for the floor. We'd make popcorn, usually for 9, and hope that the parents would stay away long enough that we'd be able to watch these terrific, scary old movies at 11 p.m. on channel 50.
With it being Halloween, AMC is running all the old black-and-white favorites...Dracula, Frankenstein, The Mummy, Creature from the Black Lagoon...with Bela Lugosi, Lon Cheney, Boris Karloff. The only thing that seems to be missing from the line- up, so far, is my all-time favorite, Vincent Price. But there are a couple more days to go...
Kind of makes me want to get out the blankets, pop some corn, make my own little tent and watch them all night long...
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
For true political junkies...
If you can't get enough of political campaign ads, there's a local Toledoan who's putting them all together.
Politics @ 30 Frames Per Second is a new website showing political ads and it tells who sponsored/paid for them. You can see it here.
I agree with J.R.W., the blogger, that it's sometimes hard to analyze or understand the ads - and even harder to pay attention to who's paying for them. His website gives you the time you need to do just that. I hope he'll compliment his site by adding the various analyses of the commercials being done by local media.
Politics @ 30 Frames Per Second is a new website showing political ads and it tells who sponsored/paid for them. You can see it here.
I agree with J.R.W., the blogger, that it's sometimes hard to analyze or understand the ads - and even harder to pay attention to who's paying for them. His website gives you the time you need to do just that. I hope he'll compliment his site by adding the various analyses of the commercials being done by local media.
What does a commissioner do?
In cleaning out some files, I came across an old document published by the County Commissioners Association of Ohio, titled "Who are these people and what do they do?" I thought, considering the discussions elsewhere on the internet and in the area, that I'd post their introduction which gives a sort of "job description" for a commissioner.
"A board of three County Commissioners serves as the general administrative body for 87 of 88 Ohio counties; the exception is Summit County with its charter form of government. County Commissioners are elected to office like other county officials, such as the Sheriff, Engineer and Auditor. However, they are seen as the leaders of county government, and their authority goes a long way toward supporting that viewpoint.
Given specific and limited authority by the state legislature, County Commissioners hold title to all county property, serve as the sole taxing authority for the county and control county purchasing. Most importantly, Ohio's 87 Boards of County Commissioners are the budget and appropriating authority for county government, meaning everyone - every agency, every court, every other elected office holder - depends on County Commissioners for their budgets.
This means that County Commissioners must take a broad view when making public policy and budget decisions. Given their impact on the work of many other elected officials and dfifferent departments, they must be astute in matters of law enforcement, correction facilities, human services, business development and other areas. Given their budget-making authority, they must have a good business sense - matching available revenue to service needs.
County Commissioners also have statutory authority for providing water and sewer services as well as solid waster (trash) disposal. They hold hearings and rule on annexations. And, as noted earlier, County Commissioners are today being given responsibilities, such as making public assistance work, that were once held by the state and federal government."
From further in the document:
"A very small percentage of all revenue that is collected by county government is available to County Commissioners to spend as they please for public purposes. Federal and state mandates dictate how County Commissioners budget the overwhelming portion of county revenues. This makes for some very hard decision making by County Commissioners when it comes to discretionary spending, because public needs almost always outdistance available revenue."
For more information, you can click here and read the County Leadership Handbook published by the National Association of Counties or the County Commissioners Handbook which details all the responsibilities of a commissioner. (Admittedly, you won't want to read the documents in their entirety, but a review of their chapters and scope will give you a good overview.)
"A board of three County Commissioners serves as the general administrative body for 87 of 88 Ohio counties; the exception is Summit County with its charter form of government. County Commissioners are elected to office like other county officials, such as the Sheriff, Engineer and Auditor. However, they are seen as the leaders of county government, and their authority goes a long way toward supporting that viewpoint.
Given specific and limited authority by the state legislature, County Commissioners hold title to all county property, serve as the sole taxing authority for the county and control county purchasing. Most importantly, Ohio's 87 Boards of County Commissioners are the budget and appropriating authority for county government, meaning everyone - every agency, every court, every other elected office holder - depends on County Commissioners for their budgets.
This means that County Commissioners must take a broad view when making public policy and budget decisions. Given their impact on the work of many other elected officials and dfifferent departments, they must be astute in matters of law enforcement, correction facilities, human services, business development and other areas. Given their budget-making authority, they must have a good business sense - matching available revenue to service needs.
County Commissioners also have statutory authority for providing water and sewer services as well as solid waster (trash) disposal. They hold hearings and rule on annexations. And, as noted earlier, County Commissioners are today being given responsibilities, such as making public assistance work, that were once held by the state and federal government."
From further in the document:
"A very small percentage of all revenue that is collected by county government is available to County Commissioners to spend as they please for public purposes. Federal and state mandates dictate how County Commissioners budget the overwhelming portion of county revenues. This makes for some very hard decision making by County Commissioners when it comes to discretionary spending, because public needs almost always outdistance available revenue."
For more information, you can click here and read the County Leadership Handbook published by the National Association of Counties or the County Commissioners Handbook which details all the responsibilities of a commissioner. (Admittedly, you won't want to read the documents in their entirety, but a review of their chapters and scope will give you a good overview.)
Ideas for TPS
Chris Myers had created a really unique website called Ideas for TPS, which I've added to my links. As he states on the site, "ideasfortps.com is all about citizen-powered ideas. You can comment, rate and even submit your own ideas here to help the Toledo Public School (TPS) district save money."
This is a creative way for people to be involved in suggesting and rating ideas to help our schools save money - so more of the resources can go toward the education of the students.
I applaud Chris' continued attention to TPS as well as his devotion to involving the public in finding solutions. Please take the time to visit the site, read and rate the ideas, and add some of your own!
This is a creative way for people to be involved in suggesting and rating ideas to help our schools save money - so more of the resources can go toward the education of the students.
I applaud Chris' continued attention to TPS as well as his devotion to involving the public in finding solutions. Please take the time to visit the site, read and rate the ideas, and add some of your own!
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Decisions...decisions...
Like many conservatives these days, I'm disappointed. Topics like judicial nominees, pork, illegal immigration, government spending, taxes ... many of the issues which I, personally, think are key to core conservative principles seem to be less of a priority than they should be.
I've looked at the candidates and their positions and I find that I disagree with the stance that many have taken on the issues I think are most important. And I don't believe that I'm alone in this thinking, which leads to a dilemma...whom to vote for?
I know that it's not realistic to expect to agree with a candidate on everything - I don't even agree with my husband on everything - so I have to determine who I agree with the most. And that continues to be, for the most part, the Republicans who are on the ballot this year.
I think that a lot of people are going to make their ballot choices on the same basis. My father always told me never to vote for a person based solely upon their political party - but to know their positions, their votes and their stance on issues that were important to me.
So while many of the Republicans don't get a 100% score on my issues test, they get much better scores than their Democrat opponents. If I want my perspectives represented by elected officials, I'm better off voting for someone I agree with 75% of the time rather than someone I agree with only 15% of the time.
And because I don't think that I'm alone in this perspective, I don't believe what many are saying: that Republicans are going to 'sit out' this year's elections. I think most Republicans - and conservatives - realize that if they want their core philosophies reflected in government, their best hope is in the Republicans on the ballot - even if they are sometimes disappointed in certain votes those individuals make.
UPDATE: I wanted to add this quote from the Patriot Post:
“The people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation... it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” —James A. Garfield
I've looked at the candidates and their positions and I find that I disagree with the stance that many have taken on the issues I think are most important. And I don't believe that I'm alone in this thinking, which leads to a dilemma...whom to vote for?
I know that it's not realistic to expect to agree with a candidate on everything - I don't even agree with my husband on everything - so I have to determine who I agree with the most. And that continues to be, for the most part, the Republicans who are on the ballot this year.
I think that a lot of people are going to make their ballot choices on the same basis. My father always told me never to vote for a person based solely upon their political party - but to know their positions, their votes and their stance on issues that were important to me.
So while many of the Republicans don't get a 100% score on my issues test, they get much better scores than their Democrat opponents. If I want my perspectives represented by elected officials, I'm better off voting for someone I agree with 75% of the time rather than someone I agree with only 15% of the time.
And because I don't think that I'm alone in this perspective, I don't believe what many are saying: that Republicans are going to 'sit out' this year's elections. I think most Republicans - and conservatives - realize that if they want their core philosophies reflected in government, their best hope is in the Republicans on the ballot - even if they are sometimes disappointed in certain votes those individuals make.
UPDATE: I wanted to add this quote from the Patriot Post:
“The people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption. If it be intelligent, brave, and pure, it is because the people demand these high qualities... If the next centennial does not find us a great nation... it will be because those who represent the enterprise, the culture, and the morality of the nation do not aid in controlling the political forces.” —James A. Garfield
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Arena Public Hearings
There are three more public hearings for the Arena plan. There is a presentation of the study and then time for questions, answers and comments. If you haven't already seen the reports, a copy of the arena plan is available here and the exhibits (including the fiscal analysis) are available here. The files are quite large and do take a bit of time to download.
Please take advantage of these meetings to gather more information and make your opinions known!
October 19th at 6 p.m.
Sanger Branch Library
3030 W. Central Avenue
Toledo
October 26th at 6 p.m.
Maumee City Council Chambers
Maumee Municipal Building
400 Conant Street
Maumee
November 14th at 6 p.m.
The Roost at 5/3 Field
406 Washington Street
Toledo
Also, the Board of County Commissioners will have an "on-the-road" meeting in Oregon on Tuesday, October 24th. That meeting will be in the Oregon City Council Chambers at 6 p.m. As this is an open meeting, comments and questions on all items, including the arena, are welcome.
Please take advantage of these meetings to gather more information and make your opinions known!
October 19th at 6 p.m.
Sanger Branch Library
3030 W. Central Avenue
Toledo
October 26th at 6 p.m.
Maumee City Council Chambers
Maumee Municipal Building
400 Conant Street
Maumee
November 14th at 6 p.m.
The Roost at 5/3 Field
406 Washington Street
Toledo
Also, the Board of County Commissioners will have an "on-the-road" meeting in Oregon on Tuesday, October 24th. That meeting will be in the Oregon City Council Chambers at 6 p.m. As this is an open meeting, comments and questions on all items, including the arena, are welcome.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Happy Birthday U.S. Navy!
Today marks the birth of the U.S. Navy.
On this day in 1775 (also Friday the 13th), the U.S. Navy was born when the Continental Congress authorized the arming of two sailing vessels in order to intercept supply transports for the British army. The Declaration of Independence came nine months later, followed by the creation of the Department of the Navy in 1798.
In 1972, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized recognition of 13 October as the Navy’s birthday. The Navy Birthday is intended as an internal activity for members of the active forces and reserves, as well as retirees, and dependents. Since 1972, each CNO has encouraged a Navy-wide celebration of this occasion "to enhance a greater appreciation of our Navy heritage, and to provide a positive influence toward pride and professionalism in the naval service."
For more information, click here. In the meantime, to my dad and brother, who both served, as well as all other sailors, Happy Birthday!
On this day in 1775 (also Friday the 13th), the U.S. Navy was born when the Continental Congress authorized the arming of two sailing vessels in order to intercept supply transports for the British army. The Declaration of Independence came nine months later, followed by the creation of the Department of the Navy in 1798.
In 1972, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Admiral Elmo R. Zumwalt authorized recognition of 13 October as the Navy’s birthday. The Navy Birthday is intended as an internal activity for members of the active forces and reserves, as well as retirees, and dependents. Since 1972, each CNO has encouraged a Navy-wide celebration of this occasion "to enhance a greater appreciation of our Navy heritage, and to provide a positive influence toward pride and professionalism in the naval service."
For more information, click here. In the meantime, to my dad and brother, who both served, as well as all other sailors, Happy Birthday!
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Contrasts
Yesterday, I picked the last of my roses and brought them inside because of the fear of frost today and tonight.
Today it snowed. Hats off to whomever picked October 12th for the first snow!
Sunday, October 08, 2006
October Moon
Friday I was able to take a good photo of the moon shining so brightly and reflecting on the water...but I knew that the actual moonrise would be better - a larger moon and more yellow-orange. So last night, we watched and I took the following photos. I'm a bit disappointed that the size of the moon isn't better depicted, as it was still a bit light and the camera I used is a simple point & shoot...but I especially love an October moon!
Friday, October 06, 2006
A Quote from our Founders
From the Patriot Post - a Founder's Quote:
"Nothing so strongly impels a man to regard the interest of his constituents, as the certainty of returning to the general mass of the people, from whence he was taken, where he must participate in their burdens."
-- George Mason (speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention,17 June 1788)
Reference: The Papers of George Mason, Rutland, ed., vol. 3 (1093)[Sheehan (5:5)]
"Nothing so strongly impels a man to regard the interest of his constituents, as the certainty of returning to the general mass of the people, from whence he was taken, where he must participate in their burdens."
-- George Mason (speech in the Virginia Ratifying Convention,17 June 1788)
Reference: The Papers of George Mason, Rutland, ed., vol. 3 (1093)[Sheehan (5:5)]
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Cruisin' in Toledo
Press Release from the Port Authority:
Port Authority Hosts International Cruise Industry Delegation
Toledo, Ohio --- On Saturday, September 29th, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority hosted an international delegation of cruise line executives and tour operators. The delegation joined Port Authority President, James H. Hartung and the design team at the Port Authority office for a presentation on Toledo’s colorful tourism attraction.
With a sweeping view of Toledo’s downtown riverfront, Mr. Hartung gave details of the planned Marine Passenger Terminal the Port Authority is constructing within the Marina District.
“Our hosting this delegation of cruise industry executives afforded us a wonderful opportunity to, not only tout Toledo as an appealing venue for Great Lakes Cruising but also to gain input on the design of our Marine Passenger Cruise Terminal,” said Hartung. “We are committed to this project and we want our terminal to be among the best. We listened very carefully to their suggestions on how to improve the terminal.”
The energetic presentation drew great interest from the group who represent the travel industry from the United Kingdom, Canada and the U.S.
Currently, the Great Lakes are home to seven luxury overnight cruise ships with two additional ships set for deployment in 2007
The delegation is participating in a Great Lakes-wide tour coordinated by the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition (GLCC), a marketing organization to which the Port Authority is the founder and current board member.
Port Authority Hosts International Cruise Industry Delegation
Toledo, Ohio --- On Saturday, September 29th, the Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority hosted an international delegation of cruise line executives and tour operators. The delegation joined Port Authority President, James H. Hartung and the design team at the Port Authority office for a presentation on Toledo’s colorful tourism attraction.
With a sweeping view of Toledo’s downtown riverfront, Mr. Hartung gave details of the planned Marine Passenger Terminal the Port Authority is constructing within the Marina District.
“Our hosting this delegation of cruise industry executives afforded us a wonderful opportunity to, not only tout Toledo as an appealing venue for Great Lakes Cruising but also to gain input on the design of our Marine Passenger Cruise Terminal,” said Hartung. “We are committed to this project and we want our terminal to be among the best. We listened very carefully to their suggestions on how to improve the terminal.”
The energetic presentation drew great interest from the group who represent the travel industry from the United Kingdom, Canada and the U.S.
Currently, the Great Lakes are home to seven luxury overnight cruise ships with two additional ships set for deployment in 2007
The delegation is participating in a Great Lakes-wide tour coordinated by the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition (GLCC), a marketing organization to which the Port Authority is the founder and current board member.
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