'If a tree falls in the forest' - the political/racial equivalent or why the left hates black conservatives

UPDATE: This story is gaining traction - see links at the bottom of the article.

We've all heard the philosophical question:

If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make a sound?

I've recently learned the political - and racial - equivalent in what happened to Bill Randall, a candidate for Congress in North Carolina's 13th District, which includes portions of Raleigh.

You see, in early October, his campaign billboards were defaced with a vulgar phallic symbol and the letters "KKK."

What would generate such a hateful action?

Randall grew up in New Orleans in a family of simple means. His 27-year military career was inspired by his family. From his biography:

His Vietnam War era veteran brother, Adolph Randall, served in U.S. Marines. His Naval Officer sister, Alice Randall Flanders, achieved a Lieutenant Commander’s rank and served as her brother Bill’s reenlisting officer three times - this rare military reenlistment combination is part of U.S. Navy history.

High school and Naval Junior ROTC graduation was followed by a distinguished, decorated twenty-seven year Navy career, which included achieving Command Master Chief - the highest “non-commissioned officer” rank.

He served in Desert Storm and at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

His civilian record is just as impressive and seems suited to service as a representative. He has both a bachelor's and master's degree in business administration. He started a successful independent insurance agency and served in a sales position at a business management consulting firm. He understands business both as an owner and an advisor.

He is also a practicing minister and author.

What's not to like?

Oh - did I mention that Randall is Black? And that he's a - gasp! - conservative?

Not just a 'conservative' - but a tea party conservative, no less.

Perhaps now you have the context for the racism directed against him.

But, you say, racism is still alive in our world. So what makes this act of vandalism so unique?

Well, in keeping with the original question, the media basically ignored the event. And if they ignore it, did it really happen?

Breitbart.tv has one of the very few news clips from NBC-17. But for the most part, despite press releases and a press conference, the issue was largely suppressed.

Even the main newspaper, the Raleigh News & Observer, chose NOT to report on the story, despite a record of covering other such vandalism.

If Randall had been a Democrat, do you think the vandalism would have attracted national attention? Wouldn't the liberal left be screaming "Hate crime!" at the top of their lungs?

Why is it that such hatred and vandalism is either tolerated or ignored when the subject is a conservative, but decried far and wide when the subject is a liberal?

Is this just an example of acceptable campaign hooliganism - or a concerted effort to minimize a serious offense simply because of the political philosophy of the victim? Perhaps the beating of Kenneth Gladney (which received no outrage from liberals), along with Randall's situation, is the just the tip of the iceberg.

I believe it's something more insidious: fear.

As Francis Rice (a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and Chairman of the National Black Republican Association) writes:

History shows that during the 1960's Democrats used racist slurs and brutality against Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Republican until the day he died, and other nonviolent activists who were trying to stop the Democrats from denying civil rights to black Americans. Today, Democrats are using similar reprehensible tactics against conservatives and Republicans, especially black Republicans, who are trying to stop the Democrats from stripping civil liberties from all Americans.

While claiming to be racially sensitive, Democrats use racist invectives to denigrate black Republicans, demeaning them as "sellouts", "Uncle Toms", "House Negroes", "House N-word", or worse. The list of black Republicans attacked by Democrats is long and includes RNC Chairman Michael Steel, Dr. Condoleezza Rice, General Colin Powell and Justice Clarence Thomas.
...
Written out of our history books are the following facts. The Republican Party was started in 1854 as the anti-slavery party and, after the Civil War, Republicans amended the US Constitution to grant blacks freedom (13th Amendment), citizenship (14th Amendment) and the right to vote (15th Amendment). Republicans then passed the civil rights laws to ensure blacks could exercise their Constitutional rights, including the Civil Rights Acts of 1866, 1867 and 1875. After Democrats took control of Congress in 1892, Democrats passed the Repeal Act of 1894 that overturned civil rights legislation enacted by the Republicans. It took Republicans nearly six decades to finally achieve passage of civil rights legislation in the 1950's and 1960's pushed through by Republican Senator Everett Dirksen over the objection of the Democrats.

In addition to their reprehensible of record of fighting against civil rights legislation, Democrats have a long history of racial violence. Recorded by liberal professor Dr. Eric Foner in his book "A Short History of Reconstruction", is the horrifying fact that Democrats started the Ku Klux Klan in 1866 to lynch and terrorize Republicans - black and white. The Klan became the terrorist arm of the Democratic Party, killing over 2,000 black Republicans and over 1,000 white Republicans.

No wonder the Democrats so demean and debase Black conservatives.

At BlogCon11, sponsored by FreedomWorks, I had the pleasure of hearing Deneen Borelli speak. During her presentation, she described, in a voice cracking with emotion, the names she's been called and the threats she's received because she is a conservative who just happens to be Black.

Her story is an inspiring one and I hope you'll take the time to learn about her because, as she said during her comments, her personal experience dispels the liberal myth that Blacks need government in order to succeed.

And I also heard from AlfonZo Rachel who stars in the upcoming movie, Runaway Slave. He told us that there used to be a saying: what white mean feared most was an educated Black man. Today, he says, the saying is: what liberals fear most is a Black conservative.

But he clarified that he doesn't call himself a "hyphenated American" and he won't call himself a "hyphenated conservative." I believe he truly understands what Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. taught us about looking to the content of a person's character - not the color of their skin.

It is thought that there are more Black Conservatives running for office now than at any other time in U.S. history. And to the party that enslaves Blacks on the government plantation (as Deneen described) that cannot be tolerated. Which is why racism against conservatives who happen to have a skin color that is a darker shade than others is ignored, denied and suppressed.

As such conservative candidates come forward and point out the failures of liberal policies (check out poverty, unemployment, unwed births, participation in government programs, educational attainment, etc... in predominately minority communities), they prove that conservative philosophies offer more to minorities than what has been offered by the Democratic Party for decades. And that scares Democrats to death.

So, what is the best way to deal with Democrats, liberals and their double standard and hypocrisy toward Blacks?

The answer is simple: elect conservatives like Bill Randall - who just happens to also be Black.

http://www.publiusforum.com/2011/11/18/black-republicans-campaign-sign-defaced-with-kkk-media-yawns/

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/rusty-weiss/2011/11/18/black-conservative-has-campaign-billboard-vandalized-kkk-pins-heard-dro

http://www.batesline.com/archives/2011/11/black-candidates-sign-hit-with-r.html

Toledo leaf collection continues over weekend

Press release from City of Toledo:

City leaf crews continue collection over weekend to beat winter weather

The 2011 leaf collection program will move through parts of south and west Toledo Saturday and Monday as the Division of Streets, Bridges and Harbor continue efforts to sweep away the last signs of fall and colder temperatures signal the impending winter weather.

Crews will work Saturday, November 19 in the uncurbed streets of ZIP code 43623 and the curbed streets of ZIP codes 43606 and 43614.

Work will resume Monday, November 21 in the curbed streets of 43606 and the uncurbed streets of ZIP codes 43615 and 43623.

Signs announcing leaf collection in each neighborhood have been posted to notify residents that crews will soon be in the area. Please remember to leave plenty of room between your vehicle and city crews during collection operations.

This collection is for loose leaves only. Crews will not collect general yard waste including brush, sticks, or bags of leaves or grass clippings.

Leaves should be raked to the edge of the pavement on uncurbed streets and just over the curb on curbed streets. Residents are asked not place leaves on any boulevard or cul-de-sac islands.

Upon conclusion of leaf collection, any remaining leaves can be mixed with your solid waste and placed out for refuse collection.

For additional information and collection dates, please visit the Department of Public Service page on the City of Toledo website at www.toledo.oh.gov or call 419-936-2523.

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Senate Rules Committee blocks Tea Party Debt Commission Hearing

Yesterday, I wrote about the Tea Party Debt Commission and their crowd-sourced budget cuts document which they planned to present to Congress yesterday. The hearing was supposed to be broadcast on CSPAN.

Unfortunately for the American people, the Senate Rules Committee closed down the hearing. From the FreedomWorks.org press release:

Senate Rules Committee staff on Thursday removed microphones and locked the doors of a hearing room in the Russell Senate Office Building where an informal hearing was scheduled to review the findings of the Tea Party Debt Commission, a months-long crowd-sourced effort to develop a budget proposal that balances the budget, reduces the debt and gets America’s fiscal house back in order

“The Senate hasn’t been able to pass a budget resolution three years running. They have been unable to do their job, and now the Rules Committee is trying to prevent the American people from doing it for them,” said Matt Kibbe, president of FreedomWorks

“The Senate has refused to let the American people know what the highly secretive budget ‘Super Committee’ is doing behind closed doors,” Kibbe added. “We’ve come to Washington with the real solutions developed by the American people, and the Rules Committee won’t let their voices be heard in an open forum. It’s outrageous. They’re kicking us out of our own building because they’re afraid we are going to do something crazy like balance the budget.”

The hearing was scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. in Hearing Room 325 of the Russell Senate Office Building, one of three senate office buildings across Constitution Avenue from the U.S. Capitol. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) sponsored the hearing so lawmakers and the public would have an opportunity to hear the findings of the Tea Party Debt Commission (TPDC).

Apparently, the Rules Committee, headed by Sen. Chuck Schumer, was "uncomfortable" with the word 'hearing.' This from a Senate that hasn't passed a budget in 932 days!!!

Despite the best efforts of Sen. Lee, the hearing had to be moved, resulting in no CSPAN coverage. The group was joined by Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), Reps. Joe Walsh (R-IL), Steve King (R-IA), Mike Pence (R-IN), Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) and Paul Broun (R-GA). Rep. Broun stated that he would help draft and sponsor legislation to implement the recommendations.

Nearly three years without a budget from the Senate and when the American people decide to their job for them, they lock them out.

Unbelievable!


You can view the PDF of the recommendations here. From the introduction:

[W]e offer a bold — but, we believe, feasible — plan that:

“Cuts, caps, and balances” federal spending.

Balances the budget in four years, and keeps it balanced, without tax hikes.

Closes an historically large budget gap, equal to almost one-tenth of our economy.

Reduces federal spending by $9.7 trillion over the next 10 years, as opposed to the President’splan to
increase spending by $2.3 trillion.

Shrinks the federal government from 24 percent of GDP — a level exceed only in World War II —to about 17.5 percent, in line with the postwar norm.

Stops the growth of the debt, and begins paying it down, with a goal of eliminating it within this generation.To achieve these goals, our plan, among other things:

Repeals ObamaCare in toto.

Eliminates four Cabinet agencies — Energy, Education, Commerce, and HUD — and reduces orprivatizes many others, including EPA, TSA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac.

Ends farm subsidies, student loans, and foreign aid to countries that don’t support us — luxuries we can no longer afford.

Saves Social Security and greatly improves future benefits by shifting ownership and control from government to individuals, through new SMART Accounts.

Gives Medicare seniors the right to opt into the Congressional health care plan.

Suspends pension contributions and COLAs for Members of Congress, whenever the budget is in deficit.In short, the Tea Party Budget enables us to end chronic deficits and pay down debt, while moving us back toward the kind of limited, constitutional government intended by our Founding Fathers. And it does all this without raising taxes. In fact, we make the so-called Bush tax cuts, and other expiring tax relief provisions, permanent. With these reforms, we can unburden the productive sector and get back to robust economic growth and rising living standards for all. With this plan, everyone benefits.

Other coverage:

Steve Eggleston: Senate Rules Committee freezes out Tea Party Debt Commission hearing

Video of the event:

Tea Party Debt Commission to present findings

I attended BlogCon11, sponsored by FreedomWorks, and learned quite a bit, including information about the Tea Party Debt Commission - a crowd-sourced document that identifies various cuts in the federal budget.

Today, FreedomWorks and various members of tea parties from across the nation will present the findings of the Debt Commission on Capital Hill before a joint hearing of Senators and Congressmen.

C-SPAN will be streaming live from the Tea Party Debt Commission hearing on Capitol Hill - it can be watched online here beginning at 2 p.m.

The TPDC identified several spending cuts which have been discussed in the past and asked participants to select only one of two options presented. In addition, the TPDC spent the last three months traveling the country asking thousands of grassroots activists to come up with ways to cut the budget. As a result of hundreds of thousands of responses, the TPCD has come up with recommendations for our legislators.

Interestingly, one of the things that I learned at BlogCon11 is that most participants to date did NOT want to cut funding to NASA, despite the fact that Pres. Barack Obama's budget did just that.

If, like me, you're unable to view the hearing, I'm sure there will be a press release and news coverage which I'll link to following the event.

Guest Column: Ohio’s Natural Resources Present Economic Opportunities

Guest post from State Rep. Barbara Sears:

Ohio’s Natural Resources Present Economic Opportunities

There has been a great deal of attention directed toward the development of Ohio’s natural gas and oil through a process known as hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking.” A recent editorial in the Toledo Blade expressed the need for caution and government oversight before pursuing these interests because a misstep in the fracking process can harm our environment and threaten public safety.

One of the most common concerns about fracking is the potential for chemicals used during the process to leak into neighboring water sources, including drinking water. Though certainly a legitimate concern, the facts of past drilling show that the possibility for groundwater contamination is extremely uncommon. In fact, according to the Ohio Engineers Association, since the early 1950s, more than 80,000 wells of varying depths have been drilled in Ohio using this process with no confirmed incidents of groundwater contamination.

Obviously, an adequate level of supervision and oversight is necessary in order to protect the environment and the lives of Ohio citizens. But where should this oversight come from? A distant, centralized authority in Washington? Or a more localized governing body that knows the unique attributes of the state’s land and people?

Just last year, the previous Ohio General Assembly passed one of the strictest laws in the country pertaining to oil, gas and shale development. This law enacted oversight on a wide range of issues and concerns dealing with the process, including hydraulic fracturing. Therefore, I think the claims that Ohio’s laws on this topic are too lenient are either disingenuous or absent of fact.

There is no question that Ohio’s primary concern is jobs. Our state’s economy has been struggling over the past few years, which has resulted in businesses, and subsequently large numbers of citizens, leaving our state to pursue greener economic pastures. The most prominent example proving this point is the fact that Ohio will be losing two members of Congress beginning in 2013 because of slowing population growth.

Our success at attracting business and investment in the state depends on our ability—and ultimately our willingness—to act upon economic opportunities when they present themselves. The development of Ohio’s natural resources has the potential to pump billions of dollars into our local economies and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Environmental concerns regarding this process are genuine and must be considered. But the technology required to extract these resources has an extensive track record of being safe and effective. Furthermore, the techniques in hydraulic fracturing are forever being improved.

In order for Ohio to once again be competitive with other states, we must prove to industries that we are willing to invest in economic opportunities and to show our citizens that we are willing to fight to keep them in the state.

Rep. Sears may be reached by calling (614) 466-1731, e-mailing District46@ohr.state.oh.us, or writing to State Rep. Barbara Sears, 77 South High Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215

Celebrities Received Federal Funds

From NCPA: Celebrities Received Federal Funds

Wealthy celebrities including Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi have received federal subsidies, according to "Subsidies of the Rich and Famous," a new report from the office of Oklahoma Republican Senator Tom Coburn, reports the Daily Caller.

* The Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified several individuals receiving farm payments "whose professions had nothing to do with farming or agricultur[e]," says the report.

* These individuals include real estate developer Maurice Wilder, a "part-owner of a professional sports franchise [who] received total of more than $200,000 in farm program payments in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006."

* The report says millionaires Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen have collected farm subsidies, noting that Bon Jovi paid property taxes of just $100 last year on his real estate holdings in New Jersey that he uses to raise bees.

* Springsteen also received farm subsidies "because he leases his property to an organic farmer," the report explains.

For study:

http://coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?a=Files.Serve&File_id=bb1c90bc-660c-477e-91e6-91c970fbee1f

Toledo City Council Meeting November 15, 2011

Notes from Sherry:

In attendance: Councilwomen Webb, Brown, Hicks-Hudson, Councilmen Steel, Martinez, Craig, Waniewski, Ludeman, Collins, McNamara, Sarantou, Copeland, Deputy Mayor Herwat. (Mayor Bell was there)

Item 514 – Appointment – Old West End Historic District Commission – confirmed – all voting yes.

Item 515 – Appointments – Toledo-Lucas County Civic Center Mall Oversight Commission – confirmed – all voting yes.

Item 516 – Appointment – Advisory Audit Committee – confirmed – all voting yes.

Item 517 – Resolution – Committing Council Members increased monthly deduction for health care, 2012 – 2014 – adopted – all voting yes.

Item 518 – Resolution – Local Landmark Designation for Fiberglas Tower (Tower on the Maumee) to Plan Commission – adopted – all voting yes.

Item 519 – Amend TMC Part 5, General Offenses, to raise misdemeanor theft/arson offenses from $500 to $1,000 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 520 – Continuing support of application to HUD for Section 108 loan for Berdan Building, $10.25M – Martinez – proposed amendment – takes away 9/30 deadline – won't affect project. McNamara – doesn't understand it. Martinez – loan will be agreed upon from Columbus – Administration – took out date – doesn't want the same thing that happened to the Glass Tower (sunset clause). This amendment will give it a sunset clause. Adam Loux – eliminate any doubt – could be argued at the application process. Martinez – definitive sunset clause. McNamara – was there something wrong with what was proposed? Adam Loux – no deadline. Ludeman – don't want to “muddy the waters” on this project – don't want to do anything to jeopardize this project. Webb – This is a confusing issue. Cruthers – Agrees with an end clause. Webb – this will slow down project. Hicks-Hudson – clarification. Adam Loux – was this satisfied with a sunset provision? - no challenge from HUD – this will nail it. Steel – confused – clarification. Adam Loux – doesn't agree with Martinez. McNamara – created an Amendment with all the points in it – date of 9/29/12 as a sunset. Cruthers – we have a deadline of 9/30/11 for HUD application – can't accept deadline for Amendment – HUD loan is already done – we put them in (dates) – could cause problems. Copeland – this will hold things up (He is hard to understand. SZ) Martinez – disagree with the date – need accountability. Herwat – move forward. - vote for 520-11 amended. Collins – changing times (dates) won't change the Amendment – we don't control HUD. Martinez – reiterates his Amendment. Roll call (Martinez Amendment) no – Waniewski, Craig, Ludeman, Brown, Sarantou, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Copeland, Webb. Yes – McNamara, Martinez – motion failed. Vote (for 520 as written) passed – yes – Craig, Ludeman, Brown, Sarantou, Hicks-Hudson, Steel, Collins, Copeland, Webb – no – Waniewski, McNamara, Martinez.

Item 521 – Expenditure to LMHA for $12.1M Collingwood Green Phase I project, 65 units, $1,300,000 HOME – passed – all voting yes.

Item 522 – Appropriation to LISC for assistant capacity building & quality of life plans for non-profits, $125,000 CDBG – passed – all voting yes.

Item 523 – MOU with Lucas County for Joint Recyclable Material Recovery Facility at 1011 Matzinger Road – passed – all voting yes.

Item 524 – Accept ODOT grant for sidewalks along east side of Reynolds, Heatherdowns to Glendale, $117,392 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 525 – Additional appropriation for sewer separation project at Collins Park Water Treatment, $29,626 Water Imp – passed – all voting yes.

Item 526 – Accept Ohio EPA grant for environmental insurance policy for Westside Rail Corridor, $12,600 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 527 – Agreement with Lucas County and ODOT on rehabbing Perrysburg-Holland Bridge over Swan Creek – passed – all voting yes.

Last Call:

Webb – Two pieces of legislation – 1) response from the Youth Commission – Steel to look at recreation (BCSN) – look to the future 2) no liaison (Youth Commission) – let us know whom the liaison is (Mayor) – looked at budget – this will take a hit. Thank you to District 6.


Collins – Congrats to Brown's replacement (Tyrone Riley in the room). Martinez proposed a retreat for Council – reduction of money – Maumee Bay State Park – Friday night through weekend.

Copeland – Congrats to Brown's replacement.

Ludeman – Economic Committee to meet tomorrow at 2 PM. Congrats to all who ran, and Brown's replacement.

Martinez – Congrats to everyone – he became engaged this past weekend (after 8 years) – October 12, 2012 wedding.

McNamara – Congrats to Mr. Martinez.

Sarantou – Congrats to all – Thursday, 1:30 PM, Finance Committee to meet. There should be meetings with the citizens for the budget – taxpayers need to have their say.

Steel – Congrats to everyone.

Waniewski – need to look at hole on Cheltam/Orchard.

Herwat – budget is online

Brown – Do you all really know what you are doing?

Toledo's 2012 Operating Budget

Mayor Mike Bell has presented the 2012 Operating Budget for the City of Toledo. Here are links to the various documents:

Mayor's cover letter

Budget in detail

2012 budget summary

State revenue sharing

General fund history 2001-2012

The budget again transfers money from the Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) Fund, but 2012 is the last year that can be done under the proposal approved by voters. It again counts on some funds from the sale of assets, but most assets that could be sold have been. It predicts a slight increase in revenue from income taxes and a reduction (finally!) in Recreation programs. (I thought those should have been reduced years ago instead of raiding the CIP.)

It also *assumes* concessions from the city's labor unions. If concessions are not agreed to, the budget will be higher, requiring either layoffs, tax increases, other reductions or a combination of all three - though the press release calls it 'amending' the budget.

Press Release from City of Toledo:

Bell Administration releases 2012 operating budget

Mayor Michael P. Bell today released the 2012 Operating Budget at a press conference that included his administration’s finance staff, Safety Director, Police and Fire Chiefs and other directors. The Mayor made clear that 2012 again poses fiscal challenges for the city and will require a change in mindset and acceptance of reality to address the lingering structural deficit.

Ensuring a balanced budget will once again require at $10.85 million transfer from the CIP fund to the general fund. Under the current authorization from Toledo voters, 2012 is the last year that this will be allowed. The Mayor also warned of the expiration of the ¾% levy at the conclusion of 2012. The city has relied on one-time revenues, such as the sale of assets, for the past several budget cycles, and as advised these revenue sources are becoming increasingly scarce. The 2012 budget includes an estimate of $480,000 in asset sales. Additionally, the administration expects only to receive $10.6 million in local government revenue, a reduction from $15.1 million in 2011. Estate taxes received from the state will remain stagnant in 2012, but will be eliminated in 2013 leaving a gap of approximately $3 million.

Income tax collections in 2012 will generate approximately $154.50 million in revenue, an increase of 2.63% over 2011. Overall, general fund revenue is anticipated to reach $224.19 million before the CIP funds transfer. Expenditures however are expected to top $235.04 million in the general fund and $591.15 million across all funds.

“We continue to walk a tight rope in allocating resources that maintain the services our citizens expect and deserve with the money available to us,” Bell said. “Our dependence on the CIP fund in place of real structural change that includes support for employee contracts in line with the reality of our financial abilities will continue to mean roads are not paved and other capital needs are denied in order to pay salaries and benefits.”

The administration has recommended police and fire classes of 30 recruits each to begin in December 2012. The budget does not call for layoffs to any large degree; however there will be a hiring freeze for non-safety personnel and many vacancies will be left unfilled. Core services will be maintained, but there will be a reduction of programs in Recreation as there is simply not enough money to fund all activities currently offered through the division.

A major and necessary assumption of the 2012 spending plan includes concessions in labor contracts as the city continues to negotiate with four of its collective bargaining units. If contract savings are not realized the budget will have to be amended to reflect the additional expenditures for personnel costs. With emphasis on the provision of city services and maintaining employment for municipal workers, the Mayor will continue to negotiate with the unions to achieve greater savings in personnel costs which constitute approximately 80% of the general fund expenditures.

“As elected leaders, we must work together to continue to provide our citizens with the service they expect within the constraints of our fiscal reality,” Bell noted in his cover memo to City Council.

The municipal court and the Clerk of Court budgets are at or below 2011 levels, however a 4% reduction in contractual changes for criminal justice services will have to be negotiated with Lucas County and the Corrections Center of Northwest Ohio.

The Mayor did note that despite the difficult budget cycles of the past two years the city has continued to make progress in delivering public safety and core services. Since January 2010, 81 police officers and 98 firefighters have been hired; the city has replaced 105 police vehicles and obtained six new transport units for the fire department. The city has also begun construction on a new fire station #6 in east Toledo.

“We continue to face challenges,” he said, “but we also continue to maximize every dollar that comes into this city to improve every aspect of service possible for our citizens.”

The City of Toledo 2012 Operating Budget will be made available online later today at www.toledo.oh.gov.

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Plastic Bag Bans Are Bad for the Environment

Statistics you should know when people talk about banning plastic bags:

* Plastic bags generate 39 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than regular paper bags and require only 6 percent of the water necessary to make paper bags.

* Simultaneously, they consume 71 percent less energy during production than paper bags and produce one-fifth the amount of solid waste.

* Similarly, reusable bags are only more environmentally friendly than plastic bags if they are used 103 times, yet on average they are used only 51 times before they are thrown away.

* A comparison of the environmental impacts of plastic cups with paper alternatives yielded similar results, with plastic causing 50 percent less solid waste by volume.

For the complete article: Plastic Bag Bans Are Bad for the Environment

Bell to release 2012 Toledo operating budget

Press Release from City of Toledo:

Bell to release 2012 operating budget

Toledo Mayor Michael P. Bell will release his proposed 2012 operating budget at a press conference beginning at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2011 in the Mayor’s Office Suite on the 22nd floor of Government Center.

The city continues to face strained revenues and a structural deficit. The budget recommendation are anticipated to include a hiring freeze for non-safety personnel, the need for contract concessions to be achieved during current negotiations with four of the city’s bargaining units, and small police and fire classes late in the year.

The city will again see decreased local government revenue sharing. Additionally, 2012 is the last year the city may transfer CIP funds to the general fund under the current authorization by voters. The state of Ohio will also phase out the estate tax beginning in 2013.

Guest Column: Let states regulate fracking

The following is a guest column from Rep. Bob Latta who serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee:

Latta Op-Ed: “Let states regulate fracking”

Too often, Washington ignores the complexities inherent in our vast and diverse nation and reverts to a one-size-fits-all approach in which Washington “knows” best.

Most federal agencies operate under this assumption. The Environmental Protection Agency provides a perfect example. It sets uniformstandards for the effects of energy production on air and water, regardless of the characteristics of different localities. The obvious problem with this is that many of these municipalities are as dissimilar as my hometown, BowlingGreen, Ohio, and San Francisco, entirely different geographically and demographically.

EPA’s impulse to regulate first and ask questions later is contrary to the wishes of many states, which have spent years crafting stringent, well-tailored regulatory frameworks at the state level and desire little intrusion from Washington.

In the past decade, the combination of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing — techniques used to extract shale gas from tight pockets deep underground — has allowed access to large volumes of natural gas that were not accessible just a few years ago.

The production boom of natural gas from shale formations has sparked a vigorous debate about how much regulation is necessary and who should oversee it — Washington bureaucrats or state regulators who reside in the communities they regulate and have detailed knowledge of local geologic formations?

State regulators know their natural resources. They know the local geology, geography and production characteristics, making them bettersuited to regulate local energy producers than distant federal bureaucrats.

The fundamental question that must be asked is: Who is best suited to protect the health and safety of Ohioans — experienced Ohio regulators and geologists, or somebody in Washington?

Today (Monday, Nov. 14th), I’ll ask this question at a natural gas forum in Washington at which we will hear from esteemed energy experts and industry leaders who can help us better understand the natural gas revolution that’s changing our energy landscape for the better.

At a similar forum that I co-hosted in Ohio, I posed this question to state regulators, shale oil and gas development companies and end-users.

The answer was loud and clear: Ohio has it under control, no need for Big Government to step in.

Dave Mustine, director of Jobs Ohio, a nonprofit focused on business development, said, “We have a very advanced oil and gas law that was updated in the last General Assembly. We believe we have the regulatory framework in place to provide effective oversight to this industry, protecting the environment, doing it right — and we’re very proud of that here in our state.”

In 2010, the Ohio Legislature approved the most stringent oil and gas laws in the country that address every phase of shale development: site preparation, drilling and well completion, hydraulic fracturing, production, treatment and storage, waste management and disposal, plugging and restoration and orphaned well sites.

Still, Ohio’s work appears to fall on deaf ears in Washington, where the EPA is spending taxpayer money to study the need for federal regulation of hydraulic fracturing, despite Administrator Lisa Jackson’s recent statements that she’s not “aware of any proven case where the fracking process itself has affected water.”

EPA also recently announced its intention to set new regulations for shale wastewater, a process that Ohio has already perfectedwith numerous well-regulated and EPA-approved underground injection wells. As the old adage goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Kathryn Klaber, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, reiterated the point, stating, “EPA’s announcement was yet another Washington solution in search of a problem.”

Rick Simmers, statewide enforcement manager with Ohio Department of Natural Resources, who oversees wastewater management, says Ohio’s 28-year-old state-run wastewater disposal program, composed of 180 underground injection wells, is a safe, well-managed, disposal program. Thesystem in Ohio has been run so efficiently and effectively that drilling operations in Pennsylvania pay for wastewater disposal services in Ohio.

Still, Washington bureaucrats ignore the success of state regulatory bodies. This is especially troubling because one-size-fits-all EPA rule making could jeopardize the expected creation within the next four years of 204,500 jobs in Ohio and annual state tax revenues of $478.9 million, according to the Oil and Gas Energy Education Association.

To avoid a scenario of cavalier regulations by federal agencies, Washington should take the advice of Tom Stewart of the Ohio Oil and Gas Association and allow states “to follow the state review process,” a program that has demonstrated success.

The practice brings together a variety of stakeholders — the environmental community, state and federal regulators and industry — who go to state governments and peer critique one another’s programs, finding out what works well and what doesn’t. Based on their evaluations, they recommend how to make state-specific improvements. This is the most effective way to ensure the needs of states and their citizens are accounted for.

Finally, we have to understand that when we talk about regulations, we are discussing potential threats to employment opportunities at a time when our country needs new jobs more than ever. Right now, we are seeing an influx of Americans moving to towns across America in which shale deposits have been discovered.

As a father of two, I want my kids to be proud of their home state and to find jobs that allow them to stay in Ohio. But this can only happen if the federal government allows Ohio to manage its resources and foster an environment conducive to job creation. We need more jobs than more job-killing federal regulations.

Government cannot create jobs, but government can help create an environment that attracts job creators and allows them to hire workers. We have all the tools we need to spur an economic recovery and rejuvenate our society if we can get the right regulatory environment in place.

Our forefathers meant for states to be laboratories for experimentation with the right governance. Regulation of hydraulic fracturing is the perfect example of a process better left to state governments, whichhave the best, firsthand knowledge of how to deal with their specific circumstances.

City of Toledo hosts GIS Day event

Press Release from City of Toledo:

City of Toledo Division of Engineering Services Hosting GIS Day Event

Discovering the World through GIS

The City of Toledo Division of Engineering Services will be hosting an event in celebration of GIS Day on November 16, 2011 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. located on the first floor of One Lake Erie Center at 600 Jefferson Ave. Activities include a poster competition for high school and college students, presentations from local organizations and schools, a map gallery featuring a display of maps showcasing the current uses of GIS at the City of Toledo, interactive learning experiences and more.

Held each year on the Wednesday of National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week, GIS Day is a global event to make people aware of geographic information system (GIS) technology and to highlight real-world applications of this ever expanding technology.

A GIS is a computer-based mapping tool that takes information from a database about a location, such as streets, buildings, water lines, and sewer system, and turns it into visual layers. The ability to see geographic features on a map gives users a better understanding of a particular location, enabling planners, analysts, and others to make informed decisions about their communities.

Anyone interested in learning about GIS is welcome to attend the City of Toledo’s GIS Day. This free event will showcase how GIS is currently being utilized throughout the city’s departments. There will be GIS professionals on hand to answer questions and demonstrate multiple uses of the technology including the integration of GIS with our new web-based computerized maintenance management system.

“GIS is relatively new to the City of Toledo, but the positive impact it is having in helping city employees is quickly growing; from assisting the field crews on being able to locate underground utilities; to aiding engineers during their design of construction projects; to management in their decision making process,” says Robin Whitney, Commissioner of Engineering Services.

For more information about GIS Day as well as a schedule of events, please visit http://toledo.oh.gov/Departments/PublicUtilities/DivisionofEngineeringServices/tabid/339/Default.aspx or call (419) 936-3846.

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OccupyDenver, BlogCon11, protests and dog biscuits

I've never been the subject of a protest, but it appears that may change today.

I'm in Denver, CO, for the FreedomWorks' BlogCon11, a training session for bloggers. Apparently, OccupyDenver thinks I and my fellow bloggers are worthy of protest because FreedomWorks asked people to sign a petition opposing the hate being shown to the Jewish people.

Makes a lot of sense, doesn't it???

Here is the OccupyDenver Facebook post:

Occupy Denver
http://www.freedomworks.org/blogcon-2011 -- THIS JUST IN: Koch Brothers Tea-Party pet acquisition "FreedomWorks" is hosting BlogCon at the Crown Plaza Hotel TOMORROW ... and WE'RE gonna be there!!! 5:00 PM ~ 1450 Glenarm downtown. Let's show some right-wing media thugs some Occupy solidarity!!! Bring your signs and be ready to make noise! Not sure if this is something to get behind? Check THIS out >>> http://action.freedomworks.org/5478/reject-occupy-wall-street/

So, OccupyDenver is asking its supporters to 'get behind' their protest of us because of this particular post from FreedomWorks:

It’s time we reject the hate coming from Occupy Wall Street, a movement, which claims to represent 99% of Americans.

Beyond the class warfare rhetoric of the radical left, Occupy Wall Street is now lashing out at the Jewish people.

We reject Occupy Wall Street’s hate toward people of the Jewish faith.

Stand against anti-Semitism. Sign this petition to say that Occupy Wall Street DOES NOT speak for you.

How in the world can the Occupiers NOT support this call to stop the hate? They talk about being 'peaceful' and 'welcoming everyone' and then use a call for tolerance as a reason to protest?

One of the biggest problems with the Occupy groups is that in being so 'tolerant' of everything, they end up standing for the idiocy and the hate and the intolerance of others within their midst.

By not opposing the hate and the violence and the intolerance, they support it.

And then they twist it into a reason to protest.

There is something seriously wrong with these people who think that somehow makes sense.

And then there is the whole "right-wing media thugs" description. Obviously, they've not met us to know that we're far from "thugs" unlike the rapists and others in their midst. Perhaps they should first deal with the "thugs" in their own group before they worry about *potential* thugs here at BlogCon11.

But again, that would make sense and common sense is something that seems to be sorely lacking among the Occupiers.

So we'll see what they're able to muster in terms of a protest against bloggers who are clearly not part of their evil 1%.

And we will have dog biscuits for their leader.

Thank you to our Veterans!

When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep? ~George Canning

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. ~Cynthia Ozick

Article I of the Military Code of Conduct, states: "I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense."

On this Veteran's Day, we are charged with honoring those who defend us, our freedoms and our way of life. How do we demonstrate the depth of our appreciation to those who give up so much to serve our country when the simple words, "thank you," seem so insignificant for what the men and women in uniform commit to doing? Perhaps the words of Walt Whitman could help:

The moon gives you light,
And the bugles and the drums give you music,
And my heart, O my soldiers, my veterans,
My heart gives you love.

To my father, brother and father-in-law who served in the Navy, as well as to all Veterans, thank you!

Below is the History of Veteran's Day - what it means and why we celebrate on November 11th. And if you'd like to see something impressive, watch the Navy Ceremonial Drill team here.

HISTORY:

1918
World War I, then normally referred to simply as The Great War (no one could imagine any war being greater!), ended with the implementation of an armistice [temporary cessation of hostilities—in this case until the final peace treaty, the infamous Treaty of Versailles, was signed in 1919] between the Allies and Germany at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of November, 1918.

1919
November 11: President Wilson proclaims the first Armistice Day with the following words: "To us in America, the reflections of armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…" The original concept for the celebration was for the suspension of business for a two minute period beginning at 11 A.M., with the day also marked by parades and public mettings.

1921
Congress passes legislation approving the establishment of a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. November 11 is chosen for the date of the ceremony. According on October 20, Congress declares November 11, 1921 a legal Federal holiday to honor all those who participated in the war. The ceremony was conducted with great success.

1926
Congress adopts a resolution directing the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the observance of Armistice Day. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, most states establish November 11 as a legal holiday and at the Federal level, an annual proclamation is issued by the President.

1938
Congress passes legislation on May 13 making November 11 a legal Federal holiday, Armistice Day. The United States has no ‘actual’ national holidays because the states retain the right to designate their own holidays. The Federal government can in fact only designate holidays for Federal employees and for the District of Columbia. But in practice the states almost always follow the Federal lead in designation of holidays.

1941- 1945
1950- 1953
World War II and the Korean War create millions of additional war veterans in addition to those of the First World War already honored by Armistice Day.

1954
On June 1, President Eisenhower signs legislation changing the name of the legal holiday from Armistice Day to Veteran’s Day.

1968
Congress passes the Monday Holiday Law which established the fourth Monday in October as the new date for the observance of Veteran’s Day. The law is to take effect in 1971.

1971-1975
The Federal observance of Veterans Day is held on the fourth Monday of October. Initially all states follow suit except Mississippi and South Dakota. Other states changed their observances back to November 11 as follows: 1972- Louisiana and Wisconsin; 1974- Kentucky, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, South Carolina, West Virginia; 1975- California, Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia, Wyoming

1975
Legislation passed to return the Federal observance of Veteran’s Day to November 11, based on popular support throughout the nation. Since the change to the fourth Monday in October, 46 states had either continued to commemorate November 11 or had reverted back to the original date based on popular sentiment. The law was to take effect in 1978.

1978
Veteran’s Day observance reverts to November 11.

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Courage is almost a contradiction in terms. It means a strong desire to live taking the form of readiness to die. ~G.K. Chesterton

A constitutional amendment to end forced unionism in Ohio

Press Release - this is huge!!!

Coalition Begins Initiation of Constitutional Amendment to End Forced Unionism in Ohio

COLUMBUS - The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law today submitted to the Ohio Attorney General, on behalf of liberty groups and business leaders, initial signatures and summary language to begin the process of adding protections against forced union participation to Ohio's Bill of Rights.

The Ohio Workplace Freedom Amendment, which would "guarantee the freedom of Ohioans to choose whether to participate in a labor organization as a condition of employment," will appear on the November 2012 ballot if 386,000 signatures are submitted by early July. Specifically the Amendment would provide that, in Ohio:

* No law, rule, agreement, or arrangement shall require any person or employer to become or remain a member of a labor organization.

* No law, rule, agreement, or arrangement shall require, directly or indirectly, as a condition of employment, any person or employer, to pay or transfer any dues, fees, assessments, other charges of any kind, or anything else of value, to a labor organization, or third party in lieu of the labor organization.

The Amendment would not prevent any person from voluntarily belonging to or providing support to a labor organization, or apply to agreements entered into or renewed prior to the enactment of this section.

Similar worker protection is provided in 22 other states, primarily in the south and west. Ohio would be the first Midwestern state to pass such an Amendment. Backers of the Amendment, which was drafted by the 1851 Center, include many of those who successfully implemented the 21st Section to Ohio's Bill of Rights, the Health Care Freedom Amendment, as Issue 3 on November 8. If passed, the Amendment would be the 22nd section in Ohio's Bill of Rights.

"Ohio's current unemployment rate remains over 9 percent - - it's no coincidence that this rate of unemployment is much higher than in states that prohibit forced unionism, while private-sector job growth in those states has dramatically outpaced Ohio's," said Maurice Thompson, Executive Director of the 1851 Center. "This Amendment will make it clear that Ohio is a safe place to start, locate, or keep a business, and also a safe place to gain employment without being commandeered by powerful political machines."

Before circulators can begin gather signatures, the Amendment's summary must be approved as "fair and truthful" by the Ohio Attorney General, and its text as one subject by the Ohio Ballot Board. By law, the Attorney General and Ballot Board each have ten days to complete their respective processes.

Added Thompson "Ultimately, freedom to associate also means freedom not to associate - - it's time for Ohio to end labor conditions that compel its citizens to participate in highly-politicized labor organizations, or instead pay a considerable penalty."

Since the New Deal era, federal regulations have dramatically tilted labor markets in favor of unions, and have left little room for state autonomy. However, states are explicitly permitted to end forced union participation within their borders.

Read the Full Text of the Amendment here.

Questions? Read "Ohio Workplace Freedom Amendment Frequently Asked Questions"

The 1851 Center for Constitutional Law is a non-profit, non-partisan legal action center dedicated to protecting Ohioans constitutional rights and limiting government.

Christmas Tree Tax Is Microcosm of What’s Wrong with Constitutional Law

This summary of Ilya Shapiro's "The Christmas Tree Tax Is a Microcosm of What's Wrong with Constitutional Law" comes via the National Center for Policy Analysis. I've posted about this on Facebook, but like the angle Shapiro takes - and the very valid questions he raises about the idea.

On November 8 the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gave the OK to a new industry-funded Christmas tree promotion program, but says it is not a tax. The program was quickly postponed by the Obama administration after public outrage. But this still says something about the federal government and the state of constitutional law as a whole, says Ilya Shapiro, a senior fellow in constitutional studies at the Cato Institute.

First, there are obvious Free Exercise and Equal Protection issues here.

* That is, unless we consider Christmas trees to be wholly secular, this is an obvious burden on the free exercise of Christianity, and one that no other religion faces.

* Even if it might be reasonable to see Christmas trees as not particularly religious, do we want courts drawing lines between, say, crèches/crucifixes and trees/Santa?

Second, and probably even more important given the times in which we live, where in the Constitution does the federal government get the power to tax the sale of a local agricultural product?

* Setting aside trees trucked in from out-of-state, there's no interstate commerce here to regulate.

* And if it's a tax (which, again, USDA officials deny) -- presumably an excise, which is specified in the Constitution and which courts have construed to be a tax on transactions or privileges -- how does assessing it promote the general welfare or common defense?

* The administration cites the Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act of 1996, under which the mandatory fee funds a new program to "enhance the image of Christmas trees and the Christmas tree industry in the United States." That's what passes for the general welfare?

Third, even if the tax is a lawful use of federal power, shouldn't Congress be the body levying it, rather than an agency of the USDA?

This is a microcosm of what's wrong with constitutional law, evermore divorced from the Constitution as it is, says Shapiro.

Happy Birthday U.S. Marine Corps

In honor of the celebration of the birth of the U.S. Marine Corps - excerpt from Warrior Culture of the U.S. Marines (copyright 2001 Marion F. Sturkey):

All U.S. Marines are gung-ho. But, few can match the vision and total commitment of the famous 13th Commandant, Gen. John A. Lejeune. In 1921 he issued Marine Corps Order No. 47, Series 1921.

Gen. Lejeune's order summarized the history, mission, and tradition of the Corps. It further directed that the order be read to all Marines on 10 November of each year to honor the founding of the Marine Corps. Thereafter, 10 November became a unique day for U.S. Marines throughout the world.

One of the traditions that has evolved over time is the cake-cutting ceremony. Marine Corps policy now mandates that the first piece of cake goes to the guest of the honor; the second piece goes to the oldest U.S. Marine present, while the third piece goes to the youngest. Here is one of the examples of the script for the cake-cutting ceremony:

The Marine Corp’s birthday cake-cutting ceremony is important to all Marines, as it is an annual renewal of each Marine’s commitment to the Corps ... and the Corps’ commitment to our nations quest for peace and freedom worldwide.

The birthday cake is traditionally cut with the Mameluke sword, as a reminder that we are a band of warriors, committed to carrying the sword, so that our nation may live in peace. The Mameluke sword gets its name from the cross hilt and ivory grip design, similar to swords used for centuries by Ottoman warriors. The Marine Corps tradition of carrying this sword dates from Lieutenant Presley O’Bannon’s assault of Derna, Tripoli, in 1805, where he is said to have won the sword of the governor of
the city.

The first piece of cake is presented to the Guest of Honor. The second piece is presented to the oldest Marine in the command, signifying the honor and respect accorded to experience and seniority. The oldest Marine this evening is (name), who was born on (date) and enlisted on (date).

Symbolically, the eldest Marine present passes a piece of cake to the youngest Marine present, just as for years our experienced Marines have nurtured and led young Marines that will fill our ranks and renew our Corps. The youngest Marine present this evening is (name), who was born on (date) and enlisted on (date).

As Sturkey wrote:

This unique holiday for warriors is a day of camaraderie, a day to honor Corps and Country. Throughout the world on 10 November, U.S. Marines celebrate the birth of their Corps -- the most loyal, most feared, most revered, and most professional fighting force the world has ever known.

Happy Birthday U.S. Marines!

'Come Roll With Us' gives residents a first-hand look at leaf collection

The City of Toledo is offering a 'ride-along' on the leaf collection process. Unfortunately, it's only available Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m., so anyone who works a regular schedule won't be able to participate.

Press Release from the City of Toledo:

City crews invite residents to “Come Roll With Us”

Program offers inside look at operations

As Toledo residents get to work with rakes and leaf blowers preparing for the city’s annual leaf collection program, the department of Public Service is offering citizens an inside look at their operations through the new “Come Roll With Us” program.

Director Ed Moore and Streets, Bridges and Harbor Manager Tim Plath will kick-off the program at a 9 a.m. press conference on Thursday, November 10 at the Streets, Bridges and Harbor building at 1189 W. Central Ave.

Come Roll With Us is an opportunity for residents to learn about the city’s leaf collection operations and observe crews in the field. The city began its 2011 leaf collection effort on Monday, November 7 in the 43613 and 43623 zip codes.

“We’re hoping residents will take the opportunity to ride with some of our crews and see first hand what they do and why we’ve established some of the policies we have,” said Ed Moore, director of Public Service for the city.

Residents can “roll” with crews on Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. The program is open to the public, but participants must schedule a time for their ride along as space is limited. For more information or to schedule, please contact the division of Streets, Bridges and Harbor at 419-936-2508.

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Vets needed for Veterans History Project

Press Release from Rep. Bob Latta:

Calling All Veterans: Participate in the Veterans History Project

BOWLING GREEN – In an effort to preserve the stories of our nation’s veterans, Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green) is collaborating with the Library of Congress’ Veterans History Project (VHP), a nationwide project to collect and preserve personal stories from America’s war veterans and those American civilians who served in support of them.

As part of the initiative to preserve America’s history and heritage, Rep. Latta interviewed Walt Churchill, a former Marine who served in the Korean War and fought in the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. According to the U.S. Marine Corps, “at Chosin Reservoir, the 1st Marine Division found itself surrounded and outnumbered eight to one by the Chinese army. The worst weather in 50 years cut off air support and assaulted the Marines with snow, wind and temperatures of -40 degrees F.”

“It is of the upmost importance to record the many stories of valor from the men and women who served our country for future generations to cherish,” said Rep. Latta.

Churchill’s interview will be one of many interviews Congressman Latta will be adding over time to the VHP’s archives. To date, the VHP comprises over 68,000 individual collections that are available to researchers and the public at the Library of Congress. Of that number, more than 7,000 are digitized and are accessible online through the VHP website.

Interested veterans and families who would like to record their story or submit any original artifacts, pictures or letters to the archive can contact Congressman Latta’s office at (800) 541-6446. Additionally, veterans groups, schools and organizations that would like to become involved with the project can contact socialmedia@mail.house.gov.

Portions of Churchill’s interview with Congressman Latta can be found here.

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Post-election thoughts and upcoming hypocrisy

Unions, with significant out-of-state support, raised over $25 million to defeat Issue 2. They are probably looking at it as money well spent since the measure was soundly defeated 61% to 39). Of course, it was their livelihood (union - not individual member - livelihood) that was at stake.

But Issue 3, which opposes the individual mandate required as part of Obamacare, was passed by a margin that was larger than Issue 2's, winning 66% to 34%. And, Issue 3 passed in every single one of Ohio's 88 counties.

So what does this mean?

Some are saying that the failure of Issue 2 shows that Ohio is still a 'blue' state despite the election results of 2010. But Issue 3 debunks that theory.

If the defeat of Issue 2 was a 'strong message' to Gov. John Kasich, the passage of Issue 3 is an even stronger message to President Barack Obama and to all of the Ohio Congressional delegation.

The question now is whether or not Ohio's representatives in the U.S. House and Senate will heed the message of Ohio voters on Obamacare, as so many are saying Kasich must now do regarding collective bargaining reform.

Or, will those who supported Issue 2 employ a double standard and act like hypocrites by continuing to support Obamacare?

I could tell you what I expect but, considering my cynical nature on such things, I believe you already know.

Maritime Academy to receive $25,000 grant

Press Release from City of Toledo:

Mayor Bell, First Energy to present grant check to Maritime Academy

Economic development grant to help fund job training opportunities

Mayor Michael P. Bell will be joined today by representatives of First Energy as they present a check to the Maritime Academy for job training opportunities at the Toledo school. The $25,000 grant approved by City Council is provided through a fund established by First Energy for continuing economic development projects in the city of Toledo. The check presentation will take place at 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of Government Center.

Quotes of the Day - Election Day

"Let each citizen remember at the moment he is offering his vote that he is not making a present or a compliment to please an individual - or at least that he ought not so to do; but that he is executing one of the most solemn trusts in human society for which he is accountable to God and his country." ~ Samuel Adams, in the Boston Gazette, 1781

"In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate -- look to his character..." ~ Noah Webster, Letters to a Young Gentleman Commencing His Education, 1789

Quote of the Day - manners and the 2nd Amendment

"An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life." ~ Robert Heinlein

Revised Ohio Congressional District maps - again

The Ohio House has *again* revised the Congressional redistricting map and I hope to have a new map I can post here. Until then, a copy of the new revisions can be viewed here.

The process of getting to the required redistricting has been a complicated one.

Ohio passed, and Governor John Kasich signed, H.B. 194 which moved our primary from March to May. This was to address a delay in the creation of a database of election history, census data, and geographic data that was to be used in congressional map creation. This was agreed to by Republican and Democrat leadership in Columbus.

However, in response to the change, the Ohio Democratic Party along with the group Ohioans for Fair Elections submitted sufficient signatures to send the bill to a citizen referendum during the 2012 elections.

So the House passed H.B. 318 - a bipartisan bill jointly sponsored by Reps. Lou Blessing (R) and Sean O’Brien (D). This bill, which also moved the primary to May, contained an emergency clause, ensuring the bill would take effect immediately if passed with the emergency clause.

On September 1, 2011, Speaker William Batchelder and Minority Leader Armond Budish released a joint statement, committing their unconditional support for House Bill 318 to avoid the legal chaos that would ensue if the primary was not moved. Leader Budish gave his word to the Speaker on this issue.

But, less than 24 hours before the vote, Leader Budish publicly announced he would no longer lend his caucus’ support for the bill because “House Republicans were moving too fast on passing Congressional Redistricting." It should be noted that this issue was never part of the agreement and had no correlation to the primary date change.

As a result, the Democrats failed to support the necessary emergency clause during the House vote, subsequently killing any chance for the problem to be fixed immediately.

The third attempt came with H.B. 319 which was signed into law by Gov. Kasich on Sept. 26th. This bill avoided the problem by having the new Congressional districts take effect immediately rather than 90 days after signature by the Governor; bills with an appropriation take effect immediately. The Ohio Senate attached an appropriation of $2.75 million to H.B. 319 to assist with the implementation of the map. An appropriation also prevents bills from being subject to a referendum.

Remember, the Democrats, despite having allocated funds to do so, did NOT produce any map for consideration.

In response to H.B. 319, Democrats sued in the Ohio Supreme Court, seeking the right to subject the bill to a referendum. The Ohio Supreme Court agreed that the bill would be subject to a referendum if enough signatures were gathered. Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern has threatened such action.

So now we have H.B. 369 which

* enacts 16 new Congressional districts in Ohio;
* repeals the map as enacted in H.B. 319;
* reinstates one primary date for all elections: March 6, 2012;
* Saves taxpayers $15 million in previously appropriated money that will now be un-appropriated and also reinstates the August 2012 special election; and
* declares an emergency for all portions of the bill.

Of particular interest to us, H.B. 369 makes changes in Erie and Lucas County. Rather than being split into three congressional districts, both counties are split between only two congressional districts. Wood County, which was previously split between two districts, is now entirely in one.

One of the complaints about the H.B. 319 district was that it split the City of Toledo. H.B. 369 moves 76.6% of Toledo into CD9. CD9 now contains about 56% of Lucas County.

Additionally, from what I can tell from the map as well as from the summaries I've read, it appears that they kept the Kaptur/Kucinich combination in the Cleveland area as one of the consolidated districts due to our decreased representation.

As soon as I get a map that is in a format I can post here, I will do so.

Quote of the Day - Occupy Wall Street and democracy

Perhaps the 'occupiers' should have paid more attention to our founders:

"[D]emocracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention; have ever been found incompatible with personal security, or the rights of property; and have, in general, been as short in their lives as they have been violent in their deaths." ~ James Madison

The high cost of wind energy

From the National Center for Policy Analysis comes this summary of Robert Bryce's article, "The High Cost of Wind Energy as a Carbon-Dioxide Reduction Method."

For years, politicians, environmental groups and the renewable energy lobby have been claiming that widespread use of wind energy would result in substantial reductions in carbon-dioxide emissions. These calls have been supplemented by changes to public policy -- specifically, in 2008, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, an arm of the U.S. Department of Energy, issued a report that said the United States could produce 20 percent of its electricity from wind by 2030. This "20 by '30" goal, however, is not cost effective and will have a negligible impact on aggregate emissions, says Robert Bryce, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute.

* Last year, electricity generation in the United States totaled 4.1 trillion kilowatt hours, with wind energy constituting 94.6 billion kilowatt hours, or about 2.3 percent of total generation.

* For wind to expand to supply 20 percent of U.S. electricity consumption, it would require a nine-fold increase in the size of the installed wind generation base, from 40,000 megawatts of capacity to 360,000 megawatts.

* Total installed electric-generation capacity in the United States (from all sources) is about 1 million megawatts.

Following these figures as they are today, it becomes clear that in order to meet this lofty objective, substantial changes would be required. This is especially true given the high costs of installment, land allotment required and increases in residential electricity rates.

* Installing an additional 320,000 megawatts of wind power at $2.43 million per megawatt will cost the United States about $777.6 billion or about $44.7 billion every year for the next 19 years, amounting to a carbon tax of $54 per ton.

* Following the estimate of 0.2 square miles per installed megawatt of wind capacity, 360,000 megawatts of capacity would require about 72,000 square miles of land to be occupied with wind turbines -- a land area just larger than North Dakota at 69,000 square miles.

* A carbon levy of $54-per-ton could increase electricity rates in coal-reliant regions by about $0.058 per kilowatt-hour, which represents a 48 percent increase over current levels.

While these costs are substantial, perhaps the most compelling figure in the production of wind energy is that, even if the "20 by '30" goal is achieved, it would represent only a 2 percent decrease in global emissions. This should give lawmakers cause for pause as they weigh the enormous costs against these miniscule benefits.(emphasis added)

Toledo City Council Meeting November 1, 2011

Sherry's notes from Toledo City Council's Meeting

Toledo City Council Meeting

November 1, 2011

In attendance: Councilmen Steel, Ludeman, Martinez, Waniewski, McNamara, Collins, Craig, Sarantou, Copeland, Councilwomen Webb, Brown, Hicks-Hudson, Deputy Mayor Herwat (Mayor strolled in).

Mr. Steel played the National Anthem on the Accordion. He practiced 2 weeks ago before the meeting. He did it November 1st also. Two minutes later, there was screaming and yelling in the lobby. Stopped Council from talking, Fred Lefebvre of WSPD went in he lobby and recorded the ruckus. Video is available here, here, here, and here. It was over in five minutes.

Passed on October 25, 2011, Special Meeting (next 2 items):

Item 484 – Agreement with Port Authority for sale of City parking facilities and equipment, terminate DTPA – passed.

Item 488 – Reconsideration of ordinance for SUP for tow lot at 6231 Telegraph Road – passed.

Item 489 – Appointment – Blair Museum of Lithophanes – confirmed – all voting yes.

Item 490 – Appointment – Investment Advisory Board – confirmed – all voting yes.

Item 491 – Appointments – Toledo – Lucas County Civic Center Mall Oversight Commission – confirmed – Martinez abstaining, rest voting yes.

Item 492 – Appointments – Walbridge Park Board – confirmed – all voting yes.

Item 431 – Amend Toledo Expansion Incentive Program (TEI) Guidelines – McNamara – move to Agenda at 11/16. Moved to Economic and Development Committee.

Item 493 – Resolution – Adopt 2012 Calendar for City Council – adopted – all voting yes.

Item 494 – Establish an Economic Incentive Task force – referred to Economic and Development Committee.

Item 495 – Amend November 11th termination of management agreement with Downtown Toledo Parking Authority (DTPA) – passed – all voting yes.

Item 496 – Accept JAG grant for Police for equipment for motorcycle traffic enforcement, $207,691 – referred to P.S., Law & Criminal Justice Committee.

Item 497 – Accept State High Visibility Enforcement grant for Police overtime Traffic Enforcement program, $72,845 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 498 – Accept Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant for Police Domestic Violence Unit, $30,420 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 499 – Accept DOJ grant for Police for one-half cost of purchasing ballistic vests, $15,700 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 500 – Accept U. S. Marshal Service grant for Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force, $15,480 – passed - all voting yes.

Item 501 – Accept FirstEnergy grant for Maritime Academy for job training program, $25,000 – passed – all voting yes. Webb - Hicks-Hudson was at facility – investment in workforce.

Item 502 – Waive TMC to allow landscaped and secured surface parking field for Standart Lofts, 34 S. Erie Street – Ludeman – Clerk added section 2 – amended. McNamara – another vote? When did we decide to do this? Why did we decide to do this? Re-surface to park – bad use of funds. Hicks-Hudson – address the need for this package to be added to building – written approval by majority of Council. Herwat – relational – City prohibits building being torn down – it has long been vacant – this will help attract tenants. Collins – private investment – must we put a Candidate where we can? Martinez - agrees with Collins. Ludeman – front of building has “Jersey Barriers” (SZ, which are being taken away, I saw them), back of building (where parking lot is going) is gravel – can't be seen from the AW Trail – passed – all voting yes.

Item 503 – Easement for Buckeye Cablevision to install ethernet data circuit for SB&H at 1189 W. Central Ave. - passed – all voting yes.

Item 504 – Landbanking Sale – Vacant lot at 106 Rosalind Place to Dennis Brown, owner of adjacent home, $150 – passed -= all voting yes.

Item 505 – Purchase property at 3523 Whitegate Drive, 808-810 Dryden Drive & 744 Dryden Drive for NSP model home – passed – all voting yes.

Item 506 – Accept WPCLF or OWDA loan for Oakdale CSO Storage Basin Project, $26,846,749 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 507 - Accept WPCLF or OWDA loan for Parkside Area SSO Elimination Project, $19,907,910 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 508 – Accept State Infrastructure Bank (SIB) loan for Promenade Park improvements, 13 years, $2,201,732 – Steel refer to Parks and Utilities Committees. Utilities Committee will meet on 2 PM Monday, only time I could get. Collins – to Director Walsh – Pittsburgh Park Conservatory will be coming available to Council? Webb – What is it? (Director Walsh explains.) Waniewski – I put in for times – I have them locked in – don't know if I can get that off.

Item 509 – Amend Ordinance 353-11 to accept additional OCFC grant for Great Lakes Historical Museum, $5,000 – passed – all voting yes.

Item 510 – Easements for ODOT for rehabilitating the Anthony Wayne Bridge, aka, High Level Bridge – passed – all voting yes. Martinez – Question to the Administration – have you contacted ODOT? Herwat – Yes we have, advise County. Steel – check on traffic flow in that area.

Item 511 – Appropriation for advance interest payment to HUD to refinance outstanding Notes, $479,499 CIP – passed – all voting yes.

Item 512 – Authorize ACGT to implement 2011 Municipal Art Plan, expenditure for 1% For the Arts, $228,7952 CIP – Waniewski – thanks to the Administration – likes the packet provided – good stewards of the peoples money – tax payers voted to allocate funds for this – passed – all voting yes.

Item 513 – Appropriation for 2” water line & sewer tap for Toledo GROW'S Oneida Training Center, $3,900 2% Water/Sewer – Hicks-Hudson – passage of this to learn trade. Webb- agrees – passed – all voting yes.

Last Call:

Webb – girls from Notre Dame here. She graduated in 93', they were born in 94' Marcy Kaptur came to her District to put up a MIA/POW Flag. Supports the repealing of Issue 2 (SB5) – Best of luck to everyone on the ballot (Webb).

Collins – Levis Park – have discussion – lots of calls. Honor Vets - 10th is the 236th Birthday of the Marines – Semper Fi - 11th Veterans Day – go Rockets.

Craig – packet – legitimate insurance match with Local 7.

Hicks-Hudson – Thank You to Don from the DPU and the Law Department. Thank you for shutting down the OH Players Club – bad place. DMH – interested in the City.

Martinez – Good luck to everyone with the vote.

Steel – Request for houses torn down using Federal Funds. Check on Levis Commons.

Waniewski – Meeting on the 10th at 2 PM – calls out FEMA maps – help residents find recourse – some are now in a flood plain – insurance jacked up.

Mr. Herwat addressed the "Occupy" situation. He said that, Levis Commons had been checked every two hours, since 8:00 AM (this was Tuesday). He said there was "nobody there".

Why doesn't Greece just leave the EU?

When I filled in for Brian Wilson on WSPD on Monday, I talked with Gary Rathbun of Private Wealth Consultants as the host regularly does in the 'After the Bell' segment. One of the things I asked about was why the European Union doesn't just let Greece default and/or leave the EU so it doesn't drag everyone else down with it. As Gary explained, this is something he's advocated for a while and for good reasons.

Interestingly, today I came across this editorial in National Review (reprinted in full with permission) - which agrees with Gary. Unfortunately for all of us, centralized control and collectivism for the sake of collectivism, seem to be dominating the issue and I doubt the suggestion from both Gary and the editorial in National Review will be heeded.

Goodbye, Greece

How does one say “Goodnight, Irene” in Greek? Or “Show Me the Way to Go Home”? Or, if neither of those classic festivity-enders does the trick, “Hit the Road, Jack”? In any case, the message needs to be sent: The party is over, and it is time for Greece to be shown the door, if the Greeks cannot find it themselves, and exit the eurozone.

A Greek default appears to be imminent. The question is whether it is to be an orderly default or a chaotic one. At the moment, the odds are about even between those two possibilities.

Prime Minister George Papandreou has called a parliamentary vote of confidence and a national referendum on the European bailout conditions to be imposed on Greece. Those conditions include bondholders’ taking a 50 percent haircut on Greek liabilities while the Greek government promises to enforce austerity measures to reduce spending and return the country’s debt-to-GDP ratio to a more manageable level (though getting Greek debt down to the level legally required by the Treaty of Maastricht is not in the works, a fact that should put the European project in perspective). Athens has made such promises before. Greek unemployment remains high, its economy a shambles. The recent recession has made things worse than they otherwise would have been.

The European Union being the European Union, it had been assumed that these conditions simply would be imposed by Brussels, without the Greek people’s having a say. The vote threatens to throw a monkey wrench into European designs, and markets tanked on the news. And what would happen if the Greek electorate rejected Brussels’s agenda? It is far from impossible that Brussels and Athens would simply collaborate to impose the terms in the teeth of democratic rejection. The Greeks should keep in mind the experience of those national electorates that rejected membership in the European Union only to have the same referendum voted on again and again until Brussels got its way.

Unhappily, the Europeans aren’t much in funds these days, which has them appealing to China for assistance in their bailout scheme. Which is to say, not only would the deal make Athens entirely subordinate to Brussels, it would make Athens entirely subordinate to a Brussels that is partly subordinate to Beijing. That may be too high a price even for the pension-loving, debt-ridden, bailout-begging Greeks to pay.

And we would not blame them. Membership in the European Union as currently constituted is plainly incompatible with national sovereignty. In fact, the European project has quickly proved to be not only incompatible with national sovereignty but positively hostile toward it, its consolidation of transnational power and its running rough-shod over ancient nation-states exhibiting a degree of vigor and energy shocking even to the most suspicious Euro-skeptics. This incompatibility has come to a head now over fiscal questions, but it might have come to a head as easily over questions of national defense or immigration — questions in which the interests of a France or a Finland are very different from those of a Bulgaria or a Cyprus, but which in any case will be decided in accord with no country’s national interest but in accord with the interests of the bureaucratic elite in Brussels.

There is very little reason for Greece, Spain, and Portugal to share a single monetary policy with Germany and France — their public finances, labor conditions, balance of trade, and other economic fundamentals are radically different, and cannot be brought into harmony without something approaching a soft dictatorship. The business cycles of the members of the European Union are not coordinated, and neither are their economic interests. Less competitive nations such as Greece suffer particularly from sharing a currency with highly productive nations such as Germany, because it takes away the option of using currency depreciation to make one’s exports more attractive on world markets. (Germany, a strong exporter, has benefited from this arrangement.) There is some wisdom in human traditions, and it turns out that the Germans and the Greek have separate countries for a reason — one of them being that they are separate peoples.

The theory of Europe’s Economic and Monetary Union (EMU) is that a borderless environment with a single currency would minimize economic friction and produce vast economies of scale, making Europe’s economy more competitive. Europe had an example in the United States, roughly comparable in size and population but with a much more dynamic economy, especially when it comes to the work force. There are gains to be had, unquestionably, but there are always tradeoffs, and in this case they produce a net loss for much of Europe. This was a gross miscalculation on the part of the European centralizers, who neglected to account for the fact that important, fundamental cultural differences — including language, family habits, and religion — mean that a Bulgarian factory worker or a Latvian financial manager cannot simply relocate to London or Paris the way an American worker can move from anywhere in the country to Houston or New York with relative ease. The formal, legal barriers to European integration are not the only barriers, nor even the most important. As it turns out, there are not many Europeans in Europe, which is mostly populated by French, Germans, Swiss, Italians, Greeks, Poles, etc. Wishful thinking will not make it otherwise.

Such realities can only be ignored for so long. The appetite of the Greek people for further austerity measures is limited, as is the appetite of the German people for expending their own hard-earned capital to prop up their careless, spendthrift neighbors. Nobody in Europe has much appetite for continued economic chaos. The best outcome and less likely outcome would be to have the economically stable northern European countries break away to form their own union. The second-best and more likely outcome is for Greece to leave the eurozone, voluntarily or involuntarily. Either scenario would probably entail a default and would bring about massive economic disruption, and not just for the Europeans. But the alternative is a prolonged, slow-motion crisis and the entrenching of the one-size-fits-all, central-planning approach from Brussels that is a very large part of the present problem and no part of its solution.

Quote of the Day - unions vs. jobs

Unions "...are far more interested in maximizing pay and benefits for people who already have jobs. When forced to choose between layoffs and reductions in compensation, unions almost always opt for the former." ~ Wall Street Journal columnist James Taranto

Guest Post: Turnpike Tolls, 'Cash Cows' and Broken Promises

The following is a guest post from Karen Jarvie. Because of the quirks of Blogger, her footnotes are not included in this posting but are retained for reference should anyone need to see them.

Turnpike Tolls, “Cash Cows” and Broken Promises

by Karen Jarvie

While listening to a discussion on Fred LeFebre’s show on WSPD, regarding Governor Kasich’s proposal to sell or lease the Ohio Turnpike, caller after caller reiterated the point that I had heard since childhood, that the tolls had been slated to “go away” when the bonds were paid. Why they were still in place was a question no one seemed able to answer, since most of us were either kids when decisions were made or busy young parents without much time for politics. After the show I e-mailed Tim Brown, my local representative and a fierce opponent of privatizing or leasing the turnpike, and asked him to provide some background. He e-mailed back that he too had been asking the same question in Columbus. Why didn’t the tolls go away? Again, there wasn’t anyone there who had been involved in the decision-making process. So I decided to do some digging on my own.

I pulled newspaper articles from the past, and even contacted the Turnpike Commission for information that would put our current situation into some context. The Commission was very forthcoming with information, in essence making a good case for the existence of the turnpike commission and the turnpike itself. While I have no problem with the way the turnpike is run, or the historical merits of having a well kept road, I was more interested in staying focused on one single issue---WHY DO WE STILL HAVE TOLLS?

Just reviewing the Turnpike’s timeline from conception to the present day opened my eyes.

It seems a dollar is a dollar is a dollar. Ever since the National Road, the first federally funded toll road in Ohio, was completed in 1838, politicians have seen the advantages of collecting cash for access. For one, they saw it as a way of paying for the construction and maintenance of the road without going to those taxpayers that didn’t use it. To quote from the commission’s own overview, “…toll gates were erected starting in 1831 at 20-mile intervals along the completed strips. Records of the Ohio Historical Society show that the toll charges in 1833 netted Ohio the princely sum of $12,259. Two years later, the amount zoomed to a king’s ransom--$51,365.” While the copy appears to mock the amounts as royal sums, the truth is they were. All of us who work our genealogies can relate to the cost of living back in the 1800s, when a few pennies were considered a small fortune. Many of us still remember family stories about homes selling for a few hundred dollars during the Depression, or good wages being in the $25.00 a week range back in the 1940s. My first job in 1965 netted me about $33.00 a week for 40 hours of work. And I thought I was rich! So historically, the idea of levying tolls was very attractive.

In 1955 toll collections (by far the largest portion of the turnpike’s revenue, according to the Turnpike’s own data) totaled over $3.6 million. In 1995, they topped $102 million. In addition, 41 percent of the trips made on it were by drivers of out-of-state vehicles…{and} 28 percent of all the commercial vehicles using the turnpike were licensed in other states, so the firms owning them provided a large share of the toll income. Does that mean that 72% of the commercial vehicles were from in-state firms? If the answer is yes, it explains the objections to continuing the tolls made by the late Dale Craig, president of Craig Transportation Co., when he said in 1989, “It’s just not fair. In addition to paying tolls, you still must pay state and federal fuel taxes for the fuel used while traveling the turnpike.” He went on to say that business entities that would like to use the turnpike regularly find it too expensive. “As a result, they travel the narrow parallel highways near the turnpike. Many of these roads are narrow, curving two-lane highways that pass through small and medium-sized communities…This causes traffic congestion and safety risks that could be avoided if the tolls were ended.” He also went on to make the point (which my own husband has made), “If you were making the choice between locating a business near an interstate with tolls or another interstate with no tolls, because of economics, you would choose the location near a freeway with no tolls.”

And yet safety and increased business activity were two of the hallmark arguments made for building the Turnpike in the first place. To quote the turnpike commission’s chairman, Umberto P. Fedeli, in discussing the expectations for Ohio’s growth held by former governor, George Voinovich, “His vision has always been that the highway be a retainer and generator of jobs,” Fedeli said, “which is one of the three goals we are concentrating on. The other two are safety and accessibility.” Logic would therefore dictate retiring the tolls, at least for the citizens of Ohio. Road maintenance, as Dale Craig asserted, could easily be paid for by concession funds and other non-toll fees. In other words, without the tolls the traffic would increase and with it the peripheral income.

But that was never the plan.

Utilizing Turnpike Commission reports, I learned that the promise to retire the tolls was a matter of expediency. At the time, Government money was only available for turnpike construction if the promise to retire the tolls was made. This was reiterated in a 1964 tripartite agreement between the state of Ohio, the Ohio Turnpike Commission, and the Federal Highway Administrator. This agreement was a request for federal funds to be spent by the State of Ohio on several interstate Highway System approaches to the Turnpike. Like the original Ohio Turnpike Act, “it specified that, when the original Turnpike bonds are paid, the tolls on the Turnpike are to be removed and the facility is to become a free state highway.” (Although, the free aspect of the original bill was deleted when Substitute Senate Bill 7 was allowed to become law on April 12, 1991, without the signature of Governor Celeste.)

To quote from a publication put out by the Turnpike Commission, “Throughout the 1970s, one of the primary goals of the turnpike commission was to liquidate its bond debt, which began at $326 million in 1952 to finance the building of the road. By the end of the 70s, the debt had been reduced to just $26,858,000—despite significant economic recessions during the decade. The strong financial performance was accomplished without any toll increases.” The commission, the piece went on to say, planned to expand the turnpike for eventual toll-free operation. “As part of the Federal Interstate Highway System, improvement on the road would be funded by federal money.” Unfortunately, every effort in the 1970s to qualify for the (regular) 90% federal interstate funding was met with “evolving” federal requirements, which eventually disqualified the turnpike from seeking federal funds.

The 1964 agreement said that the Commission could collect tolls “sufficient to liquidate the revenue bonds…and to pay the cost of maintenance and operation and debt service during the period of toll collections, and to pay the cost of placing the Ohio Turnpike in good condition and repair to the satisfaction of the Director of Highways as required by Revised Code of Ohio, Sec. 5537.21.” It also said, “all expenses attributable…shall not result in increased overall costs to be borne by the toll revenues.”

Somewhere in all of that legalize, I took it to mean that either the toll increases in February 1982, to finance a $250 million bridge reconstruction, fell outside of the agreement; or changes in federal law that year, after the rate increase, automatically disqualified the Commission from seeking further funding.

Whether the chicken or egg came first is no matter. The situation itself (according to the commission report) led Allan Johnson, the turnpike’s executive director “and the commission also to do an about face---to advocate for keeping tolls. Johnson proposed that the Ohio Turnpike Act be modified to allow this to happen. The turnpike’s agreement with the state and federal government to end its tolls also had to be abrogated.” This process would take almost a decade to succeed.

In 1988 an independent survey conducted by a Washington, D.C. firm showed that 77% of Turnpike users surveyed favored keeping the tolls in place, compared to only 13% against it, while 83% of Ohioans statewide favored keeping the tolls, compared to only 13% for removing them. This, as well as “many informal polls and surveys done over the years by newspapers, and organizations such as the Ohio Motorist Association (the northeast Ohio branch of AAA),” was viewed by the Turnpike Commission as a mandate to seek Congressional release from the constraints of the 1964 Tripartite Agreement. To this end Senator Howard Metzenbaum introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate, co-sponsored by Senator John Glenn, to modify the 1964 Agreement which called for the removal of Turnpike tolls, once all of the bonds sold to construct the road retired. It died in committee. The Ohio General Assembly introduced three bills that same year, affecting the Turnpike. Two of them would keep tolls on the Turnpike past the 1992 maturity date of its outstanding bonds, continue operation of the road by the Turnpike Commission, and extend the power of the Commission to issue new bonds to finance other transportation projects. The third bill also called for retention of the Turnpike tolls, but called for the Commission to be abolished and the Turnpike placed under the jurisdiction of the Ohio Department of Transportation. None of the three bills were passed in 1988. Similar legislation in 1989 in both the House of Representatives (by Congressman Douglas Applegate) and the Ohio General Assembly also went nowhere. The same held true for 1990.

Newspaper accounts during this period reflect a bitter battle within parties and between parties, mostly over technicalities. While some legislators, like Representative Frederick Deering, D-Monroeville felt strongly about keeping to the original agreement and retiring the tolls, most of the politicians, on both sides of the aisle, were in favor of extending them. The bickering (and the gridlock) was primarily due to other elements packaged in each bill. For instance, Cleveland Democrats Ike Thompson and Patrick Sweeney sponsored a bipartisan bill in the Ohio House that would keep the tolls, and extend the life of the Turnpike Commission until June 30, 1990, to allow it to issue bonds for other road and bridge projects. Deering, on the other hand, wanted to see the commission abolished and the Ohio Department of Transportation responsible for maintaining the turnpike. Senator Ben Gaeth, R-Defiance, introduced a bill not long after in the Senate to expand the size of the commission and create a Turnpike Oversight Committee to monitor operations of the Turnpike Commission. His colleague, Paul Pfeifer, R-Bucyrus, gave his support to the idea, stating a need to keep the turnpike “well maintained.” Bills appeared to move between the two legislative bodies, without ever reaching a firm consensus.

Then out of the blue eternal tolls came closer to reality on December 31, 1991, when George H. W. Bush signed the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act, which not only reversed a 75-year-old anti-toll policy, but supported and encouraged tolls as a financing option for U.S. Highways. In short, the 1964 Tripartite Agreement could be “modified” without the payback of any federal funds. All the Turnpike Commission had to do was ask.

May 18, 1992, less than two weeks before the last of the $326 million in bonds issued in 1952 were to retire, the 1964 Tripartite Agreement was modified. In effect, the phrase “the Ohio Turnpike is to become free to the public upon the liquidation of the bonds” was exchanged for the “mutually agreed” upon statement “The requirement that the Ohio Turnpike is to become free to the public upon the liquidation of the bonds that were outstanding as of July 14, 1964, and the bonds refunding such bonds, is canceled (my emphasis).”

With the stroke of a pen, the turnpike tolls became chiseled in stone. Or to quote Ben Gaeth, R-Defiance, after his Senate bill to retain the tolls won preliminary approval on a 26-6 vote in April 1989, “When you have something going as well as the turnpike, you don’t mess with it. If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.”