A couple of months ago I was invited to attend a seminar in Daytonon how to be a successful politician.  They were going to tell me how to best get my message across, how to present myself, how to say something without saying anything, and a host of other “suggestions” to make each candidate successful.  I chose not to go.

Not because I think I am some super politician or anything like that, but it just seemed to hit me wrong.  Maybe I am all wet here, but I believe that seminars like this are what are wrong with politics.  I am sure that they can make you a better politician, but is that what we all want?  I don’t.  Politicians are what we are getting now, and that isn’t working out too well now is it?

I want to see our elected officials as they are, not polished and primped and elevated into something they are not.  I think people deserve to see us, faults and all, as we truly are.  If we can’t get our message out by ourselves, then how can we possibly hope to govern?

If I can’t tell you how I am going to vote in simple language, how will you know who I am? If you meet me on the street or call me on the phone with a question, you don’t want a stock political answer, you want my answer. I want you to see me not as a slick politician,(I really hate that word!) but as an elected officialwho is just like you.  I may not be as polished as some like, nor does my personality fit with everyone.  That’s okay.  This is me, and that is what you are going to get.

If all politicians would just be themselves, we would all be better off.  It seems now that you have to be “packaged” in order to get elected.  Packaged is what we have been getting for too long now.  We really don’t know these people, do we? The farther up the political ladder we go, the more our “people” think we need to change in order to be elected.  That’s a real problem for me.  I want to know who I am voting for, not some made up hack that is nothing like he is portrayed.

Example?   I give you John Edwards!  This guy was nothing like he was portrayed by his people and the media. He was a shyster who his “people” knew was a shyster, but they allowed him to go on, encouraged him actually to fool everyone because they wanted that powerhe would get as President.   If John Edwards would have been himself, he would never have been elected to anything, and yet his “packaging” got him within a whisker of the presidency!  That’s just scary and wrong.

I write these papers so hopefully, you will get to know me better. The punctuation may be wrong, and some words may be misspelled, but I am letting you in on what I believe. I am trying to let all of Darke Countysee who I am and what I believe.  This is what I am.  The things I write are what I believe. You may like it, you may not, and that’s fine with me.  I am just trying to give you a better look at me and let you have an insight as to how I will be as commissioner.  You deserve that.  You deserve to see me as I am, faults and all.

The Great Darke County Fair is now over for 2010.  This is the first fair that I have ever spent this much time attending.  Normally, my wife, Rose, and I will go the fair once or twice and that’s it.  This year, I spent an awful lot of time in the Republican tent meeting people from all over Darke County, and all over the country, really.  I must admit that the fair has never been a huge part of summer for me, but this year, meeting all the people really made it enjoyable.

When ever you meet a divergent group of people, you always get a divergent group of ideas.  Different views and ideas are a good thing and, believe me, I heard it all!

Through all the discussion and airing of ideas, however, one theme seemed to run through every conversation: People are fed up with government. You may think that I only got the “Republican” view, but let me assure you, it was from all corners of the political spectrum.  Republican, Democrat, Independent, Tea Party member, or Libertarian, it did not matter.  There are a lot of angry people out there.

I can’t blame them.  I can’t blame them for their anger, but I do blame all of us for letting it get to this point.  We, the voters, have ignored our government for way too long. Our founders envisioned a minimalist form of government and in the past 65 years (since the end of World War II) the federal government, state governments and yes, local governments have grown enormously.  With that growth comes an insatiable appetite for money to feed itself.  It is unsustainable.  Thomas Jefferson, probably the smartest of all the founding fathers said, “My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.”

The American people are now awake to that fact.  They are angry at all the government intrusion in their lives. All the government mandates, programs, rules, and plain gobbled gook that comes out of Washington, state and local governments.  They have a right to be angry, not only at government, but at themselves for letting it happen.  Now, nationwide, we see this anger being portrayed everywhere by everyone.  The people seem to be clamoring for a simpler way to do business.  They want their representatives to be responsible, and responsive to their needs.  No more ignoring the electorate or you will be voted out, as well the Senators, and representatives and others should be.

This November’s election will probably be historic in the turnover in Washington.  The question is: Will this anger last, or will it be over after the election? Will there be a sense of accomplishment and now things are going to be o.k.?  I hope not.  I want people involved. I want people staying involved.  I want an electorate that is informed and stays informed.  We, as elected officials, need to have the public watching us constantly.  If we don’t, we will end up just as we are now: broke, disconnected and angry.  Let’s not get angry again.  Let’s get involved and stay there!

“A government big enough to give you every thing you want, is strong enough to take everything you have”

-Thomas Jefferson

“In a time when there is a lot of focus on helping small business, some leaders just talk about it and others work to find ways to deliver on it. Congressman Boehner is one of those leaders working to deliver results for our nation’s job creators,” said Lisa Goeas, NFIB’s vice president for political operations.

In fact, to help small businesses create new jobs, Boehner has presented President Obama with a “no cost” jobs plan and several options for cutting government spending – the best way to boost the economy according to 100 economists. Boehner also backs straightforward proposals for repealing the president’s government takeover of health care and replacing it with common-sense reforms that will lower costs, and has aggressively fought the “cap and trade” national energy tax that would devastate Ohio employers and famers.

“Having run a small business, I’m honored by NFIB’s endorsement and proud to have their support,” said Boehner. “The Democrats running Washington don’t understand what it takes to meet a payroll, grow a business, or hire new workers. For more than 18 months they’ve focused more on growing government than growing the economy, and our private sector employers have paid the price. That’s why I’m committed to helping small businesses create new jobs by cutting government spending, stopping the president’s small business tax hike, and scrapping laws like ObamaCare that raise costs and create uncertainty for families and employers.”

Boehner represents Ohio’s Eighth Congressional District which includes all of Darke, Miami and Preble counties, most of Butler and Mercer counties, and the northeastern corner of Montgomery County. He also serves as Republican Leader in the United States House of Representatives.

Turn on any newscast or radio broadcast, read any paper, get on the world wide web, or go to any social gathering and all you hear about are the problems we are having.  It is widespread.  Social Security will be broke in a few years. Medicare and Medicaid are already insolvent. More money is needed to bail out this.  Not enough money went to fix that. The economy is tanking, and no new jobs are being created.  It is a never ending deluge of bad news and unsolvable problems.  Most of our problems are problems that have been around, or brewing, for decades.  How did we get in this mess?  The answer is really quite simple. This mess wasn’t fixed when it should have been!

The real bottom line in all of this is nobody in the last 50 years or more has wanted to tackle these problems.  They were not that big a deal back then.  The prevailing attitude was “Well, I got elected to this nice job, and if I vote to fix Social Security for good, I might lose votes and lose my job.”  And therein lies the problem.

My biggest pet peeve with government is the complete lack of fortitude to do what is right.  Every elected official knows what needs to be done. Ask him/her privately and he/she will tell you how to fix almost all of our problems.  Not the standard, “We are studying the problem and are working on a comprehensive program to alleviate the pain people will suffer,” blah, blah, blah. Every politician actually has ideas for permanent fixes. He/she just doesn’t have the will, or the stomach, to do what needs to be done.  If our problems, at all levels of government were attacked when they were small problems, we would not be in this mess now.  That’s the problem with problems: Nobody wants to fix them when they are small; it is easier to pass it on to the next group and let it deal with them.

As a small business man, I know that if something small goes wrong with one of my trucks, I better fix it because by letting it go, it is going to cost me more in the long run.  I’ll give you an example.  Let’s say one of my trucks gets a leak in a radiator hose; a small leak, no big deal. I let that leak go and decide it isn’t bad enough to replace yet.  A couple of days later while cruising down the road, the hose lets go, and all the radiator fluid is drained in a matter of seconds.  Before I can shut down the truck, it has gotten so hot that I have hurt the engine.  Instead of fixing that $20 radiator hose, now I am looking at several thousand dollars of repairs!  Not very smart, was it?  Yet this scenario is played out every day in Washington, Columbus, and in counties all over the country.
Most elected officials (certainly not all) know that some of their fixes might cause some people some loss of income, some government service, or some entitlement program that they know we can’t afford, but they are to unwilling to do anything about it for fear of not getting re-elected!  THIS IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS!

I believe we are elected to fix what needs fixing, the best way we know how.  Some of our fixes are going to be painful in the short term, but for the long term are the correct answers.  I truly believe that if we fix the small problems before they become big problems, everyone wins.  The public wins, the elected official wins, and the county, city, or country wins.  Yes, elected officials are going to hear complaints about how some people are being hurt, but we have to look at the overall picture, not just one little section of it.  The thing most officials should realize by now is no matter what we do, somebody isn’t going to like it!  So be it!

You elect us to solve problems, not keep getting elected on broken promises, and grand schemes to help everyone that never work.  We need to do what needs to be done, and let the chips fall where they may.  I believe if you honestly govern this way, people will respect you more, and you can continue to serve them.  But, it is easier to just pass the problem on, so someone else has to deal with a bigger problem later.  That’s the problem with problems.

Campaign spokeswoman Jessica Towhey (TOO’-ee) describes Tuesday’s scheduled surgery as minor and declines to say where it will be done. She acknowledges that the former congressman returned to his Cincinnati area home Monday from Jackson Hole, Wyo., where he fell while biking with his 18-year-old son on Sunday. Portman was in Wyoming for a weekend fundraiser.

Towhey says the 54-year-old former congressman told her Monday night he’s feeling fine. He expects to return to campaigning later this week.

Portman is running against Democratic Ohio Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher for the Senate seat now held by Republican George Voinovich, who’s retiring.

As West Point graduate Justin Coussoule, the dynamic Democrat actually running against John Boehner remarked—“Once again the rational leadership of the region, state and nation has rebuked John Boehner for his mindless commentary, but they must have marveled at his tin-ear and callous heart. They should be reminded that this is a public figure who is walled-in, living in a cocoon of privilege and clueless as to the economic hardship that the financial powers he tirelessly protects have done to this nation. Unfortunately for his constituents he is a perfected reflection of a gated golf club mentality.”

This week Boehner blithely suggested that the massive Bush economic meltdown brought on by malfeasance and fraud that decimated our nation and threatened the world economy –should be handled gently, —suggesting that banking reform legislation which passed the House of Representatives this week was tantamount to attacking “an ant with a nuclear weapon.”  He could not possibly be more wrong.

Once again rational opponents of Boehner are not surprised given his long record of protecting corporate wrongdoers of every stripe—standing in from of the American Bankers Society and telling them his has their back and will block any legislation that would restore order or legitimacy to the to not let “those punk little (Congressional) staffers” to “push them around.” Justin Coussoule commented on this attitude and its great social costs, saying, “Mr. Boehner seems to forget that his blind obstruction has consequences and his policy positions and absolutist practices that put his party and his own future over the needs and aspirations of the American people.”

Paid for by Friends of Justin Coussoule

A Quinnipiac (KWIN’-uh-pee-ak) University survey of Ohio voters released Wednesday has Fisher with 42 percent and Portman with 40 percent. Seventeen percent are undecided.

The pollsters say the results are statistically unchanged from their similar polls taken in April and March.

Majorities say they don’t know enough about each candidate to form an opinion. Fisher and Portman are vying to replace Republican U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, who’s retiring.

The survey of 1,107 Ohio voters was conducted June 22-27 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Every politician this time of year starts telling us what they are going to do for us (or to us in some cases) if elected.  It is part and parcel to the election process.  It is always the same, too.  Lower taxes, cut in government spending, more this, more that, and last but not least, jobs.  All politicians know that jobs are what drive our economy, and without them, they cannot give some of our money back to us.  They realize that jobs create tax money, and tax money allows them to spend it the way they think we want.  Not necessarily spent wisely, but spent none the less. Every politician has a plan for government to create jobs as they constantly tell us daily.  “We need to do this, we need to do that” and blah, blah, blah.  I am by definition now a politician, although I prefer the term “elected official”. (Politicians tell you what you want to hear; elected officials tell you what they think.)  I am, however, no different than politicians in that I, too, have a plan for jobs in Darke County.

First, let me start by telling you a “dirty little secret” politicians don’t like people to know:  Government cannot create jobs!  The only jobs it can create are government jobs.  If you think about it, we get no goods or services from government that adds to our economy.  Government produces no products or services; it spends the money we give it to give us the services it provides back to us!  So, what can government do to help the job market?  The answer is simple but difficult for most politicians to do: Get out of the way and make it easier for businesses to operate.  I have no illusions about the job situation in Darke County.  It is bad, bouncing around 10 and 11 percent unemployment.  I do believe, though, at the local level there are things we can do to help.  I am proud to say that I see some progress in Darke County.  We now have an economic development Director, Mark Saluk, who should be the focal point for businesses in the County.  I believe that Mark should speak for all of Darke County when he talks to businesses already here and new business looking to settle here.  The Darke County Chamber of Commerce, headed by Sharon Deshambeau, is a key part of this plan, as is the Versailles Chamber and all the Community Improvement Corporations (C. I. C’s).  Although the Chambers, C. I. C.’s and the Economic Development Director do have different jobs to perform, they should work as a team to enhance the business climate in the county.

I have talked to these people, and do believe we are on the right track.  The best part is these people do care.  I believe that if a company comes to Darke County and, after looking around, decides it wants to do business in Ansonia,  then we should do everything possible to put it there!  That may mean that other communities might have to swallow hard and help Ansonia, or whatever community, get the business.  Don’t undermine each other.  All the behind-the-scene and backroom deals only allow the company to get a better deal for it, not all of us. If one town or village or city wins, we all win.  Let’s do everything possible to help Darke County, not the individual company.

I also believe we can surely streamline some of our processes for businesses.  Believe it or not, red tape can be cut; we just have to be willing to do it.  Permit applications/acceptance, inspections, and other government requirements can be reduced without loss of protection or revenue for our County.  I also believe that we do not want every company out there to come here.  We want good employers, ones who realize that they also have a stake in the future of the County. I do not want a company that will only come here if we “sell the farm” to get it here. That kind of company will only leave after it has gotten all it can from the County.  We don’t want or need companies like that.  During the primary, one of my opponents said he wanted to be a “friend” of business.  That is fine, but I prefer to be a “partner” with business.  Sometimes when we are “friends” we may overlook what our “friend” is doing, and that may not be in the best interests of all.  If we are “partners”, we both now have a shared interest in the success of the business, and the County.

Darke County has many assets, as I have stated before: plentiful resources, land, business parks, and a willing and able workforce.  We, in government, just need to help it along, reduce the red tape, and let the people now in place do their job.

For 27 years I refereed High School football games.  I had a great crew, all from Greenville, and we stayed together without much change that whole time.  We were pretty good, not by just my account, but also according to our assigning agents.  We worked hard, studied, prepared and always were where we were supposed to be.  In all those years, I did a lot of things right, and pretty well.  Now, thinking back on those years, I realize I did one thing perfect every time, and never missed anything.  The best thing I did, and most officials do, is pack their bag.

I had a routine that might sound strange to most, but I bet there are things that we all do that may seem paranoid or weird to others.  I would get my equipment bag ready on Monday for a Friday game.  I would take my clean shirt, pants, socks, hat, belt, and all my flags and pencils, books and  what-have-you, and put each one in the bag individually, then close the bag.  I would then check the bag on Tuesday, unloading everything,  then reloading, just to be sure.  I would do the same on Thursday, and before I left on Friday night, just making sure I had everything I needed to do the job I was assigned to do that evening.  In 27 years, I never forgot anything.  Even before the game started, I would do at least 2 more checks to make sure I had everything I needed before I went out on the field.  To some of you, this may sound a little paranoid.  Maybe it was, but it made me secure in the fact that I was ready to officiate the game that night.

In my political life, I think this pattern has served me well.  Now, before I make any decision that affects other people, and their money and livelihoods, I “pack my bag.”  I go over and over what I am about to do.  Am I doing the right thing?  Is this the direction we need to take?  Do we really need to spend this amount or can we get it done less expensively?  Is this the best we can get?  What is best for all concerned, not just a few?  On any major decision as a Township Trustee, I have packed and re-packed my bag at least a dozen or more times.  This ensures me that I am making the right decision based on what I know, and what I can expect.  When it comes time to make that big decision, or step out on the field if you prefer, I know I am ready to make the call.
This “packing your bag” attitude allows me to be able to tell others when I am asked why I did what I did.  I can tell them with confidence that I did this because I prepared myself with all the information I could and came to the conclusion I did because of “packing and re-packing” my bag.  They may not agree with me, but at least I can feel prepared for their questions, and maybe help them understand my decision.  Sometimes even after “packing my bag” I might learn something new from others, and that’s  o.k.  Nobody has the corner on perfection, but “packing my bag” eliminates a lot of problems.

After watching some of the shenanigans going on in Columbus and Washington, I wish more elected officials would “pack their bag” before they act.  If elected officials take more time and not rush to make decisions just because “something must be done now!”  The solutions will be more sound and last longer.  Unfortunately, all too many politicians pass legislation and bills just to tell their voters “See, Look what I have done!”  I disagree with that “something must be done now” attitude.  We, as elected officials, should be prepared for most emergencies, and be able to make sound decisions based on what we know and what we can expect.  It would make the public feel more secure, and the trust factor would increase in their government if they knew that before we came to them with our decisions we “Packed our Bag!”

Published in The Daily Advocate on June 17, 2010.

Christina Chalmers,  Editor

GREENVILLE – On Tuesday, the Greenville City Schools Board of Education approved the elimination of school fees for the upcoming school year if the 2.89 Mill bond issue ($24.7 million) for a new 5-8 grade school passes during the August 3 Special Election.

The decision to eliminate workbook, lab and flat fees for curricular purposes for all students K-12 was based on the projected $300,000 a year savings a new school building will bring the district due to building consolidations and efficiencies.

“The Board realizes that people are still having a hard time and it’s the last chance we have at receiving the $8.8 million,” said Greenville School District Board Member Bill Funderberg, who approached the board with the idea.

“I think we are going to save a lot of money,” said Funderburg of the new building. “It’s a good deal.”

Former board member Eileen Litchfield agreed stating that it was the “best deal for the community.”

According to district Treasurer Carla Surber, $7 million in improvements have been made on the school buildings within the district over the past decade. A new building, because of efficiencies in utilities, transportation, resources and administration, they say, will save the district from making further improvements to their two oldest buildings – South Middle School and the Greenville Junior High.

“It’s our money (state taxes), we are just getting some of it back,” said Funderberg. “We are saving the taxpayers money by having a new school built.”

The August Special Election is the last time the district will be able to utilize Federal Stimulus monies ($8.8 million), and special building qualifications according to the State’s special needs program. The district was placed in the State program after some of the facade fell from the junior high building in 2008 and due to the age of the 99-year-old building. South Middle School was included in the program under a special House Bill later that year due to its age and building condition.

The State program has approved a special plan for the district to consolidate the two buildings into one, but the bond must pass on August 3 before the plan expires and the Federal Stimulus money will be released to another school district.

After that, according to Surber and Superintendent Susie Riegle, the only other option for having a new school building built within the district in the future would be for district taxpayers to foot the entire cost to build or through the regular State program that would require all buildings except for the high school (it would be renovated) to be replaced due to their age, but at double the cost to the district taxpayers.

In addition to the school fees being waived, the board also approved to dedicate approximately 5,000 square feet of the new school building to the community and senior population. The muti-use room would not be any additional cost to the district, but would be utilizing existing space already drawn into the building plans, said Riegle.

“The idea of the community room is to provide seniors more of an opportunity to see the kids,” said Riegle.

Funderberg, Litchfield, and Honorary chairman Jim Buchy are heading up the August Bond campaign as part of the Citizens for Quality Greenville Schools. Funderberg stated that no school district money would be used in the campaign.

District parents should expect to receive mailings with information about the board resolution approval in the next few weeks, said Riegle.