VIEWPOINTS
Community Journal
April 28, 2010
EDITORIALS
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LETTERS
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COLUMNS
Editor Theresa Herron | therron@communitypress.com | 248-7128
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CH@TROOM
Your Community Press newspaper serving Bethel, Chilo, Felicity, Franklin Township, Moscow, Neville, Tate Township, Washington Township
communitypress.com E-mail: clermont@c
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
War on terror
In âTerrorists should not be granted rights,â April 14, Clermont County Chief Deputy Sheriff Rick Combs made excellent points with which any reasonable American should agree. But the changed circumstances in the world call for new thinking â consideration of a new process. We currently have the options of civilian criminal courts and military courts. It might be time to create a completely new third process for prosecuting individuals who are acting for non-governmental groups to undermine the security of our country. Calling terrorists âwartime criminalsâ gives them a credibility and international standing that they do not deserve. Yes, we currently have a âwar on terror,â but we would not consider drug smugglers and dealers wartime criminals just because we have an ongoing âwar on drugs.â A clear sign is the lack of uniform or military rank of these rogue organizations. Our current war on terror is a relatively new entity. Terrorist groups acting against established rules for engagement of war and at the behest of an organized nongovernmental structure for ideological purposes should be tried in such a way that the consequences of a civilian trial are eliminated and the benefits of a military trial are maintained. Laurie Balbach Abu-Khdaier Beauregard Court Mount Repose
Trial by judge
Though I imagine Mr. Breyer would be a quality judge for the great county of Clermont, I must give my personal endorsement to the Honorable Judge Thomas Her-
man. It is commonly known that Judge Herman is a no nonsense judge that sticks to the facts and delivers the hammer of the gavel in his judgments. To be honest I appeared before Judge Herman relating to minor traffic violations in my 20s before my return to Jesus Christ. I observed how serious he took his position even in traffic cases, and I could tell that he meant business from the get go, and would not tolerate the breaking of the law. I can testify that he was fair, as well as âtext bookâ in how he dealt with my peers, and I in the courtroom. Now everyone has transgressed Godâs law, and for sure will meet the Lord Jesus Christ for eternal judgment. Repent and believe the gospel. Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord (Jesus Christ) shall be saved. Though a earthly judge may be able to expunge a record only the Lord Jesus Christ can wash away a personâs sin debt with His own blood. Mark L. Ammerman County Seat Union Township
Breyer keeps his word
On Oct. 13, 1994, my daughter Kristina Harris was found dead. Initially, authorities concluded that my daughter had become intoxicated, choked on her own vomit, and died. Former Coroner Nico Capurro concluded that she died from undetermined causes. I knew these diagnoses were inaccurate and I believed my daughter had been murdered. Assistant Prosecutor Daniel âWoodyâ Breyer listened to my concerns. In April of 1995, he obtained a court order for the exhumation and re-autopsy of my daughterâs body. In March 1996,
he presented the case to a grand jury and obtained and indictment of Kristyâs ex-boyfriend for murder, Donald Mills Jr. In October 1996, Kristyâs ex-boyfriend was convicted of murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. The skill, expertise and tenacity of Woody displayed over two years, while at the same time carrying out all his other responsibilities was remarkable and unique. I truly hope the community recognizes the fine job he will do as our next common pleas court judge. Patricia Brannum Eiler Lane Amelia
Why Herman is squirminâ
In May 4 election for common pleas court judge, two dedicated Clermontonians are squaring off. At first glance it seems Thomas Herman with his 19 years on the municipal bench might be a readied candidate. But municipal court is basically traffic ticket court. Daniel Breyer on the other hand has handled or overseen every felony case in our county since 1987, and done so earning the respect and endorsement of nearly every police chief as well as many attorneys who fought against him in those 22 years. Why? Because even those whoâve competed against him know from experience he has been impeccably honest, fair and just, unlike some prosecutors that fight to win for their recordâs sake. Breyer has been objectively prosecuting the guilty and fair about those with reasonable doubt. To say Herman is more experienced for being a judge over felony cases than Breyer, is like saying a traffic cop is more qualified to lead a SWAT team in rescue missions than a battle proven
We need to get serious about change Iâm 41 years old and ambitious with training in economics and finance. In addition to being a successful corporate manager and executive, I am an entrepreneurial small business owner. I know how to organize companies and create jobs. Iâm a husband and a father dealing with many of the same challenges you are. Like you, I care a lot about the future of this country and want to see things change for the better. Campaigning to be our next representative in Congress has been a unique and rich experience for me. I have enjoyed meeting so many interesting and different individuals and groups from Cincinnati to Portsmouth and everywhere in between. As a nation we are struggling with intolerance and partisan politics at every turn. Democrats and Republicans are rarely united on the national stage because scoring political points is the objective. It seems as if we are involved in a race to the bottom. At this great crossroads in our countryâs history, we stand at the doorway of a New America. Out of this economic downturn we should seek to rebalance our economy and fix the
unsustainable excesses that caused so many job losses and home foreclosures. As a David country and Krikorian as individuCommunity als we must to conPress guest seek sume less columnist and save more. Consumerism fueled by debt is not a recipe for success especially when the music stops. We must restructure the financial system and restrain the major investment banking firms in a way that serves the national interest. For too long we have enabled the pursuit of growth and profit at the expense of the citizens. While profit is at the center of our capitalist economy, absent good rules and appropriate enforcement, companies will continue to push the boundaries, becoming too big to fail and threatening our national economy. Likewise, free trade must balance the national interest with that of the corporate interest. We have become a country that thrives on cheap imports. The blind pursuit of low cost has hollowed out our
manufacturing sector. U.S. manufacturing companies struggle to compete against foreign firms that operate with less environmental oversight, poor working conditions in some areas and government subsidies. Fair trade policies will level the playing field for American manufacturing by making our producers more competitive and will generate substantial job growth. In order to honestly address these and the other big challenges we face, we must get serious about campaign finance reform. There simply is too much money in our political system. Votes are clearly for sale and the American people are tired of being sold out to the highest bidder. For this reason, I have tried to set an example without political action committee or lobbyist money. The first question you are asked when you want to run for Congress is, âHow much money can you raise?â That right there should tell you that the foundation is not stable. My name is David Krikorian and Iâm asking for your vote in the Democratic primary. David Krikorian is a resident of Madeira and running in the Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District.
Green Beret. As a neighbor, we can attest first hand to his noble character. Weâd trust him with our family and fortune, but more importantly with the fate of our county and freedom. Mark and Julie Faust Mallet Hill Drive Union Township
Vote no on Issue 5
I am asking the voters of Clermont County to vote ânoâ on Issue 5. I recently spoke to the Clermont County Auditorâs Office to see what this tax levy would cost. The following numbers are not mine, but come straight from the County Auditorâs staff. The current levy in place raises $1.176 million a year. If Issue 5 passes the money taken in taxes will increase to $3.994 million a year. That is more then a 300-percent increase. If anyone thinks I have invented these numbers, call the auditor yourself. Last week the unemployment rate went to 11 percent in Ohio for the first time in 25 years. Many families are struggling to feed their families and keep their homes. For any organization to try to get this type increase is nearly obscene, especially in this financial climate. Please be sure your neighbors and friends understand this levy. Ask them to do like me and vote ânoâ on Issue 5. Greg Feldkamp Donald Road Tate Township
Vote for Breyer
JOURNAL
About letters & columns
We welcome your comments on editorials, columns, stories or other topics. Include your name, address, cell and home phone numbers so we may verify your letter or guest column. Letters may be no more than 200 words and columns must be 500 words or less. Please include a color headshot with guest columns. All submissions will be edited for length, accuracy and clarity. Deadline is noon Friday. E-mail: clermont@community press.com. Fax: 248-1938. U.S. mail: The Community Journal, 394 Wards Corner Road, Suite 170, Loveland, Ohio 45140. Letters, columns and articles submitted to The Community Journal may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms. Brown, no one was charged with the crime. In November 1987, Daniel âWoodyâ Breyer was hired as an assistant prosecutor in Clermont County. He agreed to reopen my fatherâs case. By June 1988, he caused Marshall Brown to be indicted to aggravated murder. In August 1989, Woody obtained a conviction for aggravated murder and Brown was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. I understand Woody Breyer is now running for judge in Clermont County. Based on the compassion, intensity and work ethic demonstrated in prosecuting the killer of my father, I cannot believe there is a better candidate for the Clermont County Court of Common Pleas. John Jufer Emerald Drive Golden, Missouri
In July, 1980, my father, Walter Jufer, was shot to death at his home in Goshen. Although many suspected the killer was Marshall
Letters | Continued B12
Parker: I will work for better, more jobs My name is Jim Parker. I live in Waverly with my wife and children, and the last time I ran for Congress, I almost won the Democratic Primary while hardly spending a dime. I did it by knocking on the doors and listening. I ran for Congress against millionaires, lawyers and politicians. We won two counties, came in second in Clermont, Warren and Brown. That didnât happen because of me; it happened because of you. Thank you. We did it before. We can do it again. Please look at www.JimPARKER4ad.blog spot.com and decide who you believe will be the best Democrat to represent you in Washington. This election belongs to you, not the millionaires, lobbyists and politicians in Washington. People are hurting all throughout Southern Ohio and you deserve a Democratic representative who will work with Gov. Ted Strickland and Sen. Sherrod Brown to make a positive difference. I will always work to improve the lives of women and children, people who work for a living, the elderly, sick and poor. I will rebuild the economy for the Amer-
ican middle class. And we will know a day when you will no longer be left behind Jim Parker by the Community politicians Press guest in WashingTwenty columnist ton. years ago, I chose a career in healthcare to make a difference and thatâs what Iâve done. In healthcare, we leave our political differences at the door. Today, I am running for congress to make a difference. Your job and the economy are the most important issue to me as I represent you in Congress. A few weeks ago, I walked into a manufacturing company that used to employ 100 people. Only 15 people remain. They have one secretary left. She sits in a room surrounded by empty desks. She pointed to the desk next to hers and said âthe woman who used to sit there worked here for 43 years.â I will never forget that moment. I want to make Southern Ohio a land of economic opportunity and I will meet with the business and community
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Community Journal Editor . .Theresa L. Herron therron@communitypress.com . . . . . . . .248-7128
leaders to rebuild our economy. We will talk about everything Southern Ohio has to offer and we will talk about why companies should create jobs here. We will talk about our education and healthcare systems. We will talk about infrastructure. We will talk about the people. I will work with community and business leaders to do whatever it takes to deliver economic opportunity. I will work tirelessly to turn Southern Ohio into a land of economic opportunity where our children do not have to move to find jobs. The economy and your job are the most important issue to me if I am elected. Please read my website to learn more about my ideas for the economy, renewable energy, healthcare, middle class tax cuts, doubling the child tax credit, ending the wars and stopping politicians from spending so much money on their political campaigns. I hope you will vote for me in the May 4 Democratic Primary. Jim Parker is a Democratic candidate for Congress in Ohioâs 2nd Congressional District. Visit www.Jim PARKER4ad.blogspot.com.
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