VIEWPOINTS
January 12, 2011
EDITORIALS
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LETTERS
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COLUMNS
Editor Dick Maloney | rmaloney@communitypress.com | 248-7134
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Northeast Suburban Life
A7
CH@TROOM
communitypress.com
VOICES FROM THE WEB
Fondly remembered Visitors to Cincinnati.com/ Blueash posted these comments about former Blue Ash Police Chief Ron Sturgill, who died Dec. 26: “I remember Ron from when I used to cruise montgomery Frisch’s in my ‘55 chev and hang out at Soupy’s gas station in Blue Ash. Blue Ash was just a wide spot in the road back then. Ron was always smiling and a real easy guy to get along with. Today these words don’t mean much, but back then it was really saying something when you said someone was ‘a good man.’ “Ron Sturgill was a good man.” CaptainSteve
2020 hindsight
Blue Ash
Visitors to Cincinnati.com posted these comments to the story about Blue Ash officials’ visions for the city in the new decade: “Recreation Center, clubhouse and airport park. Recreation Center, clubhouse and airport park. Can this broken record break, once and for all? Weber is taking lessons from Obama ... blow money and do as he pleases because he knows he is gone at the next election. Fire and police
protection are cut, downtown looks like a ghost town, areas of deterioration within the city are increasing, and the heII with safety, but hey! We have the Recreation Center, clubhouse and airport park. Recreation Center, clubhouse and airport park. Recreation Center, clubhouse and airport park. Recreation Center, clubhouse and airport park.” FreeToSpeak99 “Apparently this vision includes doubling the size of the golf course, during a time when golfing demand is down and golf courses are failing across the country. Nothing like prioritizing your resources on frivilous toys. Whether it’s Cincinnati’s streetcar, Blue Ash’s golf course or Obama’s stimulus, government can always find ways to waste money at record rates.” CincyJeff “‘... A 130-acre park planned on former airport property to contain an executive golf course...’ “Are you ------ me!? Two golf courses. Recall! Recall! Recall! “No wonder the majority of the populus is passing up Blue Ash for Mason and West Chester. “59 percent of you better wake up or quit voting!” northba
CH@TROOM Jan. 5 questions
Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution that you actually kept? What was it? How did you accomplish it? “This is going to make me sound like a boring non-conformist, but I can’t remember ever making a serious New Year’s resolution, and then thinking about honoring it later in the year. “My own style in terms of ‘resolutions’ is to go with the moment, and not depend on a tradition like New Year’s. It worked for me when I quit smoking, and it worked when I went on a brief diet to lose weight and started working out in 1980. “It just makes more sense to me that if there is something you need to change about yourself or your life you do it now and don’t wait for a holiday.” B.B. “I have always found New Year’s resolutions to be a waste of time and effort. It’s like giving something up for Lent. “As humans, we always revolve right back to our habits once the weather gets warmer and the Easter Bunny comes down the bunny trail. “I would encourage everyone to be kinder to others, look out for those in need and put a smile on your faces for the new year and make it last the entire year so it’s a habit not a resolution. “Happy New Year!” E.E.C. “One year, I decided to stop drinking pop (soda, soft drinks ...), mostly because my young daughter, now 12, asked me why it wasn’t good for her but it was good for me. I went five years without any, and I can still count on one hand how many I have in a year. “I will drink a diet 7Up if I get strep, a bad cold or the flu as it makes my throat feel better, but that is about it.” L.A.D.B. “In 2004 I gave up haggis and
Next questions What is your favorite outdoor winter activity? What is your reaction to Marvin Lewis returning as the Bengals head coach? Every week The Northeast Suburban Life asks readers a questions that they can reply to via e-mail. Send your answers to nesuburban@communitypress.com with “chatroom” in the subject line. in 2007 I gave up lutefisk. Since then I have successfully avoided the temptation to eat either.” J.Z. “I made one New Year’s resolution that I’ve kept for years. I quit smoking cold turkey New Year’s Day 1967. That’s 44 years ago. “Best thing I ever did for myself and my family.” J.R.W. “Many years ago I made a New Years resolution that I would never again make a New Years Resolution. I have been able to keep that one (finally). Go figure!” T.D.T. “I don’t make New Year’s resolutions as I neveer keep them. Good way not to carry guilt for breaking the resolution.” R.A.R. “To avoid the ‘trauma’ of making and ultimately breaking the resolution, I always resolve not to make any resolutions. “There! Promised and broken all in the same sentence! On to the next task of 2011. Happy, healthy and prosperous New Year everyone!” D.U.
What should be the top three priorities for your community’s elected officals this year? No responses.
Your input welcome
You can comment on stories by visiting Cincinnati.com and choosing your community’s home page: Cincinnati.com/blueash Cincinnati.com/montgomery Cincinnati.com/sycamoretownship Cincinnati.com/symmestownship “Northba, cincyjeff and freetospeak99, you guys obviously ... have too much time on your hands. This is a great town. I have lived here for 15 years and wouldn’t live anywhere else. To ask anymore from our city government would be asking for perfection. Are you gentlemen perfect? Are your business’ and family affairs perfect? Probably not. Go take your mood swing meds and take a nap.” lifeisgoodsofar “I would venture to say that nobody is asking for perfection from this council. Heck, I would be thrilled if they could even reach a level of mediocre. We can’t even get that.” FreeToSpeak99 “Weber is not qualified to cook fries at a fast food restaurant! The crap spewed out from his mouth and the other six councilmen is nauseating, plus the Silvertonash city manager we have, that
by the way, is doing a great job converting us into Silverton North! I hope the people in Blue Ash are ready to wake up this election! I also hope the Hamilton County Republicans see these so-called Republicans for the inept politicians they are!” opine25
Montgomery
Visitors to Cincinnati.com/ Montgomery posted these comments to the story about Montgomery officials’ visions for the city in the new decade: “What exactly is the story with respect to The Vintage Club? I was under the impression this was/is a private development. But didn’t I hear that Montgomery was planning to build a garage on the site? If true, who pays for that? The taxpayers or the eventual users? “My understanding is that the developers originally planned for underground parking, topped by small commercial/retail facilities. The original plans were very promising. The economy has obviously played havoc with the plans. Are we now looking at a hackedup, government-directed mish-mash? “An update from the city or Great Traditions would be welcomed.” VincebusEruptum
Sycamore schools
Visitors to Cincinnati.com posted these comments to a story about Sycamore Communtiy Schools’ officials visions for the new decade: “A lot of wording here that, when you boil it down, really comes down to: Be on the lookout for a major tax levy to be put on the ballot. “Technology is wonderful, but how many kids can now compose a coherent sentence? The spelling and math skills of the people I interview are increasingly horrible.” VincebusEruptum “’Other people who support the Sycamore Community Schools – employees and volunteers alike–agree that technology will continue to play an increasingly important part in the classroom and that the school district will need the support of the community to tackle financial challenges.’ “Translation: Get ready for the next Diane Adamec tax increase. “Isn’t technology supposed to allow organizations to deliver more at less cost? That seems to be how it works everywhere except the Sycamore School District, where every bright idea requires taxpayers to give more money to Diane Adamec and her tax-and-spend friends.” CincyJeff
Job resource assistance a way to clear employment hurdle Few of us have lived during a time when our community has suffered so much. At Jewish Vocational Service, we hear about it every day: • People who once donated to food pantries are now going to the same food pantries for groceries. • People who once lived comfortable lives are now losing their homes to foreclosure. • People who once wore fashionable clothing have had to accept donations of business attire just to look presentable during job interviews. Many are experiencing these problems for the first time. Some must cobble together several jobs to pay their heating bills or put gas in their car. It can take more than a year to find a job, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, especially if you’re older than 45. Getting help finding a job is important, but the seemingly simple act of acknowledging the need for that assistance can be painful. The effort to reach out for help is made more difficult by a lack of knowledge about where to turn. A professional career consultant – someone who can enhance
an individual’s job search skills – can be the answer. Yes, it’s important to have impressive work skills and a strong employment Peter Bloch history. Here’s Community s o m e t h i n g just as Press guest ithat’s mportant: columnist learning how to write an effective resume and cover letter, sharpening interviewing skills and polishing professional networking techniques. Many come to Jewish Vocational Service for that help. Our Cincinnati Career Network coaches people in job search skills. We’re committed to helping people rebuild their lives whether they’re unemployed or underemployed, entry-level workers or top executives. We’re not the only ones offering such assistance. Other nonprofit and government agencies in Greater Cincinnati that can help are the SuperJob Center in Cincinnati, the Job Search Focus Group
To find help
Cincinnati Career Network – www.cincinnaticareer.net/ SuperJobs Center -www.superjobs.com Ohio Department of Job and Family Services – jfs.ohio.gov/ Job Search Focus Group – www.jobsearchfocusgroup.com/ United Way – www.referweb.net/uwgc in Hyde Park and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Many colleges have career advisors for their students and graduates. In addition, private placement firms provide similar services for a fee. The United Way of Greater Cincinnati has a telephone referral service (2-1-1) that can help with many needs, including finding a job. Landing a job can be difficult at any time. With unemployment soaring, it’s even more difficult now. Seeking professional advice can make a big difference. Peter M. Bloch is president and chief executive officer of Jewish Vocational Service in Blue Ash. Cincinnati Career Network is a JVS service.
QUOTEBOOK fish. My dad spent more time getting our lines out of the trees and out of his neck than getting the fish off of our lines for us. “I volunteer with Montgomery because there’s no “We will always remember my dad when we have place like home, and I feel that I’m helping to make a campfire because when he got the fire going really a better place to live for my family – even if only in a well we would always say, ‘That’s a dandy fire.’ tiny way. It’s been a great experience. I often do “The day I heard about my dad, my husband, Todd, encourage others to get involved with the city.” Greg Leader moved my mattress into the living room and I just sat Montgomery volunteer. all day watching ‘a dandy fire’ and, of course, crying See story, A1 and crying. All of my sisters and I are just in shock.” A compilation of quotes from this week’s Northeast Suburban Life:
“Growing up, our family camped many, many weekends in our trailer at Cave Lake. We loved to
Brenda Price Daughter of former Blue Ash Police Chief Ron Sturgill. See story, A2
For more viewpoints from around Greater Cincinnati, go to cincinnati.com/opinion A publication of Northeast Suburban Life Editor .Dick Maloney rmaloney@communitypress.com . . . . . .248-7134
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A WORLD OF DIFFERENT VOICES
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