VIEWPOINTS
A6 • SUBURBAN LIFE • MARCH 27, 2013
In mid-February, we learned that the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is a finalist for The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) National Medal for Museum and Library Service. The Kim Fender National MedCOMMUNITY PRESS al is the naGUEST COLUMNIST tion’s highest honor conferred on museums and libraries for service to the community and celebrates institutions that make a difference for individuals, families and communities. Medal finalists are selected from nationwide nominations of institutions that demonstrate innovative approaches to public service, exceeding the expected levels of community outreach. Finalists are chosen because of their significant and exceptional contributions to their communities. While it is always wonderful to receive recognition for the work we do, especially on a national level, our true motivation comes from knowing that we are making a difference in our community. The services mentioned in our Library’s nomination deal with three community issues: childhood poverty, grade level reading, and adult education. When we learn of an issue like the high rate of childhood poverty in Cincinnati, the third highest in the country, we don’t just accept it. We set about changing it.
Community impact a top priority It may not be immediately obvious how our library can have an impact on something like childhood poverty. But I believe we can. To do so, we looked at services that would
address both sides of this coin: meeting the immediate needs of children living in poverty and providing educational opportunities that would lift children out of poverty. So, in 2012 our library worked with Cincinnati Public Schools and the FreestoreFoodbank to offer summer lunches at 14 library locations. Together 6,700 lunches were served to children at these locations. This is a program we plan to continue because it’s hard for a hungry child to pay attention and learn. A good education is crucial to getting out of poverty. Data tells us that students who are prepared for kindergarten and reading at grade level by grade three are more likely to succeed academically and in life. To address this challenge, the library has developed a wide range of programs to get children off to a good start. From summer reading programs to Brain Camps, to extra teacher collections for schools with more students reading below grade level to visits to in home childcare providers, we are putting our resources to work for the good of our community. And, that’s what really matters. Share your library story and why you think we should win. Each day the Institute of Museum and Library Services will be highlighting one of the finalists on its Facebook. Our day to be featured is Thursday, March 21. Share your Library story on their wall and the reason you think our library should win. Tell them how the library has made a difference in your life at http://tinyurl.com/cypuadc. IMLS Award winners will be announced in May. Kim Fender is the Eva Jane Romaine Coombe Director of the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
LIFE
Editor: Dick Maloney, rmaloney@communitypress.com, 248-7134
EDITORIALS | LETTERS | COLUMNS | CH@TROOM
Library a finalist for national medal
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Free – a very dangerous word
How often are you tempted to reply to an ad where there is some “free” incentive to buy a product or service? Do you really think that you are getting something for nothing? If you do, pay Edward Levy attention to COMMUNITY PRESS what I have to GUEST COLUMNIST say. At the age of about 10 I was aware that a fish would bite on a free meal and as a result, become someone’s dinner. A worm was not a normal meal. So, why did the fish bite? On other occasions I noticed my father setting a mouse trap with a piece of cheese. It became clear that free was dangerous. Take a few minutes and look at the ads in the paper or on television. Do you really think that the “free” items don’t cost the seller anything? How do you think they are paying for the bait that you are considering to bite on? Do you have the opportunity to
buy the product for less without the attractive worm? Have you considered asking if you can do so? Let me give you an example. Many years ago we decided to buy a television set. There was an ad that offered the set we were considering for “six months – the same as cash.” When I asked the salesman how much it would cost if I paid at once, he went to the office. When he returned I was amazed to find that I would save far more than standard loan rates for paying on the spot. A simple question saved a lot of money and was a valuable lesson in the cost of “free.” The previous examples are choices you do not have to make. What about the life choices that are so attractive that you think you might be foolish not to take them? Those are the benefits the government offers to you which seem to have no hook on the end. Don’t be fooled. There is a hook. Slowly and surely, your freedom is taken away. You fail to notice it because you
are better off than you were before the benefits started coming to you. Ever so slowly, the increasing use of the benefits and the costs cause the government to raise taxes to pay for them. Then, fewer taxpayers either are unable to pay the taxes or leave for low tax areas. The result is hyper inflation. The government prints the money it can no longer collect. The free benefits have become the hook and you become a slave of the government. Once you become property of the government there are two classes. The ruling class (politicians) and the common folks whose only duty is to see that the ruling class has the luxuries it demands and to fight the wars to keep the rulers in power. Don’t just take my word for it. There are plenty of books to tell you this. One of my favorites is “Animal Farm” by George Orwell. It is an easy read and only takes a few hours. Edward Levy is a resident of Montgomery.
POLITICALLY SPEAKING Comments from local leaders about issues in the news:
Gimmicks with numbers
“Washington’s pattern of reckless spending is driving our long-term debt and deficits, placing an unfair burden on our children and grandchildren. I appreciate the hard work by colleagues to try to stay within the budget caps but, as I have noted before, I oppose the budget gimmicks called ChIMPS, or Changes in Mandatory Programs. These gimmicks allow Congress to count artificial offsets against new spending, thus
circumventing the spending caps by about $19 billion. I also believe that these large omnibus bills are the wrong way to implement our spending priorities. Congress should get back to regular order, including passing appropriations bills based on a budget. – U.S. Sen. Rob Portman (ROhio), a member of the Senate Budget and Finance Committees, on the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2013
A pinch in time
“The right to referendum is one of our most cherished
rights. It represents the ability of the people to rein in the legislature and governor when they enact bad law. For over 100 years, Ohioans have had the ability to collect signatures and go directly to the voters when state lawmakers have overstepped their boundaries. SB 47 pinches that right.” – State Rep. Connie Pillich after The Ohio House voted for Senate Bill 47, which will reduce the number of days available for citizens to collect signatures for a ballot referendum.
CH@TROOM March 20 question Will U.S. Sen. Rob Portman’s support of gay marriage affect his political standing within the Republican Party? How? Will it cause other party leaders to rethink their position?
“Moral conviction (as opposed to 'feelings') is a virtue that is not marketable. It does not pander to the popular culture regardless of which way the wind may be blowing. Biblical values are not subject to mortal whims, whether from politicians or constituents. “Suppose Portman's son had told him that he had always felt like stealing or was, in fact, a thief? Would his father then come out in support of kleptomania? Or, suppose he should announce a predilection for pedophilia? How would Mr. Portman try to nuance that? Right is right, even if no one is doing it; and wrong is wrong, even if everyone, though it should be a family member, is doing it. “As difficult as it may be, one must try to endorse and support a person based on their character, not whether they toe
NEXT QUESTION Have you noticed any impact from the across-the-board budget cuts that were part of the sequestration that went into effect almost a month ago. Do you expect to see an impact in the future? Why or why not? Every week The Suburban Life asks readers a question they can reply to via e-mail. Send your answers to suburban@communitypress.com with Chatroom in the subject line.
the party line. My values are not prescribed by the GOP and do not need their endorsement. Pulitzer Prize winner and coauthor of ‘The Story of Civilization’ Ariel Durant observed, 'A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself from within.' Rob Portman's 'change up' reveals a flaw in his own character and I would hope that other party leaders will know better than to swing at his pitch.”
D.D.
“Yes, it will. Ever since the
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party of Reagan became the party of Jerry Falwell decades ago, it has repelled us fiscal conservatives who espouse 'family values,’ such as the right for two committed Americans to marry and make a family regardless of how we like their choice of partner. While Portman's 180 turn may be called narcissistic because he didn't espouse equality until his personal situation drove it, his decision is bold and courageous nevertheless. His support may affect his standing the way Nixon's warming to China affected his own – both will be seen as paving the way of the party towards modernity.”
D.P.
“I remember 10 years ago, when the invasion of Iraq was coming to pass, you could hardly find any elected officials in this country who were opposed to that military operation. One rare dissenting voice came from an unheard-of state senator in Illinois, who is now serving his second term as president of our republic.
“So it is with the Republicans and the gay issue – what used to be a slam dunk for them 10 years ago is now a neck to neck horse race, the future indicates that the majority view of voters will be at odds with current Republican doctrine. “I think Mr. Portman has just assured his own re-election, or made a viable move for higher office. A sober minded popular senator from the key battleground state has recognized which way the wind is going to be blowing. What is his own party going to do? Run a far-right conservative (I refuse to use the phrase ‘Biblethumping tea partier,’ I think it’s disrespectful) against him in a primary? Good luck with that. Portman runs state-wide, not just in the Boehner belt. This is trouble for the Republican party, not Portman.”
W.S.
"Sen. Rob Portman's political standing will not be affected by his stance on gay marriage. He and all political candidates have learned from the current president – that to be
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elected, it is best to promise everything to every special interest faction, but deliver nothing. “Yes, the politicians are learning from Barack Obama that it is more important of how and what you say than actually to do things. It is not what you do – but it is what you promise.”
T.D.
“Yes it will turn some of the bigots in the party against him. However, it will bring more inclusive people into the folds.” Good for Rob.”
Ret Low
“I guess we should be pleased that Sen. Portman's son isn't bisexual; then he'd support marrying one's boyfriend and one's girlfriend. “To answer the question, yes it will adversely affect his standing. While his thought process, though faulty, surpassed that of Barack Obama and Hillary & Bill Clinton; our expectations of that bunch are much, much lower than those of a Republican Senator.”
Suburban Life Editor Dick Maloney rmaloney@communitypress.com, 248-7134 Office hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday See page A2 for additional contact information.
R.V.