VIEWPOINTS A12 • WESTERN HILLS PRESS • FEBRUARY 27, 2013
Editor: Marc Emral, memral@communitypress.com, 853-6264
EDITORIALS | LETTERS | COLUMNS | CH@TROOM
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LETTERS Political double talk
Central banks across Europe are manipulating their currencies, but none more so than Ben Bernanke. He is again printing money to buy our old debt. He is running these transactions through banks who receive a commission for doing nothing. To pay the commission we go deeper in debt. Bernanke’s shell game is absurdity that just prolongs the inescapable. Meanwhile, China and Russia are amassing thousands of metric tons of gold. On top of that, China continues to buy the debt our Federal Reserve is not buying. China wants their currency to replace the dollar as the world’s exchange currency and it looks like that is going to happen. On the spending side, Congress (more important, Democrats) have not passed an Obama budget during his presidency. It’s “spend as we go,” a policy that is increasing the deficit at the rate of $200 million dollars per hour. In his first term Obama said he would cut the deficit by $5 trillion; his second term, $4 trillion. He even said he would cut the deficit with bor-
Nobody wants higher taxes. At the same time, we all want to live in an area that people want to move into, are proud to live in, home values grow, and the students receive a top quality education. So, a choice has to be made. I’m choosing to vote yes, and I urge everyone to do the same.
rowed money. His current theme is “on balance.” Until Obama and Democrats bring a budget to the table it is nothing but political double talk.
Al Ostendorf Cheviot
Support Oak Hills
This letter is in response to “No tax increase” by Allan Lassandro published Feb. 20. Apparently, Mr. Lassandro did no research before advocating a no vote on the upcoming levy. He correctly makes the point that the district should “analyze their expenditures and seek ways to reduce them.” He then implies that they have not. The facts say otherwise. Through layoffs, salary freezes, and attrition, the district’s salary costs are lower than they were in 2009. Through pooled purchasing agreements their utility costs are down 20 percent since 2008. Oak Hills has the third lowest expenditure per pupil in Hamilton County. All of this, and more, speaks to just how well they do control their costs. Yet, they also get great results. The district has been rated Excellent for the last 11 years.
Jim Frondorf Green Township
Honest representation
It’s the pot calling the kettle black. Recently Alex Triantafilou appeared on Fox Cable News ranting about how unscrupulous it is that a person voted more than once. Fox published the following: “I’m outraged, and every voter, regardless of their political affiliation, should be outraged,” said Hamilton County Board of Elections member Alex Triantafilou, who is also chairman of the county Republican Party. “It causes folks to have real doubts about the fabric of our very democratic process, and it’s dangerous. It is disconcerting that someone would be so bold as to admit their conduct in such a fashion ... We fully intend to prosecute
A surprising encounter
On Nov. 27 and thereafter, I became re-acquainted with Ralph Luebbe, a gentleman whom I had not seen in 15 years or so. The circumstances of our meeting again were unusual. We were both exercising at a health center; I was at a new place, and he was at his accustomed place. We were both at West Park. I spent 18 days there from Nov. 16 to Dec. 4 recovering from a broken femur, and Ralph has become a long-term resident at West Park. Many, many years ago, I first became acquainted with Ralph Luebbe in my advocacy work with people with disabilities. At that time, Mr. Luebbe had been assisting St. Xavier Church at Seventh and Sycamore streets to become “handicapped accessible.” Ralph was soon a volunteer reader and driver for my husband, Robert, and me. I do not recall all the many kind-
Joyce Rogers COMMUNITY PRESS GUEST COLUMNIST
nesses Ralph performed for us all those years ago; but I do recall that he was so very kind, thoughtful, and generous as well as being respectful and intelligent in
assisting us. What a joy it was when Robert and I met Ralph at West Park! Breaking my leg was certainly not on my bucket list, but meeting Ralph again was one of those surprises in life more wonderful than a burst of sunshine on a chilly and gloomy day. On Feb. 12, Robert, Ralph, and I enjoyed a delightful lunch together at Diane’s Restaurant. I asked him questions about his family and career accomplishments, and our conversation revealed that Ralph was the youngest of six
siblings, the oldest of whom was a Sister of Charity, who died of cancer in her 50s. Ralph said he learned a lot from Rosemary, his oldest sister, and her attitude toward her fate. Injury and illness, sorrow and suffering, and death are difficult to understand and accept. Yet God’s love for us shines most brightly in the darkest corners of our lives. My renewed acquaintance with Ralph Luebbe was certainly a joy, delight, and comfort in the midst of recovering from a broken leg. Given the fact that walking at Fernbank Park with friends is a major part of my life now that I am retired, I may be tempted to ask, “Why did I have to break my leg?” Because Mr. Luebbe and I met again after 15 years or so, I do not think the above is a fair or relevant question. Joyce Rogers lives Covedale.
these cases.” I agree voting more than ones is a crime. But, past appearances of impropriety pollutes the message. Alex Triantafilou did not step up to the plate when his wife was unabashedly hired to fill a township position. Knowing that his wife was not qualified for the position and knowing her hiring was contrary to township policy he, through his wife, took the money. I find it incredulous that Triantafilou believes he can profit from illicit propriety and others can’t. It’s clear that the Republicans are in need of honest representation, but I’m sure I won’t see it in my lifetime.
Gary Dressler Green Township
Tip of iceberg
Has there ever been a more inane comment than: “Cheviot waste collection is too good”? (Al Ostendorf, Feb. 13) The city of Cheviot is a ship and diminished waste collection is like the tip of the iceberg – enough to cause serious damage if not sinking. Step one: Stopping of environmentally sound separate yard waste collection.
I believe the residents made a serious mistake in not approving the tax levy in November and should have the opportunity to vote yes as soon as possible.
Miles Archer Cheviot
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MEETINGS » Village of Addyston Council members meet at 7 p.m. on the first and third Monday of the month at the Addyston Municipal Building, 235 Main St. Phone: 941-1313. Mayor: Dan Pillow. » Cheviot City Council members meet at 7:30 p.m. the first and third Tuesday of the month at city hall, 3814 Harrison Ave. Phone: 661-2700. Mayor: Samuel Keller. President of Council: Deborah M. Slaughter. » Cincinnati City Council meets at 2 p.m. every Wednesday in room 300 at Cincinnati City Hall, 801 Plum St. When there is a Monday holiday, all meetings including committee meetings are pushed back a day. City Manager: Milton Dohoney Jr. Mayor: Mark Mallory. » Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education usually meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month at 2651 Burnet Ave. Board of Education phone: 475-7000. Superintendent: Mary Ronan. Board President: Eve Bolton. » Village of Cleves Council meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at the Cleves Municipal Building, 101 North Miami Ave. Phone: 941-5127 for information. Mayor: Danny Stacy. » Green Township Trustees meet at 5:30 p.m. the second and fourth Mondays of the month at the administration build-
ing, 6303 Harrison Ave. Phone: 5744848. Administrator: Kevin Celarek. Trustee Chairman: David Linnenberg. » Miami Township Board of Trustees at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Miami Township Administration Building, 3780 Shady Lane. Phone: 941-2466. Board president: Paul Beck. » Village of North Bend Council meets at 7 p.m. on the last Monday of each month at the North Bend Municipal Building, 21 Taylor Ave. Phone: 9410610. Mayor: Doug Sammons. » Oak Hills Local School District Board of Education members meet the first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at various locations within the district. District office: 6325 Rapid Run Road. Phone: 574-3200. Superintendent: Todd Yohey. Board President: Jeannie Schoonover. » Three Rivers Local School District Board of Education members meet the second Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at Taylor High School, 36 Harrison Ave. District office: 92 Cleves Ave. Phone: 941-6400. Superintendent: Rhonda Bohannon. Board president: Al Bayes. » Westwood Civic Association members meet the third Tuesdays of each month at 7 p.m. at Westwood Town Hall, 3017 Harrison Ave. Phone: 662-9109. Civic Association president: Joel Kimmet.
Ask your vet about pet parasite control
Spring is coming and that means veterinarians are preparing for the onslaught of the parasites that plague our patients. The term parasite conjures up all sorts of unsavory associations and rightly so – they are disgusting critters that are everywhere waiting to infect your pets and sometimes even humans. If you have pets, parasite prevention and control is imperative for the health of your entire family. Most of us know that ticks can carry diseases such as Lyme disease, but did you also know that most puppies and kittens are born with roundworms and that these can also be contracted by humans, and that cats and ferrets can also contract heart-
worm disease, often with deadlier consequences? Every year, we see many unfortunate incidents of Diana Cron animals that COMMUNITY PRESS become sick, GUEST COLUMNIST die or are miserable because of uncontrolled parasitism. The best way to approach parasite control as well as any other topic regarding your pet’s health is: Ask Your Veterinarian. “Dr. Google,” Betty White or human pharmacists are not substitutes for an ongoing client-pet-veterinarian relationship that can only be sustained with regular visits. Your veteri-
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narian is trained to know about classes of medications, modes of activity, how to treat toxicities, and we keep abreast of new developments and research in parasitology. The better your vet knows your pet and your family’s lifestyle, the better tailored your parasite control protocol can be. Veterinarians get exclusive access to the newer drugs which reduce the chance for drug failure due to parasite resistance. New prescription drugs may cost a bit more initially, but controlling parasites is much less expensive (and healthier) in the long run than managing repeated bouts of skin infections, gastrointestinal upsets or systemic diseases caused by parasites. Beware of
“new” medications that are simply repackaged old medications with a different name or sold by a different vendor – these may not be as safe or effective as the newer medications. Another rule of thumb is to never use a product intended for one animal on another. Many dog products, especially those that kill ticks, are extremely toxic to cats (and other pets that aren’t dogs). Size does matter in dosing medications, so if you have multiple pets, pay attention to which medication has been prescribed for which pet. Be sure to read the label carefully before giving any medications. I am old enough to remember the days when parasite
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“control” meant “dipping” pets in smelly, toxic chemicals that neither pets nor humans enjoyed. We now have so many more and convenient treatment options that it can be mindboggling. Your veterinarian is uniquely trained to help you choose and use the appropriate products wisely. If you don’t have a veterinarian, you can find one at www.healthypet.com, or consult “Dr. Google” for a list of vets . It’s important to find a veterinarian that shares your pet care philosophy and understands how much your pet family members means to you. Diana Dornbusch Cron, DVM, is co-owner of Glenway Animal Hospital.
Western Hills Press Editor Marc Emral memral@communitypress.com, 853-6264 Office hours: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday See page A2 for additional contact information.