VIEWPOINTS A10 • WESTERN HILLS PRESS • NOVEMBER 14, 2012
Editor: Marc Emral, memral@communitypress.com, 853-6264
EDITORIALS | LETTERS | COLUMNS | CH@TROOM
Voting information: where to find it? I am nearly 70 years old, and I have gone to the polls to vote for as long as I can remember. I have also relied heavily on the League of Women Voters pamphlet “The Who and What of Elections” for clear and objectively presented information for as long as I can remember. Much to my dismay for the election of 2012, while reading through the LWV pamphlet, I discovered that my district for state representatives (District 30) had only personal data for one candidate, namely, Steven Newsome, and nothing for his opponent Lou Terhar. What a disappointment. The League of Women Voters has done an excellent job for many, many years on informing voters on issues and candidates. Candidates are given a perfect opportunity to represent themselves: giving their relevant background and qualifications for the office and explaining what they consider priorities and what they plan to do in office. The information provided in the LWV pamphlet contrasts favorably to the disinformation
presented in a large percentage of television political messages. In my opinion, I have to say, “Shame on Joyce Rogers COMMUNITY PRESS anyone who does not reGUEST COLUMNIST spond to the LWV opportunity to provide solid information about themselves.” Some offices that had only one candidate running for them had complete information about that candidate because he or she cared enough about informing voters about himself or herself. I strongly believe that candidates who ignore such an opportunity to provide information about themselves may not deserve my vote. After all, if I am ignored before they are elected, how much time will they spend on my concerns after they take office? Joyce Rogers lives in Covedale.
Here is a list of government meetings in the Western Hills Press area: » 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: 4757000. 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 building, 6303 Harrison Ave. Phone: 574-4848. Administrator: Kevin Celarek. Trustee Chair-
man: David Linnenberg. » Miami Township Board of Trustees at 7:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Miami Township Hall, 122 South Miami Ave. in Cleves. 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: 941-0610. 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: Janice Hunter. » Three Rivers Local School District Board of Education members meet the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at Taylor High School, 36 S. Harrison Ave. District office: 92 Cleves Ave. Phone: 941-6400. Superintendent: Rhonda Bohannon. Board president: Angela Weisgerber. » 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. If you would like your meeting to be considered for this, send the information to memral@communitypress.com.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Disappointed with results
I am profoundly disappointed in the end result of this election. My heart is heavy for all who fought for this country, and all who finally hoped for the future. After four miserable years suffering a joke of a “commander in chief,” I, with many, anticipated the return of a strong, admirable nation and president. Instead, we elect four more years of pompous evasion, endless lies, and a piteously crumbling infrastructure. We have a sea of humanity that reflects weakness, greed and ignorance. Over half a population who sadly believe the government owes them assistance simply because they were born. People who believe that over-paid, over-benefited union employment is still needed in this “progressive” society. Scores of misguided females believing freedom of abortion empowers them. I see four years wasn’t enough to awaken the masses to the need for a true heroic leader. I pray that after a second bleak reign, it won’t be too late for America to attempt a return to the former strength and proud nation we once were. Hopefully, the Obama supporters will soon realize that their Robin Hood/fairy tale ideals are killing the true American way. Sadly, that’s the reality of this pathetic administration. God bless America. Mary Luckey Bridgetown
MEETINGS
WESTERN HILLS
Don’t stop American dream
The article written by Thomas Straus, fiscal officer of Green Township, in the Nov. 7 edition of the Community Press certainly got my attention along with every other hard-working voter I know. The estate tax is legal thievery by the government to inflate its already bloated programs. I’m sure most Ohioans remember the old phrase “no taxation without representation.” Well, it’s hard to be represented when you are already in the grave. A person pays state income tax, state and local sales tax, and property taxes his or her whole life only to be taxed again upon death with the estate tax. Ohio is doing the correct thing beginning in 2013 to eliminate this criminally soulless tax. The federal government needs to follow suit. If Straus wants to maintain money in the local coffers, here is some good advice – start cutting unnecessary programs. Passing on an inheritance to the next generation is part of the American dream and I for one will seek to ouster any elected employee who wishes to confiscate this part of the American dream. Larry Smith Colerain Township
Puzzling vote
It puzzles me that many Catholics believe it is morally correct to vote for Obama considering his stance on abortion. Assuming these Catholics accept the teaching of the church that life begins at conception and killing a human life is evil, the only logical conclusion is that they buy into the “on balance” system of belief. They liken “sanity of life” with “quality of life.” The average family on government assistance receives $63,000 per year. The facts that this brand of welfare is enslaving, not Christian, is another issue, but in no way does it balance out the killing of the unborn. Giving Obama a scond term assures after birth abortion is coming. Women will have the right to kill their newborn for reasons as trivial as color of eyes. The text allowing this has already been written and it is sick. When Obama was asked about an un-wanted pregnancy, he said: “I would not want to punish my daughter with a baby.” Most people my age have faced in their family or know of a family who faced an un-wanted pregnancy. How many agree with Obama their grandchild is a punishment. No wonder God’s blessing on America is vanishing. Al Ostendorf Cheviot
Funding students – not district
In the Oct. 31 article titled “Money for Oak Hills special needs scholarships big budget hit,” the writer presents the issue that state monies through the Peterson scholarship are going to students with special needs who attend private schools. In some ways, it seemed the article pitted the district against the private schools; however, I believe that taxpayers, educators and elected officials all want the same thing, a well-educated population while using resources efficiently. Broadening the choices for the special needs students in a collaborative environment will do just that. The article noted that many of the kids have never been served by the public school before, without noting that it is ultimately the responsibility of the state to educate every student that lives in the district and to provide services for their special needs. The scholarships are for the students, not for the district. All parents in the district, AKA taxpayers, now have the right to choose the best special needs program for their students even if it is not in a public school. It is in the best interest of our elected officials like Mr. Blessing, quoted in the article, to remember all the voting residents of these districts as well as the benefits of the Peterson scholarship program. It is clear that when the
funding is for students – not districts – and choices are made in a competitive yet cooperative environment, the special needs students will benefit. Monfort Heights
Carol Pieper
A freedom cliff
Ann Thompson’s latest letter (Nov. 7) seems to be another selfdescribed “tongue-in-cheek” article as parts of it seem to be about as incoherent as her previous musings. She states “we need not ridicule opposing views” which I take as a reference to previous letters in response to her views. However, those letters are not scribed in ridicule but rather in defense of the Constitution of the United States of America, the very document that governs how we as Americans live and gives us our freedoms. This president who swore to uphold the Constitution has done anything but. From attempting to implement a socialist system (because to him capitalism and free markets are code for economic plunder) to forcing government run health care on us, to trampling on our religious beliefs, to saying he is the defender of women yet has no problem killing little girls as they are born, to as commander-in-chief so weakening our military that capable defense of our borders may now be in question, and then not coming to the defense of our consulate in Benghazi when under attack resulting in the death of our ambassador and Navy Seals then lying to cover up the reasons behind the attack ... speaking out is not ridicule. There is much talk about the coming financial cliff but even more ominous is the upcoming freedom cliff if people do not speak out in defense of what we are having taken away. Dave Sauers Bridgetown
ABOUT LETTERS AND COLUMNS We welcome your comments on editorials, columns, stories or other topics important to you in The Western Hills Press. Include your name, address and phone number(s) so we may verify your letter. Letters of 200 or fewer words and columns of 500 or fewer words have the best chance of being published. All submissions may be edited for length, accuracy and clarity. Deadline: Noon Friday E-mail: westernhills@ communitypress.com Fax: 853-6220 U.S. mail: See box below Letters, columns and articles submitted to The Western Hills Press may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
Quality, affordable housing is the goal of CMHA In July, I joined the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Agency with several goals in mind, including talking with local communities about our programs and continuing CMHA’s drive to be an asset to the community. Combining these two goals will help CMHA achieve its overarching mission to provide quality, affordable housing. To achieve the first goal, CMHA hosted several coffee and conversation meetings with
residents in neighborhoods throughout Hamilton County, including a meeting last week in Wyoming. These coffeehouse Gregory meetings proJohnson COMMUNITY PRESS vided an opportunity to hear GUEST COLUMNIST what community members think about CMHA, and discuss what we can do to
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work together. During CMHA’s most recent coffeehouse visit at Bilog Coffee, Tea and Gelato, we touched on several thought-provoking points that opened lines of communication. One discussion during our Wyoming visit revolved around the 90,000 Hamilton County residents who live below the poverty line. CMHA provides affordable housing for nearly 40,000 residents, but the gap between people who need assis-
tance and people who have assistance is still very wide. It is important for CMHA to partner with organizations that address the root of the issue. Connecting our clients with community services for education and employment empower CMHA residents to transition out of our programs. The agency has also developed a gold performance standard to hold ourselves accountable for providing quality, affordable housing throughout
5556 Cheviot Road Cincinnati, Ohio 45247 phone: 923-3111 fax: 853-6220 email: westernhills@communitypress.com web site: www.communitypress.com
Hamilton County. Becoming more effective in our communication efforts will help guide CMHA in its mission to become a community asset. You can help us by calling our CMHA Talk 2 Us hotline at (513) 721-CMHA (2642) if you have comments, questions or concerns. Gregory Johnson is Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority’s executive director.
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.