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THE EARLY BIRD NEWSPAPER S U N D A Y, O C T O B E R 4 , 2 0 1 5
Pastors take message to John Boehner RYAN BERRY
MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – With the country’s most recent funding bill signed into law, the efforts of several local pastors may seem fruitless. A group of 70 pastors, most of which were from Congressman John See exclusive fire video at Bluebagmedia.com/video (Clinton Randall Boehner’s 8th Congressiophoto) nal District, recently traveled to Washington. Ten members of the delegation were given an opportunity to meet with the Speaker of the House. Their message to Boehing to spread to a 2-story CLINTON ner was to end taxpayer home at 201 West Second RANDALL STAFF WRITER funding of Planned ParentStreet. crandall@earlybirdpaper.com Homeowners were out- hood. They pushed for him side and very emotional as to include legislation on ARCANUM – Several Arcanum homes were they watched the flames the funding bill, even if it threatened as two large get closer to the homes. meant shutting the governbarns burnt to the ground Firefighters were able to ment down. One of the pastors in the early Friday morning (Oct. extinguish and contain the blaze in the second barn group of 10 that met with 2). Numerous reports before the fire spread to Rep. Boehner was Pastor flooded the Darke County the residence. However, at Steve Short of the Beams9-1-1 Dispatch Center just least one home did sustain ville Christian Church. Pastor Short pointed out before 2 a.m. Friday morn- heavy smoke damage. Electrical crews were this campaign has nothing, as flames engulfed the first barn on Sycamore, be- called in to kill power to ing to do with preventing hind the 200 block of West surrounding homes, due to women from getting propSecond. The wind helped lines being on the ground er healthcare. This camto spread the fully involved and poles being damaged paign is against the killing structure to another barn by the fire. The cause of of unborn children. In fact, across the alley, according the fire is under investiga- the delegation encouraged Boehner to give the fundto an Arcanum Police Of- tion. Log on to bluebagme- ing Planned Parenthood ficer who was first on the dia.com for report updates would receive to other scene. As fire crews arrived, and exclusive video of the women’s clinics that care for the needs of women – the second barn was fully fire. other than abortion. engulfed and threaten-
Overnight barn fires threaten Arcanum homes
Students learn to vote informed BOB ROBINSON
According to Short, the meeting with Boehner formed quickly. The group originally approached Boehner’s aid during Congress’ summer recess hoping to meet with him while he was in town. The aid didn’t believe it would be possible, but said he would check with the Speaker. Shortly after Boehner returned to Washington, the group received a phone call asking if they could meet with him in Washington, DC. In less than a week, the local pastors were able to get commitments from 70 pastors to attend. Short felt as though Boehner understood the group’s plea, but was not willing to take a chance and attach it to the legislation. The following is Boehner’s statement regarding funding Planned Parenthood, “We’re also standing
with the American people to stop these grisly practices that we’ve seen from some abortion providers throughout our country. Right now, as you’ve heard, we’ve got three committees actively investigating this. We’ll also vote to strengthen the legal protections for infants that are born alive, and…address some of the practices that we’ve seen in these videos. My colleagues on the Democrat side, both in the House and the Senate, should heed what the American people are saying. It’s time to stop these horrific practices and the selling of baby parts in America.” Although Pastor Short was confident defunding Planned Parenthood would not be part of the legislation funding the government, he believes the visit was beneficial. He believes
the 70 pastors involved understand now, more than ever before, the need to educate people. He believes pastors should be taking the message to their pulpits. “I know churches need to be involved. We’ve left the abortion issue lay too long,” he said. “Washington is not going to change people’s minds. That needs to come from pulpits and churches. Without it, it won’t change.” Short encourages other pastors to talk about the videos and abortion. In addition to Pastor Short, Pastor Kyle Herrmann of Harrison Street Baptist Church in New Madison, was one of the 10 pastors meeting with Rep. Boehner. Justin Powell, an Arcanum resident who formerly worked in Washington, DC, served as the group’s tour guide.
Hohler says goodbye to career as local firefighter
ASSOCIATE EDITOR brobinson@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – One of the hot topics in Edison State Community College’s public speaking classes is the legalization of marijuana. Out of three classes, 14 are in favor of it, 13 are against it and another half dozen aren’t sure. For most, these are reactions with little information. Although a majority of students are in the College Credit Plus program and not old enough to vote, many can. A few of them for the first time. A fundamental part of communication is learning to think critically about a topic, getting all possible information, then making an informed decision about it. They are learning they have the privilege – and responsibility – to vote informed. The students are entering their seventh week of a 16-week Fundamentals of Communication course. Not only are they learning public speaking skills, they are also learning to use ethics, diversity, teamwork, research, critical thinking and the proper use of persuasion in their interaction with others. While most have an opinion on the
Pastors Steve Short and Kyle Herrmann, of Darke County, were among the 10 pastors given an opportunity meet with Representative John Boehner.
CLINTON RANDALL
STAFF WRITER crandall@earlybirdpaper.com
Edison CCP students Hannah Coakley, Greenville, and Haley Wampler, Ansonia, register to vote at the Darke County Board of Elections. (Bob Robinson photo)
marijuana initiative (Issue 3), they also acknowledge not knowing as much as they should about it. Their job? Discover all they can about marijuana, and the Issue itself, that they will see on the ballot in November. Two students, Hannah Coakley, College Credit Plus (CCP) student from Greenville, and Haley Wampler, CCP student from Ansonia, have turned 18 since the last election. They went to the Darke County Board of Elections Sept. 29 and registered to vote. Another communications student, recent Mississinawa Valley graduate Cydney Adams, registered
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on Oct. 1. They know they have some work ahead of them before they express their opinions on Nov. 3. According to Susan Snipes, Elections Board employee, a lot of new registrations came in as a result of the petitions turned in for Darke County. The board will be checking over 2,000 names on the petitions. Overall traffic has been heavy in the last week or two. A side benefit for the two students registering Tuesday came with an opportunity to volunteer on election day. Haley immediately signed up… Hannah hopes to if her schedule allows it.
GREENVILLE – After 22 years of serving his community, now retired Greenville Firefighter, Mike Hohler went on his ‘Final Ride’ Monday morning. Hohler’s family, friends and fellow firefighters (his brothers) gathered at the Greenville Fire Station to celebrate his bitter-sweet goodbye. A tearful Hohler told The Early Bird he will definitely miss all his brothers at the department, but looks forward to spending more time with his wife Donna and playing lots of golf during his retirement. “It really has been his choice,” Hohler’s wife Donna said. “He is ready to retire and as long as he is happy with it, I am happy.” Hohler, who is now 48years-old, began his career in 1991 with the Chattahoochee Volunteer Fire Department in Cussetta, Ga. He then moved to Ohio and worked with the
See more photos and a video of Hohler’s final ride exclusively at facebok. com/bluebagnews. (Clinton Randall photo)
Union City, Ohio FD for three years before settling in with the Greenville Fire Department. “Biggest thing I’m gonna miss most is the guys (fellow firefighters),” Hohler said. “We are a close-knit bunch and it will be very different not being around them.” Hohler lives in Greenville with his wife of 29 years, Donna. They have three sons, two of which have served or is serving as a firefighter… just like their
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dad. “When Mike was a senior in high school he had a real bad leg injury during a football game and the doctors said he may never walk again,” Hohler’s mother Nancy recalled. “A little bit of miracles and some therapy… a year later he called me after jumping out of an airplane in the military!” Hohler is an active member in his church and says he will definitely stay in touch with his “family” at the station.
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