Hey, you there? I'm here

I apologize for not updating this blog more frequently. You can help motivate me.

Talk to me. Leave a comment. Agree or disagree, but let me know that you're reading. Send the link of this blog to your friends, neighbors and relatives.

I can track readership because of a special Google Analytics code on this page, so I know how many visit on a daily basis. If readership grows, it will motivate me to leave something here so you can at least have something to read on Sunday morning.

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Several readers have asked for my take on the Dover Police Department's Frank Alesiano saga. Alesiano resigned after allegations that he improperly accessed the state's criminal computer database, apparently in an effort to mine for dirt on whomever.

What disturbs me more than anything is the city's inability to come clean with bad news. The story apparently came to light after "the street" heard rumors of a situation involving longtime officer Alesiano. The powers at City Hall apparently were asleep for this past summer's public relations disasters, including the BP oil spill, and were of the mindset that if  "we don't talk about it no one will find out."

Thankfully, the local newspaper pursued the lead and asked questions. If it hadn't, the citizens of Dover still wouldn't know of Alesiano's shortcomings as a police officer.

To be fair, there are plenty of communities in Tuscarawas County that hide bad news.

Ever notice there's no crime in Sugarcreek?

Going forward, my fear is that as the press weakens in Tuscarawas County -- economics already have had an impact obviously -- government oversight also will suffer, opening the door to Cuyahoga County-like corruption. That's not to say that dirty deals haven't already been done.

And we know now that someone at city or village hall, or your local school board or on any level of government will try to keep bad news from going public.

I think most -- if not all -- of our county officeholders are honest, decent people. Perhaps a strong press has kept them that way. Former County Auditors Matt Judy and John Beitzel come to mind as exemplary public officeholders. They were good watchdogs of your money.

We've been lucky because we've had plenty of decent candidates (and our fair share of not-so-decent slugs). But in four, or eight or 10 years, there might not be a hard-hitting reporter to interview the candidates, or even pay attention to their backgrounds or qualifications, allowing a Frank Russo or Jimmy Dimora to slip unchecked into power.

As for Alesiano, well, he is but a small player in the scheme of things. He's just not that important.

Keep your eyes on the people you elect.

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A friend was complaining the other day that his supervisor was addicted to managing by e-mail. It brought back memories.

I had a manager like that. He sat in his office and fired off e-mail after e-mail to subordinates, all of whom were located steps from his office. Open-door policy? Hardly. In my mind, he became the poster child of bad management.

If you would rather fire off an e-mail to your employees rather than talk to them face-to-face, you should resign your position and admit to higher-ups that you, indeed, are further evidence of the Peter Principle and do not deserve to be placed in a position of authority.

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This week's Slow-As-A-Turtle Award goes to the contractor who is tearing down the old Dover Elks Lodge on N. Wooster Ave.

This week's Thank-God-For-New-Business-In-Dover Award goes to the pawn shop on N. Wooster Ave. at the bridge.

I will take nominations from readers for additional, future awards.

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Least enviable political position to be in right now: Incumbent Democrat in Cuyahoga County.

Second least enviable political position: Incumbent Democrat anywhere.

Third least enviable political position: Incumbent anything anywhere.

I sense the voters have a throw-the-bums-out mentality right now. This is not rocket science.

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Some things I believe right now (subject to change):

-- The Bush tax cuts should be extended.

-- The Great Recession remains great.

-- Savers are being penalized; spenders are being rewarded.

-- Good financial strategy includes preserving principal.

-- Sarah Palin wants to be very wealthy and has found a way to do it legally.

-- Obama tried to do too much too soon and therefore accomplished little, leaving vast amounts of uncertainty in the minds of employers. Result: No new jobs.

-- I think Gov. Ted Strickland is toast in the upcoming gubernatorial election. (See above.)

-- Tea Party supporters are very angry people.

-- Cutting Medicare payments to health care providers is not the answer.

-- People post a lot of nonsense on Facebook (but I still look at it).

See you next time.