This promises to be an interesting re-election campaign for Democrat U.S. Rep. Zack Space of Dover in the wake of his "no" vote on health care reform.
Space was the only member of the Democrats' Ohio delegation to vote no on the controversial issue, which no doubt reflected the wishes of the majority of his constituents in the 18th District. At least that's what everyone's telling me.
By announcing he was going to vote against the bill on the eve of its up/down roll call, Space did four things:
-- He alienated some members of his base, which -- surprise -- includes liberal Democrats.
-- He alienated House leadership and, from what I'm reading, the Obama administration. President Obama made the remark that he wouldn't have a lot of time this election season for Democrats who didn't fall in line. (I'm paraphrasing here.)
-- Space alienated big unions, who have vowed to withdraw their financial support of his re-election campaign.
-- He did little to win back the praises of crossover Republicans, who are suspicious of Space's timing on the "no" on health care plan announcement and his past votes, including a "yes" on cap and trade.
That said, Space did the right thing. The bill was/is flawed and probably will end up costing Americans money, or reducing their health care benefits coverage or both or something that none of us can predict now. You know, unintended consequences.
I don't believe the bill is Armageddon as House Minority Leader John Boehner or your favorite Fox News pundit would have you believe. And eventually maybe we'll all come to appreciate it like we have Social Security and Medicare. We'll see.
Health care reform also might be easier to swallow for seniors who regularly fall into the Medicare Part D prescription drug doughnut hole or for those of us who have pre-existing conditions.
I would have preferred solving one issue at a time such as the underpayments to health care providers by Medicare. Many doctors would rather not deal with Medicare patients and that's a worrisome aspect for those of us who are getting up there in years.
But back to Zack Space.
Space was damned if he didn't and damned if he did.
We're an angry America right now. Many have lost jobs. Others are upside down on their mortgages. And some think there's some sort of conspiracy going on. The government's taking over health care for goodness sake.
The terms "Marxist" and "Socialist" are referenced by people who clearly don't understand the definitions.
Tea parties? Sarah Palin? Rush Limbaugh?
I think the country needs a shrink.
* * *
I attended a community forum on the future of Atwood Lake Resort and Conference Center a couple of weeks ago and I left it with the belief that in the not too distant future Atwood Lodge will be a memory.
Whoever buys the lodge will have to consider upgrading the water supply system to the tune of $4 million. That's not to say that someone with deep pockets won't come along and invest millions more into the property to make it a viable destination. But I doubt it.
With a less-than-30 percent occupancy rate, there is no way it can continue in its current form. And no amount of emotional testimonials can save it.
And I feel bad about that.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Whitmer reaches the finish line
I would be remiss if I didn't note that longtime Times-Reporter Sports Editor Dave Whitmer is retiring.
Whitmer, who joined the T-R around the same time I did back in the early '70s, quietly went about his job as sports editor by organizing high school coverage every week of every year. That meant assigning reporters and photographers to games, finding freelancers and producing the sports pages that everyone takes for granted.
With 20 high schools in the coverage area, it is a daunting task especially in the spring when there are baseball and softball games, track meets and tennis matches all going on at the same time.
Whitmer also was the organizational wizard behind the annual T-R All-Star Charity Football Game. Dave's mark will be on the 2010 game -- some of the work already is done -- but I suspect that will be his last.
One anecdote...
Back in the '90s as the T-R was preparing to enter the digital age, he came into my office with a question.
"Let me get this straight," he said. "We're going to put our stories on the Internet where everyone can read them for free."
"That's right," I responded.
"But the people who read us in the newspaper will still have to pay for the newspaper."
"Yep, that's right, too."
Dave shook his head and exited. Clearly he didn't understand the strategy of giving away content that was subsidized by subscribers. And he didn't think it was fair.
His questioning, I suppose, was somewhat prophetic. Media bigwigs continue to debate strategy while dismantling the traditional outlets -- print and TV included -- which further diminishes the worth of the product.
I've read all about the current strategies and have yet to settle on any conclusions. Except, of course, that the one embraced in the '90s was wrong.
Anyway, good luck to Dave in his well-deserved retirement.
* * *
If you're in management and occasionally send memos by e-mail, do me a favor. Never, ever start the memo with this:
"All:"
All? What the heck does that mean? All? What, you have a bunch of robots working for you?
How about, "Dear Valued Employees:"
Or
"Hi, folks."
Or
"To my colleagues in the trenches:"
Anything, but "All:"
It's corporate-speak and usually whatever follows is bad news.
* * *
The Daily Beast recently listed the best and worst states, including the District of Columbia, for job growth.
Ohio finished 50th, in front of only one state -- Michigan.
Forbes magazine also declared recently that Cleveland was the most miserable city in the country. Forbes said Cleveland took the top spot "thanks to its high unemployment, high taxes, lousy weather, corruption by public officials and crummy sports teams (Cavaliers of the NBA excepted)."
It's no wonder we have an inferiority complex. Hold your head up, Ohio. The snow will melt soon. Guaranteed.
Whitmer, who joined the T-R around the same time I did back in the early '70s, quietly went about his job as sports editor by organizing high school coverage every week of every year. That meant assigning reporters and photographers to games, finding freelancers and producing the sports pages that everyone takes for granted.
With 20 high schools in the coverage area, it is a daunting task especially in the spring when there are baseball and softball games, track meets and tennis matches all going on at the same time.
Whitmer also was the organizational wizard behind the annual T-R All-Star Charity Football Game. Dave's mark will be on the 2010 game -- some of the work already is done -- but I suspect that will be his last.
One anecdote...
Back in the '90s as the T-R was preparing to enter the digital age, he came into my office with a question.
"Let me get this straight," he said. "We're going to put our stories on the Internet where everyone can read them for free."
"That's right," I responded.
"But the people who read us in the newspaper will still have to pay for the newspaper."
"Yep, that's right, too."
Dave shook his head and exited. Clearly he didn't understand the strategy of giving away content that was subsidized by subscribers. And he didn't think it was fair.
His questioning, I suppose, was somewhat prophetic. Media bigwigs continue to debate strategy while dismantling the traditional outlets -- print and TV included -- which further diminishes the worth of the product.
I've read all about the current strategies and have yet to settle on any conclusions. Except, of course, that the one embraced in the '90s was wrong.
Anyway, good luck to Dave in his well-deserved retirement.
* * *
If you're in management and occasionally send memos by e-mail, do me a favor. Never, ever start the memo with this:
"All:"
All? What the heck does that mean? All? What, you have a bunch of robots working for you?
How about, "Dear Valued Employees:"
Or
"Hi, folks."
Or
"To my colleagues in the trenches:"
Anything, but "All:"
It's corporate-speak and usually whatever follows is bad news.
* * *
The Daily Beast recently listed the best and worst states, including the District of Columbia, for job growth.
Ohio finished 50th, in front of only one state -- Michigan.
Forbes magazine also declared recently that Cleveland was the most miserable city in the country. Forbes said Cleveland took the top spot "thanks to its high unemployment, high taxes, lousy weather, corruption by public officials and crummy sports teams (Cavaliers of the NBA excepted)."
It's no wonder we have an inferiority complex. Hold your head up, Ohio. The snow will melt soon. Guaranteed.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Time to get serious about the bank robberies?
I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise that in the worst recession since the Great Depression bank robberies would be on the rise.
What is surprising, to me at least, is the fact that financial institutions in Dover-New Philadelphia seem to have become an easy mark.
And what also is surprising is that neither the police chief in New Philadelphia nor the one in Dover have jumped on the issue to reassure the public. (At least I have found no evidence in the local media that they have.)
By my count, there have been a half-dozen or so bank robberies in the last year in Dover-New Philadelphia, including the last one on Feb. 25. The routine is similar. A man walks into the financial institution, hands a note to a teller, who then hands over the cash. The robber flees and is gone before the police arrive.
A former law enforcement officer told me that Dover and New Philadelphia police departments ought to be working together to help solve these robberies. He suggested a task force, of sorts, that would work undercover and in plain clothes, visiting financial institutions in both cities during hours of operation.
Of course it would just be easier to let the FBI handle the situation. Or would it?
In 2008, the last year for which statistics are available, there were more than 6,000 bank robberies in the U.S. (Clink on the link for the FBI's take on bank robberies.)
Given that fact, I think the FBI would welcome some kind of extra effort from our local police departments.
Fortunately, there have been no violent incidents connected with the heists in Dover-New Philadelphia -- no shoot-'em ups, no hostages, no out-of-control high speed chases.
At least not yet.
Be careful out there, folks.
What is surprising, to me at least, is the fact that financial institutions in Dover-New Philadelphia seem to have become an easy mark.
And what also is surprising is that neither the police chief in New Philadelphia nor the one in Dover have jumped on the issue to reassure the public. (At least I have found no evidence in the local media that they have.)
By my count, there have been a half-dozen or so bank robberies in the last year in Dover-New Philadelphia, including the last one on Feb. 25. The routine is similar. A man walks into the financial institution, hands a note to a teller, who then hands over the cash. The robber flees and is gone before the police arrive.
A former law enforcement officer told me that Dover and New Philadelphia police departments ought to be working together to help solve these robberies. He suggested a task force, of sorts, that would work undercover and in plain clothes, visiting financial institutions in both cities during hours of operation.
Of course it would just be easier to let the FBI handle the situation. Or would it?
In 2008, the last year for which statistics are available, there were more than 6,000 bank robberies in the U.S. (Clink on the link for the FBI's take on bank robberies.)
Given that fact, I think the FBI would welcome some kind of extra effort from our local police departments.
Fortunately, there have been no violent incidents connected with the heists in Dover-New Philadelphia -- no shoot-'em ups, no hostages, no out-of-control high speed chases.
At least not yet.
Be careful out there, folks.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Saving Atwood Lake Resort
The relatively small number of people who offer comments at the bottom of posted stories on a certain newspaper's Web site are as predictable as Ohio weather in February.
One guy ends most of his comments with "How do you like change so far?"
Gimme a break.
He's part of the same group of people who are willing to affix blame for any or all of our woes to any sitting body of government or political party.
On the hot seat currently is the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, which is looking for a buyer or some other solution to its red-ink-stained Atwood Lake Resort and Conference Center.
The comments offered by John Q. and/or Sally K. Citizen make one wonder if these people actually have any friends who want to be around them. My God, they are negative.
Here's the deal with the resort and it's simple really: Times have changed.
That's it, over and out.
It's kind of like the old Richfield Coliseum that was constructed in the '70s and was gone before the end of the century after the Cleveland Cavaliers were coaxed back downtown.
The coliseum, halfway between Cleveland and Akron, seemed like a good idea at the time. Apparently no one considered that it was in the middle of the secondary snow belt and that most NBA games are played when the weather is lousy. And when it was vacated, no one wanted it.
In 2009, the occupancy rate at Atwood was a hair more than 30 percent. That's horrible and it means that from Labor Day to Memorial Day the place is virtually empty.
It loses thousands of dollars every year.
What happened?
We've changed, i.e. people who take vacations have changed, companies that needed a place to meet have changed and brides who are looking for reception halls have changed.
Meanwhile, Atwood Lake Resort, except for some room upgrades, has pretty much stayed the same.
And it's not the fault of the MWCD board of directors, which has studied the numbers and concluded that it is time to change course.
Atwood competes with a number of similar properties at our Ohio state parks. Their occupancy rate in 2008 was 45 percent, which is a little better but not much. And all of them need taxpayer money to survive.
The resort hotels at our state parks and at Atwood were popular once upon a time. And like so many other places and things that we took for granted, now they are not. They are money pits. Public money pits. Taxpayer money pits.
Nothing is forever. And like it or not, change is constant. Ask the folks in Las Vegas.
The Sahara, the Sands, the Desert Inn -- all gone to wrecking balls everyone. And in their place, something newer and better.
I hope the MWCD can find a buyer with deep pockets. That's what it will take to save or reinvent the place.
Wait a minute. There's an idea -- Atwood Lake Casino and Wedding Chapel!
OK, I'm kidding. Relax.
One guy ends most of his comments with "How do you like change so far?"
Gimme a break.
He's part of the same group of people who are willing to affix blame for any or all of our woes to any sitting body of government or political party.
On the hot seat currently is the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, which is looking for a buyer or some other solution to its red-ink-stained Atwood Lake Resort and Conference Center.
The comments offered by John Q. and/or Sally K. Citizen make one wonder if these people actually have any friends who want to be around them. My God, they are negative.
Here's the deal with the resort and it's simple really: Times have changed.
That's it, over and out.
It's kind of like the old Richfield Coliseum that was constructed in the '70s and was gone before the end of the century after the Cleveland Cavaliers were coaxed back downtown.
The coliseum, halfway between Cleveland and Akron, seemed like a good idea at the time. Apparently no one considered that it was in the middle of the secondary snow belt and that most NBA games are played when the weather is lousy. And when it was vacated, no one wanted it.
In 2009, the occupancy rate at Atwood was a hair more than 30 percent. That's horrible and it means that from Labor Day to Memorial Day the place is virtually empty.
It loses thousands of dollars every year.
What happened?
We've changed, i.e. people who take vacations have changed, companies that needed a place to meet have changed and brides who are looking for reception halls have changed.
Meanwhile, Atwood Lake Resort, except for some room upgrades, has pretty much stayed the same.
And it's not the fault of the MWCD board of directors, which has studied the numbers and concluded that it is time to change course.
Atwood competes with a number of similar properties at our Ohio state parks. Their occupancy rate in 2008 was 45 percent, which is a little better but not much. And all of them need taxpayer money to survive.
The resort hotels at our state parks and at Atwood were popular once upon a time. And like so many other places and things that we took for granted, now they are not. They are money pits. Public money pits. Taxpayer money pits.
Nothing is forever. And like it or not, change is constant. Ask the folks in Las Vegas.
The Sahara, the Sands, the Desert Inn -- all gone to wrecking balls everyone. And in their place, something newer and better.
I hope the MWCD can find a buyer with deep pockets. That's what it will take to save or reinvent the place.
Wait a minute. There's an idea -- Atwood Lake Casino and Wedding Chapel!
OK, I'm kidding. Relax.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Oh, for the love of a plow and '30 Seconds' too
UPDATE: Thursday, Feb. 18: E. 12th St. east from Crater Ave. is now rut-free, thanks to the hard work of city plow operators over the last 24 hours. I can't speak for everyone, but I suspect the neighborhood appreciates the effort.
* * *
OK, I know that this might sound like whining or sour grapes or something, but don't count me among those handing out kudos to the city of Dover for its snow removal strategy.
I know we've had an incredible amount of snow over the last couple of weeks and that salt is expensive and hard to get and all that.
But...
While the main streets are clean, many of the sidestreets are nearly impassable. Case in point: E. 12th St. east of Crater Ave. into Becker Creek, a relatively new housing subdivision. Navigating E. 12th St. from that point has to be a lot like driving a Humvee on the moon. Look out for the icy ruts and pray they don't damage your tires.
I don't want to belabor the point, but I am thankful that I have a four-wheel drive vehicle at my disposal. It helps.
* * *
"30 Seconds" was back in the news recently as the newspaper wanted new input on whether it should keep it or lose it.
A little history: "30 Seconds" can trace its roots to a similar feature in the Trentonian daily newspaper in Trenton, N.J. I don't remember what the Trentonian's version was called -- probably something like "Sound Off" -- but it was touted as a feature that all Journal Register Co. newspapers might employ.
Purists didn't like the feature because it allowed callers to remain anonymous. But at the time -- I believe it was 1991 -- talk radio was becoming wildly popular and callers obviously remained anonymous. What was the difference?
The Trentonian set aside a specific time and day for callers to phone in their "whines" to feature. A clerk would transcribe the comments.
Because The T-R never had the luxury of clerks sitting around and waiting for something to do, we employed an answering machine. The comments would be transcribed when it was possible.
We called it "30 Seconds" as a subliminal suggestion to readers to keep it short.
As we were setting up the feature, one of our editors proclaimed that it wouldn't work, that no one would call. Obviously, he was wrong.
The key to "30 Seconds" success has always been careful editing. While one editor selects the comments for publication, at least one or two other editors also would read the final offerings and strike those comments that would be considered cheap shots or mean-spirited.
Some comments got through that shouldn't have and I'm sure that's true today.
What was fascinating to me was how "30 Seconds" was taken so seriously by politicians and officeholders. My advice to offended public servants was to get a thicker skin. "30 Seconds" was the least of their worries.
"30 Seconds" will run its course eventually. You can bet that most of the comments today are coming from older readers, who unfortunately will fade in due time.
See you next time.
* * *
OK, I know that this might sound like whining or sour grapes or something, but don't count me among those handing out kudos to the city of Dover for its snow removal strategy.
I know we've had an incredible amount of snow over the last couple of weeks and that salt is expensive and hard to get and all that.
But...
While the main streets are clean, many of the sidestreets are nearly impassable. Case in point: E. 12th St. east of Crater Ave. into Becker Creek, a relatively new housing subdivision. Navigating E. 12th St. from that point has to be a lot like driving a Humvee on the moon. Look out for the icy ruts and pray they don't damage your tires.
I don't want to belabor the point, but I am thankful that I have a four-wheel drive vehicle at my disposal. It helps.
* * *
"30 Seconds" was back in the news recently as the newspaper wanted new input on whether it should keep it or lose it.
A little history: "30 Seconds" can trace its roots to a similar feature in the Trentonian daily newspaper in Trenton, N.J. I don't remember what the Trentonian's version was called -- probably something like "Sound Off" -- but it was touted as a feature that all Journal Register Co. newspapers might employ.
Purists didn't like the feature because it allowed callers to remain anonymous. But at the time -- I believe it was 1991 -- talk radio was becoming wildly popular and callers obviously remained anonymous. What was the difference?
The Trentonian set aside a specific time and day for callers to phone in their "whines" to feature. A clerk would transcribe the comments.
Because The T-R never had the luxury of clerks sitting around and waiting for something to do, we employed an answering machine. The comments would be transcribed when it was possible.
We called it "30 Seconds" as a subliminal suggestion to readers to keep it short.
As we were setting up the feature, one of our editors proclaimed that it wouldn't work, that no one would call. Obviously, he was wrong.
The key to "30 Seconds" success has always been careful editing. While one editor selects the comments for publication, at least one or two other editors also would read the final offerings and strike those comments that would be considered cheap shots or mean-spirited.
Some comments got through that shouldn't have and I'm sure that's true today.
What was fascinating to me was how "30 Seconds" was taken so seriously by politicians and officeholders. My advice to offended public servants was to get a thicker skin. "30 Seconds" was the least of their worries.
"30 Seconds" will run its course eventually. You can bet that most of the comments today are coming from older readers, who unfortunately will fade in due time.
See you next time.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Pics from Danny's event
Sherri Douglas was kind enough to send some photos of the fundraising event held Saturday to benefit Danny Jeandervin. Sorry, I don't have any caption info. The spaghetti dinner was held at the Masonic Temple.
And here's a link to even more photos.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Helping those in need: Danny, Larry
Sources tell me that Saturday's benefit spaghetti dinner and silent auction for Danny Jeandervin, the Dover High junior who was injured last month in a sledding accident on Deis Hill, was a huge success.
Danny remains in Aultman Hospital in Canton. He was seriously injured when his sled struck a tree.
Since then, the Dover community again has come together to take care of someone in need.
If you have photos from Saturday's event, or additional details, please send them to me at df1898@gmail.com and I'll post them here.
Also, a carryout chicken dinner benefit will be held Super Bowl Sunday -- before the game -- at Fundays for Larry Williams, who is awaiting a heart transplant.
Danny remains in Aultman Hospital in Canton. He was seriously injured when his sled struck a tree.
Since then, the Dover community again has come together to take care of someone in need.
If you have photos from Saturday's event, or additional details, please send them to me at df1898@gmail.com and I'll post them here.
Also, a carryout chicken dinner benefit will be held Super Bowl Sunday -- before the game -- at Fundays for Larry Williams, who is awaiting a heart transplant.
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