Gov. Kasich like other politicians - fails to acknowledge real cause of money woes

Ohio Senate Bill 5 is stirring debate and raw emotion around the state.

Governor John Kasich certainly wasted no time in stirring the pot as he took the reins of our state government. Within days of his inauguration, he announced intentions to eliminate collective bargaining for law enforcement, fire fighters and teachers.

I feel that I understand part of where Kasich is coming from. I have been strongly opposed to much of the demands that unions have made for many years. I feel that unreasonable demands from unions, primarily those involved with industrial workers, are largely responsible for the fact that many American workers have lost their jobs to foreign competitors.

There was a time when labor unions were necessary in order to keep factory workers from being virtual slaves. Unions then became “too big for their breeches.” The level of protection given to lazy and inept employees, forcing an employer to keep non-productive “workers” is just one example of unions crippling many employers. As bad is it is seeing jobs shipped out-of-country, I don’t feel too sorry for staunch union workers who have spent decades bringing these changes upon themselves.

There is also another side to the situation. First of all, it was widely reported that Kasich came to his governor’s job with a huge chip on his shoulder regarding police and firefighters. It seems they were correct.

Just a week ago, there was much publicity about Kasich berating a law enforcement officer … for doing his job. Now, he has begun an all-out attack against Ohio’s law enforcement and firefighters. He is also including our teachers in his strong-arm attempts to place the blame for Ohio’s money woes on many of those who we, and our children, need most.

As someone who does not receive the benefits afforded the afore-mentioned groups, I admit to some jealousy as to the benefits they receive. It is more accurately, an I-wish-we-had-those-kind-of-benefits-type of jealousy.

Before I move on, I looked at the Ohio Sunshine Law website. It states that State of Ohio employees who have served more than one year, receive full benefits, including health, dental, eye-care, and life insurance. That sounds, to me, like the very things Kasich is looking to take away from people who face danger, and our children, daily.

I have come to believe the rumors that Kasich has a burr under his saddle and is looking to make those who are most deserving of a watchdog to keep their jobs tolerable, his whipping boys and girls.

I want to know why legislators, at all levels, are so quick to point fingers at everyone but themselves when it comes to blame for out-of-control spending.

Schools and cities do not have enough money to continue to pay fair wages and benefits to employees and staff to safe levels. Do you think for a minute that Kasich has given a thought to the fact that a large part of the problem is that our government is tripping over itself in mandating things that must be done, or risk losing more funding?

A good example for city and schools alike is the EPA storm water runoff mandate from last year. The federal government gives no choice in the matter. It doesn’t matter what the cost, they say, you will just do it.

How many jobs and raises do that, and countless other laws and mandates made by an out-of-control government, cost us every year?

Ted Strickland was truly an abomination as governor, but, I fear that John Kasich may be more of a cancer to our Great State of Ohio than we can afford.

Slow down out there ... the life you save may be your own

By Mike Ullery

Chief Photographer

mullery@dailycall.com

Spring is in the air, and all around the area, young drivers, tired of being constrained by snow and ice are ready … they feel, “the need … the need for speed.”

As the air warms and roadways clear, an adrenaline rush turns feet into lead weights on the accelerators of vehicles operated by teenage drivers who think themselves invincible.

Parents, teachers and law enforcement officials do their best to warn young drivers of the dangers lurking on the road but too many teens, and a good many adults, choose to ignore the warnings.

Spring is still more than a month away, but I am already seeing too many examples of drivers suffering from spring fever. There is an old saying about it taking “a 2x4 to hit you between the eyes” in order to get one’s attention. The reality is that aggressive and inattentive driving can lead to a telephone pole hitting you between the eyes … literally.

In a matter of weeks we will begin to hear that it is prom time. Schools will begin to have mock crashes to re-educate students to the dangers of drunken driving and texting will driving. These are good lessons. They are lessons learned from real crashes. Those crashes resulted in real families losing real sons and daughters.

How about, we don’t wait until “prom time” to think about dangerous driving practices? How about, we adults stop thinking that warnings against aggressive and inattentive driving are only for young and less experienced drivers?

Roadways are becoming more congested with each passing year as more and more drivers take to the highway.

I lament that the days of driving on a rural roadway, night or day, and rarely seeing another vehicle are long gone. I remember that in the not-so-distant past, one could take “the back way” to get to many destinations without dealing with much traffic. Today, “the back way” is often just a heavily traveled as the main routes.

All of this adds up to more dangerous roadways. More cars and less patient drivers are a recipe for trouble. Most of us feel that we spent most of this past winter driving in slow motion. Roadways were ice and snow covered for a large part of the past couple of months. Motorists adapted to the road conditions and slowed accordingly.

This past week, we woke up and found roadways clear. There is a natural tendency to want to speed up. Maybe we are attempting to make up for time lost during the winter.

We must be aware of the many dangers lurking on re-discovered bare pavement. Potholes can cause serious damage. Driving at “100 percent alertness, 100 percent of the time,” is a phrase coined by Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Paul Weber, who is stationed at the Piqua Post. Weber has made a personal mission of educating drivers on the dangers of inattentive driving.

One of my concerns is that many of the same parents who preach safety to the young drivers in their family, fail to “practice what they preach.” If someone is killed by an aggressive or inattentive driver, it makes no difference if the driver was 17 or 40 years old … they are just as dead.

As parents, we need to lead our children by example. That leadership extends to times when we are behind the wheel. Even little kids absorb what dad or mom are doing and saying as they drive the family car. I believe that we can begin to develop safe driving habits in our children, and grandchildren, when they are still sitting in a child safety seat.

If you think that your child is not paying attention, just think about how many times you may have uttered a “dirty word” when you thought a child wasn’t listening, only to have them repeat the word, usually at the most embarrassing moment. Kids are paying attention.

This spring, encourage your teenage drivers, and maybe take time to heed the advice yourself, the arrival of warmer weather is not the time to “feel your oats” or “blow out the carburetor,” or whatever excuse one might use for driving a nearly-one-ton wheeled weapon with reckless abandonment and endangering the lives of innocent bystanders.

When you get behind the wheel this spring, let’s put down the cell phone, the iPad, the electric shaver, the curling iron, the lipstick and the Big Mac. How about we all slow down and “smell the roses?”

Heck-of-a-storm ... it's all relative

Our latest round of winter weather, once again, has news and weather reporters pawing the earth, or in our part of the country, pawing the ice, as they report snow, ice, wind and other generally catastrophic conditions from coast to coast.

If these prognosticators keep going, it will be necessary to invent new adjectives to describe storms as they have used up all of the existing ones.

As we watch and listen to reporters in Dallas describe their inch of snow while their counterparts in Chicago brave blizzard conditions, we hear much talk of “worst ever” and “unlike anything before.”

Sure, the weather is bad, but I believe that there is a perspective that we don’t often think about and one that our news and weather folks choose to ignore.

First of all, let’s look at the population of the United States in, say, 1810. The Census Bureau indicates that just over 7 million people lived here. The population rose to around 92 million by 1910. The United States census of 2000 shows us close to 300 million strong.

Next, we must consider communications ability during the time period. And last, we must look at our dependency on others from generation to generation.

One might suggest that media members have become more prone to embellishment as we have progressed but, I believe that may not have changed that much. I have no difficulty believing that journalists of centuries-past were as quick with an extra adjective and any of their 21^st century counterparts.

One of the more serious factors is the sheer number of “media outlets” today. A century, or two, ago, there weren’t that many newspapers. And, of course, there was no radio or television, let alone anything like the Internet.

Now, it seems everyone thinks they are a reporter, and many media outlets encourage this. So, when a single flake of snow falls from the sky, there are a hundred people there, cell phones in hand, to take photos and cry, “it is snowing.”

Adding to the circus is the professional media who must report each and every aspect of the storm. I think they get bonus points for reporting from the most precarious or dangerous spot. The reasoning is that we are a “visual society.” The translation is that we have become too lazy to get off the couch and go look out the window.

When the good citizens of America had a blizzard or an ice storm in the 1800s, rather than looking to alert the media, folks hunkered down at home and rode it out. Most grew their own food so going hungry wasn’t an issue. There was no electricity to go out. There were no cars to slide off the road.

For the most part, Americans were heartier people then. Today, the thought of doing manual labor to dig out after a storm is beyond the ability of many Americans. 

All of this adds up to my belief that many storms and weather events of today are no more powerful than those of the past. The differences are that our population has grown enormously, so more people are in harm’s way. A vast majority of our population have few skills to fend for themselves, even for short periods without electricity, fast food and WalMart.

We go through periods of cold and snow. We endure times of heat and drought. The media will continue to keep Americans informed. Some media outlets will choose to document every detail of every event. They may also relish the opportunity to speculate how each event might be the “most powerful” or “most destructive” of all time.

Rest assured that it is all relative. Storms and other weather events have been happening for centuries. We just have more people affected now, because we continue to grow, and more damage because there is more property in harm’s way.

It is also a reminder that we humans can believe what we like about being in control, but when it comes to Mother Nature, we are just along for the ride … and sometimes, the ride gets rough.

Shelby Co. Sheriff under fire, risks possible violation of 1st Amendment

By Mike Ullery

Chief Photographer

mullery@dailycall.com

Shelby County has been a busy place for news lately. Unfortunately, most of the news is not of the “good” variety. One of the last things that citizens of any community want to experience is a lack of trust of their highest-ranking law enforcement officer.

Citizens of Shelby County are watching a drama unfold, one involving Dean Kimpel, their sheriff. Kimpel is under investigation for allegations of sexual assault made against him by a former law enforcement officer.

The situation has become bad enough that Kimpel’s own political party has asked that he resign.

This past week, Kimpel stepped things up a notch by filing a criminal complaint report against Kathy Leese, a freelance writer from the Sidney Daily News who has been investigating allegations against the sheriff.

Leese, like any good reporter, has been keeping abreast of the allegations against Kimpel. As more information emerges, Leese has contacted the sheriff, offering him the opportunity to respond. She has also asked questions of the sheriff.

The questions asked by Leese deserve answers. The sheriff is a public figure, elected by the citizens of Shelby County. These allegations are not going to just go away.

Kimpel has the same rights as every other citizen. He is innocent until proven guilty. He has the right to not incriminate himself. However, Kimpel is the sheriff of the community which elected him to the highest office in the county. He owes it to those citizens to be forthright.

However unfair it may be, public officials forfeit many of their rights the day they take out petitions to run for office. We hold public officials to a higher degree of accountability.

Leese’s job is to find the answers to questions and keep the public informed with accurate information. That is her job. That is her obligation to the citizens of her community.

In this case, her questions are aimed at the county sheriff. They are aimed that direction because the sheriff allegedly put himself into a compromising situation.

The fact that law enforcement officers wear a badge does not make them any less susceptible to temptation that any of the rest of us. Kimpel is no different, he is human. His job; however, requires that he behave in a manner which reflects the trust the citizens have placed in him.

Kimpel has now made the situation more volatile by alleging that a reporter, a person to whom guardianship of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution has been entrusted, has committed a criminal act, by doing her job. In doing so, Kimpel risks violating the First Amendment, not to mention, unjustifiably accusing a citizen of his community of a crime … just so that he doesn’t have to answer questions about his conduct.

One of my thoughts is that Kimpel’s actions could be construed as an attempt to blackmail a member of the media.

Dean Kimpel may be innocent of any wrongdoing. He may be guilty. At this point, we do not know. What we do know, is that Kimpel was elected by the citizens of Shelby County to hold the office of Sheriff. The person holding that office owes to his constituents that he keep them informed of incidents which affect them. That includes incidents in which the sheriff may, personally, be involved.That is his job.

What Kimpel may not realize is that members of the media take very seriously their obligation to keep the public informed of newsworthy events. That allegations of unethical or criminal behavior have been made against the sheriff of Shelby County is a very newsworthy event. Kimpel may choose to attempt to silence a reporter by alleging criminal acts, but, in doing so, he has done nothing more than unlock the door and invite more media scrutiny.

The worst of it is that his actions further erode the confidence of the citizens of Shelby County in their sheriff’s office. Kimpel’s actions reflect on his entire staff. That is sad, for they are not the ones who deserve the scrutiny and criticism.

Americans are family ...or, "Don't tread on him, he's my brother."

Another  tragedy fell upon Americans on Saturday. United States Representative Gabrielle Giffords, a Democrat from Arizona was critically wounded when ambushed by a gunman. Several others, including one of her aides and a judge were killed.

Saturday's tragedy reminds me that, in spite of ourselves, we Americans are family.

Sure, we fight and argue amongst ourselves. Each of us have our own opinions on the best way to get a job done. Some of us believe in government-run health care. Others believe it should remain in the private sector.

The list of our differences goes back to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. We disagree on things. We talk about it ...okay, sometimes quite heatedly. We compromise. We go on.

There is a common denominator, though, in every action that takes place. Each of us, is a family member. Each of us is an American. Just like brothers and sisters who may fight among themselves but will fight to the death to protect each other from harm caused by others, Americans are allowed to argue amongst ourselves ... but Heaven help anyone who attempts to hurt a fellow American.

When someone attacks one American, they attack every American. When someone attacks one American, they can expect retaliation by all Americans.

History proves that when a country, or an individual targets a single American, they don't have to worry about Democrats, or Republicans. They have incurred the wrath of an entire nation.

Following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor in December of 1941, Japanese Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto confided, in spite of Japan's great victory against the United States, "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve." Yamamoto had lived in the United States. He knew, not only America's industrial might in the 40's, but also, the single-minded resolve of Americans united for a just cause.

So now, a cowardly slime ball named Jared Loughner, with possible help from some other low-life cowards have perpetrated an attack against America and Americans.

It is time for Americans to come together on another decision. Terrorists, foreign or domestic, should not be included among those who deserve protection of any kind under American laws. If guilty of a terrorist act against our country ... they die. No drawn out trials. Just a no-fanfare-that-could-make-them-a-martyr bullet in the ear.

It is time to let the world know that America means business. Some may argue that the approach is inhumane. War is inhumane. The fight is for survival. Only the strongest survive. That is nature's way.

For law enforcement officers, there is no such thing as a routine call

Ringing in the New Year is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration. Mere hours into the new year, 2011 took a tragic turn.

A Clark County Sheriff’s deputy, 40-year-old, Suzanne Waughtel-Hopper, died in the line of duty, at the hand of a coward. The veteran deputy and mother of two children was ambushed outside a trailer and killed by a shotgun blast.

Minutes later, another officer, Jeremy Blum of the German Township Police Department was wounded as he, and other officers were forced into a shootout with the suspect, Michael L Ferryman. 

One thing can be learned from this tragedy. Police officers are told from the time they enter the profession, “there is no such thing as a routine call.”

A large number of officers who have given their lives, over the years, have died while on a "routine call" or making a "routine traffic stop."

I have heard and watched many times over the years as people would scoff when a police officer approached a building or a vehicle with his hand on, or near, his gun. Comments range from questioning the officer’s fortitude to remarks about the officer thinking he, or she, is a Matt Dillon or Dirty Harry.

The horrible events of last Saturday paint a clear picture of the dangers faced every time a police officer responds to a call.

There are many things still to be sorted out about the call that ended Deputy Waughtel-Hopper’s life. Yes, the call was shots fired. At this time, we are told that it was believed the suspect had left the area and Waughtel-Hopper was engaged in taking photographs when she was ambushed.

For whatever reason, Waughtel-Hopper may have been caught off-guard. I have seen circumstances that a police officer might face, that would be difficult to survive even if on high alert. Law enforcement officers knowingly enter those conditions as a matter of routine. 

No one is second-guessing Waughtel-Hopper’s actions. I am sure that they will be given a microscopic look in order to potentially save the life of fellow officers so that they might not be caught during future encounters.

What is important for all of us to recognize is that events such as those that took the life of Deputy Waughtel-Hopper should be in the back of the mind of every law enforcement officer, every time he, or she, responds to a call. 

Thankfully, most of the time that an officer responds to a call, it is resolved without, or with minimal, use of force to control the situation. 

I believe that part of the reason for complacency on our part is a general thought that, “we don’t live in New York or Detroit … or Dayton.” 

Hence, when we see a law enforcement officer approaching a vehicle or building, gun in hand, many choose to think, “Why? That sort of thing never happens here.” 

Our local police officers and sheriff’s deputies respond to “shots fired” calls more often that most would believe. More often than not, the “shots” were fireworks, or a car backfiring. Sometimes, especially in rural areas, it is someone firing a gun, but usually for hunting or target practice. 

It is easy to see how, after dozens, even hundreds, of calls that end with no serious crime, an officer could become just a little too relaxed. 

The events of January 1, 2011 at Enon Beach were a harsh lesson that, yes, it can happen here.

I sincerely hope that the tragic death of Deputy Waughtel-Hopper will serve as a reminder to all members of our law enforcement community that there truly is no such thing as a routine call.

I also hope that every time that each of us sees a law enforcement officer doing their job, we remember that they are, indeed, the thin blue line that stands between us and the evil part of our society.

Deputy Suzanne Waughtel-Hopper, may you rest in peace.

Officer Jeremy Blum, we wish you a speedy recovery.

Santa Claus gets help from local FOP and Victim Witness to brighten holiday for those touched by crime

By Mike Ullery

Chief Photographer

mullery@dailycall.com

A convoy of law enforcement vehicles from county and city agencies around Miami County pulled up in front of a small house in a Troy neighborhood on Wednesday evening. Uniformed and plain-clothes officers spilled from the vehicles, formed up and made their way to the front door of the home.

They were not there to break down doors or order anyone from the home. Leading the group was a man, dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot … His eyes, how they twinkled, his dimple so merry. His cheeks were like roses. His nose like a cherry.

This night, rather than using the chimney, Santa Claus led members of Miami County FOP Lodge 58 and Miami County Victim Witness employees through the front door of homes and apartments to visit children and families from around the area whose lives had been touched by violence and crimes.

Deanna Hardin, Director of Miami County Victim Witness, a department within the Miami County Prosecutors’s Office, said that they received anonymous donations totaling more that $1500 to purchase gifts for families who are under the care of victim witness.

Hardin and her associates look forward to this time of year. “This is the fun thing we get to do out of the whole entire year,” said Hardin, “most everything we do is bad, this is good.” The “bad” Hardin refers to is that she, and her associates, provide assistance, comfort and direction to people, on what is probably the worst day of their lives.

Those who have been affected by murder, rape and other violent crimes are met by victim witness employees, who work with family members, not only on the day of their tragedy, but also help them get through the ordeals ahead, including appearing in court and getting their lives back together in future months and years.

Victim witness employees used the donations, most of which were Kohl’s gift cards to purchase gifts for “their” family members.

Some families are not necessarily “in need” financially, Hardin said, “but had really bad things happen this year, so we really wanted Santa to come to their house.” In particular, Hardin mentioned children and family members of recent homicide victims. Hardin said that those kids, “deserved Santa to come to their house,” to help them get through their first Christmas without a brother or father who was taking from them.

Much of the donated money is spent of practical gifts. Hardin described one victim whose only pair of boots are still being held as evidence in a case. She was wearing a pair of cloth shoes, the only pair she had when Hardin took her to visit Kohl’s, in Troy. The lady shared that she had never been to Kohl’s.

Hardin smiled as she recalled her shopping companion’s reaction when she told her she could pick out any pair of boots that she wanted. “And, she was so practical,” Hardin said, “she bought her kids warm socks, blankets, boots and one toy.”

Local FOP members feel the same way about the Santa visits as their victim witness counterparts. The opportunity to bring joy and cheer to a family following a tragic event, makes Christmas brighter for law enforcement officers, as well.

The reaction of the children visited by Santa was universal. That magical look in their eyes matched the twinkle in Santa’s eyes as Santa entered each home, trailed by his “elves.” Moms, dads, and grandparents were overjoyed as they watched Santa greet the children and, in some cases, help them open one of the presents Santa’s elves placed under the family Christmas Tree.

It was obvious why this night was so special to the workers from victim witness. They were the first to be hugged, after Santa Claus of course, by these special kids. There was not a dry eye in the house.

Victim witness workers and FOP members know that nothing anyone can do will ever replace a son, father or brother who was tragically taken by a violent crime.

They do know that, they, with a little help from some good Samaritans, can help make Christmas brighter for those who are the victims of violence, if only for a little while. That is what Christmas is about.