The Toledo Junior Golf Association is ready to begin its 38^th season providing junior golfers an opportunity to practice and perfect their game, as well as, sportsmanship skills.  A full schedule of events is on tap and the season begins on May 14^th with the Parent/Child Tournament to be held at South Toledo Golf Course.

The 17 tournaments on the 2011 schedule will be held at some of the best courses

Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan have to offer.  Stone Ridge, Stone Oak, Detwiler Park, Ottawa Park, Forrest Creason, Sycamore Hills, Heather Downs, Maumee Bay, Highland Meadows, Eagles Landing, Belmont CC, Brandywine CC, and Sylvania Country Club will all host events.  Michigan courses include, Legacy, Quarry Ridge, and Bedford Hills.

A season long competition for individual awards will be ongoing throughout the summer.  Award winners in 2010 were:

David Torchia             Frank Stranahan Award

Reed Silverman           Paul Hahn Sportsmanship Award

Jaclyn Fanola              Sharon Keil “Player of the Year” Award

Kelsey Holsten            Karen Stone “Sportswoman of the Year” Award

The Paul Szymanski Spirit Award will be new for the 2011 season.  Mr. Szymanski’s contributions to Toledo Junior Golf are too numerous to mention and he is responsible for much of TJGA’s success over the years. Paul was diagnosed with brain cancer in 1996 but he never allowed his medical condition to dampen his love and commitment for junior golf.  This award will honor his name and be presented to a TJGA member who embodies Paul’s love of life, as well as, the game of golf and may have had to overcome an obstacle in their life.

Throughout the years the Toledo Junior Golf Association has produced some of the best young amateur talent in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.

TJGA events are open to all TJGA members.  To become a member visit their website: www.toledojuniorgolf.com or phone their office at 419-740-2076.

Dear Jack, Elaine and Lucy,

I was looking at some of our favorite pictures and going through some of your favorite things. I know it breaks your little hearts when you see me cry, but I just can’t help it. This is one of those times when I realize the depth and the wonder of all of the days we’ve had so far together and it overwhelms me with emotion.

At first I feel a little sad. I see your little hospital bracelets and I remember how unbelievably tiny each of you once was. I look at how big the three of you are now, two of you almost too big to carry across a room, and I can’t help but be bewildered by how we went from four pounds to 40 pounds in what seems like half a moment. In one way it feels as though we just met, yet in another it makes no sense that my life was ever able to exist without you in it.

You have allowed me to grasp this world with a renewed and profound respect. I thought I knew how much my own parents loved me, but in truth I had no idea until I held you in my arms. In fact, I thought I knew all kinds of things until you came to me and we started over from the beginning. This world becomes a much richer, more interesting, more important and more magnificent place every time I see it through your fresh and wide-open eyes.

I don’t mean to imply that each day has been a magical journey of increasingly wonderful and epic proportion. Actually, most of it hasn’t felt like that at all. There have been more days of fear, frustration, chaos and uncertainty than I care to admit. There have been more moments of annoyance than there have been of awe.

Being your mom is by far the most difficult thing I’ve ever done in my life, and I’m not always very good at it. I yell more than I should. I complain more than I should. I don’t let things go that I should. And I let some things go that I shouldn’t.

Parenting is a tricky balancing act, just like most everything else in life, and I struggle with it every day. I struggle to help you make your dreams come true without spoiling you in the process. I struggle to show you what you’re worth without lessening anyone else. I struggle to point you in any one direction not knowing for certain if it’s really right for you or not. I struggle to teach you the fairest way to go through life when I know without a doubt that life won’t always have the common decency to treat you fairly in return.

As much as I often feel like your beautiful childhood is slipping by too quickly, I also know that we still have a long way to go. I think of all of the things I went through from the time I was your age to where I am now, and I realize that I have no power to deter all of the confusion and the disappointment and the heartache that awaits you. Yet, I swear all of the defeat you will experience in life really will allow you to appreciate and make sense of the victory. I just hope I have the patience and the wisdom to convince you of such truth as we labor through it together.

I assure you there will be plenty of victories, though it will be your living virtuously that I will value most. The greatest accomplishment I can hope to achieve in my own life is fulfilling my obligation to do right by you. As much as I realize the mistakes I have made and will continue to make along the way, my entire life will be worthwhile if I simply succeed in sending you out into the world with the tools and the desire to live as a decent human being. My one specific wish for you is that you go through life with your head held high, not out of conceit but out of integrity and confidence.

I want you to know that there is one thing I have never struggled with. I have unconditionally loved you since the day I first fathomed your existence and that will never change. You have given me more inspiration, insight, happiness and love in a few years than I expected from a lifetime, and I can’t imagine ever feeling any luckier. With as much as we’ve already shared, it’s amazing to realize that this is only the beginning. As I look back, I am also looking forward to continuing to watch you grow and shine as you carve your own paths and build your own families. When you hold your own children, I’m sure you will be able to better understand and recognize my tears as tears of joy.

Love always,
Mommy

Shannon and her husband Michael are raising three children in Sylvania. E-mail her at letters@toledofreepress.com.

A century ago, a handful of Detroit businessmen thought it would be wise to establish a forum where citizens concerned with societal topics could share ideas and assist in moving America toward altruistic goals.

Jim Hartley

Thus was the birth of the National Exchange Club. A half-dozen years later, in 1917, the club established its national headquarters in Toledo where, on March 27, a centennial celebration will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. The lawn of the Exchange Club’s headquarters on West Central Avenue will display 100 American flags. Inside, the facility offers a facsimile collection of 29 historic documents, including the Mayflower Compact of 1620, the Martin Luther King Jr. “I Have a Dream” speech from 1963 and much more.
Since its beginnings in 1911, the Exchange Club has grown to a membership exceeding 22,000, with 700 local clubs throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Among several Northwest Ohioans who aid in the day-to-day operations of the club is Jim Hartley, national executive vice president.
“I guess you could call me the chief staff leader for the organization,” said Hartley, originally from central Ohio, but now a Toledo resident. “We have a staff here in Toledo of 19 individuals, but we have over 22,000 member-volunteers across the country.”
Speaking of the Exchange Club’s role in the community, Hartley said, “There are many great service organizations, but Exchange works to be solely an American-based service organization. Exchange made a conscious decision to be American-focused.”
The community projects taken upon by “Exchangites,” as the Club calls its members, varies locally from club to club, Hartley said.
“Our Greater Maumee club takes students into a courtroom to observe judicial operation. You’ll see other clubs which will sponsor Freedom Shrines. In Monroe, a new Freedom Shrine was dedicated in the city’s library last November.” Freedom Shrines offer historical documents or facsimiles, provided by the Exchange Club.
“Other of our clubs are involved in community patriotism and parades, so we don’t focus on just one item,” Hartley said. “Many times, when you think of the ‘Lions (Club),’ you think of eyeglasses. But Exchange, by its nature, affords a great deal of autonomy to our local clubs to structure programs that meet the specific needs and interests of their own communities.
“We do have a national project, the prevention of child abuse, but we also have what we call our regular programs regarding Americanism, community service, youth services. A number of clubs in our local area will be doing various scholarship recognition programs and contests. But, on a club-by-club basis, they will each determine the activities they wish to undertake, and we will support them in a variety of ways. We just don’t have a kind of cookie-cutter philosophy.”
Call (800) 924-2643 for more.

About a year ago I compared the budget process of the City of Toledo with the reality television show “Survivor.”
“While the budget process impacts people’s lives, like reality TV there is a part of it that is fake, despite the focus and attention, it is a giant paper game. We really don’t know how much revenue will come in, we don’t even really know how much money the city has. It’s all based on estimates,” I wrote.
The budget has to be balanced on paper by March 31, but if it goes out of balance on April 1, it doesn’t have to be addressed until the next budget is approved.
The 2011 budget process for the City of Toledo is similar to what took place last year. One major difference is the dollar amount of the deficit is lower for 2011. At one point in March 2010, the deficit was $48 million on March 21, 2011, the deficit was said to have been $9.1 million with adjustments taking it down to $4.1 million.
In 2010, an increase in the trash fee was passed to create more revenue. Another change to the trash fee was introduced by Mayor Mike Bell at the March 22 Toledo City Council meeting — the discount for recycling would disappear with residents paying $12.50 a month instead of $15 for those who don’t recycle and $8.50 a month for those who do recycle.
Those who qualified for the homestead exemption would pay $7.50 a month instead of $5 a month.
This legislation was introduced so that if Council did not approve the switch to a privatized trash collection service managed by Lucas County Solid Waste Management District, there would not be an additional $2.8 million budget deficit.
After the passage of Issue 5, Toledo had the ability to shift more money from the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) to the general fund. Money will be transferred again in 2011, with the possibility of an additional $2.4 million being transferred from CIP that still leaves a $4.1 million deficit to be solved before March 31. Continuing to raid CIP means less money for infrastructure like street repairs.
“We can’t keep balancing our budget on the backs of our infrastructure,” Councilman Joe McNamara said March 22.
One union in 2010 made a concessionary deal where it deferred payments — at the March 21 H.R., I.T. and Finance committee meeting, Councilman D. Michael Collins asked is it safe to say Toledo Firefighters Local 92 did not give a penny in concessions other than deferring overtime until 2011. “That is a fair statement,” Deputy Mayor Steve Herwat said.
Concessions are expected to be sought, though it’s not clear if it will be deals to defer or permanent cuts. Rumors of exigent circumstances have been whispered by more than one government source.
Revenue predictions have been increased to create additional on-paper-only money to move around.
Deferring overtime or other payments impacts those who worked more than what they were paid for and creates an automatic expenditure that has to be addressed at a later date.
Hitting citizens already reeling with economic survival with increased fees or reduced services has an impact on their budgets and our local economy.
Toledo is not the poster child of the budgetary paper game — the same thing takes place in other cities and school districts where a balanced budget is demanded and it happens at the state level as well.
The comparison of “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic” has been used more than once to describe the budget process at a local and state level.
While the motivation behind the paper budget game is to reduce cuts or increases in fees or taxes, how long we can continue to rearrange deck chairs on a ship taking on water, is a question that could be asked of Toledo and Ohio.
The poor in steerage are already starting to go under and the second-class passengers are getting wet; first-class has to realize what’s headed its way.  Some may escape into lifeboats, but since those are in limited supply, whether we can hold on until the USS Economy tows us into dry dock remains to be seen. 

Toledo Free Press Web Editor Lisa Renee Ward operates the political blog GlassCityJungle.com.

Three board members of the Lucas County Board of Elections voted to terminate Lucas County Board of Elections Director Linda Howe and Deputy Director Jeremy Demagall after meeting in executive session on March 25.

Democrats Rita Clark and Ron Rothenbuhler voted for termination of the two along with Republican Pat Kriner. Republican Ben Marsh abstained in protest according to Kriner. “Mr. Marsh was concerned that there was no due process, no avenue of appeal, so he abstained from the vote,” said Kriner. “Our legal counsel stated that they were at will employees, there is no statutory law that allows due process.”

Staff been told to start advertising for the two positions with more information expected on March 28. Since there is no process to appoint an interim director or deputy director, Kriner said two staff members, one a Republican and one a Democrat, have volunteered to take on more management responsibilities under the direction of Kriner until the positions are filled.

Marsh stated he was putting in his resignation as a board member earlier today, it was a decision he had been contemplating for several months. His resignation will be effective no later than May 31, according to Kriner. “There is a special election in May and Ron Rothenbuhler is going to be out of town,” said Kriner. “Mr. Marsh was kind enough to volunteer to stay on the board until after the special election.”

The employment of Howe and Demagall was terminated immediately after the vote, neither were immediately available for comment.

The vote today took place after Secretary of State Jon Husted requested that the pair be terminated. Husted reportedly said the Lucas County Board of Elections did not properly follow a directive issued by then Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner as it related to the handling of about 100 provisional ballots from the November 2010 election.

Leadership Toledo is teaming with Toledo Free Press to organize a Restaurant Week to benefit the local nonprofit and showcase the area’s diverse culinary options.

Cory Dippold, director of youth programs for Leadership Toledo, said Restaurant Week is something that is done across the country in most mid-size and larger cities.

“The main goal is that it is a fundraiser for Leadership Toledo, but it is also designed to bring awareness to locally owned restaurants and some of the menu items they have to offer,” Dippold said.

Restaurant Week Toledo is set for March 28 through April 3.

More than 15 restaurants in Toledo and the surrounding area have created menus especially for Restaurant Week and will offer meals for $10, $20 and $30 or other specials.

Diners will have several choices for each course, typically an appetizer, entrée and dessert. Restaurant Week specials are for dine-in only. Beverages, tax and gratuity are not included in the price.

For each purchase, an amount will go to Leadership Toledo, a nonprofit organization established in the early 1980s. The group fosters leadership and involvement in the Greater Toledo area, including expanding knowledge and awareness of community issues and opportunities, and preparing area residents for more active and informed involvement in community affairs.

The lineup of restaurants is profiled in a pullout guide in the March 23 Toledo Free Press Star, available in more than 300 locations, including Meijer, Andersons and Kroger stores.

The 12-page guide is also available as a downloadable document here.

The list of Restaurant Week Toledo participants includes: Angelo’s Northwood Villa, Black Pearl, The Blarney Irish Pub, Dégagé Jazz Café, Fat Fish Blue, Fifi’s Reprise Restaurant and Lounge, Frog Leg Inn, Hungry I, J. Patrick’s Restaurant & Pub, La Scola Italian Grill, Manhattan’s, Poco Piatti, Rockwell’s, Rosie’s Italian Grille, Tea Tree Asian Bistro and Ventura’s.

Other media partners include FOX Toledo and Star 105.5 FM.

For information, visit www.restaurantweektoledo.com or contact Leadership Toledo at (419) 241-7371.

Living in Dubai for nearly three years has been a positive, life-changing experience. The United Arab Emirates — a crossroads to the East and West — has opened a new world that brings a different and broader perspective on Middle Eastern affairs, the Arab world, Islam and even U.S. foreign policy. Being here at this time in history, a time marked by major social and political changes, has been particularly informative and valuable. As we have said to the more than 30 friends and visitors from Toledo who have been here in recent months, “We wouldn’t have missed this for the world.”
Living here, of course, does not make one an expert on Middle Eastern affairs any more than living in any place automatically makes one an expert on that region. What we “know” comes largely from the media — news from various websites, newspapers and television — with all the well-known limitations to which they are subject. But living here also has the added benefit of hearing the local interpretations of the news as well as having Emirati friends and Arab colleagues give you their take on what’s happening and why.  These local interpretations are interesting and informative; in some respects, these interpretations are as important as the news itself.
Our major media sources are two local newspapers: The National and Gulf News; three television news channels: CNN, BBC World and Al Jazeera; and online, The New York Times and other major U.S. newspapers. In addition, there are several major English-language television news channels sponsored by various nations including France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iran, South Korea, Japan and others.
Based on these sources and relationships, it is possible to offer a few observations about the Middle East.
People in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are very news-conscious, especially at this time of rapid social and political change. The 180-plus nations making up the United Arab Emirates population each have their own perspective on world and regional events. It is truly a multicultural society with a wide variety and mix of perspectives. Members of each national group tend to stay in close touch with their family and friends back home and, almost daily, bring information and interpretations of events there to their workplaces here. It is not only very easy to get news reports of regional and world events from major news sources, it is also possible to find out how families and friends of our Syrian, Iraqi, Kuwaiti and other expatriate colleagues are being affected by it and, more importantly, how they feel about what is happening.  It is a fascinating place where news, interpretations and impacts reflect the vast range of cultures, languages and nationalities living and working here.
The changes sweeping the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region are much more complex than they might appear in many American news outlets. While it might be easy and tempting to lump the causes of unrest erupting across the region into a single sentence or paragraph, or attribute them all to various forms of democratic yearnings, the recent protests, demonstrations and changes in Egypt, Tunisia, Libya, Oman, Yemen, Bahrain and other nations vary widely as to their causes and character. A one-size-fits-all response from the West that ignores these important differences would run the risk of further distancing well-meaning Western nations from the citizens and populations of these very different and complex Arab nations.
Just as many Western nations are seeking to advance their understanding of Arab societies and nations, many of the nations of the Middle East and North Africa are searching their souls empowered by new technologies, social networks, global connections and a desire for social progress and social justice that has, in many places, evaded previous generations. An Egyptian friend in his 60s told me that his generation had failed to bring constructive change to his country, but he was very excited by the current youth movement and what it has accomplished. As one recent contributor to the Gulf News wrote, referring to the region-wide unrest in Arab societies, “ … a political revolution is not enough, for we need a social revolution … where there is a restructuring of the dominant values of society, in the way we live our lives, [and] the way we think.” (Fawaz Turki)
To our many friends in Toledo and elsewhere who have asked about our personal safety at this time of unrest and change in the Middle East, we are happy, healthy and safe. The United Arab Emirates is a stable nation, a good friend of the U.S., and a leader in the Gulf and the region.  The leaders of the U.A.E. are working hard and, I think, wisely to bring about constructive change and are leading by example.  Moreover, the leaders of this small but influential nation have embraced social progress and are working to bring, with even greater speed, the constructive changes that meet the needs and expectations of their people.
Where  all these changes will lead is anyone’s guess.  I think it is safe to say that there is a nervous excitement in the air; a nervousness born of uncertainty and an excitement that comes with new freedom. O

Dan Johnson is provost and COO of Zayed University, United Arab Emirates and president emeritus of UT.

Listed below is a link to each one of the 12 programs featured in the Education Champions series sponsored by Toledo Free Press, United Way of Greater Toledo and 13abc’s “Bridges” with Doni Miller. In addition to the links to the individual stories in the series, is our online voting system where you can pick which one of the 12 programs you believe should be selected as the winner of a $1,000 grant from United Way.

1. Program helps pregnant teens with prenatal care – Lucas County Initiative to Improve Birth Outcomes, informally known as Pathways
2. Successful approach to learning lacks district-wide implementation in TPS – East Side Central Elementary School SEL Program
3. CLIPP provides kindergarten readiness – CLIPP, Collaborative Learning and Instructional Pre-school Project
4. Sherman Boys & Girls Club lifts scores, attendance, pride – Sherman Elementary Boys & Girls Club
5. YWCA works to lower teen pregnancy rates – YWCA Pregnancy Prevention Program
6. Program fights harmful ‘student mobility’ – The Stable Families Collaborative
7. High school students given chance at college before graduation – Toledo Early College High School
8. Youth learn from hands-on garden program – Toledo GROWs and CITE
9. Parents address concerns – Parents in Action Coalition
10. WGTE program aids early literacy education – First Book
11. The Learning Club helps struggling students succeed – The Learning Club of Toledo
12. Program keeps smiles on students – Mobile Dental Program

Voting will begin March 25 at noon and end March 28 at noon. Results, including the number of votes, will be released after the conclusion of the voting.

Voting is now closed, any votes recorded while the voting system formally closes out the question will not be counted. To preserve the accuracy of the votes recorded to determine the winner, a screen shot of the vote tally was taken at noon on March 28. The winner will be announced on March 29 at the United Way of Greater Toledo during their “Education Champions – An evening sponsored by Columbia Gas” event that is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.

Nostalgia : A yearning for the past, or a longing to go back to a particular period in time. There can be happy thoughts of the past but nostalgia often creates melancholy feelings knowing that the past is gone. Nostalgia has been related to sailors at sea having a strong feeling of homesickness to the point of being ill and even dying.

When I (Mark) think of nostalgia I think of happy times of my childhood, family vacations, the music of my youthful years, friends from high school and college, meeting my wife for the first time, the birth of my three children and many other memories. I often think it would be cool to be able to pick out periods in time and go back for a few hours and experience those moments again. I recently saw a picture of my three children standing outside our house the day my middle son Ryan was getting ready to get on the school bus for the first time. His brother Brett and sister Caitlyn were standing outside with him as he was anticipating this experience. How great it would be to go back there and be in that moment again. That was a happy time but it causes a feeling of sadness knowing that it has come and gone.

What makes you feel nostalgic? For many it is the soundtrack to your life at the time. For me it is the sound of Peter Frampton playing on the school PA system in the high school lunch room. His album “Frampton Comes Alive” became the biggest seller in live rock album history at the time selling over 10 million copies. Every time Peter comes to town to play a concert, I am there because I love hearing him play the music from my youth. This has almost become nostalgic for my children as well since I drag them along with me each year. They are probably a little sick of it but I have the feeling it already brings back good memories for them as we bond and hang out together listening to a great guitar player.

I tried to think of some things that make me feel nostalgic and came up with a list of 10.

1. Black and white TV.
2. 8-track tapes
3. Popcorn cooked in oil in a pan
4. Walking to school (2 miles in the rain and snow and we liked it that way!)
5. Cartoons only on Saturdays
6. 4 TV channels to choose from
7. Pez candy dispensers
8. The Fonz saying “sit on it”
9. The Ford Pinto ( I actually had a Ford Pinto Wagon! How pathetic!)
10. Chuckles Candy (now the official candy of The Retirement Guys)

Being too nostalgic can be dangerous. If all we do is long for the past we will not be able to enjoy the present. We will not be able to pay attention to things that need to be addressed now like planning for and enjoying retirement. The title of our previous column was “Things Ain’t Like They Used To Be.” The Retirement Guys feel that since things are different now, we are at a critical moment in time that makes it necessary to pay close attention to what is going on in the world and take certain steps to insure a happy and relaxing retirement. It used to be that, like my Grandfather, you could work for a corporation your entire career and know you would have a secure retirement. It is very common now to see folks out of work mid career. This is why it is important to pay close attention to your retirement planning. There is a difference between investing your money and creating a real plan with purpose that is based on time frames, risk tolerance, current age, etc. Even though we often think things today are not as good as they were in the past, we still need to live in the present. There is still an exciting world out there and there is a lot of living yet to do. Get out there and create great memories that you can be nostalgic about later. One way to help you stay on track is to visit www.retirementguysnetwork.com and request a free copy of “11 Biggest Retirement Mistakes To Avoid.” Nolan and I would like to know what you feel nostalgic about. Post your thoughts online with us at www.ToledoFreePress.com.

For more information about The Retirement Guys, tune in every Saturday at 1 PM on 1370 WSPD or visit www.retirementguysradio.com.  Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through NEXT Financial Group Inc., Member FINRA / SIPC.  NEXT Financial Group, Inc nor its representatives provide tax advice.  The Retirement Guys are not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group. The office is at 1700 Woodlands Drive, Suite 100, Maumee, OH 43537. 419-842-0550

The reign of our new governor, King John Kasich, is beginning to make a lot of voters think that maybe they screwed up when they voted for him — or didn’t bother to vote.
A recent Ohio poll gives him a 40 percent approval rating versus a 47 percent disapproval rating. Among independents, his disapproval rating is at 55 percent. This is the lowest approval rating in memory, including the Bob Taft administration. The poll also showed that if the election was today, Ted Strickland would crush Kasich by 15 points or so. The buyer’s remorse appears to be setting in.
So far, the biggest accomplishment the Kasich administration has seems to be racking up these numbers in only its first three months in office. The jobs agenda he promised during the campaign has not only not materialized, but has actually made the job situation worse. The orating and bloviating about all his big plans for Ohio have been nothing more than hot air, predicated to advance the corporate agenda of the real masters he serves. The arrogance of the man is simply astounding. It has become readily apparent that he has no respect whatsoever for any middle-class working families.
Here’s a guy who goes out and gives a speech about the “idiot” policeman who wrote him up for a traffic violation, and then tries to sell us on the fact that the fiscal problems Ohio faces are largely due to all the money that school teachers, firefighters, police officers, garbage workers and other public employees make. (It couldn’t possibly have anything to do with him and his Wall Street cronies.) The $8 billion deficit that his running mate Mary Taylor projected must be closed at all costs, so long as it doesn’t cost his friends any more. But don’t worry; it’s all going to be done honestly and openly because he’s going to have the most open administration ever. We’re still waiting to hear who it’s going to be open to because it sure isn’t open to the public or the press. It does seem to be wide open to lobbyists and corporations.
The sad part about this circus act is that the general public and press have been thwarted at every turn in trying to find the details in any of these grandiose plans. The plans kind of remind me of those glossy brochures you get in the mail about the great deal on some beautiful condo or lush land in some paradise that turns out to be worthless swampland when you finally see the actual property. The budget was rolled out with great fanfare and four books of noninformation. No actual facts or figures that were relevant were included, and his budget director couldn’t really tell anyone how this snow job was actually going to work to close this $8 billion deficit. (That must be why they didn’t want the press to be there to ask any pesky questions until once again forced to back off.) Even The Columbus Dispatch, which strongly supported Kasich, questioned this: “State Budget Director Tim Keen wasn’t dressed like a magician, but state lawmakers wanted to know yesterday how he made an $8 billion shortfall disappear, even as it appears that overall spending increased in the new two-year budget.”
Wasn’t this the same kind of lack of accounting that Lehman Bros, etc. used to create the Great Recession? Too bad that when Kasich said he wanted to run Ohio like a business, he couldn’t find a better model.
Once you’re king, you make the laws, right? Another example is his Director of Development Mark Kvamme who had to step down since he was constitutionally barred from serving since he wasn’t a resident of Ohio. King John chalked that up to political motivation, and created a new non-Cabinet level post for him. Yep, no smoke and mirrors here! Oh, and by the way Sire, where are the jobs?

Email Don Burnard at letters@toledofreepress.com.