This coming Tuesday is Election Day. As Americans our right to vote goes back to the beginnings of this nation. Many good people fought for this privilege, some have died. By voting we, as citizens, get to chose who will govern us from the President all the way down to local levels. I've always felt that it is our duty to go to the polls and vote in every election. How you vote is your personal decision. It is no one else's business. It's up to you if you want to share your thoughts about the different candidates, issues and levies. If you don't bother to register and vote you have no right to whine & complain about the way things turn out. You can but for me it falls on deaf ears if you don't exercise your right to vote. For me your esteem is extremely low as an American citizen. It's that important to me.
For President I'm endorsing Obama. We simply can not afford another term of Bush policies. My dad was a staunch Democrat. He felt that people that vote Republican don't know or remember what this country went through in the Great Depression. In today's times financial conditions are very similar to the conditions that brought on the Great Depression. Just about all those conditions came about with nearly eight years of Bush at the helm. We definitely need new leadership in the White House.
I also like Charlie Wilson to keep representing us in Congress. He has worked hard for us especially here in the ville. He calls himself a conservative democrat. I don't see him changing his ways. I like what he has done in his first term and I think he will continue to be the best person to look out for our interest.
On the state level I like Charlie's son Jason Wilson. Since being appointed State Senator he has devoted a lot of time to us in this county and in the ville. Linda Bolon has also proven great to us locally as our State Rep. I feel both will continue trying to do good things for us and think they should be given another term.
On the county level I'm going for Dickey-Myers and Wellsville's Penny Traina for Commissioners. I was torn between Jim Hoppel and Myers. Hoppel is from this part of the county but in the last couple of years I got the feeling that he is getting weary of the job. I think it is time to get someone fresh in there to fill that seat.
I've already endorsed Wellsville's native son John Soldano for Sheriff. Did you see the picture of Ray Stone at the debates in the MJ? He had that deer in the headlights look in his eyes and looked like he is ready to drop. The job of sheriff is very demanding and I believe John is up to the challenge. He is well qualified and I think he will do a commendable job for us.
I'm sticking with the incumbents for County Treasurer and Recorder. I think for Nick Barborak and Craig Brown have served us well. They have both proven responsible doing their jobs and I see no reason to change now.
I think there is only three levies for us to consider in the village. One is for Jobs & Family Services. They want to double the current Children Services levy from .75 mills to 1.5 mills. The Wellsville School District is asking us to renew a 2 mill permanent improvement levy. This levy is earmarked for safety especially for the school buses. The third levy is a 1 mill replacement for the cemetery. By designating it as a replacement levy will change the tax collected based on current land values.
There will be five state issues on the ballot. There was originally six but Issue 4 was withdrawn. I'll freely admit I haven't done much in studying the issues but there are two I want to mention. Issue 5 deals with the "pay day loan" business. They are trying to change the restrictions put on them by the state. You have to vote yes on this issue to keep the rules as they now are. The other issue is Issue 6 which is for the gambling casino proposal. Although I believe that casinos are eventually going to come to Ohio this deal doesn't sound like it's in the best interest for us Ohioans.
Like I mentioned above how you vote is your business. These are solely my thoughts and how I feel. The important thing is to get out and vote. If you're unsure where your poll is you can check it out on the Board of Election web site. Just go to http://www.columbianacounty.org/ and click on Board of Elections on the left hand column.
See you at the polls...
ole nib
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38 comments:
Ole Nib,
Hate to get off of the subject,but did you read the article in today's review about the lady whose dog got hit by a car and then just disposed of in the dumpster at Village Hall? How inhumane can you get? The dog even had a collar with a tag on it.
They didn't even try to find the owner....what a shame.
Same thing happened a couple of months ago. My neighbor's dog got hit and killed and the animal control officer just pitched the dog in the same dumpster!
The owner would have liked to have given the dog a proper burial. They weren't informed until after the dog was disposed of.
The dog cather gets paid for his calls and I do believe he is suppose to take the dogs to Lisbon for proper disposal[burial].
The officer that picked the dog up should have used some common sense and at least tried to get hold of the owner by the tag on it's collar or have called the animal control officer. After all that's what he[Hickman] gets paid for as well as picking up live dogs.
That $200 the dog catcher gets a month along with gas mileage should be given to the animal shelter because of what I hear,they do his job every day!
That money could be put to good use for those dogs,i.e.,food,shots,supplies....whatever they need down there to care for those animals.
After I read that article,it made me sick at my stomach! My heart goes out to the owner of the dog.
What the heck is wrong with people?
Dogdazed - No I didn't see the article and had to go back to find it in Letters To The Editor. You're correct. That WPD officer should have notified the owner especially since the owner did inquire. Denying that there was no report sounds to me to be a case of the right hand not knowing what the left hand is doing.
Not to defend the officer's actions but I think calls to our Police Dept. are handled by the Sheriff's Office and I doubt if they get the reports or copies of the WPD log. If we had a system like ELO, the police reports would be on an internet web page. Maybe this incident could have had a different result. I understand that certain people at the WPD are cyber phobic and wants nothing to do with computers. How archaic.
As a side note our Animal Control officer was found guilty of the charges against him this past week. I expect there will soon be changes made. Maybe someone in Village Hall will consider your proposal.
nib
Getting back to election issues there was a rare editorial in today's ER that appears to have been written by someone that works there. In that missive they are suggesting we vote no on state Issue 5 mainly because of the state wide data base that this issue would allow if it is passed.
They still haven't got me convinced. In this day and age of computers the different lending institutions have something very near the data base the state is proposing. You can't get a loan without a credit check being done prior to the loan approval. Most of the information that opponents of this issue think that should remain private is already available and it goes beyond state boundaries.
I think the so called pay day lending business is just about the same as loan sharks. I still suggest voting yes on Issue 5.
nib
Wellsville Council needs to act now on both Saracco, and Hickman, enough is enough. Saracco has lied so much, he can't even remember what he says half the time. He is incompetent, untruthful, and just a puppet, just plain lousy. Hickman has plead no contest to his charges, time to go. I heard from a good source, that he hardly ever answers his calls. Council you must act on these 2 fools, because Surace won't he's too dumb. QUIT MAKING WELLSVILLE BE THE JOKE OF THE COUNTY, PLEASE, WE CAN DO BETTER.
Now that the dog catcher has been found guilty of animal abuse, it goes without saying that he needs to be let go. It is simply the right and reasonable thing to do.
He is lousy at his job and before Saint frances moved in he let the pound become a filthy, disgusting cesspool. The man has problems and should not have any type of job dealing with animals.
It is ironic that the man guilty of animal cruelty has the keys to the safe place for animals and gets a paycheck too.
They said there was a ohio revised code conflict that caused the problem leasing the building to st. francis. Does the ohio revised code apply to hickmans job as well? He is in violation of section 959.131 orc and is still on payroll? Bluedog is right.
ISSUE 5---
Some ACTUAL COLD HARD FACTS —
“In truth, the typical payday advance customer represents the lion’s share of America’s middle class. A typical payday loan customer is a hard working, family raising adult who does not have savings or disposable income to use as a safety net when an unexpected expense occurs.
1)The majority of payday advance customers earn between $25,000 and $50,000 annually; (hardly low income)
2)Sixty-eight percent are under 45 years old; only 4 percent are over 65, compared to 20 percent of the population; (surprise a majority are not senior citizens!!)
3)Ninety-four percent have a high school diploma or better, with 56 percent having some college or a degree; (consenting mature educated adults)
4)Forty-two percent own their own homes;
5)The majority are married and 64 percent have children in the household; and,
6) One hundred percent (YES--100%!!!!!!!) have steady incomes and active checking accounts, both of which are required to receive a payday advance.” (Source- PD Facts)
VOTE NO on ISSUE 5
Here, Here. Council get rid of both of these incompentent assholes. Also, did the policeman fire his gun and put the dog down. I do believe, if an office fires his gun, he has to write a report. Now, we all know that none of these officers know how to write a report. Maybe the owner of the dog, should ask to see this report. If there isnt one, then maybe there some fine or something that is incurred if the office doesnt comply. Not that any of this would matter to anyone in the administration. But it could make said dog owner feel better. Or, cause some trouble for the police dept. so they may think about aborting this practice.
I have been following the Hickman case and do wonder why our council and mayor atleast on the surface seem so supportive. Was he ever suspended or put on a leave (paid or unpaid)? Noting that his charges stemmed from conditions at his home, it is still reasonable to say that there is a conflict of interest and moral as well as ethical issue at hand. When calling for assistance why would a resident want to call on the animal control officer who has been deemed guilty of animal cruelty. Certainly our council can make a decision on the matter, can't they? Or can only the mayor terminate an employee he appoints? How does this work?
Council meeting on wed., a good time for people to come forward with their concerns. I heard a PETA rep. will be there.
So you're voting for Obama because of what? You can't stand four more year of the bush administration. Good news for you bush can only run two terms, he'll be out of there in January. The power to make war stands with congress, not the president. Congress could have easily cut funding for the war at any time. In fact the democrats got a majority last election on that very issue, but did the war end? No it didn't. Yet GW is blamed for the war. So you're voting for obama because he's a democrat because your dad was a democrat. Well that's just great, turning the country over to a empty suit who has never accomplished one legal thing in his entire life. Good move old fellow. It's easy to see why Wellsville is in the toilet with guys like you living there.
Hello? If your condemning mind can think back far enough Congress was a Republican majority when Bush sent troops into both countries - Viet Nam II & Viet Nam III. We went into Afghanistan to get bin Laden who is either still on the loose or so deeply buried we'll never know if that goal was accomplished. Yea, I blame Bush for the war that in my opinion will never be won. By the time the Dems got the majority in Congress America was so deeply involved with commitments that it will probably take years to get our troops home. While people go hungry, suffer from lack of affordable medical care, lose their homes and the nation's infrastructure crumbles due to lack of maintenance funds for money to fund Bush's war we should stay the course? Give me a break ! Obama may be a first term Senator but at least he wisely picked Biden as his running mate. McCain picked a running mate that is hugely popular on late night t.v. shows as fodder for comedy routines. Yea, I voted Democratic and it just happens to be a family tradition.
nib
Hey,even if they get rid of Hickman, they are going to turn it over to the County. They will also kick you and your goons out of the dogpound. Take it to the bank, so you gained nothing by trying to railroad Hickman. Find another place for your building, all thats right, you don't have any money. I bet they will throw you fools out by next week. What goes around comes around.
Family tradition should have no impact on how people vote. You just voted a stranger to the American people into the White House. Buyers remorse will shortly follow. Hope that is a family tradition.
How do you frame someone into being incompetent and cruel? He alone is responsible for his actions. People with commonsense, a moral compass and brains seem to realize this and do not want him working with creatures he can not be trusted to treat humanely.
I have followed the Hickman case now for a good while. I have talked to 4 out of 6 of the Council. I will be the first in line to put anybody who abuses any animal in jail, believe me. This case involves nothing more than a setup of a man who has had animals for his whole life without any problems. Just because a handful of people don't like him, and want full control of Village owned property, they send people to go after him. I don't go for this crap. You people need to stop. The man, as far as I am concerned, as well as the Mayor and some of Council, they need to get those people out of the building that they think they own, and keep Hickman there. Now I read on this site, that they will bring in people to start intimidating the Mayor and Council, well I hope PETA or whoever else they call, will talk to the Mayor and Council, as well as some level headed Village residents before they make idiots of themselves, buy buying the crew that set Hickman up. In closing, Don might not be the best dog catcher in the world, but I hope Mayor and Council will see through these phony people and leave Don Hickman alone. Fair is fair. Hell turn it over to the County, and tell thosr set people up fools to get the hell out, and go somewhere else and cause trouble.
"You can take that to the Bank', some familiar words..... The county has no interest in 'taking over", they have a good working relationship with the "Goons" you speak of, but do not want tied to Hickman in any way. The group has most recently provided care for what was one of his animals. A sad situation it was. Hickman wasn't railroaded by the group, the investigation was complete before they even knew it happened. If they wanted to pick on him they would have called the humane society the first Day they walked in the building. Instead they told the mayor, and cleaned it up. The judge I'm sure is competent enough to determine if he were railroaded. Decisions are made based on facts, photos, vet reports and many other things. What goes around clearly doesn't always come around, if that were the case he would have been removed from his position, but the powers that be didn't even put the subject on the floor at their last meeting.
Anyone who goes around saying that Hickman was "setup" is either a fool or a relative. Why not just say the dogs set him up? It makes almost as much sense. The man is the animal control officer and he does not believe in spaying and neutering and you can "take that to the bank". Before the pound was cleaned up he could and should have been charged with neglect or cruelty because of the putrid conditions he kept the dogs in. I do not think Mr. Hickman abuses animals because he is mean, I think he abuses them because he has no insight about his problems, does not understand that what he has done is cruel and does not try to change and blames other people for actions that only he is responsible for. No one is doing him or the animals a favor by saying he was framed, it simply reinforces behavior that was and is inappropriate for anyone working with animals. If the administration wants to keep him then they also lack the insight that should be required in order to have the best possible people working for our village. Perhaps this reveals more about who they are than it does about Mr. Hickman.
Find another building, it's just a matter of time. I heard you will be kicked out next week.
Animal Lover please tell me that in your conversations with 4 of 6 council members they didn't agree that poor Mr. Hickman was framed! If that is the case, they are either too busy to learn clear and accurate facts or don't care or are simply hellbent on being right and being in control rather than doing what is best for the animals and the village. The village hasn't always owned the building, but Tom Edgell could tell you how they aquired the gift. I don't think St. Francis is so powerful that they could have Hickman not only investigated, but also charged & convicted, on his private property to boot. A true animal lover maybe - but well informed - definitely not. People who know the least of what is factual & true always seem to say the most. Nothing is accomplished.
Purpledog, you know as well as I do, all it takes is 1 phone call. They get called, they have to investigate, who you trying to bullshit. What goes around, comes around. Hickman may go, but so will you.
in other words..if someone is abusing animals they should not be investigated? That makes no sense whatsoever. If someone did call the authorities on him..so what? Someone should have done it years ago and maybe it would have saved a lot of needless suffering. Does this guy even able to do the paper work required for an animal control officer? people should demand to see his job description, I would guess it is public record.
one phone call? it sure the hell wasn't anyone from St. Francis....and you can take that to the bank. Try looking in a different direction. Maybe someone was wanting Don's job. The "GOONS" didn't want it. For your 411,St. Francis squeezed out someone who was after Hickman and his job. Like I said,you need to look elsewhere because it sure in the hell wasn't the "GOONS" that made a phone call. You have been barking up the wrong tree assholes!
why would they jeopordize the pound when they were content with the way it had been running????
The GOONS didn't bother anyone,they just took damn good care of those dogs and went above and beyond the call of duty when it came to the dog pound.
You all bit off your damn noses just to spite your face.....both of them!
In regards to paperwork or a job description, if paperwork wasn't required it should have been. Atleast a minimal docummentation of intake date, location retrieved from, health of the animal;(it's physical appearance). When it was transported to the county. On the county level it is required, but in a municipality there are some differences that revert back to the communities ordinances as well as the employees job description. The most secure approach in redefining a job description or ordinance is to refer to the Ohio Dog Laws. There is a strong possibility that the administration will turn their backs on the St. Francis Group. Unfortunately in that case the village will be moving backwards as opposed to forwards in this area. The group has brought animal welfare a long ways in the village. In any event if they stay focused on their mission they will be able to continue to make a difference wherever they are. As for Mr. Hickman, there was an obvious problem in his ability to execute his job long before he was investigated, the problem was never addressed. If I understand correctly he is receiving help and education now that may eventually lead to a sense of relief for him.
I thought Randy Allman was a big dog lover. I don't hear him speaking up. Randy, do you think Hickman should remain the animal control officer?
Blackdog, maybe you should talk to people from the County, they told people that a member of the Goons did in fact start this horseshit with Hickman. So you can lie all you want. You never had a good word to say about Hickman, we all know you called, so go somewhere else and cause problems for other people.
Randy is a big dog lover as I understand, I too wonder what his position is on Hickmans circumstances. He was also known to be supportive of st. francis. Council and/or the mayor seem to have a vendetta against the animal welfare group and the amazing part is that the rumor is they want to keep Hickman employed, and run st. francis out. This is comparable to having a pedaphile teach in a preschool where Hickman is concerned. It's an interesting administration isn't it.
FYI the county has requested this message be delivered. They have not at anytime accused a st. francis member of anything. The group has made their job easier. Should st. francis sing praises to a man who would answer his pager or take his calls unless it was close to pay day,-maybe. A very long paper trail exists of what was and wasn't done with the animals and at no time has st. francis ever released that info - that doesn't favor Hickman. You "anonymous" sound like a pissed off good ole boy. Nevermind the animal control officer is and was guilty, nevermind he was convicted, nevermind lack of proper care resulted in the deaths of animals. Word in the street is that council feels sorry for him and is going to keep him so you should be relieved - since you care so much. And boot the folks who did his job while he enjoyed many afternoons of r & r. It's not about right & wrong. It's about a bunch of discrimminatory b.s. - ethics are lost, big shock, it's bully stuff. And council will get their way at a high price for the animals, not to mention they'll look hidious.
Please, get a grip, if the group were going to tell they would have done it on the first day. In that event according to the ohio revised code the employer would have also been charged. The group just cleaned up after him. You act as if it were okay for him to be the source of suffering, so long as it stayed a secret.
Allmon, give me a break, he has not done a thing at village hall since the day he walked in. That's the reason the sewage plant is in such a mess, he is head of the sewage committee, the only time you hear or see him is at the local bank, or when he runs to get his picture taken for something he had nothing to do with. He is phony as the day is long. He has done nothing for St. Francis in the last 2 years. Watch though, he will jump on the bandwagon now, to win points with these people, that's his style. We still don't know how he got elected. Bobbi Holt told me that there were only 2 Councilman who gave a damn, and have been working to solve the problem since this all started, and Allmon is not one of them. Take a picture of the dog pound though, he will be the first one there.
WATCH AND SEE MY FRIENDS, ST. FRANCES WILL BE SAVED. I WAS TOLD A FEMALE MEMBER OF ST. FRANCES WAS IN SURACE'S OFFICE EVERYDAY FOR TWO YEARS, MANY CLOSED DOOR SESSIONS. WHY DID THE DOOR HAVE TO BE CLOSED. MAYBE SURACE IS SCARED THAT THAT FEMALE MAY OPEN HER MOUTH ABOUT CERTAIN THINGS. YES, OLD DIRTY SURACE WILL SAVE THE DAY, HE IS A SCARED LITTLE DOG.
It is amazing to me that when I left Wellsville 15 years ago that nothing has changed (or maybe it is no surprise at all). We still have some wacko counsel people who still have no idea what is good for the city. They should all be removed from office. If you idiots (opponents of purpledog) would start using your heads and start listening to purpledog then maybe this could be the beginning of something wonderful for your city. As in working together for something positive and giving your city government a good name. Regardless of the issues at hand. Over the years nothing has changed. Petty bickering for the self interest of those involved. Selfish in every sense of the word. Try something new, take a poll from people outside of your city who watch all of this self serving and wasteful bickering that does nothing but ruin the reputation of your city. I'm sure they would agree. How about some good news for a change. We'll be watching. Good luck purpledog and associates, we are watching and ready to support you.
the Northern Frontier
I don't get how you think Hickman was framed. A few months ago my dog of 15 years was put in the dumpster.While I was at work he got off his chain. I looked & looked for him for two days and couldn't find him. Went to the police station to see if anybody reported anything and to file a report but no report was filed. They told me I had to call the county or Hickman.So I did but no answer.In the mean time, A neighbor said they thought it was my dog that was dead and Hickman came and picked him. Well I called and called Hickman still no answer and the county knew nothing. Finally I went to the club he hangs out in and there he was.I went up to him asked him if he picked up a dead dog recently. Explained to him what he looked like, how big and so forth.Told him he had his collar and tag on. He looked at me and said. He's in the dumpster behind city hall.I started crying and asked how could you put him in dumpter. He said well what do you want me to do? I said you could of least called me or came to my house and let me known you had him and I would of came and got him and gave him a proper burial.He turned around and that was it. So I went to the dumpster by city hall to see if he was still there but he wasn't the dumpster was empty.My dog was older then some of my kids.He was part of our family for 15 years. So your telling me it's alright for Hickman to do this, and that he was framed??? Come on give me a break.My dog had his tag on, all he had to do was make a phone call and he could of found out the owner.But no he couldn't do that. Now my dog is laying somewhere in some landfield getting eaten up by other animals and rodents.Maybe if he wasn't so worried about sitting day in and day out in local clubs. He might be able to do his job a little better.
How very sad,
It is amazing to me that after all these years we still have counsel people in Wellsville who still have their self serving interest at hand and who do little to nothing to help change the image of the town.
I've been away for 15 years and nothing has changed. Still a wonderful town. But some idots who run it. These counsel people who are against good things for the city should be thrown out of office.
We are watching all this bickering from miles away and asking ourselves, who would want to live in such a town with these type of people. The people of Wellsville deserve far better than what they currently have. No progress will ever be made as long as those who oppose it are in positions of authority.
How sad it is, self serving, selfish, and irresponsible is what we see from here.
We support purpledog and the mission. And despite the nature and size of this project, it is a prime example of growth and development. We beleive in growth, development and prosperity. To build the successful image of a city, and not tear it down. Has things changed in the city? Or is it still the same? We support you purpledog and are ready to assist.
the Northern Frontier & Associates
Surace or council can neither save or destroy St. Francis, just make the decision that they continue in the building or leave it. The group can take a break to regroup and start over in a community that has a more welcoming administration. Open door - closed door - too funny. The reality is that the group would likely be much better received elsewhere; (through no fault of the residents, but the administration).
a 30 or 60 or 90 day suspension will not wash. The people deserve the best person available and not some hick from the sticks. He is not capable of doing a decent, compassionate job and it does not take a rocket scientist to figure that out. If you want to feel sorry why not feel sorry for the poor animals that suffered under his treatment. I don't even understand why this has to be explained to adult people. This is something you have to explain to children to help them on a moral path in life. Stand up people, we don't have to accept the dregs of society. this is OUR village so remember this the next time there is an election.
First of all, I have never taken a picture with Randy Allman. Second of all, I have been a dog groomer in Wellsville and in the area for over 26 years. I gave my opinion on what's going on with the dog pound issue, if you don't like it, too bad. Maybe you have taken pictures with Allman, cause I never will.
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