The Healthcare bill passed by the US Senate on Christmas Eve will not be finalized until the modified plan is passed in the US House again. While most expect there will be some minor changes there are some basic elements that should stay firm.
Here are some of the key questions and answers if it become law:
For consumers:
Q: Would the law force me to buy health insurance?
A: Yes, for most people. Of course, if you already have insurance from your job or are on Medicare, that won’t be a problem for you. Others might have to turn to newly created “exchanges” to buy coverage.
Q: What if I refuse?
A: You’d face a fine. It would start at $95 a year in 2014 and rise to $750 a year by 2016, or as much as 2% of your income, capped at the value of a basic insurance plan.
Q: What if I can’t afford coverage?
A: You’re likely to qualify for subsidies. The new consumer insurance subsidies would mean that a family of four earning about $22,000 a year would pay no more than 2% of its income toward insurance premiums. That assistance would stretch on a sliding scale up to a family of four earning about $88,000 a year and cap its premiums at 9.8% of the family’s income. Medicaid would be available to a family of four earning up to about $29,000.
For employers:
Q: Under the bill, do I have to give my employees coverage?
A: Technically, there’s no requirement, but if you have more than 50 employees and don’t offer coverage, you’re likely to face penalties. Any employer that doesn’t offer affordable coverage and has an employee who gets a tax credit would face a fine of $750 per worker.
Q: What if I have fewer than 50 employees?
A: The penalties don’t apply to you.
Q: With premiums rising so quickly, what’s to stop small employers from dropping coverage?
A: Small employers would get help to encourage them to maintain health coverage. Starting next year, firms with a small number of workers and average wages of up to $25,000 a year would be eligible for tax credits equal to 35% of the company’s cost of their insurance. That help would phase out gradually for firms with more employees and higher wages.
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Fire Chief Says Move Is About Family
Trotwood Fire Chief Gene Lutz will start a new job in Madison, OH on January 18. After seven years in Trotwood Lutz is moving back home to lead the department next door to the Perrysburg department where his firefighting career began.
“Mom noticed the position was open and encouraged me to apply,” said Lutz. She has wanted him and her grandchildren closer since he moved to Trotwood. “It’s about family and going back home where my roots are.”
He said it is a lateral move pay wise. Madison Fire District responds to about 3,000 calls a year compared to Trotwood’s 6,000. Their staff is a little smaller too with 36 versus 77.
Although the pace is different, Madison has its challenges as the largest township in the state. “They are growing and they need to modernize some stuff,” say Lutz. “They wanted an outside view.”
Madison is in the midst or developing a new fire master plan due to complete this spring. Lutz is eager to play a role in developing the township’s future strategy.
In Trotwood Lutz led the construction of the new fire station on Little Richmond Rd. He is also responsible for restructuring the department’s management creating new efficiencies and cost benefits. During his tenure he has landed several large grants to replace turnout gear, technical rescue equipment, new tornado sirens, computerized EMS reports, and outfitted every vehicle with the new twelve lead cardiac monitor/defibrillators.
“I going to miss the people here, both the firefighters and the citizens,” said Lutz. “It’s a great place to be, I’ve really enjoyed being here.”
His last day in Trotwood is January 15.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Big Boom Rocks Olde Town
By Bruce Kettelle
A loud explosion startled Trotwood residents Wednesday afternoon. Reports of windows rattling and activated car alarms were wide spread in the Olde Town area.
The explosion created by the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Bomb Squad detonated some old military ordinance found in a shed in a nearby neighborhood.
Police Sergeant Fred Beck said the department was called to the home of a recently deceased retired US Marine. Family members were cleaning out the home.
“They did the right thing, they didn’t touch the munitions and immediately called us for assistance,” said Beck.
Police were able to identify a rocket-powered grenade, five smoke bombs, and a phosphorous grenade from the Korea and Vietnam Wars that were stored in a bucket. “They were pretty crusty (rusted) and since they were military devices we called Wright Pat instead of the Dayton Bomb Squad,” said Beck.
A Trotwood officer moved the items to nearby Sycamore State Park where the items were detonated. Beck said they chose the deserted horsemen’s area for safety reasons.
The explosion set off car alarms nearly two miles away along Trotwood Boulevard and elsewhere. Beck said dispatchers received about two-dozen calls from residents after the explosion mostly from the Stauffer Plat.
A loud explosion startled Trotwood residents Wednesday afternoon. Reports of windows rattling and activated car alarms were wide spread in the Olde Town area.
The explosion created by the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Bomb Squad detonated some old military ordinance found in a shed in a nearby neighborhood.
Police Sergeant Fred Beck said the department was called to the home of a recently deceased retired US Marine. Family members were cleaning out the home.
“They did the right thing, they didn’t touch the munitions and immediately called us for assistance,” said Beck.
Police were able to identify a rocket-powered grenade, five smoke bombs, and a phosphorous grenade from the Korea and Vietnam Wars that were stored in a bucket. “They were pretty crusty (rusted) and since they were military devices we called Wright Pat instead of the Dayton Bomb Squad,” said Beck.
A Trotwood officer moved the items to nearby Sycamore State Park where the items were detonated. Beck said they chose the deserted horsemen’s area for safety reasons.
The explosion set off car alarms nearly two miles away along Trotwood Boulevard and elsewhere. Beck said dispatchers received about two-dozen calls from residents after the explosion mostly from the Stauffer Plat.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Residents Supportive Of Mall Plans
State Senator Fred Strahorn (center) listens along with Trotwood residents as consultants explain conceptual plans for the former Salem Mall site.
By Bruce Kettelle
About 180 residents eager to hear about plans for the site of the former Salem Mall came to the Trotwood High school Monday night. Mayor Darryl Davis, City Manager Mike Lucking and a team of economic development professionals laid out the details for two hours and took questions for another hour.
“That’s what we want, a multi-prong approach, not just retail,” said resident Adrienne Heard who also runs a management consulting business in town. “I like the greenspace public area, the public area is what I liked about the Salem Mall,” she said after the presentation.
The concept plan includes about 8 acres of open greenspace that could include a performance stage, space for a farmers market or any combination of other events and gatherings that can help make the site a destination.
The study accomplished by The Stonehenge Company and Bird Houk Collaborative for the city intends to guide the next phase to include more specific design guidelines and identifying specific initial tenants for the central Salem Avenue location. The concept is to integrate retail, offices, housing, and other services to give the initiative a longer lifecycle than a typical retail only development.
“Projects like this take a long time,” said Stonehenge president Mo Dioun. He cited a similar project that has been in the works for three and a half years and recently decided to delay another nine months due to the economy. “Without public support of the city council this will not happen.”
He looks to establish synergy between the public needs and the private developers he describes as “selfless thoughts and actions” that benefit both. The plan depends on creating a destination that engages a sense of ownership for residents.
Dioun stressed that there are 500 regional malls in the US undergoing similar dramatic change and applauded the city’s efforts to be proactive.
Lucking introduced additional experts being utilized by the city including a DC lobbyist who helped bring a $1-million federal budget earmark for Salem Av street work, global technology experts, an economic development consultant, and experts on emerging environmental technologies.
“I appreciate we are using experts and asking for community input,” said Heard.
Timothy Cargle, another local business owner was hopeful the plan could lead to success for the city. “To a greater degree it’s confirmation of economic development,” he said. “I believe companies will come here if they sense an opportunity to grow.”
There were questions from about 10 audience members. Most sounded positive about the concepts and tried to pin the consultants down on more specific timelines.
Timelines and more detailed design specifics will come in the next phase said Jim Houk president of Bird Houk Collaborative. He assured that phase would include additional community input. The city council will be facing the decision whether or not to proceed very soon.
Mall Concept Plans At High School Tonight
Trotwood residents are invited to have a first look at the city’s preliminary plans for the former Salem Mall site in the high school auditorium from 5-7pm today.
Nearly a year in the works with an outside consultant and a working group of 13 residents, city officials are now turning to the public for their comments on the draft concepts. The Stonehenge Group will help to explain the proposed road network and mix of commercial, residential and office uses they hope the plan will attract. At the center of their concept is a large greenspace area to host a variety of events from farmer's markets to concerts.
The idea of having a central attraction in the plan has been successful in other cities. By offering more than just retail stores the hope is to create a long term solution in the heart of Trotwood’s Salem Avenue corridor.
Residents will have the opportunity to make suggestions on the conceptual plan. For more information contact the Trotwood city manager’s office at 854-7213.
Nearly a year in the works with an outside consultant and a working group of 13 residents, city officials are now turning to the public for their comments on the draft concepts. The Stonehenge Group will help to explain the proposed road network and mix of commercial, residential and office uses they hope the plan will attract. At the center of their concept is a large greenspace area to host a variety of events from farmer's markets to concerts.
The idea of having a central attraction in the plan has been successful in other cities. By offering more than just retail stores the hope is to create a long term solution in the heart of Trotwood’s Salem Avenue corridor.
Residents will have the opportunity to make suggestions on the conceptual plan. For more information contact the Trotwood city manager’s office at 854-7213.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Dayton Cheerleaders Preach To Choir
By Bruce Kettelle
The Dayton Region Rally Tuesday afternoon at UD Arena to celebrate the area’s opportunities and initiatives for growing jobs lived up to it’s name. An elaborate multi-media presentation by a mix of business, arts, and leisure leaders delivered like cheerleaders for the home team touted many success stories and a glimpse of Dayton’s future.
Among the audience estimated between 1,500 and 2,000 were few new faces yet to be converted. Plenty of regular Dayton optimists were on hand however and welcomed the chance to be reinvigorated anew as Dayton tries to capitalize on its many successes to attract new innovation and the jobs that come with it.
Much of the presentation was not particularly new news. What made the event special was the magnitude of the combined regional efforts aimed at economic development. And of course the elegant presentation of videos and slides on three big screens and the occasional interaction with the audience culminating with 40 geared up sports enthusiasts riding bikes, carrying kayaks and wearing hiking gear during the Five Rivers MetroParks address.
Besides Dayton there were initiative presentations from Springfield, Troy, and Yellow Springs. Each booster pitched their special brands and how they turn those into success. Missing was any mention of the inner ring suburbs which are critical to any discussion of Dayton.
In a jab at the city responsible for luring away NCR earlier this year Downtown Dayton Coalition President Jim Leftwich cited the area’s abundant water supply for companies that depend on inexpensive water. “We’re going to take our water story to Atlanta and recruit companies to move to Dayton Ohio,” he said to cheers.
Other examples during the 2-hour event were less specific and hinged on Dayton being a great place to live, work and play.
What did show was the earnest commitment everyone involved is giving to help Dayton prosper. The message to coax more of the 900,000 residents of the Miami Valley to get on board came through loud and clear. When that happens Dayton will be unstoppable.
Some of the presenters at the rally from left: Mike Erwin, Co-chair Greater Downtown Dayton Plan; Sean Creighton, Dayton Create; Theresa Gasper, Dayton Create; Pat Meadows, Exec Dir National Council on Community and Justice; Allen Elijah, President United Way; Kelly Kirsch, Dir of Marketing LGT Materials; Dr David Hopkins, President Wright State; Joe Sciabica, Exec Dir Air Force Research Laboratory; Stacia Edwards, Director Regional Workforce Transformation Consortium; Bruce Langos, COO Teradata Corporation; lucky audience member that almost won a car shooting a basket; and Lisa Hunt, Yellow Springs Arts Council.
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The Dayton Region Rally Tuesday afternoon at UD Arena to celebrate the area’s opportunities and initiatives for growing jobs lived up to it’s name. An elaborate multi-media presentation by a mix of business, arts, and leisure leaders delivered like cheerleaders for the home team touted many success stories and a glimpse of Dayton’s future.
Among the audience estimated between 1,500 and 2,000 were few new faces yet to be converted. Plenty of regular Dayton optimists were on hand however and welcomed the chance to be reinvigorated anew as Dayton tries to capitalize on its many successes to attract new innovation and the jobs that come with it.
Much of the presentation was not particularly new news. What made the event special was the magnitude of the combined regional efforts aimed at economic development. And of course the elegant presentation of videos and slides on three big screens and the occasional interaction with the audience culminating with 40 geared up sports enthusiasts riding bikes, carrying kayaks and wearing hiking gear during the Five Rivers MetroParks address.
Besides Dayton there were initiative presentations from Springfield, Troy, and Yellow Springs. Each booster pitched their special brands and how they turn those into success. Missing was any mention of the inner ring suburbs which are critical to any discussion of Dayton.
In a jab at the city responsible for luring away NCR earlier this year Downtown Dayton Coalition President Jim Leftwich cited the area’s abundant water supply for companies that depend on inexpensive water. “We’re going to take our water story to Atlanta and recruit companies to move to Dayton Ohio,” he said to cheers.
Other examples during the 2-hour event were less specific and hinged on Dayton being a great place to live, work and play.
What did show was the earnest commitment everyone involved is giving to help Dayton prosper. The message to coax more of the 900,000 residents of the Miami Valley to get on board came through loud and clear. When that happens Dayton will be unstoppable.
Kayakers, bicyclists, hikers, fishermen and more came through the audience to highlight the offerings of Five Rivers MetroParks.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Three Trotwood City Levies Pass, Schools Rejected Again
By Bruce Kettelle
Several Trotwood precincts were late being counted Tuesday delaying the outcomes of several close races. With the last precinct tabulated at 12:30 AM Wednesday both the Trotwood EMS and Fire issues were approved, one street levy passes and the incumbent city council members were re-elected to new four-year terms.
Several Trotwood precincts were late being counted Tuesday delaying the outcomes of several close races. With the last precinct tabulated at 12:30 AM Wednesday both the Trotwood EMS and Fire issues were approved, one street levy passes and the incumbent city council members were re-elected to new four-year terms.
"We have to be very excited that they won," said fire chief Gene Lutz as he watched levy results roll in at the firehouse on Little Richmond Rd. "We can continue to provide this level of service and replace outdated equipment." The EMS renewal levy is passing with 66.4% of the vote. The fire equipment additional levy was much closer with 51.1% of the vote.
The Trotwood street department will have some new money for next year. Voters gave 51.6% approval to funding for street maintenance including additional salt supplies for snow and ice control in the winter. But the request to fund other expenses including leaf pick up only attracted a 39.7% approval leaving this category unfunded for next year.
"We worked very hard for this," said public works director Thomas Odenigbo. "It must be what the residents want and I'll live with it." Supporters of the street levy were gathered at the community center in Sycamore Woods.
A complication in the ballot language for the second street levy left some voters confused. One unidentified voter in ward three said he thought the wording was so vague that it sounded like a general fund levy. He said he voted no and thought others might have mistakenly done the same.
The Trotwood-Madison City Schools will be waking up today to the failure of their second levy attempt. They are trying to raise additional operating funds for the first time since the early 1990s. Even though the district reduced the request this year only 41% of the voters agreed with yesterday's 7.5-mill attempt.
Last years 9.06-mill levy received a slightly higher percentage at 44.6. During that 2008 Presidential election 71% of Trotwood’s voters turned out to the polls.
School supporters gathered at the former Moto Photo headquarters lamented that this will mean cuts in the 2010-2011 budget. "The board will have to make cuts in academics, extracurricular, and bussing," said assistant superintendent Rexanne Wagner. "They will feel the cuts."
Three school board members were reelected to four-year terms. Deborah Daniels, Teena Davis and Denise Moore ran unopposed.
There was competition for three of the four city council seats. Rap Hankins narrowly retained his seat in a heated race from newcomer Janice Chinn. Chinn centered her campaign on the failure of city council to raise objections over the new Greyhound Bus terminal opening last month on Shiloh Springs Rd. Hankins pulled 807 votes to Chinn's 774 in the Ward 2 race.
Joyce Sutton Cameron (Ward 1) and Mary McDonald (Ward 4) easily kept their council seats with 61% and 62% affirmations. Cameron received 1,103 votes to Mattie Clay's 703. McDonald captured 545 votes to J.D. Williams II's 333.
Ron Vaughn ran unopposed in Ward 3.
Trotwood's turnout was a little heavier than usual off-year elections. A total of 6,103 voters came to the polls, a 33% turnout. The highest turnout is Ward 3 with 36% and the lowest is Ward 4 with 29%.
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Trotwood Voter Turnout Higher Than Expected
Trotwood voters poured out to the polls today in larger numbers than expected. By 3pm most polls acknowledged a 25% turnout. A Late day surge boosted that number and two locations exceeded 50%.
Voters were inspired by different issues. Some said they were there because of one of the state issues. Others indicated they were motivated by specific county and local levies on the ballot as the most important reason for coming out.
At issue in Trotwood are three city council seats, two fire levies, two street levies, and the Trotwood Madison school levy. Totally Trotwood will post the final Trotwood results later tonight.
Voters were inspired by different issues. Some said they were there because of one of the state issues. Others indicated they were motivated by specific county and local levies on the ballot as the most important reason for coming out.
At issue in Trotwood are three city council seats, two fire levies, two street levies, and the Trotwood Madison school levy. Totally Trotwood will post the final Trotwood results later tonight.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Beggars Night In Trotwood Saturday
This beautiful life size pirate ship display on South Broadway is one of many signs Halloween is near in Trotwood. The official beggars night this year is on Halloween October 31st from 6-8pm.
Children are encouraged to wear something reflective and drivers are asked to be extra careful during those hours.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Trotwood Council Meeting Cancelled Nov 2
Due to lack of agenda items the regularly scheduled Trotwood City Council meeting is cancelled for Monday November 2, 2009. For more information contact clerk of council Lois Singleton at 854-7212.
H1N1 Vaccines At Hara October 29 3-7pm
H1N1 nasal spray and injectable vaccines will be administered Thursday Oct 29 to pregnant women and children 6 months through 4 years of age at Hara Arena, 1001 Shiloh Springs Rd., Trotwood,from 3-7 pm, or until the vaccine is gone
The Montgomery County Health District is providing the H1N1 clinic to help vaccinate the groups identified to be most at risk. For additional information about Public Health H1N1 clinics, check phdmc.org or call the flu information line at 224-8796.
The Montgomery County Health District is providing the H1N1 clinic to help vaccinate the groups identified to be most at risk. For additional information about Public Health H1N1 clinics, check phdmc.org or call the flu information line at 224-8796.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Greyhound Opening Anticlimactic
By Bruce Kettelle
About a dozen passengers with baggage were lined up inside the Trotwood GDRTA Northwest Hub Tuesday morning. They were not waiting for an RTA bus. These were some of the first to catch a Greyhound bus from Trotwood, specifically the southbound bus leaving at 9am.
Dayton resident Sirgeo Thompson a local photographer is headed for Atlanta. “I’m doing a shoot there for Boss Magazine,” said Thompson.
Behind him is an elderly Old Order German Baptist in a wide brimmed hat. After overhearing the conversation with the photographer he pulled out a 2005 issue of National Geographic Magazine. “That’s me and my wife,” he said pointing to a picture in the magazine.
He was on his way home to Jackson Mississippi. He didn’t know about the Greyhound terminal moving to Trotwood until he arrived at the former location in downtown Dayton earlier this morning. “We hurried up out here real quick.”
A college student on his way to Cincinnati joined in to look at some of the pictures being passed around. Anything to help pass the time while waiting for the bus.
As the bus pulled out Frank Ecklar, Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority director of planning said, “that’s number three, only 14 more to go today.” Ecklar was on hand to monitor the first day of operations at the relocated Greyhound terminal co-located in the existing RTA facility.
“Speedway is going to make a mint from this,” said Ecklar referring to a fairly steady stream of passengers stocking up on travel goodies at the convenience store next door.
Ecklar was taking notes on how the passengers, cars, and busses interacted to develop a list of improvements needed for the site. Already in place is a new ticket window inside, a dedicated Greyhound lane in front of the building and some new signage.
One of the things at the top of his list is installing a pay phone as three riders had already asked where to find the phone.
Typically there will be 17 Greyhound busses a day in addition to the nearly 300 RTA busses already using the hub. Ecklar said the frequency is close to hourly. During holidays residents may see a few more since Greyhound sends two busses (as needed) on some routes.
The first day of service in Trotwood almost seemed anticlimactic. Fears raised by citizens of homeless people and criminals frequenting the Greyhound station were unsubstantiated. From all appearances the location will be a positive impact for the community.
With the exception of one bus that had to use the Lowes parking lot to turn around after heading the wrong way on Route 49 it was a very smooth opening for RTA and Greyhound.
The Greyhound terminal and Northwest RTA hub serving Dayton and Trotwood is located at 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd.
The posted Greyhound schedule in the Dayton/Trotwood terminal.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Halloween Family Fun Walk Tonight
The Halloween Family Fun Walk is 4-6pm tonight at Madison Park in Trotwood (next to Madison Park Elementary School.) Dress up your kids and bring them out for over twenty trick or treat stations around the walking trail. Don't miss the Trunk n' Treat in the parking lot. And of course there are free hayrides with Farmer Bruce, Kenny, Phillip and Michelle. This is a rain or shine event, showers should end by start time and temps will be in low 50's.Read More
Friday, October 23, 2009
Greyhound Moves To Trotwood October 27
By Bruce Kettelle
Greyhound busses will begin running in Trotwood on Tuesday October 27th. Today's announcement is the culmination of a lengthy process to find a replacement terminal for their downtown Dayton location.
Beginning Tuesday all arriving and departing Dayton passengers will load at the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority’s Northwest Hub at 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd in Trotwood. Greyhound officials said there are 15 busses serving their Dayton terminal each day. “This new location provides a wonderful opportunity to better serve the residents of the greater Dayton area,” said Eric Melton, district manager, Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Some Greyhound passengers are expected to take advantage of the GDRTA system to get to and from their final destination.
Earlier this year some Trotwood residents objected to the move. Concerns about crime and the additional traffic included several public protests. Assurances from the Trotwood police department and the GDRTA calmed most of that opposition.
The facility is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and provides Greyhound PackageXpress (GPX) shipping. For Greyhound ticket information in Trotwood, call 937-224-1608.
Greyhound busses will begin running in Trotwood on Tuesday October 27th. Today's announcement is the culmination of a lengthy process to find a replacement terminal for their downtown Dayton location.
Beginning Tuesday all arriving and departing Dayton passengers will load at the Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority’s Northwest Hub at 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd in Trotwood. Greyhound officials said there are 15 busses serving their Dayton terminal each day. “This new location provides a wonderful opportunity to better serve the residents of the greater Dayton area,” said Eric Melton, district manager, Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Some Greyhound passengers are expected to take advantage of the GDRTA system to get to and from their final destination.
Earlier this year some Trotwood residents objected to the move. Concerns about crime and the additional traffic included several public protests. Assurances from the Trotwood police department and the GDRTA calmed most of that opposition.
The facility is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily and provides Greyhound PackageXpress (GPX) shipping. For Greyhound ticket information in Trotwood, call 937-224-1608.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Editorial - Ohio Issue 1, Ohio Issue 2, Ohio Issue 3 Vote No Not Yes
By Bruce Kettelle
Vote no, do not vote yes. That statement may sound confusing and a little redundant but it is a lot more clear than the explanations flowing around about this year’s ballot issues in Ohio.
Ohio voters have been barraged with statewide initiatives from special interest groups in recent years. Some want to adopt specific lending or budget plans. Others look to make sweeping changes to the Ohio constitution that usually benefit or limit a narrow interest group. 2009 is no exception.
Why we allow these special interest things to come to the ballot makes no sense to me. Essentially these are last-ditch efforts to pass new rules that were not adopted by the state legislature. Don’t you think there could be a good reason the state legislature chose not to enact these rules?
Issue 1 sounds like a great way to finance a $1,000 bonus for Ohio war veterans. So why didn’t the legislature act? Probably because the proponents did not come up with an adequate way to pay the money back out of the dwindling state budget. For the same reason we should also vote no.
Issue 2 was placed on the ballot by the legislature at the urging of the Farm Bureau and other agricultural interests. Why didn’t they just enact it themselves? Probably because it creates a very narrowly appointed animal rights board primarily controlled by big agriculture companies and groups. This appointed board will create all future animal treatment rules with no input from the legislature. How can that be good? We should vote no.
Issue 3 for gambling gets an F even with a close inspection. Written by the same company that will get to build the only casinos in Ohio without having to compete for that opportunity. They even got to write their own taxation rates that will make Ohio’s one of the lowest casino taxes in the country. The legislature needs to draft sensible casino legislation that creates competitive bidding for operators and sets taxation and oversight guidelines before one of these idiotic industry written issues accidentally passes. Vote no on gambling this time too.
Actually I have not met a statewide constitutional ballot issue in Ohio that I have really liked. Each one seems to suit a too narrow definition. Constitutional amendments should be broad stroke issues that serve the citizens by defining generally what is allowed or not. The specific rules should come after much research from well informed legislators.
Maybe it is time to vote yes to limit the types of ballot initiatives permitted in Ohio. But who will pay to collect the needed signatures?
Election day is November 3rd.
Vote no, do not vote yes. That statement may sound confusing and a little redundant but it is a lot more clear than the explanations flowing around about this year’s ballot issues in Ohio.
Ohio voters have been barraged with statewide initiatives from special interest groups in recent years. Some want to adopt specific lending or budget plans. Others look to make sweeping changes to the Ohio constitution that usually benefit or limit a narrow interest group. 2009 is no exception.
Why we allow these special interest things to come to the ballot makes no sense to me. Essentially these are last-ditch efforts to pass new rules that were not adopted by the state legislature. Don’t you think there could be a good reason the state legislature chose not to enact these rules?
Issue 1 sounds like a great way to finance a $1,000 bonus for Ohio war veterans. So why didn’t the legislature act? Probably because the proponents did not come up with an adequate way to pay the money back out of the dwindling state budget. For the same reason we should also vote no.
Issue 2 was placed on the ballot by the legislature at the urging of the Farm Bureau and other agricultural interests. Why didn’t they just enact it themselves? Probably because it creates a very narrowly appointed animal rights board primarily controlled by big agriculture companies and groups. This appointed board will create all future animal treatment rules with no input from the legislature. How can that be good? We should vote no.
Issue 3 for gambling gets an F even with a close inspection. Written by the same company that will get to build the only casinos in Ohio without having to compete for that opportunity. They even got to write their own taxation rates that will make Ohio’s one of the lowest casino taxes in the country. The legislature needs to draft sensible casino legislation that creates competitive bidding for operators and sets taxation and oversight guidelines before one of these idiotic industry written issues accidentally passes. Vote no on gambling this time too.
Actually I have not met a statewide constitutional ballot issue in Ohio that I have really liked. Each one seems to suit a too narrow definition. Constitutional amendments should be broad stroke issues that serve the citizens by defining generally what is allowed or not. The specific rules should come after much research from well informed legislators.
Maybe it is time to vote yes to limit the types of ballot initiatives permitted in Ohio. But who will pay to collect the needed signatures?
Election day is November 3rd.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
PD Wins $25K For Auto Crash Prevention
By Bruce Kettelle
A $25,819 grant will pay for overtime traffic enforcement at key areas around Trotwood in a statewide effort to reduce traffic accidents. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is allocating the funds from a federal program.
The City of Trotwood Police Department has investigated 1,213 crashes in the three years 2006-2008 with 516 injuries and 10 fatalities. The new funds will add over 500 hours of high visibility enforcement in high accident zones of the city.
“The main intersections along Salem Avenue were determined to have a high rate of accidents, “ said Captain John Porter. The worst rate occurs at Turner Road with 11 accidents last year.
Porter hopes the effort will reduce crashes, injuries and insurance claims. “One long term goal is to help reduce the cost of auto insurance.”
He said they will also focus on days that have the highest frequency of crashes. “Our highest accident rates are on Thursday and Friday.”
Besides the Salem Avenue area the next worst intersection is still at Free Pike and Route 49 despite the traffic cameras installed there several years ago. “The traffic cams have reduced the accidents there but we need to do better,” said Porter. He hopes the additional police visibility will raise drivers’ awareness of the dangers there as well.
A $25,819 grant will pay for overtime traffic enforcement at key areas around Trotwood in a statewide effort to reduce traffic accidents. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is allocating the funds from a federal program.
The City of Trotwood Police Department has investigated 1,213 crashes in the three years 2006-2008 with 516 injuries and 10 fatalities. The new funds will add over 500 hours of high visibility enforcement in high accident zones of the city.
“The main intersections along Salem Avenue were determined to have a high rate of accidents, “ said Captain John Porter. The worst rate occurs at Turner Road with 11 accidents last year.
Porter hopes the effort will reduce crashes, injuries and insurance claims. “One long term goal is to help reduce the cost of auto insurance.”
He said they will also focus on days that have the highest frequency of crashes. “Our highest accident rates are on Thursday and Friday.”
Besides the Salem Avenue area the next worst intersection is still at Free Pike and Route 49 despite the traffic cameras installed there several years ago. “The traffic cams have reduced the accidents there but we need to do better,” said Porter. He hopes the additional police visibility will raise drivers’ awareness of the dangers there as well.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Iams Pioneer Harvest Fest Saturday Oct 10
The 11th Annual Iams Pioneer Harvest Fest on October 10th is an antique farm equipment exhibition fun for families and all ages. In our cornfield out back you will see live demonstrations of actual corn harvesting with vintage equipment including a one-row corn picker and corn binder. The hours are 10-5 and admission is free.
Over 30 antique tractors are on display or in use as the corn is brought in to the belt driven ‘Corn Husker Shredder’. This year’s feature tractor is a 1919 Rock Island Heider tractor model 9-16D beautifully restored by the Flora Family.
Hayrides, and open fire cooked chili will keep you warm. The Iams Homestead Museum is full of local and regional exhibits where you can discover some great memories of the past.
New this year is a little live bluegrass music in the afternoon with western Ohio’s own Rock Island Plow Co. Band. They will start after the 2pm corn shelling contest.
Children always enjoy the hand cranked corn shellers and scavenger hunts. The nature trail behind the barns include an up close visit to the oldest Bur-Oak tree in Montgomery County estimated at over 500 years old.
In the barn are displays of tobacco drying, old equipment, and tools. Plan to spend at least a few hours at the Iams Pioneer Harvest Fest and you will find yourself stepping back in time. Our country store will be open with unique one-of-a-kind items and our delicious homemade pies.
Hot dogs, chili and drinks are available for a small donation. The Trotwood-Madison Historical Society is easy to find just a few blocks south of Trotwood’s historic Olde Town at 349 S Broadway. The hours are 10-5pm and admission is free.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Blugrass Band Added To Trotwood's Harvest Fest Saturday
By Bruce Kettelle
The Rock Island Plow Co, a bluegrass group from western Ohio, will bring it on this Saturday afternoon in Trotwood during the 11th Annual Iams Homestead Harvest Fest. The group strives to revitalize listeners to those songs which may have been forgotten since the early days of bluegrass and make them favorites once again. And the setting will be perfect amid the antique tractor displays and demonstrations depicting an early 1900’s corn harvest at the festival.
The festival hours are 10-5 Saturday October 10th at 249 South Broadway in Trotwood. To celebrate the band’s performance the Trotwood Madison Historical Society has arranged for the first time display of several Rock Island tractors. The group will perform after 2pm.
Admission is free and food is available. Come early for a hayride. For additional information contact Claude Keeling at 837-5387.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
No Leaf Pick Up In Trotwood
By Bruce Kettelle
For the first time in nearly 30 years there will not be a city leaf pick up program in Trotwood this fall. Residents accustomed to raking their leaves into piles by the curb will have to bag their leaves for pickup with the trash.
The public works department was forced to make some cuts this year after the failure of a road levy last November. Public Works director Thomas Odenigbo said reductions included street maintenance, snow removal, and the leaf pick up program.
Rumpke, the city’s trash hauler, has agreed to pick up the bags of leaves on the regular trash collection days in the city. Odenigbo is also encouraging residents to consider composting their own leaves. There are several methods of composting including commercially available compost barrels available at home improvement centers.
Odenigbo wants residents to know that unbagged leaves at the curb will not be picked up. Leaves left by the street will create problems with storm water runoff including clogging local storm drains.
Trotwood city council would like to see the leaf pick up program reinstated. That will happen if the new public works levies on this November’s ballot succeed.
For the first time in nearly 30 years there will not be a city leaf pick up program in Trotwood this fall. Residents accustomed to raking their leaves into piles by the curb will have to bag their leaves for pickup with the trash.
The public works department was forced to make some cuts this year after the failure of a road levy last November. Public Works director Thomas Odenigbo said reductions included street maintenance, snow removal, and the leaf pick up program.
Rumpke, the city’s trash hauler, has agreed to pick up the bags of leaves on the regular trash collection days in the city. Odenigbo is also encouraging residents to consider composting their own leaves. There are several methods of composting including commercially available compost barrels available at home improvement centers.
Odenigbo wants residents to know that unbagged leaves at the curb will not be picked up. Leaves left by the street will create problems with storm water runoff including clogging local storm drains.
Trotwood city council would like to see the leaf pick up program reinstated. That will happen if the new public works levies on this November’s ballot succeed.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Mall Plans Taking Shape
By Bruce Kettelle
Imagine a broad 8-acre lawn with weekly and sometimes daily activities. Concerts, farm markets, pet contests would be in full sight from passing cars along Shiloh Springs Rd enticing the curious to pull in and check it out. That is exactly what The Stonehenge Company expects would happen if Trotwood officials were to adopt a concept plan presented Wednesday.
The entire Trotwood City Council traveled to the company’s headquarters in Gahanna, OH to get the results of their preliminary recommendations to transform the site of the former Salem Mall.
“The city should be looking at a long term solution designed for the next generation,” said Stonehenge President Mo Dioun. “Successful areas across the country have clusters of mixed use.” He said it is important for the city to create a sustainable concept.
Dioun said single use concepts such as large retail centers tend to have limited life spans. The former Salem Mall began its decline after 30 years, which is typical of many malls across the country and with that 17% of the nations retail jobs have disappeared since 2001. The Salem Mall was demolished in 2006.
Stonehenge has become a specialist in turning dead malls into dynamic destinations with recent successes that include repositioning the 68 acre Northland Mall near Columbus into the Northland Village that incorporates a central park feature driving new visitors into the mixed use center.
With architectural and design assistance from Bird Houk Collaborative (also located in Gahanna) the city council was presented several options and a recommendation that includes two centralized park areas surrounded by a combination of offices, retail, civic, and educational buildings.
The concept includes eight new streets emanating form a central 2-acre circular plaza with inviting pedestrian ways interconnecting throughout. Although no commitments are in place the plan identifies potential occupants within the various new development blocks between the streets. Dioun recommended a phased approach that would begin with the larger park area to begin attracting visitors and interest to the area.
According to Dioun the mixed use lifestyle center approach will take longer to complete than a single use concept but it should last a very long time. The city would be responsible for providing the ongoing activity schedule in the park.
The council members were receptive. “If we look at drawing people first then we will get businesses like restaurants wanting to capitalize on all those people,” said Mayor Darreyl Davis. “And if we attract offices all those people will need a place to have lunch.”
No costs were presented with the concept but officials said the budget would depend on the revenue projections in the Tax Increment Finance District already in place around the site. TIF districts allow cities to borrow money without using the general fund. New property tax revenues generated by the improvements in the district are used to repay that debt.
“This will take a lot of political will,” said Dioun. “Once you start you have to stay committed as the leadership of the city.”
The council is expected to decide soon which concept to move forward. The next step will be a public presentation and meeting to collect input from the community on the plans that will help shape the final design. Bird Houk representatives hope to see that occur during October.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Find Opportunities On This Volunteer Website
Ever wondered where to volunteer in Trotwood or anywhere else in the country? Or are you with an organization looking for volunteers? Try this site that matches you up with rewarding opportunities, just click on your state. http://www.takepart.com/thesoloist/
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Gala Features Up and Coming Talents
The 4th Annual Evening Under The Stars Gala will be held at Residence In Praise on Saturday September 19th at 6:30pm. The gala provides is a celebration of the success of the center’s students and includes guest speakers and great food.
The Residence in Praise Fine Arts Center is located at 5 Stuckhardt Rd in Trotwood. Tickets to the gala are $35. For more information call 854-3500.
The Residence in Praise Fine Arts Center is located at 5 Stuckhardt Rd in Trotwood. Tickets to the gala are $35. For more information call 854-3500.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Pets Rescued In Friday Home Fire
Trotwood firefighters rescued pets and squelched a fire Friday afternoon in the Salem Village area. Crews from Trotwood and Harrison Township responded to the 1:30pm call to find flames coming from the front corner of the single story home.
Firefighters were able to bring the fire, concentrated in the front corner of the home, under control quickly. The resident alerted rescuers that several pet cats were inside. Dressed in masks and breathing apparatus at least one of the pets was retrieved alive.
A neighbor noticed the smoke and reported the fire. The wood-frame home was recently rebuilt after a fire there three years ago. Investigators will work this afternoon to determine the cause. Damage estimates were not yet available.
Photos by Vito Cameruci.
Friday, August 21, 2009
RTA Meeting About Greyhound Aug 25th
By Bruce Kettelle
The Greater Dayton RTA is hosting a public meeting on Tuesday August 25th at 7pm in RTA’a Northwest Maxi Hub, 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd. Representatives of Greyhound Lines, Inc will be on hand to talk with citizens about their Dayton operating hub’s relocation to Trotwood in the coming months.
RTA has signed a five-year agreement to provide space at the Trotwood Maxi Hub to accommodate Greyhound’s interstate bus service. RTA will provide ticketing and boarding services for Dayton passengers.
Some Trotwood residents have objected to the move fearing increased traffic and crime will negatively impact nearby residential neighborhoods. RTA executive director Mark Donaghy hopes to answer questions about their objections and explain how RTA will operate the station for Greyhound.
Currently Dayton’s Greyhound station handles 11 to 15 busses daily. According to Greyhound officials the total count of daily buses may increase during peak periods such as holidays. During those times there may be an additional 4 or 5 busses daily. Currently over 300 RTA busses use the hub daily.
RTA officials are expected to reveal their plans to make some updates to the facility including the addition of a restaurant.
Totally Trotwood will be at the meeting. If you have questions about the facility leave them in the comments section below and we will try to get those questions answered.
The Greater Dayton RTA is hosting a public meeting on Tuesday August 25th at 7pm in RTA’a Northwest Maxi Hub, 2075 Shiloh Springs Rd. Representatives of Greyhound Lines, Inc will be on hand to talk with citizens about their Dayton operating hub’s relocation to Trotwood in the coming months.
RTA has signed a five-year agreement to provide space at the Trotwood Maxi Hub to accommodate Greyhound’s interstate bus service. RTA will provide ticketing and boarding services for Dayton passengers.
Some Trotwood residents have objected to the move fearing increased traffic and crime will negatively impact nearby residential neighborhoods. RTA executive director Mark Donaghy hopes to answer questions about their objections and explain how RTA will operate the station for Greyhound.
Currently Dayton’s Greyhound station handles 11 to 15 busses daily. According to Greyhound officials the total count of daily buses may increase during peak periods such as holidays. During those times there may be an additional 4 or 5 busses daily. Currently over 300 RTA busses use the hub daily.
RTA officials are expected to reveal their plans to make some updates to the facility including the addition of a restaurant.
Totally Trotwood will be at the meeting. If you have questions about the facility leave them in the comments section below and we will try to get those questions answered.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Five T-M Grads Are Back As Teachers
By Bruce Kettelle
Five Trotwood-Madison City Schools graduates are back at their hometown school for the first day of classes today. This time they are going to school as teachers.
Among the newly hired teachers introduced at Friday’s district wide 2009 opening day convocation for staff were the five alumni returning to their alma mater.
DelMaria Watts ’94 (Ohio State) is teaching science at the middle school. Marnika Buchanan ’02 (Kentucky State) is teaching 5th grade at Madison Park Elementary. Latasha Van Kleek ’01 (Central State) is also at Madison Park teaching 2nd graders. Ryan Vance ’04 (Central State) and Brittany A. Nalls (Harris) ’01 (Wright State) are both at the Early Learning Center.
This isn’t the first time T-M graduates have returned to teach here but it may be the largest number starting in the same year.
All the teachers will have their work cut out for them as they embark to help improve the district’s State Report Card. Assistant Superintendent Rexann Wagner gave the staff a preview of the new report card due to be released by the state this month.
Wagner said the district maintained a rating of Continuous Improvement despite some proficiency scores declining slightly. “This is not good, we cannot continue on this path,” she said. “We must do better, our students are counting on us.”
Wagner introduced a new resource for the teachers this year. District teachers and staff prepared the homemade primer of teaching concepts. It is a compilation of many techniques to help improve learning from many current sources. Wagner said it shows that “our staff collectively has answers.”
They have a lot of work to do to advance the district’s state rating. The new report card will show the district met 11 of 30 indicators. She said the district has not met adequate yearly progress for many years.
The good news is that most students are meeting the proficiency scores. Wagner stressed that the district needs to do better to assist those students that are close to achieving these goals.
What doesn’t show up in the state’s report is the successes students have after graduation. A record 67% of T-M’s class of 2009 made plans to continue their education after high school. Sixty-two of the 188 graduating seniors were offered scholarships totaling over $3,000,000.
Wagner also recognized six returning teachers that were recently awarded advanced degrees. Five T-M teachers received Masters and one earned their PHD during the last 12 months.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Council Will Consider Levies Tuesday
By Bruce Kettelle
Trotwood City Council is holding a special meeting Tuesday to consider several levy issues for the November ballot. They will meet at 5:30 August 18 at the community center on Lake Center Drive.
The council will discuss whether to ask for a renewal or replacement of the expiring 2-mill ambulance levy and whether to ask for an additional 2-mill levy to support the fire department to help reduce that department’s dependence on the city’s general fund.
Also on the agenda is consideration to request a levy or levies of 1-mill to fund the city’s street department. Last year voters did not renew an expiring 1-mill street levy, which has led to cuts in service including less road salt during winter storms and removing the fall leaf pick-up service.
The street department is also requesting authorization to apply for two state transportation grants for street improvements on Salem Av and Shiloh Springs Rd.
For more information contact the clerk of council at 854-7212.
Trotwood City Council is holding a special meeting Tuesday to consider several levy issues for the November ballot. They will meet at 5:30 August 18 at the community center on Lake Center Drive.
The council will discuss whether to ask for a renewal or replacement of the expiring 2-mill ambulance levy and whether to ask for an additional 2-mill levy to support the fire department to help reduce that department’s dependence on the city’s general fund.
Also on the agenda is consideration to request a levy or levies of 1-mill to fund the city’s street department. Last year voters did not renew an expiring 1-mill street levy, which has led to cuts in service including less road salt during winter storms and removing the fall leaf pick-up service.
The street department is also requesting authorization to apply for two state transportation grants for street improvements on Salem Av and Shiloh Springs Rd.
For more information contact the clerk of council at 854-7212.
Used Book Sale Aug 27-29
The Trotwood-Madison Historical Society will hold it's annual Used Book Sale on Thursday, Friday & Saturday, August 27, 28 & 29 in the Barn at the Iams Homestead property located at 349 S Broadway, Trotwood, Ohio. Hours are 9 am - 5 pm.
Books available will be hardback & paperback in fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, children's, inspirational, romance, etc. Proceeds will benefit the Iams Property Renovation Projects.
For information: 837-0355 or 837-5387
Books available will be hardback & paperback in fiction, non-fiction, cookbooks, children's, inspirational, romance, etc. Proceeds will benefit the Iams Property Renovation Projects.
For information: 837-0355 or 837-5387
National Night Out At Target Thursday August 20th
Inclement weather has forced the postponement of this event from August 4th to August 20th.
The City of Trotwood Police department is participating in the National Night Out Thursday, August 20th, 2009, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. in the Trotwood Target Store parking lot at 2800 Shiloh Springs Road. Kids games, music and a police K-9 demonstration will help the community get to know their patrol officers and each other. A limited supply of free food and refreshments will be served.
Local businesses will also provide informational booths. Participating organizations include Trotwood Fire & Rescue, Target, Cub Foods, Speedway, Eby Brown, McDonalds and U.S. Bank.
The overall mission of Trotwood’s National Night Out event is to strengthen neighborhood spirit and Police-Community partnerships by sending criminals the message that neighborhoods are fighting back.
National Night Out is an effort to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness throughout the nation.
For more information please contact Trotwood Police Chief Quincy Pope at (937) 854-7205 or qpope@trotwood.org.
The City of Trotwood Police department is participating in the National Night Out Thursday, August 20th, 2009, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. in the Trotwood Target Store parking lot at 2800 Shiloh Springs Road. Kids games, music and a police K-9 demonstration will help the community get to know their patrol officers and each other. A limited supply of free food and refreshments will be served.
Local businesses will also provide informational booths. Participating organizations include Trotwood Fire & Rescue, Target, Cub Foods, Speedway, Eby Brown, McDonalds and U.S. Bank.
The overall mission of Trotwood’s National Night Out event is to strengthen neighborhood spirit and Police-Community partnerships by sending criminals the message that neighborhoods are fighting back.
National Night Out is an effort to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness throughout the nation.
For more information please contact Trotwood Police Chief Quincy Pope at (937) 854-7205 or qpope@trotwood.org.
Friday, August 7, 2009
My Old Radio Station Pulls The Plug - WBCN Boston
By Bruce Kettelle
I am losing an old friend this month. After 40 years WBCN-FM in Boston is going off the air.
We’ve all got our favorite radio stations but how many of them have been around this long.
My relationship with WBCN begins in New Hampshire in the spring of 1974. I had taken a semester off before starting college to “ski bum” in Vermont. Now it was time to crack the books again. In high school we could pick up WMMR in Philly. It helped us study, drive, and keep up on the newest ‘underground music.’
One of my dorm mates was playing 104.1 on his radio and it caught my attention, music I was used to in my Philadelphia suburb. The more I listened the more I realized there was something special. The DJ’s connected, with music that fit the mood of the moment and personalities we could really relate to. It was pertinent, informative and addictive because you didn’t want to miss any snippet since they were rarely repeated.
I soon found there was a campus radio station and, sometimes to the detriment of my studies, I signed up and in a month I found myself ‘on the air’. Fast forward to 1978 I landed in Boston right up the street from the Paradise Theater known for hosting the newest up and coming bands.
My three Boston roommates had all worked at the old college station and longed to make it at BCN. I volunteered and eventually landed the producer job with Matt Siegel’s midday show. Picking most of his music I tried to remember what I liked as a listener and helped him keep it fresh. There was a lot of music to pick from back then, not the narrowly programmed lists of today.
Being in the studio during the famous crossovers between the Big Mattress morning man Charles Laquidera and Matt was always unpredictable. And like their memorable closing line it really was “all in the t-t-t-timing.”
I’ll never forget the Tom Couch and Eddie Gorodetzky lunch song productions. Every day at noon they would overdub a popular song with lyrics usually about Matt and BCN. They even let me sing a couple and wish I could find my copy of “It’s Matty That I Love” sung to Randy Newman’s “It’s Money that I Love.”
When Matt left for greener pastures at KISS-FM I was promoted to music assistant under music director Kate Ingram. I was not to be an on air personality myself but enjoyed finding those new musicians to try on the air and hopefully find the next big thing before anyone else dared to add it to their station.
Those days of innovation have been replaced by corporate formulas to maximize revenue and have finally led to BCN’s fall in the competitive ratings war. Admittedly I haven’t listened to them since leaving Boston in 1985 but have kept in touch with one of my roommates. (Carter became their music director in the late 80’s and is now working at another station in Boston.)
If you were born in the 50’s like me I’ll bet you still remember a progressive radio station that somehow changed your life whether it was WMMX in Cleveland, KSAN in San Francisco, or even WVUD here in Dayton. That trusted friend you could rely on was always there whether you were happy, sad, sleepy, or distracted ready to include you and help you through your day. And the best part is they were everyone’s friend, becoming part of the daily conversation.
On August 13th 2009 the last song will be played and my best friend of many years will change their name and become all sports talk radio. Hopefully the spirit of the station will somehow live on with their planned Internet only broadcasts.
BCN may be gone but will never be forgotten.
Note: On September 25th 2009 there was a reunion for all past employees at the Paradise Club in Boston. We took a few pictures you might enjoy - http://wbcnrocked.blogspot.com/
I am losing an old friend this month. After 40 years WBCN-FM in Boston is going off the air.
We’ve all got our favorite radio stations but how many of them have been around this long.
My relationship with WBCN begins in New Hampshire in the spring of 1974. I had taken a semester off before starting college to “ski bum” in Vermont. Now it was time to crack the books again. In high school we could pick up WMMR in Philly. It helped us study, drive, and keep up on the newest ‘underground music.’
One of my dorm mates was playing 104.1 on his radio and it caught my attention, music I was used to in my Philadelphia suburb. The more I listened the more I realized there was something special. The DJ’s connected, with music that fit the mood of the moment and personalities we could really relate to. It was pertinent, informative and addictive because you didn’t want to miss any snippet since they were rarely repeated.
I soon found there was a campus radio station and, sometimes to the detriment of my studies, I signed up and in a month I found myself ‘on the air’. Fast forward to 1978 I landed in Boston right up the street from the Paradise Theater known for hosting the newest up and coming bands.
My three Boston roommates had all worked at the old college station and longed to make it at BCN. I volunteered and eventually landed the producer job with Matt Siegel’s midday show. Picking most of his music I tried to remember what I liked as a listener and helped him keep it fresh. There was a lot of music to pick from back then, not the narrowly programmed lists of today.
Being in the studio during the famous crossovers between the Big Mattress morning man Charles Laquidera and Matt was always unpredictable. And like their memorable closing line it really was “all in the t-t-t-timing.”
I’ll never forget the Tom Couch and Eddie Gorodetzky lunch song productions. Every day at noon they would overdub a popular song with lyrics usually about Matt and BCN. They even let me sing a couple and wish I could find my copy of “It’s Matty That I Love” sung to Randy Newman’s “It’s Money that I Love.”
When Matt left for greener pastures at KISS-FM I was promoted to music assistant under music director Kate Ingram. I was not to be an on air personality myself but enjoyed finding those new musicians to try on the air and hopefully find the next big thing before anyone else dared to add it to their station.
Those days of innovation have been replaced by corporate formulas to maximize revenue and have finally led to BCN’s fall in the competitive ratings war. Admittedly I haven’t listened to them since leaving Boston in 1985 but have kept in touch with one of my roommates. (Carter became their music director in the late 80’s and is now working at another station in Boston.)
If you were born in the 50’s like me I’ll bet you still remember a progressive radio station that somehow changed your life whether it was WMMX in Cleveland, KSAN in San Francisco, or even WVUD here in Dayton. That trusted friend you could rely on was always there whether you were happy, sad, sleepy, or distracted ready to include you and help you through your day. And the best part is they were everyone’s friend, becoming part of the daily conversation.
On August 13th 2009 the last song will be played and my best friend of many years will change their name and become all sports talk radio. Hopefully the spirit of the station will somehow live on with their planned Internet only broadcasts.
BCN may be gone but will never be forgotten.
Note: On September 25th 2009 there was a reunion for all past employees at the Paradise Club in Boston. We took a few pictures you might enjoy - http://wbcnrocked.blogspot.com/
The Health Bill Email Is A Pack Of Lies
By Bruce Kettelle
Today I received another email list with claims of wrondoing in the health care reform bill. It is very wrong. Below is a short rebuttal I copied from Political Affairs Magazine.
It is a good idea to question anything you hear on the internet and in the news about this healthcare bill. National Public Radio revealed last week that insurance industry insiders are circulating misleading statements and in some cases total lies through their lobbyists. They showed a copy of an insurance industry talking points memo that was untrue and then they showed US Representative John Boehner of Ohio repeating those same "facts" word for word right on the Floor of the House of Representatives. How much money did he receive from these lobbyists? A lot.
Yes this very editorial appears on the internet and should be discounted as well. But it is such a waste of my time to keep researching the barrage of information that is being dumped on Americans. My favorite is the ongoing assault on the current administration trying to turn the United States into a Socialist government. Give me a break.
Our system has included socialist economics since day one and our country would not exist without them. Our economics also permit capitalism. Both have restrictions and one will not work without the other. The magic is in the way they are blended.
So the next time you get an email that predicts the end of civilization as we know it use the ignore button since it is probably written by someone smarter than me that wants more of your money.
The Health Bill Email facts from Political Affairs Magazine
An unidentified person (or persons), who sources say is linked to the Republican Party affiliated and insurance lobby funded Conservatives for Patients Rights, has circulated an e-mail containing a number of erroneous and misleading claims about the health reform bills in Congress. According to the e-mail, health reform would allow the government to do everything from making decisions for you about medical care to accessing your private bank account and giving taxpayer money away to ACORN, illegal immigrants and labor unions.
The error-laden e-mail claims to identify specific page numbers in the House health reform bill that mandates these provisions. For example, the e-mail cites "Page 29" as admitting that "your health care will be rationed." According to the actual text of the bill, however, page 29 defines a minimum standard for health benefits packages and in no way rations care.
Another part of the e-mail claims "Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process)." Again, page 30 actually defines minimum standards for insurance plans and says nothing about limiting or denying benefits or treatments.
The pro-insurance company e-mail continues in the same vein: "Page 42: The 'Health Choices Commissioner' will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None." And again, this page of the bill defines minimum standards and does not give any government official authority over medical decisions or benefits.
But the author of the e-mail doesn't confine him or herself to confusing readers about the issue of minimum standards. It goes on to claim that health reform is little more than a funnel for taxpayer dollars to labor unions, ACORN and "illegal aliens."
In fact, in one of several mentions of "illegal aliens" the e-mail claims they will get free health care services, according to page 50 of the bill. But, in fact, page 50 and 51, while outlawing discrimination, forbids use of federal dollars to provide health care to undocumented immigrants. (Many critics of this provisions point out that denying wellness and preventative care to undocumented immigrants poses a serious challenge to maintaining quality public health.)
The repeated reference to undocumented immigrants is clearly more an attempt to foster anti-immigrant sentiments and confuse the truth about the bill than anything else.
This one may even be scarier. "Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer." The truth, however, is that the bill provides no means for this and only authorizes electronic transfers of money within the government.
In a further deviation down the path of right-wing delusion, the e-mail insists repeatedly that the right-wing bogeyman ACORN will get gobs of cash from the health reform bill.
Here is an exact copy of the email I received.
Subject: The HEALTH BILL
Got this from a friend of mine in Washington. After reading it, I am going
to send an email or call my congressman and advise ensure he votes against
anything like this.
Read it below and see what you think. It is your life that we are talking
about here. Your senator/congressman/congresswoman is now on a summer break.
Contact them and let them know what you think. Read the health bill and/or
some of the highlights of it below.
Jim
. Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure!
. Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!
. Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits
you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process) . Page
42: The "Health Choices Commissioner" will decide health benefits for you.
You will have no choice. None.
. Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free
healthcare services.
. Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard.
. Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all
individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.
. Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community
organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW and ACORN) . Page 72: All private
healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate
in a Healthcare Exchange.
. Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the Healthcare
Exchange (i.e., total government control of private
plans)
. Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services;
translation: illegal aliens . Page 95: The Government will pay
ACORN and Americorps to sign up individuals for Government-run Health Care
plan.
. Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled: you
have no choice in the matter . Page 124: No company
can sue the government for price-fixing. No "judicial review" is permitted
against the government monopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be
crushed.
. Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.
. Page 145: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into the government-run
public plan. No alternatives.
. Page 126: Employers MUST pay healthcare bills for part-time employees AND
their families.
. Page 149: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer
the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll
. Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $250K-400K or more, who does not
offer the public option, pays a 2 to 6% tax on payroll
. Page 167: Any individual who doesnt' have acceptable healthcare (according
to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of income.
. Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes
(Americans will pay for them).
. Page 195: Officers and employees of Government Healthcare Bureaucracy will
have access to ALL American financial and personal records.
. Page 203: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as
tax." Yes, it really says that.
. Page 239: Bill will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors and
the poor most affected."
. Page 241: Doctors: no matter what speciality you have, you'll all be paid
the same (thanks, AMA!)
. Page 253: Government sets value of doctors' time, their professional
judgment, etc.
. Page 265: Government mandates and controls productivity for
private healthcare industries.
. Page 268: Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven
wheelchairs.
. Page 272: Cancer patients: welcome to the wonderful world of rationing!
. Page 280: Hospitals will be penalized for what the government deems
preventable re-admissions.
. Page 298: Doctors: if you treat a patient during an initial admission that
results in a readmission, you will be penalized by the
government.
. Page 317: Doctors: you are now prohibited for owning and investing in
healthcare companies!
. Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion. Hospitals cannot expand
without government approval.
. Page 321: Hospital expansion hinges on "community" input: in other words,
yet another payoff for ACORN.
. Page 335: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based measures:
i.e., rationing.
. Page 341: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans,
HMOs, etc.
. Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS
individuals.
. Page 379: More bureaucracy: Telehealth Advisory Committee (healthcare by
phone).
. Page 425: More bureaucracy: Advance Care Planning Consult: Senior
Citizens, assisted suicide, euthanasia?
. Page 425: Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills,
durable powers of attorney, etc. Mandatory. Appears to lock in estate taxes
ahead of time.
. Page 425: Goverment provides approved list of end-of-life resources,
guiding you in death.
. Page 427: Government mandates program that orders end-of-life treatment;
government dictates how your life ends.
. Page 429: Advance Care Planning Consult will be used to dictate treatment
as patient's health deteriorates. This can include an ORDER for end-of-life
plans. An ORDER from the GOVERNMENT.
. Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at
end-of-life.
. Page 469: Community-based Home Medical Services: more payoffs for ACORN.
. Page 472: Payments to Community-based organizations: more payoffs for
ACORN.
. Page 489: Government will cover marriage and family therapy. Government
intervenes in your marriage.
. Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining, creating
and rationing those services.
"The people perish for lack of knowledge"...
Today I received another email list with claims of wrondoing in the health care reform bill. It is very wrong. Below is a short rebuttal I copied from Political Affairs Magazine.
It is a good idea to question anything you hear on the internet and in the news about this healthcare bill. National Public Radio revealed last week that insurance industry insiders are circulating misleading statements and in some cases total lies through their lobbyists. They showed a copy of an insurance industry talking points memo that was untrue and then they showed US Representative John Boehner of Ohio repeating those same "facts" word for word right on the Floor of the House of Representatives. How much money did he receive from these lobbyists? A lot.
Yes this very editorial appears on the internet and should be discounted as well. But it is such a waste of my time to keep researching the barrage of information that is being dumped on Americans. My favorite is the ongoing assault on the current administration trying to turn the United States into a Socialist government. Give me a break.
Our system has included socialist economics since day one and our country would not exist without them. Our economics also permit capitalism. Both have restrictions and one will not work without the other. The magic is in the way they are blended.
So the next time you get an email that predicts the end of civilization as we know it use the ignore button since it is probably written by someone smarter than me that wants more of your money.
The Health Bill Email facts from Political Affairs Magazine
An unidentified person (or persons), who sources say is linked to the Republican Party affiliated and insurance lobby funded Conservatives for Patients Rights, has circulated an e-mail containing a number of erroneous and misleading claims about the health reform bills in Congress. According to the e-mail, health reform would allow the government to do everything from making decisions for you about medical care to accessing your private bank account and giving taxpayer money away to ACORN, illegal immigrants and labor unions.
The error-laden e-mail claims to identify specific page numbers in the House health reform bill that mandates these provisions. For example, the e-mail cites "Page 29" as admitting that "your health care will be rationed." According to the actual text of the bill, however, page 29 defines a minimum standard for health benefits packages and in no way rations care.
Another part of the e-mail claims "Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process)." Again, page 30 actually defines minimum standards for insurance plans and says nothing about limiting or denying benefits or treatments.
The pro-insurance company e-mail continues in the same vein: "Page 42: The 'Health Choices Commissioner' will decide health benefits for you. You will have no choice. None." And again, this page of the bill defines minimum standards and does not give any government official authority over medical decisions or benefits.
But the author of the e-mail doesn't confine him or herself to confusing readers about the issue of minimum standards. It goes on to claim that health reform is little more than a funnel for taxpayer dollars to labor unions, ACORN and "illegal aliens."
In fact, in one of several mentions of "illegal aliens" the e-mail claims they will get free health care services, according to page 50 of the bill. But, in fact, page 50 and 51, while outlawing discrimination, forbids use of federal dollars to provide health care to undocumented immigrants. (Many critics of this provisions point out that denying wellness and preventative care to undocumented immigrants poses a serious challenge to maintaining quality public health.)
The repeated reference to undocumented immigrants is clearly more an attempt to foster anti-immigrant sentiments and confuse the truth about the bill than anything else.
This one may even be scarier. "Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer." The truth, however, is that the bill provides no means for this and only authorizes electronic transfers of money within the government.
In a further deviation down the path of right-wing delusion, the e-mail insists repeatedly that the right-wing bogeyman ACORN will get gobs of cash from the health reform bill.
Here is an exact copy of the email I received.
Subject: The HEALTH BILL
Got this from a friend of mine in Washington. After reading it, I am going
to send an email or call my congressman and advise ensure he votes against
anything like this.
Read it below and see what you think. It is your life that we are talking
about here. Your senator/congressman/congresswoman is now on a summer break.
Contact them and let them know what you think. Read the health bill and/or
some of the highlights of it below.
Jim
. Page 22: Mandates audits of all employers that self-insure!
. Page 29: Admission: your health care will be rationed!
. Page 30: A government committee will decide what treatments and benefits
you get (and, unlike an insurer, there will be no appeals process) . Page
42: The "Health Choices Commissioner" will decide health benefits for you.
You will have no choice. None.
. Page 50: All non-US citizens, illegal or not, will be provided with free
healthcare services.
. Page 58: Every person will be issued a National ID Healthcard.
. Page 59: The federal government will have direct, real-time access to all
individual bank accounts for electronic funds transfer.
. Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize all union retiree and community
organizer health plans (read: SEIU, UAW and ACORN) . Page 72: All private
healthcare plans must conform to government rules to participate
in a Healthcare Exchange.
. Page 84: All private healthcare plans must participate in the Healthcare
Exchange (i.e., total government control of private
plans)
. Page 91: Government mandates linguistic infrastructure for services;
translation: illegal aliens . Page 95: The Government will pay
ACORN and Americorps to sign up individuals for Government-run Health Care
plan.
. Page 102: Those eligible for Medicaid will be automatically enrolled: you
have no choice in the matter . Page 124: No company
can sue the government for price-fixing. No "judicial review" is permitted
against the government monopoly. Put simply, private insurers will be
crushed.
. Page 127: The AMA sold doctors out: the government will set wages.
. Page 145: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into the government-run
public plan. No alternatives.
. Page 126: Employers MUST pay healthcare bills for part-time employees AND
their families.
. Page 149: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer
the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll
. Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $250K-400K or more, who does not
offer the public option, pays a 2 to 6% tax on payroll
. Page 167: Any individual who doesnt' have acceptable healthcare (according
to the government) will be taxed 2.5% of income.
. Page 170: Any NON-RESIDENT alien is exempt from individual taxes
(Americans will pay for them).
. Page 195: Officers and employees of Government Healthcare Bureaucracy will
have access to ALL American financial and personal records.
. Page 203: "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as
tax." Yes, it really says that.
. Page 239: Bill will reduce physician services for Medicaid. Seniors and
the poor most affected."
. Page 241: Doctors: no matter what speciality you have, you'll all be paid
the same (thanks, AMA!)
. Page 253: Government sets value of doctors' time, their professional
judgment, etc.
. Page 265: Government mandates and controls productivity for
private healthcare industries.
. Page 268: Government regulates rental and purchase of power-driven
wheelchairs.
. Page 272: Cancer patients: welcome to the wonderful world of rationing!
. Page 280: Hospitals will be penalized for what the government deems
preventable re-admissions.
. Page 298: Doctors: if you treat a patient during an initial admission that
results in a readmission, you will be penalized by the
government.
. Page 317: Doctors: you are now prohibited for owning and investing in
healthcare companies!
. Page 318: Prohibition on hospital expansion. Hospitals cannot expand
without government approval.
. Page 321: Hospital expansion hinges on "community" input: in other words,
yet another payoff for ACORN.
. Page 335: Government mandates establishment of outcome-based measures:
i.e., rationing.
. Page 341: Government has authority to disqualify Medicare Advantage Plans,
HMOs, etc.
. Page 354: Government will restrict enrollment of SPECIAL NEEDS
individuals.
. Page 379: More bureaucracy: Telehealth Advisory Committee (healthcare by
phone).
. Page 425: More bureaucracy: Advance Care Planning Consult: Senior
Citizens, assisted suicide, euthanasia?
. Page 425: Government will instruct and consult regarding living wills,
durable powers of attorney, etc. Mandatory. Appears to lock in estate taxes
ahead of time.
. Page 425: Goverment provides approved list of end-of-life resources,
guiding you in death.
. Page 427: Government mandates program that orders end-of-life treatment;
government dictates how your life ends.
. Page 429: Advance Care Planning Consult will be used to dictate treatment
as patient's health deteriorates. This can include an ORDER for end-of-life
plans. An ORDER from the GOVERNMENT.
. Page 430: Government will decide what level of treatments you may have at
end-of-life.
. Page 469: Community-based Home Medical Services: more payoffs for ACORN.
. Page 472: Payments to Community-based organizations: more payoffs for
ACORN.
. Page 489: Government will cover marriage and family therapy. Government
intervenes in your marriage.
. Page 494: Government will cover mental health services: defining, creating
and rationing those services.
"The people perish for lack of knowledge"...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
That 70's Reunion Pictures - Trotwood Madison Pt 5
The last in a series of pictures from the July 2009 reunion of the Trotwood Madison classes from all the 1970's.
That 70's Reunion Pictures - Trotwood Madison Pt 1
Trotwood Madison High School classes from all the 1970's held a mass reunion in July 2009. Playing on a TV show they called it 'That 70's Reunion'. What a success as the two night event attracted over 600 classmates to Grills Tavern in Stringtown on Friday night and the next night they packed the Irish Club in Dayton.
These are just a few of the pictures submitted by 70's alumnus Doug Smith.
These are just a few of the pictures submitted by 70's alumnus Doug Smith.
Doug has a gyrocopter and snapped these aerial shots of Grills Tavern just before dark. We've never seen this many cars at Grills before and apparently many more arrived after these pictures were taken.
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