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.
Friday, August 21, 2009
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.
Monday, August 3, 2009
All Trotwood Employees Except Police Accept Pay Cuts
By Bruce Kettelle
With grim faces the Trotwood City Council approved resolutions Monday night to close an unexpected midyear budget gap. The Police Department were the only ones not to agree to pay cuts. The manager asked for a 20% reduction in pay for all employees between now and the end of 2009.
The special meeting started at 5pm with four of the city’s seven city council members in attendance. After a three hour closed door session the four members voted unanimously to adopt the cuts which also included a reduction in pay for the council members themselves.
“We had a long and lengthy session about what we have to do,” said Mayor Darreyl Davis as they returned to the public portion of the meeting lasting another 10 minutes.
City Manager Mike Lucking explained that he approached all the unions and non-union employees with the cost cutting proposal to reduce each employee’s pay by 7.5% and for each employee to take 80 hours of unpaid furlough between now and December 31.
The public works and the firefighter unions ratified their acceptance agreeing to an amendment of their union contracts.
Police patrolman Henry Crist is the union employee representative. He said their union is anxious to work out a compromise. The union and city have reached an impasse in the negotiation and they are now entering a fact-finding phase to present their sides to a third party mediator. “I hope that can happen in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
Crist said the union made a counterproposal to the city’s plan. “They turned down our proposal and said it had to be our proposal or nothing,” He said the union members were disappointed the news has not mentioned their counter offer.
Because the police did not accept the pay reduction offer the council approved layoffs of up to seven officers and up to two sergeants. The sergeants union also rejected the city’s plan.
“The union has other recourses against the layoffs approved tonight,” added Crist. Crist said the contents of the counterproposal couldn’t be released since they are still in contract negotiations.
“We don’t want to lay off anyone,” said Mayor Davis after the meeting. “We’re going to keep talking with the police union.” He was pleased that the other unions and non-union employees agreed to the reduction.
Trotwood reached 15.3% unemployment in June and income taxes have fallen far short of budget projections due to the troubled economy. The wage cuts are an effort to make up a projected $557,000 shortfall to balance this year’s budget.
Davis said they have explored some options that did not require wage reductions or layoffs but those options ultimately would not accomplish their budget goals.
Related story at http://totallytrotwood.blogspot.com/2009/07/trotwood-seeks-pay-cuts-to-balance.html
With grim faces the Trotwood City Council approved resolutions Monday night to close an unexpected midyear budget gap. The Police Department were the only ones not to agree to pay cuts. The manager asked for a 20% reduction in pay for all employees between now and the end of 2009.
The special meeting started at 5pm with four of the city’s seven city council members in attendance. After a three hour closed door session the four members voted unanimously to adopt the cuts which also included a reduction in pay for the council members themselves.
“We had a long and lengthy session about what we have to do,” said Mayor Darreyl Davis as they returned to the public portion of the meeting lasting another 10 minutes.
City Manager Mike Lucking explained that he approached all the unions and non-union employees with the cost cutting proposal to reduce each employee’s pay by 7.5% and for each employee to take 80 hours of unpaid furlough between now and December 31.
The public works and the firefighter unions ratified their acceptance agreeing to an amendment of their union contracts.
Police patrolman Henry Crist is the union employee representative. He said their union is anxious to work out a compromise. The union and city have reached an impasse in the negotiation and they are now entering a fact-finding phase to present their sides to a third party mediator. “I hope that can happen in the next couple of weeks,” he said.
Crist said the union made a counterproposal to the city’s plan. “They turned down our proposal and said it had to be our proposal or nothing,” He said the union members were disappointed the news has not mentioned their counter offer.
Because the police did not accept the pay reduction offer the council approved layoffs of up to seven officers and up to two sergeants. The sergeants union also rejected the city’s plan.
“The union has other recourses against the layoffs approved tonight,” added Crist. Crist said the contents of the counterproposal couldn’t be released since they are still in contract negotiations.
“We don’t want to lay off anyone,” said Mayor Davis after the meeting. “We’re going to keep talking with the police union.” He was pleased that the other unions and non-union employees agreed to the reduction.
Trotwood reached 15.3% unemployment in June and income taxes have fallen far short of budget projections due to the troubled economy. The wage cuts are an effort to make up a projected $557,000 shortfall to balance this year’s budget.
Davis said they have explored some options that did not require wage reductions or layoffs but those options ultimately would not accomplish their budget goals.
Related story at http://totallytrotwood.blogspot.com/2009/07/trotwood-seeks-pay-cuts-to-balance.html
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Legacy Businesses Are Not Born Overnight
By Bruce Kettelle
As the Dayton region loses one legacy business after another from Frigidaire, to Delphi and now NCR it makes one wonder what the next Dayton legacy will be.
Legacies like these are not built overnight, they grow so gradually that most would not realize they have become a legacy until they start to downsize.
Fire destroyed Trotwood’s legacy business back in 1981. Thousands of campers and travel trailers were built on North Broadway for delivery all across the country. Trotwood Trailers were respected for their innovative features and high quality construction. Many still survive today but the company does not.
Now almost 30 years later Trotwood still searches for its new legacy business. Right now, somewhere in town, someone might be inventing something in their garage like Ray Kuntz and Warren Wagner did back in the late 1920’s. These schoolteachers occupied their summers in a garage on Grand Av designing a prototype canvas tent on wheels to take camping.
Despite the economic gloom of the Great Depression in 1932 they opened Trotwood Trailers and by 1950 they grew to control 20% of the camper trailer market in Ohio. There were many models to choose from and one of their largest models can still be seen in the mobile home park on E Main St. It was a regular sight to see 12 trailers rolling out of town every day on their way to customers across North America.
Their neighbors tolerated the pair working long hours from their ‘home office’ not realizing the impact their inventions would have on the trailer world from innovative axle systems to the first side entry door trailer. Like the bar owner in Dayton that invented a cash register to keep his employees honest to the brothers experimenting with aerodynamics with a wind tunnel in their bicycle shop, ideas that become legacies can be born just about anywhere.
No one knows what Trotwood’s next legacy will be but the timing is right to see a new idea nurtured amidst the ashes of the current recession. So the next time you see your neighbor burning the midnight oil offer a little encouragement. They just might be defining the direction of Trotwood’s economic future.
This Trotwood Trailer is the last one located in the mobile home park on East Main St in Trotwood, Ohio. It was being renovated when this picture was taken in August 2009.
As the Dayton region loses one legacy business after another from Frigidaire, to Delphi and now NCR it makes one wonder what the next Dayton legacy will be.
Legacies like these are not built overnight, they grow so gradually that most would not realize they have become a legacy until they start to downsize.
Fire destroyed Trotwood’s legacy business back in 1981. Thousands of campers and travel trailers were built on North Broadway for delivery all across the country. Trotwood Trailers were respected for their innovative features and high quality construction. Many still survive today but the company does not.
Now almost 30 years later Trotwood still searches for its new legacy business. Right now, somewhere in town, someone might be inventing something in their garage like Ray Kuntz and Warren Wagner did back in the late 1920’s. These schoolteachers occupied their summers in a garage on Grand Av designing a prototype canvas tent on wheels to take camping.
Despite the economic gloom of the Great Depression in 1932 they opened Trotwood Trailers and by 1950 they grew to control 20% of the camper trailer market in Ohio. There were many models to choose from and one of their largest models can still be seen in the mobile home park on E Main St. It was a regular sight to see 12 trailers rolling out of town every day on their way to customers across North America.
Their neighbors tolerated the pair working long hours from their ‘home office’ not realizing the impact their inventions would have on the trailer world from innovative axle systems to the first side entry door trailer. Like the bar owner in Dayton that invented a cash register to keep his employees honest to the brothers experimenting with aerodynamics with a wind tunnel in their bicycle shop, ideas that become legacies can be born just about anywhere.
No one knows what Trotwood’s next legacy will be but the timing is right to see a new idea nurtured amidst the ashes of the current recession. So the next time you see your neighbor burning the midnight oil offer a little encouragement. They just might be defining the direction of Trotwood’s economic future.
This Trotwood Trailer is the last one located in the mobile home park on East Main St in Trotwood, Ohio. It was being renovated when this picture was taken in August 2009.
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