Westside Steve is one of my heroes. He's not quite up there with John Wayne, Ted Williams, Audie Murphy and Bill Lange. But he's in the hunt. And he's never been a political party hack, either, God bless him. We've got more than enough of those, as it is.

If this abuse of a government website proves to be an internal and deliberate act, someone in county government must assume ownership of the infraction. The sooner, the better.

Gov. Hickel writes: "Real wealth is not money. It is productivity and taking care of the needs of people. Do a thing because people need it, and you will be wealthy. Do a thing just to make money, and you will eventually consider yourself a failure. … Success is not judged by material things acquired in a lifetime. It is based on those who gave, not just those who received. It is the giving and not the receiving that makes greatness."

Whenever the elusive Bigfoot is in the news, The Highland County Press stands erect and takes notice. Bigfoot sightings – those related to the Noble Sasquatch, if you please – are much rarer than Elvis sightings. And, let's be clear, Elvis sightings are only reported by those Tender Souls living in denial at Heartbreak Hotel.

Whenever the elusive Bigfoot is in the news, The Highland County Press stands erect and takes notice. Bigfoot sightings – those related to the Noble Sasquatch, if you please – are much rarer than Elvis sightings. And, let's be clear, Elvis sightings are only reported by those Tender Souls living in denial at Heartbreak Hotel.

As HCP columnist Jim Surber told me in a recent e-mail, if Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and the Soviet Union cannot tame Afghanistan – either what it was then, or what it is now – it's highly unlikely that the United States of America can accomplish the task.

The Ohio’s Public Records Act states: "Every public office must promptly prepare and make available for inspection and copying all public records at all reasonable times, during regular business hours." The Highland County commissioners' public records request form states: "A written request for records is not mandatory and you may decline to identify yourself."

After considerable deliberation, The Highland County Press has committed to two political endorsements for the 2012 general election. They are: Highland County prosecuting attorney candidate Anneka Collins; and Second Congressional District candidate Lt. Col. Dr. Brad Wenstrup.

After considerable deliberation, The Highland County Press has committed to two political endorsements for the 2012 general election. They are: Highland County prosecuting attorney candidate Anneka Collins; and Second Congressional District candidate Lt. Col. Dr. Brad Wenstrup.

In a self-funded political advertisement, Peterffy says: “I grew up in a socialist country and I have seen what that does to people. There is no hope, no freedom, no pride in achievement. The nation became poorer and poorer, and that’s what I see happening here (in the United States)."

It is important that when it comes to your public office, you do your level best to avoid even the hint of impropriety. Sometimes, even the appearance of a potential conflict of interest is reason enough for public disclosure prior to any votes which may affect the relative public offices.

One of these Saturday mornings, I hope Chubby Howard will play Buck Owens' "They're Gonna Put Me in the Movies," and dedicate it to Colin Ryan. And all he's gotta do is "Act Naturally." OK. Maybe the song is actually "Act Naturally." I'm not sure.

One of these Saturday mornings, I hope Chubby Howard will play Buck Owens' "They're Gonna Put Me in the Movies," and dedicate it to Colin Ryan. And all he's gotta do is "Act Naturally." OK. Maybe the song is actually "Act Naturally." I'm not sure.

We have, in Highland County, at least one public official who stands to profit from entering into a recent private-public property agreement. Maybe this was negotiated at arm's length. I don't know. We have, in Highland County, current and former public officials who have – or had – private business partnerships with one another while serving as public officials.

We have, in Highland County, at least one public official who stands to profit from entering into a recent private-public property agreement. Maybe this was negotiated at arm's length. I don't know. We have, in Highland County, current and former public officials who have – or had – private business partnerships with one another while serving as public officials.