Coffee shop talk and rumor mills
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Once upon a time, any self-respecting newspaper columnist in southern Ohio found his best sources of information at the town's most popular diner.
In Greenfield, it used to be Blake's. In Hillsboro, it was Magee's, the old Skyscraper, or Al Staten's Koffee Kup (now known as Wanda's). In West Union, it was the 125 Grill. In Peebles, it was either McCoy's or the White Star on Main Street.
More than a decade ago, I met Adams County Judge Alan Foster at the 125 Grill.
I'd been writing a local column for a few months when, one Monday morning, I walked a few doors down to the 125. A man in a dark business suit was reading the local paper. I sat down in a booth a few feet away.
The man looked at his paper, then at me. He picked up his breakfast plate and slid into the booth across from me.
As I recall, he introduced himself, saying, I'm Alan Foster. He extended a hand and I shook it. Not long after that first encounter, I asked the judge to pose in a cover photo for a preseason basketball edition with local high school basketball players. We called it "Court's in Session." (I got the idea from John Wend and Jeff Gilliland.)
That was more than a dozen years ago. But good breakfasts and good stories still commingle like bacon and eggs. More often than not, there are many more good questions than good answers.
After a considerable dinner, I skipped breakfast today.
However, a few days ago, the rumor mill was in strong competition with the coffee grinder.
Among the early rounds of questions were these:
Q: Will Clinton County Democrat Laura Curliss or Clinton County Republican Sam Stratman become the next safety and service director of Hillsboro?
A: I have no idea. As to Ms. Curliss, I believe she lost a Democratic primary to my good friend Bill Horne in the 2010 House of Representatives campaign. How the local GOP would feel about that is best left to the central committee members and monetary contributors.
As to Mr. Stratman, I've been told he worked with longtime Congressman Henry Hyde. Congressman Hyde and I had breakfast together once in 1999 in Washington, but we did not discuss the Hillsboro safety and service director's position!
(Should the new Republican mayor select a liberal Democrat to the SSD position, one can only imagine the reaction of the Highland County Republicans who worked so hard to elect him. Of the two, Mr. Stratman would seem to be the more likely choice. But it's tough to go against a Notre Damer!)
Q: Has Hillsboro's deputy law director, Kathryn Hapner, been relieved of her duties?
A: (See the above answer.) Once again, I have no idea. I have been told, over a cup of coffee, that Kathryn has been informed that her services to the city are no longer needed. Furthermore, I have been told that at least one candidate for the SSD position might be considered as an assistant law director. Who knows?
Q: Who appoints the city's assistant law director?
A: (See answers to questions 1 and 2.) It beats the summer sweat out of me. But I'd guess that the current law director, Fred Beery, ought to have some say-so in the matter. Contrary to what one council member told us this week, the city auditor – past or present – does not appoint the deputy law director.
Q: (From a U.S. congressional staff member) Will you hold it against us if we show up for the swearing in ceremony of the new Hillsboro mayor?
A: No.
Q: Do you really believe an Ohio Supreme Court justice will administer the oath of office to Hillsboro's next mayor? And, when was the last time a Hillsboro mayor was sworn in by a Supreme Court justice?
A: Yes, to the first question. And, I don't know to the latter. Maybe one of the stalwarts of the Highland County Historical Society could answer the second question. However, I do know that Justice O'Donnell has considerable information on the mayor-elect.
Q: What do you think about all the candidates for county commissioner?
A: I like them.
Q: All of them?
A: Yes.
Q: OK. You like them. But who would you vote for?
A: According to former Whiteoak High School English teacher Joe Himes, your question would be better phrased as: "For whom would you vote?"
Q: OK. Who you votin' for?
A: None of the above. I live a mile from the county line and I'm just sorry that I can't vote for Roger Rhonemus again.
Q: For the love of Pete, IF you had a vote in Highland County, FOR WHOM would it be?
A: Shane Wilkin has worked considerable hours, above and beyond the usual call of duty, for Highland County. But I genuinely respect every candidate in the race. And, for local voters, that's a positive. The only answer I can offer is that voters owe it to themselves to meet with all candidates and make informed decisions.
Q: So, what do you think about the Republican presidential primary in 2012?
A: Not much.
Q: Seriously, if you had to pick between Romney, Gingrich, Paul or Perry, FOR WHOM would you vote?
A: Check, please.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of the only locally owned newspaper in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]
In Greenfield, it used to be Blake's. In Hillsboro, it was Magee's, the old Skyscraper, or Al Staten's Koffee Kup (now known as Wanda's). In West Union, it was the 125 Grill. In Peebles, it was either McCoy's or the White Star on Main Street.
More than a decade ago, I met Adams County Judge Alan Foster at the 125 Grill.
I'd been writing a local column for a few months when, one Monday morning, I walked a few doors down to the 125. A man in a dark business suit was reading the local paper. I sat down in a booth a few feet away.
The man looked at his paper, then at me. He picked up his breakfast plate and slid into the booth across from me.
As I recall, he introduced himself, saying, I'm Alan Foster. He extended a hand and I shook it. Not long after that first encounter, I asked the judge to pose in a cover photo for a preseason basketball edition with local high school basketball players. We called it "Court's in Session." (I got the idea from John Wend and Jeff Gilliland.)
That was more than a dozen years ago. But good breakfasts and good stories still commingle like bacon and eggs. More often than not, there are many more good questions than good answers.
After a considerable dinner, I skipped breakfast today.
However, a few days ago, the rumor mill was in strong competition with the coffee grinder.
Among the early rounds of questions were these:
Q: Will Clinton County Democrat Laura Curliss or Clinton County Republican Sam Stratman become the next safety and service director of Hillsboro?
A: I have no idea. As to Ms. Curliss, I believe she lost a Democratic primary to my good friend Bill Horne in the 2010 House of Representatives campaign. How the local GOP would feel about that is best left to the central committee members and monetary contributors.
As to Mr. Stratman, I've been told he worked with longtime Congressman Henry Hyde. Congressman Hyde and I had breakfast together once in 1999 in Washington, but we did not discuss the Hillsboro safety and service director's position!
(Should the new Republican mayor select a liberal Democrat to the SSD position, one can only imagine the reaction of the Highland County Republicans who worked so hard to elect him. Of the two, Mr. Stratman would seem to be the more likely choice. But it's tough to go against a Notre Damer!)
Q: Has Hillsboro's deputy law director, Kathryn Hapner, been relieved of her duties?
A: (See the above answer.) Once again, I have no idea. I have been told, over a cup of coffee, that Kathryn has been informed that her services to the city are no longer needed. Furthermore, I have been told that at least one candidate for the SSD position might be considered as an assistant law director. Who knows?
Q: Who appoints the city's assistant law director?
A: (See answers to questions 1 and 2.) It beats the summer sweat out of me. But I'd guess that the current law director, Fred Beery, ought to have some say-so in the matter. Contrary to what one council member told us this week, the city auditor – past or present – does not appoint the deputy law director.
Q: (From a U.S. congressional staff member) Will you hold it against us if we show up for the swearing in ceremony of the new Hillsboro mayor?
A: No.
Q: Do you really believe an Ohio Supreme Court justice will administer the oath of office to Hillsboro's next mayor? And, when was the last time a Hillsboro mayor was sworn in by a Supreme Court justice?
A: Yes, to the first question. And, I don't know to the latter. Maybe one of the stalwarts of the Highland County Historical Society could answer the second question. However, I do know that Justice O'Donnell has considerable information on the mayor-elect.
Q: What do you think about all the candidates for county commissioner?
A: I like them.
Q: All of them?
A: Yes.
Q: OK. You like them. But who would you vote for?
A: According to former Whiteoak High School English teacher Joe Himes, your question would be better phrased as: "For whom would you vote?"
Q: OK. Who you votin' for?
A: None of the above. I live a mile from the county line and I'm just sorry that I can't vote for Roger Rhonemus again.
Q: For the love of Pete, IF you had a vote in Highland County, FOR WHOM would it be?
A: Shane Wilkin has worked considerable hours, above and beyond the usual call of duty, for Highland County. But I genuinely respect every candidate in the race. And, for local voters, that's a positive. The only answer I can offer is that voters owe it to themselves to meet with all candidates and make informed decisions.
Q: So, what do you think about the Republican presidential primary in 2012?
A: Not much.
Q: Seriously, if you had to pick between Romney, Gingrich, Paul or Perry, FOR WHOM would you vote?
A: Check, please.
Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of the only locally owned newspaper in Highland County.[[In-content Ad]]