Board of Realtors welcome Congressman Wenstrup
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
Second District Rep. Brad Wenstrup was the guest speaker at the Oct. 17 luncheon meeting of the Highland County Board of Realtors held at the Hillsboro Ponderosa Banquet Center.
Wenstrup, who was introduced by Board of Realtors President Rusty Fite, told local Realtors and affiliates that he is "honored to represent Highland County" in Ohio's Second Congressional District.
"As your business goes, so goes the nation," Wenstrup told the real estate professionals.
Wenstrup said he hadn't started out to run for Congress, but after building a successful medical practice and achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, he realized: "In Washington, we have people making business decisions who've never run a business, and people making military decisions who've never been in the military."
Wenstrup, who is running for re-election Nov. 8 against Pike County Democrat William Smith, also discussed the House of Representatives' "A Better Way" plan.
Wenstrup said he had met recently with Highland County Community Action Organization Executive Director Julia Wise to discuss the Rural Integration Models for Parents and Children to Thrive (IMPACT) program.
"Highland County is one of only 10 counties in the country to be selected for this rural impact program," the congressman said.
“All too often, families are impoverished merely because the current federal welfare program punishes Americans who desire work," Wenstrup said. "A sliding scale from assistance to independence, steered on a local level, is what Americans want and need. Local programs like Community Action that know the members of community, are better equipped to provide people with the help they need to rise out of poverty permanently.”
Noting that there are "generations of Americans who don't know anything else" (besides government assistance), Wenstrup said, "The bottom line is no one should be punished for going to work. This should be bipartisan and easy to fix."
This sliding scale for government assistance is just one aspect of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Better Way Agenda to fight poverty that was released earlier this year. The agenda is a bold plan to attack poverty at its roots, by replacing the one-size-fits-all maze of federal welfare programs with work incentives, better education, and consolidated and streamlined programs. For more on the plan, go to http://abetterway.speaker.gov/?page=poverty.
In addition to addressing ways to reduce welfare dependence, Wenstrup also discussed national security issues, border security, legal immigration, and concerns with diseases and illegal drugs coming into the U.S. through unsecured borders.
"ISIS now has reached here in the United States," Wenstrup said. "They're killing people here. We've got to tear that out at the root. We have allies in the Mideast who want to destroy ISIS, but America has to lead."
Wenstrup also touched on constitutional authority and the president's penchant for executive orders.
"Article I, Section I of the Constitution says all legislative powers come from the Congress, not the president and not the Supreme Court."
Wenstrup concluded his speech with quotes from Pope John Paul II and President John Adams.
"Pope John Paul II said 'Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.' And John Adams said, 'There's never been a democracy that did not commit suicide.'
"I hope America proves him wrong."
* * *
• The Board of Realtors also welcomed Stephen O'Brien of United Fire Awareness in Greenfield. O'Brien discussed fire prevention options and home safety strategies. His company provides "Level 1 fire protection through a network of censors," he said.
O'Brien pointed out that home occupants have approximately two minutes to escape a house fire, and having a plan and safety training exercises are essential.
For more information, contact Stephen O'Brien at (937) 981-FIRE.
* * *
Ida Hecht, community relations manager of Bell Gardens Place in Hillsboro, presented a partnership idea between the Harry Sauner Road assisted-living provider and the Board of Realtors.
"We are the only assisted-living provider in Highland County," Hecht said.
She said Bell Gardens Place has 39 apartments and is licensed for up to 50 residents.
Hecht said the Realtors and affiliates can help share information with families when they are exploring options for a loved one in need of care later in life. Hecht can be reached at Bell Gardens Place at (937) 393-8830.
* * *
In other business, President Rusty Fite presented a check to Kathe Chaney, Becky Williams and Steph Roland of Support Our Troops of Highland County through funds raised at this year's golf outing. Support Our Troops thanked the Board of Realtors for the donation.
Fite thanked Susan Davis Thompson and Preferred Midwest Title for sponsoring the luncheon.
Fite reminded Realtors that the next meeting will be Nov. 17 and that will be the election of officers meeting. The Christmas dinner party will be 6-9 p.m. Dec. 8 on Miller Lane with Blue Steel providing entertainment and catering by Ponderosa. The Board will be emailing information on both events.
Wenstrup, who was introduced by Board of Realtors President Rusty Fite, told local Realtors and affiliates that he is "honored to represent Highland County" in Ohio's Second Congressional District.
"As your business goes, so goes the nation," Wenstrup told the real estate professionals.
Wenstrup said he hadn't started out to run for Congress, but after building a successful medical practice and achieving the rank of lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, he realized: "In Washington, we have people making business decisions who've never run a business, and people making military decisions who've never been in the military."
Wenstrup, who is running for re-election Nov. 8 against Pike County Democrat William Smith, also discussed the House of Representatives' "A Better Way" plan.
Wenstrup said he had met recently with Highland County Community Action Organization Executive Director Julia Wise to discuss the Rural Integration Models for Parents and Children to Thrive (IMPACT) program.
"Highland County is one of only 10 counties in the country to be selected for this rural impact program," the congressman said.
“All too often, families are impoverished merely because the current federal welfare program punishes Americans who desire work," Wenstrup said. "A sliding scale from assistance to independence, steered on a local level, is what Americans want and need. Local programs like Community Action that know the members of community, are better equipped to provide people with the help they need to rise out of poverty permanently.”
Noting that there are "generations of Americans who don't know anything else" (besides government assistance), Wenstrup said, "The bottom line is no one should be punished for going to work. This should be bipartisan and easy to fix."
This sliding scale for government assistance is just one aspect of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Better Way Agenda to fight poverty that was released earlier this year. The agenda is a bold plan to attack poverty at its roots, by replacing the one-size-fits-all maze of federal welfare programs with work incentives, better education, and consolidated and streamlined programs. For more on the plan, go to http://abetterway.speaker.gov/?page=poverty.
In addition to addressing ways to reduce welfare dependence, Wenstrup also discussed national security issues, border security, legal immigration, and concerns with diseases and illegal drugs coming into the U.S. through unsecured borders.
"ISIS now has reached here in the United States," Wenstrup said. "They're killing people here. We've got to tear that out at the root. We have allies in the Mideast who want to destroy ISIS, but America has to lead."
Wenstrup also touched on constitutional authority and the president's penchant for executive orders.
"Article I, Section I of the Constitution says all legislative powers come from the Congress, not the president and not the Supreme Court."
Wenstrup concluded his speech with quotes from Pope John Paul II and President John Adams.
"Pope John Paul II said 'Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought.' And John Adams said, 'There's never been a democracy that did not commit suicide.'
"I hope America proves him wrong."
* * *
• The Board of Realtors also welcomed Stephen O'Brien of United Fire Awareness in Greenfield. O'Brien discussed fire prevention options and home safety strategies. His company provides "Level 1 fire protection through a network of censors," he said.
O'Brien pointed out that home occupants have approximately two minutes to escape a house fire, and having a plan and safety training exercises are essential.
For more information, contact Stephen O'Brien at (937) 981-FIRE.
* * *
Ida Hecht, community relations manager of Bell Gardens Place in Hillsboro, presented a partnership idea between the Harry Sauner Road assisted-living provider and the Board of Realtors.
"We are the only assisted-living provider in Highland County," Hecht said.
She said Bell Gardens Place has 39 apartments and is licensed for up to 50 residents.
Hecht said the Realtors and affiliates can help share information with families when they are exploring options for a loved one in need of care later in life. Hecht can be reached at Bell Gardens Place at (937) 393-8830.
* * *
In other business, President Rusty Fite presented a check to Kathe Chaney, Becky Williams and Steph Roland of Support Our Troops of Highland County through funds raised at this year's golf outing. Support Our Troops thanked the Board of Realtors for the donation.
Fite thanked Susan Davis Thompson and Preferred Midwest Title for sponsoring the luncheon.
Fite reminded Realtors that the next meeting will be Nov. 17 and that will be the election of officers meeting. The Christmas dinner party will be 6-9 p.m. Dec. 8 on Miller Lane with Blue Steel providing entertainment and catering by Ponderosa. The Board will be emailing information on both events.