A midwinter night's daydream

A midwinter night’s daydream

   There’s probably a good reason why certain animals hibernate in winter. This may not be the scientific answer, but I imagine it has something to do with the cold temperatures and 23 hours and 48 minutes of darkness every day.

   I tried to hibernate one January, but with all the football games and spiritual events of the new year, I was too restless. Besides that, I always have lots of mail to answer in January, from Christmas greetings (thank you) and responses to those end-of-the-year best wishes (again, thanks).

   In fact, one local advertiser, God bless her, e-mailed this week just to thank our dedicated staff for correcting her mistakes throughout the year. Thank you. We try; honest, we do. We’re also human, and like every human God has created, prone to error.

   Of course, when a few discerning readers like to point out a minor error now and then, I can always take some comfort from the words of one of Highland County’s truly great humanitarians, the Rev. John Carson. There was nothing phony or pretentious about the late Rev. Carson. Simply put, John practiced what he preached.

   Many years ago, when I was having what could best be described as a publisher’s nightmare over a rather unfortunate typographical error by one of God’s children, Rev. Carson offered these words which ought to be any Publisher’s Credo … “Rory, every time someone points out an incorrect word in a story or an advertisement, you should ask that they count how many words were correct. If you were right on 95 to 99 out of every 100 words, you’ve done better than most of us.”

   God bless you, John. Publishers everywhere thank you.

* * * 

   Last week, Highland County’s only locally owned newspaper received a nice e-mail from Yolanda Green of Gibbs Associates LLC in Hillsboro. It was a nice e-mail, from my perspective, because it contained a news release from Jim Mootz Trucking, LLC, in which the company announced that its Driver of the Year was one of my lifelong friends, Donald Griffith.

   Yolanda included a photograph of Don and Jim Mootz, which is published in the HCP and online at www.highlandcountypress.com.

   I could write a short novel on some of the past escapades of Don, his dad, my dad and me. For the sake of brevity and an adherence to the fact that some stories are best left untold, I’ll simply say, Congratulations, Don, on a well-deserved recognition. (And, by the way, the barn and the utility pole are still standing. Thanks.)

* * *

   A fellow southern Ohio newspaper journalist is now the president of the Ohio Senate. That’s a good thing, just in case you had any doubts.

   Sen. Tom Niehaus of New Richmond was sworn in Monday as Senate president. Senator Niehaus represents the 14th Senate District that includes Adams, Brown, Clermont, Scioto and a portion of Lawrence County.

   Sen. Niehaus and I were introduced to one another by a former Ohio Senate president, also from southern Ohio, Manchester Republican Doug White.

     A former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, Sen. Niehaus also spent a quarter of a century working for the Fourth Estate, including a decade as publisher and editor of a community newspaper.

   With that experience, he’s well-prepared for anything the General Assembly can throw at him.

   All the best, Sen. Niehaus, in helping the new governor put Ohio back on track for job creation and widespread economic prosperity.

* * *

   Highland County Common Pleas Court Juvenile and Probate Judge Kevin Greer led last week’s oath of office ceremonies for Sen. David Daniels, Rep. Cliff Rosenberger and Auditor Bill Fawley.

   But just prior to administering their respective oaths of office, Judge Greer took a moment or two to talk about the task at hand of the Highland County Commission. You can hear the judge in his own words in a news video by Brandy Chandler on our website, www.highlandcountypress.com.

   But here’s the essence of what Judge Greer said.

   “I want to recognize Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin,” the judge said. “They took office two years ago, as we all know, under some very, very difficult circumstances. If I remember right, Shane told us all in January, I think, of ’09 we had about $3,000 in the checking account to run the county, something like that,” Greer said.

   “Just under eight (thousand),” Wilkin responded.

   “Just under $8,000,” Greer said. “You can argue whether the  decisions they made were the correct ones or not, but you cannot argue that they failed to make tough decisions – unpopular with some – but they were needed.

They really were. All of our offices, Bill’s (Fawley), Paulette’s (Donley), (Sheriff) Ron Ward, we all took the cuts and have been able to operate, I think, effectively. And to those two gentlemen, I am very pleased to see that … you had the integrity and the fiscal responsibility to do what was necessary, no matter how unpopular. And, again, continue the good work, as far as I’m concerned.”

   As an independent observer of county government, I would say the same words apply to former commissioner Gary Heaton.

   Judge Greer also praised county auditor Bill Fawley, saying, “Sometimes there are arguments, but I appreciate and respect very much your willingness not just to go along to get along. And I know it’s not been fun. It’s never popular or fun to be out on an island by yourself, but I appreciate what you’ve done as our county auditor. And, again, the reason we’re solvent and can pay our bills is in no small part to what you have done.”

   Again, as an independent observer of county government, I would add that another reason Highland County is solvent is because its administrative body listens to and respects its auditor. For whatever reason or reasons, that’s rarely been the case for city government across the street from the Highland County Courthouse. (Reasonable minds simply cannot imagine a county official accusing or insinuating that the county auditor has hundreds of thousands of dollars unaccounted for; while such insulting insanity has been endured by

each of the last two city auditors.)

   As another year passes, the county government continues to demonstrate fiscal responsibility on behalf of the taxpayers. If there’s a lesson to be learned — and there is — from their counterparts on the east side of High Street, it’s taken far too long to learn.

   Last week, Judge Greer’s words, as always, were carefully chosen and on point. And, as you’ve probably guessed, I agree with the judge.

   When Highland County Board of Commissioners President Shane Wilkin looked the county department managers in the eye and told one and all: “We will not endorse salary increases” in 2011, he didn’t blink. He didn’t waffle and he didn’t hesitate. He simply spoke on behalf of the county’s 41,000 residents, many of whom fully understand what the 2007-11 recession really feels like.

   When a departmental budget or two came in with increases in salaries and wages, Wilkin said plainly: “We, as a board, are not endorsing increases in salaries and wages. If you decide to increase salaries, it will not be endorsed by this board. If you do increase salaries, you will have to knock 20 percent out of your budget to cover the PERS (retirement benefits),

Medicare, Workers’ Comp., etc.”

   Wilkin added, “If you come to us later in the year and need more money...well, I wouldn’t come to this office if you choose to increase salaries.”

   Are they getting this on North High Street, where more than 36 of 76 full-time employees receive more than $50,000 a year, plus the aforementioned 20 percent in “bennies,” from city taxpayers?

   In all sincerity, the auditor’s numbers – be they from the county or the city – are what they are. The auditors must answer to the state, while their critics can make false accusations and keep cashing their paychecks – until the proverbial well runs dry.

   Had the county commissioners not trimmed some $3 million from county spending, I suspect we’d face a plight similar to Scioto County, which was placed in a fiscal emergency by the Ohio auditor due to its $3.5 million deficit. There’s a government administration or two which could and should follow the county’s example when it comes to fiscal sanity.

   But as long as they continue to bury their heads in the sand, and as long as taxpayers refuse to speak out, we can anticipate the same old responses: Raise taxes. Raise tuition. Put a levy on the ballot. Demand more of what’s left of taxpayers’ income.

   At some point, taxpayers ought to just say, in the words of former boxer Roberto Duran, No mas. No more.

   Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.

There’s probably a good reason why certain animals hibernate in winter. This may not be the scientific answer, but I imagine it has something to do with the cold temperatures and 23 hours and 48 minutes of darkness every day.

   I tried to hibernate one January, but with all the football games and spiritual events of the new year, I was too restless. Besides that, I always have lots of mail to answer in January, from Christmas greetings (thank you) and responses to those end-of-the-year best wishes (again, thanks).

   In fact, one local advertiser, God bless her, e-mailed this week just to thank our dedicated staff for correcting her mistakes throughout the year. Thank you. We try; honest, we do. We’re also human, and like every human God has created, prone to error.

   Of course, when a few discerning readers like to point out a minor error now and then, I can always take some comfort from the words of one of Highland County’s truly great humanitarians, the Rev. John Carson. There was nothing phony or pretentious about the late Rev. Carson. Simply put, John practiced what he preached.

   Many years ago, when I was having what could best be described as a publisher’s nightmare over a rather unfortunate typographical error by one of God’s children, Rev. Carson offered these words which ought to be any Publisher’s Credo … “Rory, every time someone points out an incorrect word in a story or an advertisement, you should ask that they count how many words were correct. If you were right on 95 to 99 out of every 100 words, you’ve done better than most of us.”

   God bless you, John. Publishers everywhere thank you. And, whenever your words aren't enough, we can always reference Jimmy Buffett's Rules of Life. (See Rule No. 2.)

* * * 

   Last week, Highland County’s only locally owned newspaper received a nice e-mail from Yolanda Green of Gibbs Associates LLC in Hillsboro. It was a nice e-mail, from my perspective, because it contained a news release from Jim Mootz Trucking, LLC, in which the company announced that its Driver of the Year was one of my lifelong friends, Donald Griffith.

   Yolanda included a photograph of Don and Jim Mootz, which is published in the HCP and online at www.highlandcountypress.com.

   I could write a short novel on some of the past escapades of Don, his dad, my dad and me. For the sake of brevity and an adherence to the fact that some stories are best left untold, I’ll simply say, Congratulations, Don, on a well-deserved recognition. (And, by the way, the barn and the utility pole are still standing. Thanks.)

* * *

   A fellow southern Ohio newspaper journalist is now the president of the Ohio Senate. That’s a good thing, just in case you had any doubts.

   Sen. Tom Niehaus of New Richmond was sworn in Monday as Senate president. Senator Niehaus represents the 14th Senate District that includes Adams, Brown, Clermont, Scioto and a portion of Lawrence County.

   Sen. Niehaus and I were introduced to one another by a former Ohio Senate president, also from southern Ohio, Manchester Republican Doug White.

     A former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, Sen. Niehaus also spent a quarter of a century working for the Fourth Estate, including a decade as publisher and editor of a community newspaper.

   With that experience, he’s well-prepared for anything the General Assembly can throw at him.

   All the best, Sen. Niehaus, in helping the new governor put Ohio back on track for job creation and widespread economic prosperity.

* * *

   Highland County Common Pleas Court Juvenile and Probate Judge Kevin Greer led last week’s oath of office ceremonies for Sen. David Daniels, Rep. Cliff Rosenberger and Auditor Bill Fawley.

   But just prior to administering their respective oaths of office, Judge Greer took a moment or two to talk about the task at hand of the Highland County Commission. You can hear the judge in his own words in a news video by Brandy Chandler on our website, www.highlandcountypress.com.

   But here’s the essence of what Judge Greer said.

   “I want to recognize Tom Horst and Shane Wilkin,” the judge said. “They took office two years ago, as we all know, under some very, very difficult circumstances. If I remember right, Shane told us all in January, I think, of ’09 we had about $3,000 in the checking account to run the county, something like that,” Greer said.

   “Just under eight (thousand),” Wilkin responded.

   “Just under $8,000,” Greer said. “You can argue whether the decisions they made were the correct ones or not, but you cannot argue that they failed to make tough decisions – unpopular with some – but they were needed."

They really were. All of our offices, Bill’s (Fawley), Paulette’s (Donley), (Sheriff) Ron Ward, we all took the cuts and have been able to operate, I think, effectively. And to those two gentlemen, I am very pleased to see that … you had the integrity and the fiscal responsibility to do what was necessary, no matter how unpopular. And, again, continue the good work, as far as I’m concerned.”

   As an independent observer of county government, I would say the same words apply to former commissioner Gary Heaton.

   Judge Greer also praised county auditor Bill Fawley, saying, “Sometimes there are arguments, but I appreciate and respect very much your willingness not just to go along to get along. And I know it’s not been fun. It’s never popular or fun to be out on an island by yourself, but I appreciate what you’ve done as our county auditor. And, again, the reason we’re solvent and can pay our bills is in no small part to what you have done.”

   Again, as an independent observer of county government, I would add that another reason Highland County is solvent is because its administrative body listens to and respects its auditor. For whatever reason or reasons, that’s rarely been the case for city government across the street from the Highland County Courthouse. (Reasonable minds simply cannot imagine a county official accusing or insinuating that the county auditor has hundreds of thousands of dollars unaccounted for; while such insulting insanity has been endured by

each of the last two city auditors.)

   As another year passes, the county government continues to demonstrate fiscal responsibility on behalf of the taxpayers. If there’s a lesson to be learned — and there is — from their counterparts on the east side of High Street, it’s taken far too long to learn.

   Last week, Judge Greer’s words, as always, were carefully chosen and on point. And, as you’ve probably guessed, I agree with the judge.

   When Highland County Board of Commissioners President Shane Wilkin looked the county department managers in the eye and told one and all: “We will not endorse salary increases” in 2011, he didn’t blink. He didn’t waffle and he didn’t hesitate. He simply spoke on behalf of the county’s 41,000 residents, many of whom fully understand what the 2007-11 recession really feels like.

   When a departmental budget or two came in with increases in salaries and wages, Wilkin said plainly: “We, as a board, are not endorsing increases in salaries and wages. If you decide to increase salaries, it will not be endorsed by this board. If you do increase salaries, you will have to knock 20 percent out of your budget to cover the PERS (retirement benefits),

Medicare, Workers’ Comp., etc.”

   Wilkin added, “If you come to us later in the year and need more money...well, I wouldn’t come to this office if you choose to increase salaries.”

   Are they getting this on North High Street, where more than 36 of 76 full-time employees receive more than $50,000 a year, plus the aforementioned 20 percent in “bennies,” from city taxpayers?

   In all sincerity, the auditor’s numbers – be they from the county or the city – are what they are. The auditors must answer to the state, while their critics can make false accusations and keep cashing their paychecks – until the proverbial well runs dry.

   Had the county commissioners not trimmed some $3 million from county spending, I suspect we’d face a plight similar to Scioto County, which was placed in a fiscal emergency by the Ohio auditor due to its $3.5 million deficit. There’s a government administration or two which could and should follow the county’s example when it comes to fiscal sanity.

   But as long as they continue to bury their heads in the sand, and as long as taxpayers refuse to speak out, we can anticipate the same old responses: Raise taxes. Raise tuition. Put a levy on the ballot. Demand more of what’s left of taxpayers’ income.

   At some point, taxpayers ought to just say, in the words of former boxer Roberto Duran, No mas. No more.

   Rory Ryan is publisher and editor of The Highland County Press.