Trump, Comey, CHIP grants and Four Minutes With Forsha
Lead Summary
By
Rory Ryan-hcpress@cinci.rr.com
After reading a news release from U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley this weekend, maybe those critical of President Trump over his firing of former FBI Director James Comey might want to reconsider.
Or not.
After all, liberals tend to be experts on things they know nothing about.
The senator’s release, co-signed by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (no supporter of Trump), seems to reveal that Comey had formed his conclusion in the Hillary Ramrod Clinton probe before completing interviews with key witnesses. Good police work, G-man.
Grassley and Graham are requesting documents linked to a Hatch Act investigation. The Hatch Act prohibits government employees from using their official position to influence an election.
The senators say that transcripts reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee reveal that Comey began drafting an exoneration statement in the Clinton email investigation before the FBI had interviewed key witnesses – while Clinton was running for president.
“Conclusion first, fact-gathering second – that’s no way to run an investigation,” the senators wrote in a letter to the FBI. “The FBI should be held to a higher standard than that, especially in a matter of such great public interest and controversy.”
I agree. But surely the liberal progressives out there will disagree. (On a side note, funny thing about “progressives.” Former Ohio Republican Gov. James Rhodes ran as a “progressive” back in the day.)
The senators allege that Comey “began drafting a statement to announce the conclusion of the Clinton email investigation in April or May of 2016, before the FBI interviewed up to 17 key witnesses, including Clinton and several of her closest aides. The draft statement also came before the Department entered into immunity agreements with Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson where the Department agreed to a very limited review of Clinton’s emails and to destroy their laptops after review.”
The senators continue: “In an extraordinary July 2016 announcement, Comey exonerated Clinton despite noting: ‘There is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information.’”
When I watched Comey’s announcement on television last year, I remember thinking that the build-up to the possible attorney general indictment might be too good to be true. It was.
After making a case against Clinton for several minutes, Comey did an about-face and said there would be no prosecution of the former carpetbagging first lady from Arkansas, senator from New York and secretary of state from Washington, D.C.
Comey appeared to me to be a self-appointed investigator, judge and jury. That’s not the way our system ought to work. But when it works that way in Washington, why are we not surprised when it works that way on the state and local levels?
Good riddance to Comey. Chalk one up for President Trump.
* * *
Obama’s letter to Trump
On another presidential note, I read what is reported to be former President Obama’s outgoing letter to President Trump. It reads:
Dear Mr. President,
Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.
This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past eight years.
First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard.
Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.
Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions – like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties – that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.
And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches.
Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.
Good luck and Godspeed,
BO
I may be wrong, but it seems to me that if President Obama was willing to offer a few kind words of wisdom to the new president, maybe the rest of the nation – and particularly the mainstream media – can give him a bit of a chance as well. The problems this country faces did not arrive on Trump’s inauguration. They have been a few years in the making.
* * *
Lambert and his CHIP grant
Last week, a local public worker asked me if I knew that former Highland County Visitors Bureau director and Hillsboro city commissions member Bob Lambert’s 449 East Main St., Hillsboro property had a “for sale” sign in front of it.
I replied that I was aware of it.
The public worker then asked if taxpayer dollars would be refunded from Lambert’s 2013 Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) renovation efforts. That’s a fair question.
The Ohio Regional Development Corporation (http://www.ordevelopment.com/index.php/grants/chip) says for the CHIP grant: “Eligible applicants must agree to (1) occupy the home for at least five years after the rehabilitation, (2) reimburse the program 15 percent of the total grant when the home is sold or vacated after five years, (3) reimburse the program on a sliding scale up to the total amount of the grant if the home is sold or vacated before the five-year anniversary, (4) be willing and able to allow the administrating agency to retain a mortgage on the property and (5) be willing and able to reimburse the program as agreed if the home is sold or transferred as part of the current owner’s estate.”
Thus, I emailed the following to the state of Ohio today to the Ohio Development Services Agency:
Former Highland County Visitors Bureau director and Hillsboro city commissions member Bob Lambert pleaded guilty to felony charges of distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography on Monday, July 31, 2017 before U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. See http://www.highlandcountypress.com/Content/In-The-News/In-The-News/Article/Lambert-pleads-guilty-to-child-pornography-distribution-possession/2/20/39768.
Shortly thereafter, his house at 449 East Main St., Hillsboro was advertised for sale.
In 2013, this property had Community Housing Improvement Program renovation.
What are the requirements for receiving a CHIP grant and then selling the same property? Will you be placing a lien on this property to refund the taxpayers? Why or why not?
The Ohio Development Services Agency says it “is committed to providing transparency of its programs. When the agency reviews program rules pursuant to the Common Sense Imitative (CSI). At this time, the agency is not reviewing program rules subject to CSI review. Comments or questions about the agency rule review process can be sent to Rule.comment@development.ohio.gov or call (800) 848-1300.
I did what I could for you, public worker. The rest is up to the taxpayers who continue to fund and support this nonsense. Call (800) 848-1300 or email Rule.comment@development.ohio.gov.
Otherwise, leave me alone. This issue has been well-reported and no one in any position of city or county authority gives a rat’s behind. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the convicted one doesn’t come back to town and run for mayor or city council. He’d probably win with the usual political endorsements. Wake up, already, people.
* * *
Four Minutes With Forsha
On a much, much more pleasant note, let’s wrap up this award-winner by mentioning WSRW Radio 101.5 FM and its fine coverage of Hillsboro Indians high school football.
As a longtime local sports fan and occasional sportswriter at-large, it pleases me that Stewart Gardner and Dave Hilliard are teaming up to cover the Indians’ Friday night football games on 101.5 FM. They do a great job.
Stew is the consummate (in the word’s usage as a modifier) professional. And Dave is Dave. (He’ll laugh at that, I suspect.)
I enjoy their radio coverage when I can’t make it to the games.
But about that halftime show: “Four Minutes With Forsha.” Where did you find this guy?
Seriously, I enjoy that halftime segment as well. The guys talk about local sports from the No. 1 state-ranked Fairfield Lions cross-country team to Coach Dave Hilliard’s outstanding Lady Indians’ golfers. And HCP sports editor Stephen Forsha is a pretty good guy, too. He also happens to be my son-in-law.
If you can’t make it to the home games at John Wayne Richards Memorial Field or the road games, you can always tune in to Stew and Dave (and Four Minutes With Forsha) on 101.5 FM or check out our coverage at www.highlandcountypress.com.
Rory Ryan is the publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.
Or not.
After all, liberals tend to be experts on things they know nothing about.
The senator’s release, co-signed by U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham (no supporter of Trump), seems to reveal that Comey had formed his conclusion in the Hillary Ramrod Clinton probe before completing interviews with key witnesses. Good police work, G-man.
Grassley and Graham are requesting documents linked to a Hatch Act investigation. The Hatch Act prohibits government employees from using their official position to influence an election.
The senators say that transcripts reviewed by the Senate Judiciary Committee reveal that Comey began drafting an exoneration statement in the Clinton email investigation before the FBI had interviewed key witnesses – while Clinton was running for president.
“Conclusion first, fact-gathering second – that’s no way to run an investigation,” the senators wrote in a letter to the FBI. “The FBI should be held to a higher standard than that, especially in a matter of such great public interest and controversy.”
I agree. But surely the liberal progressives out there will disagree. (On a side note, funny thing about “progressives.” Former Ohio Republican Gov. James Rhodes ran as a “progressive” back in the day.)
The senators allege that Comey “began drafting a statement to announce the conclusion of the Clinton email investigation in April or May of 2016, before the FBI interviewed up to 17 key witnesses, including Clinton and several of her closest aides. The draft statement also came before the Department entered into immunity agreements with Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson where the Department agreed to a very limited review of Clinton’s emails and to destroy their laptops after review.”
The senators continue: “In an extraordinary July 2016 announcement, Comey exonerated Clinton despite noting: ‘There is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information.’”
When I watched Comey’s announcement on television last year, I remember thinking that the build-up to the possible attorney general indictment might be too good to be true. It was.
After making a case against Clinton for several minutes, Comey did an about-face and said there would be no prosecution of the former carpetbagging first lady from Arkansas, senator from New York and secretary of state from Washington, D.C.
Comey appeared to me to be a self-appointed investigator, judge and jury. That’s not the way our system ought to work. But when it works that way in Washington, why are we not surprised when it works that way on the state and local levels?
Good riddance to Comey. Chalk one up for President Trump.
* * *
Obama’s letter to Trump
On another presidential note, I read what is reported to be former President Obama’s outgoing letter to President Trump. It reads:
Dear Mr. President,
Congratulations on a remarkable run. Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.
This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don't know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past eight years.
First, we've both been blessed, in different ways, with great good fortune. Not everyone is so lucky. It's up to us to do everything we can (to) build more ladders of success for every child and family that's willing to work hard.
Second, American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It's up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that's expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend.
Third, we are just temporary occupants of this office. That makes us guardians of those democratic institutions and traditions – like rule of law, separation of powers, equal protection and civil liberties – that our forebears fought and bled for. Regardless of the push and pull of daily politics, it's up to us to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.
And finally, take time, in the rush of events and responsibilities, for friends and family. They'll get you through the inevitable rough patches.
Michelle and I wish you and Melania the very best as you embark on this great adventure, and know that we stand ready to help in any ways which we can.
Good luck and Godspeed,
BO
I may be wrong, but it seems to me that if President Obama was willing to offer a few kind words of wisdom to the new president, maybe the rest of the nation – and particularly the mainstream media – can give him a bit of a chance as well. The problems this country faces did not arrive on Trump’s inauguration. They have been a few years in the making.
* * *
Lambert and his CHIP grant
Last week, a local public worker asked me if I knew that former Highland County Visitors Bureau director and Hillsboro city commissions member Bob Lambert’s 449 East Main St., Hillsboro property had a “for sale” sign in front of it.
I replied that I was aware of it.
The public worker then asked if taxpayer dollars would be refunded from Lambert’s 2013 Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) renovation efforts. That’s a fair question.
The Ohio Regional Development Corporation (http://www.ordevelopment.com/index.php/grants/chip) says for the CHIP grant: “Eligible applicants must agree to (1) occupy the home for at least five years after the rehabilitation, (2) reimburse the program 15 percent of the total grant when the home is sold or vacated after five years, (3) reimburse the program on a sliding scale up to the total amount of the grant if the home is sold or vacated before the five-year anniversary, (4) be willing and able to allow the administrating agency to retain a mortgage on the property and (5) be willing and able to reimburse the program as agreed if the home is sold or transferred as part of the current owner’s estate.”
Thus, I emailed the following to the state of Ohio today to the Ohio Development Services Agency:
Former Highland County Visitors Bureau director and Hillsboro city commissions member Bob Lambert pleaded guilty to felony charges of distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography on Monday, July 31, 2017 before U.S. District Court Judge Susan J. Dlott. See http://www.highlandcountypress.com/Content/In-The-News/In-The-News/Article/Lambert-pleads-guilty-to-child-pornography-distribution-possession/2/20/39768.
Shortly thereafter, his house at 449 East Main St., Hillsboro was advertised for sale.
In 2013, this property had Community Housing Improvement Program renovation.
What are the requirements for receiving a CHIP grant and then selling the same property? Will you be placing a lien on this property to refund the taxpayers? Why or why not?
The Ohio Development Services Agency says it “is committed to providing transparency of its programs. When the agency reviews program rules pursuant to the Common Sense Imitative (CSI). At this time, the agency is not reviewing program rules subject to CSI review. Comments or questions about the agency rule review process can be sent to Rule.comment@development.ohio.gov or call (800) 848-1300.
I did what I could for you, public worker. The rest is up to the taxpayers who continue to fund and support this nonsense. Call (800) 848-1300 or email Rule.comment@development.ohio.gov.
Otherwise, leave me alone. This issue has been well-reported and no one in any position of city or county authority gives a rat’s behind. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the convicted one doesn’t come back to town and run for mayor or city council. He’d probably win with the usual political endorsements. Wake up, already, people.
* * *
Four Minutes With Forsha
On a much, much more pleasant note, let’s wrap up this award-winner by mentioning WSRW Radio 101.5 FM and its fine coverage of Hillsboro Indians high school football.
As a longtime local sports fan and occasional sportswriter at-large, it pleases me that Stewart Gardner and Dave Hilliard are teaming up to cover the Indians’ Friday night football games on 101.5 FM. They do a great job.
Stew is the consummate (in the word’s usage as a modifier) professional. And Dave is Dave. (He’ll laugh at that, I suspect.)
I enjoy their radio coverage when I can’t make it to the games.
But about that halftime show: “Four Minutes With Forsha.” Where did you find this guy?
Seriously, I enjoy that halftime segment as well. The guys talk about local sports from the No. 1 state-ranked Fairfield Lions cross-country team to Coach Dave Hilliard’s outstanding Lady Indians’ golfers. And HCP sports editor Stephen Forsha is a pretty good guy, too. He also happens to be my son-in-law.
If you can’t make it to the home games at John Wayne Richards Memorial Field or the road games, you can always tune in to Stew and Dave (and Four Minutes With Forsha) on 101.5 FM or check out our coverage at www.highlandcountypress.com.
Rory Ryan is the publisher and owner of The Highland County Press.