Out of control!!!!

I truly believe if my grandparents where alive and well they would march down to One Government Center and give our elected officials the biggest whopping they have ever had. Our local government is of control!  

We are 20 million in the hole right now and what does City Council do, add 9 million to it for trash cans. What is their reasoning, "well we have to." No you don't! The plan to go to a one man truck is a great idea. It will save the tax payer millions in overtime and other expenses. However, the decision to buy the cans before a plan is even on the table is a ridiculous decision. For example, if I wanted to build a shed in my back yard I wouldn't go and buy all the wood until after I figured out how I planned to build the shed.  Where is common sense, and the madness doesn't stop there. 

We already pay taxes for fire service in the city. Why is the Chief Wolever suggesting that the city charges the citizens fees for fire service? He claims that the city would only charge the insurance companies of the home owners but we all know that the charges will be passed on to the companies customers, all of them. And then you have the comments by District 3 Councilman Mike Craig claiming that these funds are in the same vein as "grant money". Mr. Craig, grant money is our taxes money taken from us and given not to the expenses of government but to programs that make elected officials look good in the eyes of voters. Seeing as though we've already paid our taxes for fire service, we would appreciate it if you didn't take our grant money either. 

More on this out of control government to come, did someone say tax the rain?

What an ego.....

We have seen over 45,000 signatures turn in the hope of recalling sitting Mayor Carty Finkbeiner. The response? ""The day I turn Toledo over to a group of self-interested malcontents from outside of Toledo will be a cold day in a warm place." So I guess those of us who sign the petitions are malcontents and live outside of Toledo. That's weird, I look up and down my street everyday and I'm positive by the trash that I live in Toledo.

Where does this kind of arrogance come from? The man has done a horrible job and the people have the right to throw him out of office if they wish. I think it's pretty obvious that the people wish it. "Well, 45,000 is not 300,000." You're right, it's not. However, how many of the 300,000 showed up to vote for Carty? How many showed up to vote at all?

Mr. Mayor, the time has come to show respect to the citizens and step down but I'm afraid your oversize ego wouldn't let you.

Tea Party

Well today is April 15th. For every other year this day is a very sad day. One that reminds me that my government likes to take my money and after they take it, they want to give it to who ever they think deserves it. Yes, I know what you're thinking, "sounds like robbery", pretty much.

But not today. No today was a good day. It was cold and rainy. The wind was strong and the ground was muddy but it didn't matter. Today was the first day in which we stood up and said, "enough". Almost 900 like minded individuals gave up our lunches, personal and vacation time and stood out in that cold rain at International Park in Downtown Toledo. We came to send a message to every level of government informing them that we are tired of out of control spending and tax anything that moves policies/programs.

We're tired of new flowers and government ran "private" business when our streets are filled with pot holes and our cops are being laid off. We're tired of bridges to no where and bailouts for companies and banks that made horrible business decisions and are now reaping what they sowed.

Yes today was a good day. Possibly one to remember but one thing's for sure, it must not be the only day of it's kind. Government is like my 2 year old. He listens to you until you walk out of the room. We must continue to remind government we are here and we refuse to leave the room.

Good Intentions

In a world where good intentions seem to be the root for all bad policy decision this may take the cake. Right here in NW Ohio we have State Sen. Stephen Buehrer (R. from Delta) who has proposed a $2,500, $5000 and $10,000 grant for a select 300 individuals who have recently received a college degree. Based on the degree will be the base for the amount of the  grant. 

The purpose for the grant is to encourage college graduates to stay in Ohio. Ohio is facing a huge problem called the "brain drain". Our young minds learning everything they need here and moving far away to find jobs. 

To it's credit this plan does not cost the tax payer any more than what they have already paid. However, is this the best use for the money? Let's think about this. How much more money could I make over my life time by choosing to live and work somewhere else? Ohio's high paying jobs are declining yearly. Is it possible that I could make far more than $10,000 a year let alone my life some place else? The chances are, yes I could. 

If the purpose is to keep our bright young minds here then this is a bad idea no matter how good the intention maybe. So instead of offering grants to buy a home, let's offer jobs. Good jobs. Jobs that make people want to buy homes and raise their kids here. Jobs that make people from all over the country want to buy here. That would give us all a reason to live here.