Friday, April 24, 2015

Gallipoli April 25, 1915


Winston Churchill's fatal mistake and a dark day for Australian and New Zealand soldiers during World War I. Perversely it was also the battle that resulted in the end of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of the modern Turkish republic.

Gallipoli Campaign From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Film http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gallipoli_%281981_film%29
http://www.history.com/news/winston-churchills-world-war-disaster


Paul Hunter

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Snap Shot Of Local Revenue.

Local Government Revenue 2014-2015


Item 2014 2015
County Sales Tax Receipts


January $701,566 $819,002
February $561,453 $602,646
County Casino Receipts


January $127,109 $118,163
April $122,514 $126,598
Wilmington Schools Casino Receipts


January $81,895 $76,002
County Funds From State


01-04 Total $346,900 $308,885
City Funds From State


01-04 Total $108,721 $108,782

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Juxtaposition


On the road to the Ivy League - not bloody likely  

Meritocracy - An elite group of people whose progress is based on ability and talent rather than on class privilege or wealth.

Social Darwinism – a 19th century theory, inspired by Darwinism, by which the social order is accounted as the product of natural selection of those persons best suited to existing living conditions and in accord with which a position of laissez-faire is advocated.

Laissez-faire - a policy or attitude of letting things take their own course, without interfering.

Where does a poor, stealth scholar, non athletic child with a tin ear from the Mississippi delta fit into these concepts? “The Civil War and the civil rights struggle left deep wounds and, even today, some of America's most brutal, entrenched poverty and racism thrives in the delta.” 40% of the Delta's population lives below the poverty line.
Maybe the parents could move to inner city Detroit in order to move up the economic ladder. Detroit's individual rate living below the poverty level is 36.4%; the family rate is 31.3% .
If the family had insufficient funds to make it to Michigan they could always set up in Athens county Ohio where the poverty rate is a mere 32 percent.

Posted by Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com.

Monday, April 20, 2015

Gun Nut Overreach

Gun makers and merchant's siren call to the confused.
From the Hartford Courant
"Tim McGraw Defends Decision To Headline Sandy Hook Concert
A concert at the XFINITY Theatre on July 17 featuring McGraw will benefit Sandy Hook Promise, the nonprofit group organized by families whose children and siblings were among the 20 children and six educators fatally shot at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown in December 2012.
Its stated objective is to prevent gun violence and focus on mental health issues.
Gun rights advocates took to Facebook and Twitter, calling McGraw a hypocrite for headlining the event."
The insidious mission of “Sandy Hook Promise” Attacking the second amendment by: “Protecting children from gun violence so no other parent experiences the loss of their child by engaging and empowering parents and communities with targeted prevention programs in the areas of mental wellness early-identification & intervention, social & emotional development and firearm safety & security.
Help our community through this tragedy by providing resources and programs that foster connection, resiliency and overall wellness.”

Posted by Paul Hunter

Saturday, April 18, 2015

A View Of Wilmington Economics

During the several candidate forums for Wilmington city offices a lot of rhetoric concerning the economic state of the city and its residents have been discussed.
Here I present some information that might shed some light on the actual situation. Warning mind numbing data ahead!
To me the demographic data indicates that even though median household income has fallen since 2000 total wealth has increased. It’s just been shifted to fewer people. This shift reflects the national situation.
Paul Hunter paulhunter45177@gmail.com


Estimated median household income in 2012: $30,542 (it was $34,880 in 2000)
Wilmington:
$30,542
OH:
$46,829
Estimated per capita income in 2012: $19,455 (it was $17,346 in 2000)

Read more: http://www.city-data.com/city/Wilmington-Ohio.html#ixzz3XdpqMXrt

Estimated median household income in 2012: $36,378 (it was $33,702 in 2000)
Urbana:
$36,378
OH:
$46,829
Estimated per capita income in 2012: $19,518 (it was $17,831 in 2000)
Item: If we increase property taxes to build a connecting bridge between the business district and the residential area are we taking money out of the community or investing in economic development of the community?

Wilmington property tax on a $100,000 owner occupied residence.
2015 – $1246
2014 – $1258
2013 – $1344
2012 – $1398
2011 – $1392

Ohio income tax rates for Wilmington median household income
2014 - 3.17
2010 – 3.71

Fixed income?
Social Security and other COLA adjusted pensions and wages.
$15,000 annual income
2010 – $15,000
2015 – $16,314



Friday, April 17, 2015

Save Up Your Cardboard


The City landfill chief, Braden Dunham, is working toward an early summer start for an old corrugated cardboard (OCC) recycling program. Also in the works is an enhanced curbside system.

My view of the benefits of the”Cardboard Project”
The Hunter household of three retired senior citizens accumulated 30 pounds of OCC in a thirty day period 3/15/15 - 4/15/15.
Assuming an average 0f 20 pounds per month per Wilmington household multiplied by 4,000 residential accounts the theoretical result would be a total of 40 tons per month or 480 tons per year diverted from the landfill. If that amount was placed in the landfill the city would have to pay $6,000 in fees to the OEPA and County solid waste.
When we add in the small commercial and single point multifamily accounts the totals would be significantly higher.
Paul Hunter


Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Judge A By His Record

The other candidates for the County Municipal Court and their spokespersons have a lot of nice words but Brian Shidaker has a record to examine and evaluate.
The following information is from the County Prosecutors office.
a. Brian has participated in the prosecution of Felony, Misdemeanor, Juvenile Delinquency, Children Services Abuse/Neglect and Child Support Cases.
b. He has participated in the prosecution of nearly every type and classification of felony crime, the more serious including but not limited to: 2 Capital Murder Cases; Rape, Aggravated Robbery, Aggravated Burglary, Felonious Assault, Sexual Battery, Manslaughter, Child Pornography, Child Endangering, Engaging in a Pattern of Corrupt Activity, and Drug Trafficking.
c. Brian has felony trial conviction rate of 94%.
d. He has participated in the prosecution of several thousand cases over the last six years.
e. Despite many higher court appeals of Brian's convictions none have been overturned.

Brian's other job:
Ohio law describes the position: The city director of law shall act as the legal adviser to and attorney for the municipal corporation. He shall prepare all contracts, bonds, and other instruments in writing in which the municipal corporation is concerned, and shall indorse on each his approval of the form and the correctness thereof. He or his assistants shall be the prosecutor in any police or municipal court, and shall perform such other duties and have such assistants and clerks as are required or provided.”
Paul Hunter

Sunday, April 12, 2015

Waxing Nostalgic

70 years ago on this date an 11 year old Buddy Hunter was listening to the radio with mama when the announcement of FDR death was announced.
I made some idle comment like “well the old man kicked off”. Mama looked at me in shock and broke into tears.
Looking back she was right to feel sad. We will never see the likes of him again. One reason for that is that he created a system that prevented another great depression in 2009. Thanks to Social security, unemployment, compensation, insured bank accounts right of labor to organize, the nation entered the best fifty years of our and the worlds history.
Are we on the brink of losing that legacy?

Even those with only cursory interest in political history and economics would do well to take a look at the man and the times, if only for today. 
Paul Hunter

Shout Out To Our Reps.


Cliff and Bob, I realize that guns and coal are of vital concern for the legislature but just maybe you could take a moment to consider the health situation in Ohio.I know, I know, there little political power and influence (pedaling)  behind the issue. But, hey please take a look.

Paul Hunter

From the Dispatch

"Ohio 47th in bang for health-care buck

Ohio’s reputation has taken repeated hits in recent years for its poor showing on several key measures of health, including infant mortality, tobacco use, and diabetes and childhood-immunization rates. Now, a recent report card prepared by the nonpartisan Health Policy Institute of Ohio has found that the state is practically at the back of the pack nationally when taking into account the overall value, or effectiveness, of its health-care spending."

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Will Our Legislature Arm Untrained Idiots And Oafs


Hey Cliff and Bob!
Opponents fire back at controversial gun bill
Removing training requirement will get people killed, they say.
Concealed-carry supporters were among those who fired back Wednesday against a proposed law that would toss aside the state’s current licensing procedure and allow those 21 and older to carry hidden guns without training or a permit.
Mar 1, 2014 "A 36-year-old man from Independence Township apparently shot and killed himself by accident while trying to demonstrate gun safety to his girlfriend after he had been drinking, authorities said.
February 18, 2015, Michigan woman fatally shoots self while adjusting bra holster
Nov, 7 2013 Woman Accidentally Kills Herself With Smith and Wesson .500 at Shooting Range
Sep 28, 2014 MAN, SHOOTS, KILLS SELF AFTER ACCIDENTALLY SHOOTING BEST FRIEND
July 28, 2014 Pregnant woman, fetus die in accidental shooting
And the beat goes on.
Paul Hunter



Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Looking In All The Wrong Places


Those incumbent candidates for city office that are behind the “Massive Pay Raises” political publication concerning five year delayed pay raises for city employees should review their own job performance. City council by, voted ordinance, sets pay levels and step increases for all city employees not represented by Union contracts. Council must approve those contracts.
As an example: If the ordinance states that a person in a position titled, Sweeper I, with five years of service will be paid $11 per hour in the first year with fifty cent increases for every two years of additional service. By law that employee is entitled to a new pay rate of $12. After all Mr. Sweeper delayed his normal increase for a few years to help the city through a fiscal crisis. Does the headline, “Sweeper Gets Nine Percent Pay Raise” represent the facts or is it intended to shock the voter.
If the City Council wants to change the pay rate ordinance they are free to do so, but those candidates behind this hyperbolic publication should use that promise in their literature and not use their current ordinance to blame that man behind the tree.
Comparing the council approved 2010 city budget with the 2015 budget reveals that the salary lines for the five department most dependent on taxpayer funding, Administration, Streets, Auditor, Income Tax and Law Director has decreased 26% over six years.
Cheery picking individual situations and using them to confuse the pay issue is disappointing.
The Park Director's position is a case in point. The current director, when hired in 2012, realized the dire fiscal situation of the city at that time and agreed to accept a 34% pay reduction from her predecessors salary. When pay increases were approved by council in 2014 she did not receive any back pay adjustment but was merely adjusted up to the ordained salary.
In a similar case, it is my understanding that the “Patrol Officer receives a pay raise of over 50%” item in the campaign literature was the result of a promotion to a newly vacant position. The new sergeant assumed the pay of his predecessor. The was primarily a promotion and not a 50% raise.
Of note:
Special council meeting minutes for 6/12/14
“A motion was made by Jaehnig and seconded by Milburn to authorize the mayor to enter into the collective bargaining agreement and to extend the terms to the other city employees, with the exception of the other two unions with which the city is in negotiations. Motion passed. All yeas. A motion was made by Milburn and seconded by Mead to authorize the mayor to enter into a settlement agreement. Motion passed. All yeas. [including the three incumbent council candidates whose names are included in the mentioned campaign literature.]
If these folks want to save the city some significant money they should consider using some of the lodging tax revenue to support the parks. Using a state approved income tax collection agency, that is used by Sabina, Loveland and many other Ohio cities, could save the general fund $50,000 to $100,000 per year.




Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Our Air Will Be Cleaner


A step in the right direction and an example to the feckless coal loving Ohio Legislature's retrograde view of alternate energy.
Paul Hunter
From the Dispatch: AEP plants in Ohio to close
By the end of May, American Electric Power will shut down seven coal-fired power plants, including two in Ohio, in part because of federal clean-air rules.