Author Archives: Editor

Xenia 3.5 Mill Operating Levy Renewal Coming Soon

Posted on April 23, 2009 | Leave a comment

It appears that Xenia management and our Council representatives got the message during the February 2009 election. By a large majority, Xenia voters defeated an effort to pass a very large 5.0 mill operating levy replacement levy increase. The annual revenue it would have generated ($1.86 million) was way beyond any perceivable need.

Instead of seeking the next highest amount possible (3.5 mill replacement), the Council has decided to take the “What Works” approach. During the March 26, 2009 meeting, management seem to have decided that Council should initiate the process that will put the 3.5 Mill Operating Levy Renewal on the August 4, 2009 ballot. That they did.

Council could have saved taxpayer $18,000 had they sought for a renewal in the first place. Because the cost of placing a levy up for a vote is the above amount, the renewal will now cost taxpayers $36,000.

By the way, Councilman Dale Louderback was the only member who has refused to accept anything other than a renewal. Why was he the only dissenting voice against the February levy? Apparently, his conscience would not permit him to ask voters for such a huge increase during our nation’s near depression-like economic crisis. He is fully behind the no-new-taxes operating levy renewal.

One last observation; I can only imagine the distaste that observant Jews by that ancient priestly name, Levy or Levi, must have towards our politically and sometimes greed motivated government levies.

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Posted in city council, economy, news, politics, taxes, Xenia

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Economic Stimulus Funding Xenia Capital Improvements (but Not Jobs)

Posted on April 22, 2009 | Leave a comment

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Economic Stimulus) was approved by the House and Senate on February 13, 2009. According to the Recovery.gov web site, the goal of the Economic Stimulus is to jumpstart the economy, create or save jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century.

How does the economic stimulus flow to communities like Xenia?

The money flows similar to the way federal money is disbursed, which is through the State of Ohio, then to local communities. The Governor’s Office has set up a website whereby communities and other entities can submit projects. Xenia, like many other cities submitted a wide range of projects that included street reconstruction, street extension, water line construction, park development and redevelopment, downtown streetscape, pedestrian and bicycle improvement and extension, retention of police manpower and high speed internet connection. The projects that were submitted to the Governor’s Office are then reviewed by the different State Departments. Projects that are considered “shovel ready” get priority funding.

Projects that have received funding in Xenia.

The Ohio Department of Transportation was the first Department to review and take action on project proposal. These projects were reviewed through the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC). This agency made recommendations on which projects to submit. The transportation and street enhancement related projects that were approved in Xenia include:

1. Innovation Way Road Extension – $2,267,551.00. This is located in a new industrial complex between Union Road and S.R. 380. The first phase of Innovation Way is currently being constructed. Economic Stimulus dollars will fund $2,267,551.00 of the $3,209,681 project cost.

2. East Main Street Streetscape Improvement between Whiteman Street and Collier Street – $209,348.00. This project involves replacement of trees, installation of ornamental lighting, replacement of sidewalks, curbs, installation of crosswalks and accessible ramps and provision of streetscape hardware like benches, trash receptacles, planters and banners.

3. Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing Improvement from Xenia Station Hub to the Ohio-Erie Trail – $51,123.00. This involves improving the crosswalk with proper pavement marking, re-orienting of existing accessible ramps, widening of existing sidewalks on the east side of South Detroit Street between Hill Street and Washington Street and replacement of the catch basin with a storm manhole.

I could think of better ways to pay for those improvements to our city than to give Capitol Hill more reason to think in terms of ownership.

Source: Xenia Development Corner Newsletter, March 2009.

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Posted in economy, news, politics, taxes, Xenia

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Wondering what is being built next to Applebee’s Restuarant?

Posted on April 21, 2009 | Leave a comment

If you guessed it was another restaurant, you get a big fat A for Accurate-guessing.

According to the latest Xenia Development Corner Newsletter, Bob Evans Restaurant has started constructing their second restaurant at 1981 Harner Drive. This particular building design is being unveiled in Xenia and will be the first of many they hope to build throughout this region. The new restaurant is going to be over 5,000 square feet, roughly the same size as the existing Bob Evans Restaurant on 400 West Main Street.

According to Bob Evans Restaurant Officials, the two restaurants will initially be maintained and operated for a while. Eventually, the one on West Main Street will be closed.

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Posted in business, economy, news, Xenia

What is the City of Xenia Home Repair Program?

Posted on April 20, 2009 | Leave a comment

Now that spring has sprung in Xenia. Homeowners are beginning to think about repairing the home. The current dilemma is money. Not that money isn’t always an issue, but many pocket books are experiencing the effects of the economic recession. The most affected are likely to be the low- and moderate income homeowners. Those who are may find some financial assistance in Xenia’s Home Repair Program.

The Home Repair Program is a grant program that helps low-moderate income homeowners to repair housing conditions that pose an immediate threat to the health and safety of the occupants, or pose an ongoing threat to the structural integrity of the home.

The program offers up to $8,000 for single item repairs such as roofs, gutters and downspouts, windows and doors, electrical, plumbing heating, insulation, foundations, bathroom upgrades, water heaters, handicapped accessibility repairs and more.

To qualify for a Home Repair grant, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You must be the owner of the home (not a renter) in the City of Xenia.

2. You must live in the home as your permanent residence.

3. Your home must be in need of health, safety or emergency repairs not      exceeding $8,000.

4. You must be income eligibility requirements.

Financial eligibility is based on maximum income. For example, the maximum income limit for a household of 1 is $33,700, for a household of 2 it is $38,500, for a household of 3 it is $43,300, the maximum income limit for a household of 4 is $48,100, and so on.

To find out more about the program, visit the Xenia Home Repair Program website or call 937-562-5007.

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Posted in economy, news, Xenia

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Purity in an impure world

Posted on April 19, 2009 | Leave a comment

Last week I discussed Psalms 119:1-8. If in fact it is a psalm of David, this helps understand his inner tensions with his own impurity and his pursuit of living such a life. For David, the key to achieving a blameless life is by obeying God’s law. It is the same key to achieving and maintaining moral purity.

In verses 9-16 of this Psalm, how to maintain the moral purity of a legally blameless life is the question answered.

How can a young man keep his way pure?
By keeping it according to Your word.
 

As we saw last week, the key to achieving a blameless life begins with seeking to know God. It is a genuine relationship with God that results in true holiness. That is, no human can become like God with knowing, learning from, and emulating God. Just as kids emulate parents attitudes and behaviors, so it is by imitating God.

David repeats it in verse 10:

With all my heart I have sought you;
Do not let me wander from Your commandments.
 

How in the world can anyone seriously expect to emulate God who they can not see? The answer to that question was answered by Jesus of Nazareth. As you have seen me you have seen the Father. (Jo. 12:45; 14:7-15) Jesus also said what he saw the Father doing, he did likewise. What God his Father taught him, that was what he taught others. The life of Jesus demonstrated was the holiness and everlasting of God. Therefore, we should emulate it too.

There remains a problem. After his resurrection, Jesus ascended to the throne of God. Since then, no one has seen or heard Jesus emulating God. The good news is the problem of no visible example of God-likeness is resolved by the succession of followers of Jesus. Apostle Paul told the followers of Christ to “[b]e imitators of me, just as I am of Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1) Dr. Jon Young, pastor of Dayton Avenue Baptist Church, extends this is all followers of Christ. As we obey and live out the word of God, our lives will be living translations of the likeness of God and His way.

The point here is that Jesus did not come into the world to abolish the law (word) of God. He came to fulfill it. (Mt. 5:14-20) This was repeated by John, who put it this way: “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.” (1 Jo. 5:3) Paul expressed essentially the same thing when he wrote: “The whole law is fulfilled in one word, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:14)

That is how purity once achieved is maintained.

As David answers the question in verse 1, purity is maintained by:

Seeking God and his righteousness with all your heart, soul, and strength; (v.10; Mat. 6:33; Deut. 6:5)
 
Safe guarding the treasures of God’s word in your heart; (v. 11; Mat. 6:19-21)
 
Speaking about how God has made the law and promises a reality; (v. 12-13; Dt. 6:5-7; Mat. 10:31-32)
 
Rejoicing in the rich adventure and process of the word made life; (v. 14; Mat. 13: 45-46; Prov. 3:13-24)
 
Meditating on the word in order to continue learning and to remember. (v. 15-16; Deut. 6:8-9; Jo. 7-11)
 

The underlying current of the above is religious or ritual practices; it is love. Those who love God commit to seeking God, learning of God, treasuring shared experiences with God, and the rejoicing with God in them. It is a personal life shared with God and Jesus. It is shared because it is the loving relationship initiated by God (1 Jo 4:10) and continued by our response and continued commitment to that God who first loved us.

Psalms 119: 1-16 is the expression of love towards God. The life of Israel and the Jews began as an expression of God’s love leading to freedom. David is here returning that love through his desire to live faithfully in that relationship. Prophets Ezekiel and Jeremiah spoke of the failure of Israel to do likewise. They envisioned the day of a New Covenant in which love and faithfulness would be the enduring reality of God’s chosen people. Jesus has furthered that new covenant to all peoples of all races, languages, and nations. For he is that covenant spoken of by the prophet Isaiah. (Isa. 49:6; 53:1-12) Now, all who keep the commandments of God and Christ show their abiding love for the true and living God.

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Posted in Bible, religion

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Parental Rights Amendment

Posted on April 17, 2009 | Leave a comment

The Parental Rights Amendment (H.J.Res. 42) today has 73 sponsors in the House and 2 in the Senate. Is your members of Congress among them? The short answer is no. Either they are not aware of this amendment or helping business make money is more important.

The question is whether parents deserve Constitutional protection of their rights and authority over their own children. Many believe American families should be governed by secular U.N. law. That is what Pres. Obama, Hilary Clinton, and most other socialist Democrats believe is best for us all. Maybe you don’t agree with them. The Parental Rights.org certainly doesn’t. The following is the argument not only against the Democrat socialists but also showing the need for the Parental Rights Amendment.

“Eighty years ago the Supreme Court declared that “the child is not the mere creature of the State; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations.” Pierce v. Society of Sisters, 268 U.S. 510 (1925).

Thirty years ago the Court continued this line of reasoning with the pronouncement that the “primary role of the parents in the upbringing of their children is now established beyond debate as an enduring American tradition.” Wisconsin v. Yoder, 406 U.S. 205 (1972).

Yet in 2000, when the State of Washington gave any person the ability to override a good parent’s decision about visitation by simply claiming that it would be “best” for children to allow the third-party to have visitation rights, in the Supreme Court:

There were six separate opinions and none reached a five-vote majority:

  • Justice Thomas was the only Justice to clearly state that parental rights receive the same high legal standard of protection as other fundamental rights
  • Justice Scalia held that parents have no constitutionally protected rights whatsoever
  • Support for a high-view of parental rights has been seriously undermined by the current Court.

As a consequence, numerous lower federal courts refuse to treat parental rights as deserving of protection as a fundamental right.

At the same time, America is poised to adopt the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. President Obama supports this treaty. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has been a leading advocate of this treaty for over twenty years. Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) has “promised” that this treaty will be ratified during this term of Congress.

If this treaty is ratified:

  • The laws of all 50 states on children and parents would be superseded by this international law by virtue of a specific provision of the US Constitution which expressly declares treaties to be supreme over state law. Virtually all law on children and parents is state law.
  • Good parents would no longer be entitled to the legal presumption that they act in the best interests of their children. Instead, the government would have the authority to overrule all parents on any decision concerning the child if the government believed it could make a better decision.
  • Parents could no longer spank their children.
  • Children would have the legal right to choose their own religion.
    Parents would be permitted only to give advice.
  • America would be under a binding legal obligation to massively increase its federal spending on children’s programs.

The only kind of law that can override a treaty is the Constitution of the United States. State laws or state constitutions cannot override treaties. There is no guarantee that federal statutes could override treaties—moreover, we enter a binding legal promise to obey a treaty when we ratify it. America should not promise to obey a treaty and then claim it is appropriate to obey the treaty only when we want to. America of all nations must respect the rule of law.

There is only one possible solution for the eroding support for parental rights in the Supreme Court that can also stop the encroachment of international law.

We need to place the time-honored test of parental rights, as recognized by the Supreme Court for over seventy years, into the explicit text of the Constitution.

We cannot wait until our rights are formally demolished. We must act now to stop international law and protect these two key principles:

  • Fit parents should be allowed to direct the upbringing of their children.
  • American legislators, not international tribunals, should make the public policy for America on families and children.

Asking your Representatives and Senators to support this amendment is one way parents and friends of parents can help the cause.

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Posted in family, news, politics

Real problems undermining our children’s economic future

Posted on April 15, 2009 | Leave a comment

By John Mitchel

A while back the Beavercreek (Ohio) mayor was investigated for an alleged conflict of interest regarding a service contract with a private developer. Before the 2008 election, the Ohio Elections Commission investigated a candidate for Greene County recorder for removing an opponent’s yard signs. Recently a former Xenia Assistant Prosecutor appeared in court for allegedly scamming a client during an estate settlement. I suppose covering allegations on ethically challenged elected and appointed officials are warranted, but there are much more serious infractions being ignored by public officials and the press.

Take for example other shenanigans going on in Greene County. For nearly two years this reporter has been investigating the 2003 BRAC Initiative Agreement between Greene County Commissioners and the Dayton Development Coalition. There’s a mountain of evidence that points to bid-rigging, illegal campaign contributions and money laundering, a violation of the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act. Just follow the $1.9 million that starts with Greene County tax dollars; then through no-bid contracts, goes to the Dayton Development Coalition; then to Greentree Group, a Beavercreek government support contractor and then to Washington lobbying firm, PMA, which is under investigation for illegally bundling campaign contributions to John Murtha, Dave Hobson, Steve Austria and over a hundred other members in the U.S. Congress. From there it turns up as campaign donations from associates and family of these private corporations to Hobson, Austria and other elected officials. Finally, the money is spent on questionable expenditures, including spending by “Dave Hobson for Congress” on pest control, maid service and lawn-care, not to mention over $90,000 in other undisclosed expenditures. (Source: www.opensecrets.org)

If both public officials and the press take the time to address petty squabbles among city councilmen, intra-party bickering involving a two-dollar yard sign and relatively low-dollar abuses by former public officials, you’d think they would be all over a $1.9 million “earmarks-for-campaign-cash” scheme perpetrated in part by former and current U.S. Congressmen. These are the real problem that undermine our children’s economic future and it’s time the media shine a bright light on their abuses.

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Posted in Beavercreek, economy, Greene County, Ohio, politics

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Dayton Tea Party @ 6-8PM Courthouse Square

Posted on April 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

The Dayton Tea Party has received over 5,000 RSVPs for their April 15 Income Tax Day Rally at Courthouse Square from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown Dayton (corner of Third & Main).

The Dayton Tea Party Rally seeks to protest runaway spending at all government levels. The Rally will feature dynamic speakers from the Miami Valley. Modeled after the Boston Tea Party tax protest of 1773, the April 15 rally will pressure Congress to repeal the federal stimulus plan and draw attention for needed fiscal restraint, support for the free market and small business, and respect for the Constitution.
“We are all geared up for the rally,” said Perry Reynolds, co-founder of the Dayton Tea Party. “Our supporters are excited and pumped for April 15.”

“We are seeing support everywhere throughout the Miami Valley from all political spectrums,” said Rob Scott, co-founder of the Dayton Tea Party. “This event is not about political labels but standing up for what the Tea Partiers believe in.”

The Dayton Tea Party is a grassroots and nonpartisan group opposed to wasteful government spending. The Tea Party is made up of students, homemakers, working people, professionals who are Democrats, Independents, Republicans, and Libertarians.

For directions, a list of speakers, or other information, go to their website at www.daytonohioteaparty.com. For directions or a list of speakers, For questions, contact info@daytonohioteaparty.com.

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Posted in economy, events, news, politics, taxes

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Another attempt by Ohio legislators to legalize casino-style gambling

Posted on April 14, 2009 | Leave a comment

Apparently, Ohio lawmakers don’t get it. Ohioans are not in favor of padding the pockets of businesses or politicians with family-destroying addition money. For many gamblers, gambling is pathology. This pathology results in the ruin of personal finances, family welfare, and individuals lives. Yet, Ohio politicians seem blind to anything except money, which is evident in the following Dayton Daily News article.

State Reps. Todd Book, D-McDermott, and Louis Blessing, R-Cincinnati, said on Tuesday, April 7, that they’re drafting legislation based largely on an Ohio Racing Commission plan to put 14,000 slot machines at Ohio’s seven racetracks without a vote of the people.

They’re gathering cosponsors and hope to introduce the bill next week, Book and Blessing said.

Separately, Philip Craig, executive director of the Ohio Licensed Beverage Association, said he is gathering legislative support for a plan to permit slot machines at bars and restaurants, also without the vote of the people.

The effort has support from bar owners such as David Grusenmeyer in the Dayton area, who said business at his three bars is the worst he’s seen in 24 years. He owns two bars in Huber Heights and one in Fairborn.

Work on both proposals comes with the Ohio Ballot Board scheduled to meet on Monday, April 13, to consider a petition from backers of a proposal for casinos in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Toledo. The board must give its OK before supporters can begin to gather the 402,275 signatures needed to put the proposal on the Nov. 3 ballot.

As you can see, the proposed bill is intended to benefit only a few businesses. The reason Ohio needs slot machine gambling at racetracks and in bars is to bailout them out of their financial recession.

Even worse is the repeated use of this golden cash cow to save education from its supposed financial woes justification is getting nauseating.

The state’s weak economy combined with money woes at the tracks make it the right time to discuss expanding the Ohio Lottery to include slot machines at the tracks, said Book. The proposal will call for 51 percent of gross revenue to go to education, said Blessing.

If the economy were so bad that people aren’t spending enough of their unemployment or stimulus checks, how would gambling solve this cash flow problem? Maybe, the best thing for voters handing onto to their dollars is for such business to cease to exist. Taxpayers should refuse to allow politicians to use their tax dollars to prop up poorly managed businesses or those whose products and services are no longer in great demand. The larger they are the louder the sound of good riddance should be heard. Such shouting might even stimulate voters to put those politicians who supported this bill and others like it on unemployment, in my humble opinion.

Source: Dayton Daily News, April 8, 2009

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Posted in business, economy, education, news, Ohio, politics

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Glory be! Tax Freedom Day arrives on April 13

Posted on April 13, 2009 | Leave a comment

Tax Freedom Day® will arrive on April 13 this year, the 103rd day of 2009. That means Americans will work about three and a half months of the year, from January 1 to April 13, before they have earned enough money to pay this year’s tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels. Tax Freedom Day falls a full two weeks earlier in 2009 than it did in 2007. In fact, not since 1967 has Tax Freedom Day come earlier than this year’s April 13 date.

This shift has been driven by two factors: the recession has reduced tax collections even faster than it has reduced income; and the stimulus package, a.k.a. HR 1, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, includes large temporary tax cuts for 2009 and 2010. Nevertheless, in 2009, Americans will pay more in taxes than they will spend on food, clothing and housing combined.

While tax revenues are falling, government expenditures are expected to explode in 2009, also driven in significant part by HR 1. Tax Freedom Day, like almost all tax burden measures, ignores the current year’s deficits. If the projected deficit for 2009 were counted as a tax, Tax Freedom Day would arrive on May 29 instead of April 13-the latest date ever for this deficit-inclusive measure.

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Posted in economy, news, politics, taxes

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