Flag City Politico

Old Glory

Happy Flag Day 2007! Growing up in Findlay, and with my father being born on July 4, our family was very patriotic. My favorite colors have always been red, white and blue (can you tell by looking at this site?). There is just something special about our national flag...whether you see it flying in front of your neighbor's home, or see children treating it with care at the end of the school day. Each of us can probably remember an event, a photo or some circumstance whether the flag was present, and it bringing a lump to their throat or a tear to their eye. To me, that moment first came when I was eleven years old.

Ken Blackwell Job's Plan

Remember Ken Blackwell? A long time state office holder and a candidate for governor way back in 2006, Blackwell was a darling of the Ohio Republican Party. Here is a campaign advertisement that ran during his campaign.

Humane Society doesn't get it.

I would have been fine if not for the first sentence.

"Enough is enough." When Hancock County Humane Society board president Robert Welker started his May 24th letter to the editor in The Courier this way, I already knew I wasn't going to like the rest...and I was correct. It seemed liked he took the complaints and concerns of area residents personally, and listed a line-by-line rebuttal for those not happy with his organization's service.

I know that a humane society must be a difficult place to work at...making life and death decisions on a daily basis takes it toll on anyone. You may think that since they are animals, it would not be that hard, but that is where you are wrong. The individuals who work at places like this have a love for the animals and are sincerely happy when they are adopted by families. When they decide that an animal needs to euthanized, it is an emotional decision and one they avoid if it all possible.

However, Robert missed a huge point that more than one letter writer brought up; there are other organizations that are doing things better. If he would have just said that he recognized that and would be glad to talk to the public on how to improve procedures, he would have gotten respect and positive feedback from myself and others. Unfortunately, he didn't.

He challenged people to come to the humane society to see how tough things are...he ended with "It will never be easy or perfect". We know that things will never be perfect, and obviously you cannot satisfy everyone all of the time. We are not looking for perfect...only better. Perhaps in the future, those with oversight of Robert and the rest of the board will keep this in mind and be aware of what the public is saying. Small steps do not take much in the way of resources, and doing something to improve conditions in response to the public is a great public relations tool. Those in charge of public services would do their best to keep this in mind.

-RSKnopfJr

Happy Mothers Day

Mother's Day 2007 is momentous because this year there is a woman running for President who has an outstanding opportunity to win her party's nomination. Unlike past years when Elizabeth Dole, Barbara Boxer and others have run, this year marks the first time that a female candidate is considered a legitimate choice by both the public and media.