Flag City Politico

Happy 2nd Anniversary!

Welcome to the Flag City Politico.

Over the next several weeks, months and (hopefully) years, we will explore the local, state and national political landscape.  Together, we will try to understand what is happening in the political arena, and how decisions made by others can affect all of us.

- Sunday, May 6, 2007

WOW!  Has it really been two years?  400+ posts later, I am still standing.

Oh, that Barney Rubble. What an actor.

As with any anniversary, it is a time to look back and reminisce about the wonderful days that have gone by.  It seems like just yesterday that I was talking about Andy Peters' mustache. Since I started, Findlay elected a new mayor and the country has a new President.

Looking back over the past two years, I found a few of my favorite posts (Top 10) and wanted to share them with you again

• State of the Union
• A Day In The Spotlight
• History
• Do The Right Thing
• Straight Talk
• A Historic Evening...and then Morning
• What else can be said?
• Behind-the-scenes at the Palin rally
• Afterthoughts
• Inaugural Thoughts

Those certainly bring back some memories. Can you see how my design skills have changed over the past two years?  If Levi says I am improving, then it must be so.

Thanks to everyone who reads FCPolitico, make wonderful comments and send me messages. If it wasn't for you, I would not continue to do this. Thanks to Findlay Publishing for allowing me to do this and for sticking with me - even if I am busier than ever and cannot update every day.

I look forward to hearing from you.  I may be the person in front of the keyboard, but your thoughts, suggestions and opinions are critical to the "fair and balanced" blog I have tried to develop.  Please leave comments along the way, or contact me by e-mail (flagcitypolitico@gmail.com) or via Twitter (updates at top of left hand column). With a little assistance from you, I think this journey will be interesting and informative.  And who knows...maybe we'll all learn something along the way.

Most of all, however, thanks to my wife and kids. They have been very supportive about 'one more thing' I need to do some nights, and are understanding when I cannot give them my full attention. I love the three of you very much!!

-RSKnopfJr

Here's Ronnie...

So..how have you been?

I know it has been a little while...and some of you have passed along concern that everything was ok with me, and wondering when I was going to get back to this. Well, rest easy campers - everything is just fine...and I am back to the grindstone.

First, I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I know I did. For the first time in a looooooooooong time, I actually enjoyed the holidays; Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years - everything! Now, I am not a Scrooge going around "humbug"-ing everyone and everything - but the holidays, and everything associated with it, are not always at the top of my list of things I want to do. This year, however, was different...and I am not sure why.

Maybe it is the fact the economy is in such sad shape, but the focus of this year has changed from the amount of what I enjoyed (gifts/food/travel), to the quality of everything. I looked forward to watching a different Christmas movie every night with my family, enjoying the experience of being together and sharing in the laughs and/or tears.  Some of the most fun we had was baking Christmas cookies...and then eating them. We even built a gingerbread house. It was from a kit, but hey, the effort was still there.

We continued our family tradition of going out to eat dinner on Christmas Eve, and this year, I surprised everyone with a little present. It was great to see the faces of my daughters light up receiving a book....A BOOK!!! Granted, they are part of the 'Twilight' series, but still...A BOOK!!!  My wife got one of Rachel Ray's books (I'm nor sure which - they all sort of blend together). After dinner (and my family eating more than enough ribs and shrimp), we went around the city to look at lights before heading home and enjoying the luminaries on South Main Street.

That part of the tradition has always been special. When I was younger, my family always traveled to Wapakoneta for Christmas Eve with my Mom's side of the family. By the time we left and made it back to Findlay, it was usually after 11pm, but no matter what time, I remember us going down South Main to look at the luminaries and the Christmas lights on all the homes. My mother really enjoyed this, and it was one of the things she always looked forward to. I guess that has stuck with me, and I am happy that my own family has embraced the continuation of this tradition.

My kids still got their fair share of presents on Christmas morning - in fact, for the first time, I do not believe either of them did not get anything they had asked Santa for. I know they no longer believe in Santa, but they have not shared that with me. The night before, they put our cookies and milk for Santa, and some carrot sticks for Chet and the other reindeer. After eating the cookies and sharing the carrots with the his reindeer (aka Sammy the Beagle), Santa left a note saying "Thanks - see you next year".

Even though I had to go into work several times, and the girls were busier than ever over their 'break', it seemed like we spent more quality time together than ever before. We officially ended the holiday season on January 4th when we went to Dayton to see 'Trans-Siberian Orchestra' in concert. My children were not too excited about going, and I must admit, I was not sure what to expect. When it was over, however, I think we were all blown away. It was TSO's last concert of the year, so it seemed like they put a little more into it. My kids enjoyed it so much, they wanted to know if we could do this every year.

Since Thanksgiving, I have been meaning to start writing again, but between work (and work, and work, and work), my family, and actually enjoying myself, I really did not have much time to do anything else. With an inauguration coming up, battles for Senate seats still going on, the city/county still in a financial quagmire, and people wondering whether Pittsburgh is going to the Super Bowl (maybe not political, but I hear this from others quite a bit), it seemed like a good time to start up again. I have had my little vacation, and feel rested and ready to roll.

Let's start off with a poll. How has our Mayor done in his first year? In a time where the city is struggling to maintain a (semi)balanced budget, disagreements with unions and flooding not yet under control, how is Pete faring? Vote in the poll to the right, and/or leave comments below.

Thanks to everyone for a great 2008. Let's make 2009 even better!!

-RSKnopfJr

What a team

The team I work with knows that I blog. They sometimes bring me feedback from individuals who have read something I posted. There have even been moments where they have humored me and listened to political stories where my recitation tends to go on far too long.

They wanted to know if I would post their predictions for the election, and I told them I would. Here is what we think is going to happen...

FCPolitico: Obama 53%  McCain 45%  Obama wins electoral vote 353-185

Ben:  Obama 52%  McCain 46%

Zach:  Obama 49%  McCain 47%

Aaron:  "Resistance 2 will be far funner than Resistance 1. Unicorns are pretty."

What a team.

-RSKnopfJr

Update...

Joe:  Obama 60%  McCain 40%

Brad:  Obama 53%  McCain 47%

Another update...

Aaron now says McCain 50%  Obama 48%...and unicorns are still pretty.

GOTV

I just got back from voting. I arrived at 6:45a, and waited in line until 7:30a before I could cast my ballot. It was wonderful to see so many people arrive early to vote - families standing in line together, friends greeting each other...the mayor even showed up to cast his vote.

I had my youngest daughter by my side. With the historical aspects of this election (something special is going to happen no matter who is elected), I wanted her to remember this moment. We went through each race and issue, using this as not only a civics lesson but an affirmation of how great it is to be an American. Together we pressed the 'cast ballot' button, got our stickers, and rushed to get her and her sister to school (late - but hopefully they understand that this is once every four years).

No matter the lines, or the weather (it's gonna be sunny and 74 today - don't skip out to enjoy the final splash of summer), make sure you get out and vote today.

 

Get Out The Vote!! More later.

-RSKnopfJr

Helping Others

The community has spent the past few weeks remembering how bad things were during last year's floods. It was a rough time for many people within Findlay, Hancock County and the surrounding areas.

The people in this community banded together to support one another in that time of crisis, but we did not do it alone. There were plenty of individuals who came to our area to help out, and we will always be grateful.

With a major hurricane once again headed toward Louisiana/Mississippi/Texas, and two others headed toward the United States, let's remember how other people are about to face hardship and challenges. Individuals will be left without food, clothing, shelter, medicine or basic necessities.

If you are able, please contact one of the organizations listed below.  If you have other suggestions you would like readers to know about, please share them in the comments section. If nothing else, a simple prayer of support can do wonders. Pay it forward!

American Red Cross
Red Cross - Donate Online
Hancock County Red Cross
Local Blood Drives

How the Red Cross May Use Your Donation to Help Disaster Victims

• $25 provides five blankets at an emergency shelter
• $75 can cover a doctor's visit for an individual injured in a disaster
• $350 will provide emergency food and shelter for 25 disaster victims for one day

Volunteer Match - Disaster/Relief Volunteering

Freedom Corps - Response & Recovery

Friends of New Orleans

Thanks to everyone who can help out!

---

updated information...

USAToday - 1st Night Canceled 

Politico - McCain: Convention now a call to action 

CNN - McCain arranges charter plane for delegates 

Gustav - Track | Models | Wind Map | Satellite 

-RSKnopfJr

A favor

I know that I promised you my endorsement for mayor this evening, and I have everything typed up and ready to go. I hope I have your blessing and support, however, if I wait until tomorrow to post it. I would really like to sleep on it tonight, and see if I feel any different in the morning (and after a good night's rest).


 

Behind the scenes of the Mayoral Forum

Before I get to what happened on the 22nd, I want to give you some background information. Since 2001, I have worked at The University of Findlay, and have been fortunate to work with very talented people in an exciting and challenging environment. In 2006, I was asked to manage a new group, which included oversight of the University's TV station. Since I joined the team, we have taped quite a few concerts/lectures/games that make it to the small screen, but I have never been involved in a 'LIVE' event before.

Hancock County Republican Fall Picnic

Tonight at the Koehler Center on the campus of The University of Findlay, I attended the 2007 Hancock County Republican Party Fall Picnic. Now, besides being a Republican and attending this annual Columbus Day tradition, this event holds another special memory for me.

Back in 1992 after I had recovered from cancer surgery and treatments, my family asked what I wanted to do for my birthday (which is on October 9th). Because of college, I hadn't been to this event for a few years, and I persuaded my family and fiance (now the FCP's wife) to forgo any presents and just join me at this BBQ. My mother got tickets for everyone, and they all joined me...my favorite hobby and my family together in the same room was very life affirming.

Anyway, tonight's event kicked off a little late, but soon got rolling as Judge Vern Preston got up and shared a few barbs about Democrats.

listen to Judge Vern Preston talk about Columbus Day or download the file

listen to Judge Vern Preston talk about famous books or download the file

After dinner, Congressman Jim Jordan got up and spoke to the crowd for a moment before introducing the main speaker...

listen to Congressman Jim Jordan address the audience or download the file

the Honorable Rob Portman.

listen to Rob Portman address the audience or download the file

For those who forget, Portman was a six-term Congressman from the Cincinnati area. He hit the national stage by serving on the House ways and Means committee, and later when he left to join GWB White House staff as a trade representative. He was later named budget director, but left the position this past June so he could spend more time with his wife and three children.

Portman might run for Governor or US Senate in a few years when Strickland or Brown come up for re-election...or maybe Voinovich will face a conservative challenge (unlikely, but possible considering some of the comments and votes he has made over the past few years). The crowd responded enthusiastically to his speech, and I believe he would make a great representative for the state.

I hope that the recordings and pictures are adequate. I am in the market for a nice unit to record audio at these events, so if you have any ideas, let me know.

-RSKnopfJr

Match Game 2008

Before you get excited, I did not discover several lost tape stocks featuring Gene Rayburn, Brett Somers and Charles Nelson Reilly (although that would be pretty cool if I did).

Instead, I came across something interesting at USAToday; a match game where you answer questions about topical issues (you need to be honest when you respond), and you find out which of the Presidential candidates is a best match for you.

I took the test straight-up and these were my results...

Not really shocking, although I was surprised to see Giuliani so high. I thought Fred Thompson or John McCain would have been in the mix, but that is what makes this fun.

USAToday also provides another little feature where you can emphasize (by moving an arrow) the issues that matter to you. You can see what was important to me, and who came out on top...

Once again, not really shocking. Although, it was a little unusual to see Paul, Kucinich and Richardson as my next three.

So, who are in your top 3 (no - this is not a cellular commercial)? Go ahead and take the test, slide the arrows how you want, and see what happens. Share your top 3 in the comments section, and check back often to see what others put. It is a fun way to see how our personal beliefs and political convictions match up with the individuals running for President.

Warning: the results may disturb you.

-RSKnopfJr

Good Mornings!

See what you miss when you don't wake up in the morning?

No need to fear...FCPolitico is here! With apologies to Underdog, the credit really goes to Findlay Publishing online editor Rebecca Conklin for allowing me to tag along, and to Good Mornings' host Chris Oaks for doing such a great job talking about the Virtual Village.

I had a great time. Trust me when I say that I am a little shy; but put me in front of a microphone or turn on a camera, and I...okay, I am still relatively reserved, but at least I didn't freeze up. Seriously, it was fun and I would gladly do it again, and isn't that what it is all about?

Thanks to my wife for going with me to get pictures!!

In case you want to hear how the interview went (give it a minute or so, we're on after the lunch menu - hmmmmmmm, tacos)...

-RSKnopfJr