A little of this, a little of that

Oct. 1 certainly was a great day.
Archery deer season opened and the federal government shut down. Yay!
It’s like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one. If I suddenly win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Lagavulin distillery on the Scottish island of Islay, I’ll know I’m dreaming ? or Ron Swanson.
My only question is do I get to deduct the shutdown days from my income tax? We get discounts on our bills when the cable TV goes out and when the newspaper isn’t delivered. Why should I pay income tax for those days when the federal government was shut down?
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Kudos and heartfelt thanks to Oxford Village Councilman Elgin Nichols for resurrecting the idea of giving village residents a vote regarding dispatch services. See the story on Page 1.
Choice isn’t something to fear or stifle.
Choice is something we should all embrace because it’s a fundamental part of what makes living in America an exceptional experience.
Only those who fear the answer oppose asking the question. Only those who lack confidence in their position fear the ballot box.
I refuse to be governed by a handful of people who fear and deny my right to choose.
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One of the things that bugs me most in life is wasted potential. I can’t stand it when people with intelligence and talent have absolutely no drive or direction in life.
Today’s shiftless youth are tomorrow’s middle-aged drains on society. It’s amazing how quickly ‘all the time in the world? runs out.
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Congratulations to the Oxford Village Council for conducting a meeting last week that only lasted three hours.
They managed to shave off an entire hour.
Who says government is not efficient?
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During a budget workshop meeting last week, Oxford Township Trustee Jack Curtis made a humorous remark about the township buying the village and running it.
I don’t think it’s funny.
I think it’s a fantastic idea.
When it comes to finances, the township’s management is much more sound, efficient and practical.
There’s no missing $20,594 in property tax funds in the township. There are no cash-strapped entities under the township’s umbrella. The township isn’t one potentially-successful ex-employee lawsuit away from having its cash reserves wiped out.
Actually, the more I think about it, I can’t see why the township would want to buy the village.
That would be like purchasing a burning house that’s sitting on quicksand and is right in the path of a tornado that’s five minutes away. Did I mention the haunted Indian burial ground in the backyard?
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I think we need a new national holiday.
It will be called ‘National Mind Your Own Business Day.? We’ll celebrate it by living our own lives and not trying to control or meddle in other people’s affairs.
If it goes well, we could try celebrating it every day.

A little of this, a little of that added by CJ Carnacchio on October 2, 2013
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Over on Page 7, in his Jim’s Jottings column, Jim Sherman, Sr. asks the question, ‘When did political polls start??
Off the top of my head, I’d say the first political poll was conducted in 44 B.C. when the Roman dictator Julius Caesar was assassinated by a group of senators who stabbed him 23 times.
Coincidentally, that was also the first time a head of state was given an approval rating.
Ah, the good ol? days.
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I must applaud the Oxford Township Board for taking swift and decisive action as officials voted to work toward developing a ban on fireworks during the 335 days of the year not protected by state law (see Page 1).
The current situation is out-of-control, and completely unacceptable. The unlimited use of fireworks is a nuisance, it’s a safety hazard, it’s disturbing the peace on a community-wide scale and it’s harming the pets out there, including ma? dog.
I sincerely hope the village council will follow suit and work to develop an ordinance that mirrors the township’s.
To those folks who think 30 days a year is not enough time to shoot off fireworks all the livelong day, I urge them to move to some worn-torn Third World nation where explosions and fires are a part of everyday life. You’ll love it there.
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Kudos to Oxford Village Planning Commissioners Sue Bossardet and John DuVal, along with the village council, for not letting Manager Joe Young slide on the whole Lili’s Diner unauthorized outdoor seating issue (see Page 5).
On the surface, it may seem like small potatoes, but it’s part of a much larger pattern Young’s exhibited over the years.
I believe the expression that best captures Young’s style of management is, ‘It’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.? Of course, there’s also a healthy dose of ‘It’s only wrong if you get caught? sprinkled in.
Bossardet hit the nail on the head when she spoke of Young’s constant need to have himself viewed as the ‘good guy.? It’s more important to him to be seen as the smiling, cookie-baking, balloon-animal-making guy than do his job correctly.
Village rules and procedures are there for a reason. Granted, I don’t always agree with them, but I do believe if they’re there, they must be applied and enforced equally or not at all ? no favorites.

A little of this, a little of that added by CJ Carnacchio on July 18, 2012
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