Friday, October 25, 2013

FEC Report for the Commissioners' Perk Protection Campaign

The last report filed before Election Day on who had donated, and how much, to Protect Our Perks (Also known as 'Protect Your Vote - Vote No on County Charter' is now publicly available here for your perusal.  This report does not indicate the far larger amounts which are generally donated after this date.  Those amounts cannot be accessed until after the election.  The gush of cash and checks in the last two weeks is a Rovian Tradition which, clearly, the Commissioners have picked up. 







Thursday, October 24, 2013

Ratify the Equal Rights Amendment – Simple Justice Long Overdue


by Melinda Pillsbury-Foster


Luanna Hale gave us a ride to the Membership Meeting for the League of Women Voters on Tuesday.. The day was just mellowing to dusk as we arrived at The Winery at Spring Hill.

The LWV, founded by Carrie Chapman Catt in 1920, began its work championing legislation. Today the League focuses on organizing debates and forums for candidates and issues.

Affirming women's right to vote, was a long time coming. Although women had capitalized the Revolution with sweat equity and, in the New England States, expected to be confirmed in their rights when the war was won, this didn't happen.

A Quaker , Lucretia Mott, née Coffin, began the long battle for women's rights in the years after the Revolution as one of her chosen causes.

In 1848 Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, called the first Women's Convention at Seneca Falls, New York.

The Convention came at a time when the new country was alive with movements for social justice. Women had just found an avenue to independence as teachers, working for about one-third the salary paid to men.

Stanton and Mott declared a revolution for women echoing the 1776 Declaration of Independence, in their 1848 Declaration of Sentiments. As the chief philosopher of the coming generation, Stanton applied the theories of Natural Rights in her work.

Voting was only one of these goals. Seventy years would pass before the 19th Amendment, spear-headed by Alice Paul, ratified women's right to vote.

Equally under the Constitution, their primary goal, is yet to be achieved. Partisan divisions are at the core of this failure, which leaves women vulnerable to legislative acts at the state level.

Strong supporters of the 19th Amendment, the LWV did not support Paul's Equal Rights Amendment when it was introduced in 1923. A divergence in agendas had divided women.

Democrats opposed the ERA through the New Deal of the 30s, as did labor unions, not uniting behind the proposed amendment until 1972.

The Republican Party Platform included the ERA beginning in 1940, continuing support until Ronald Reagan removed, as requested by Joseph Coors, a significant donor, in 1980.

The partisan division which began in 1923 reverses neatly under the beginning hegemony of the Neocons.

Wording, ERA “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. “

And it was a lovely dinner.

Monday, October 21, 2013

Answers to the Questions thrown up by the Commissioners

Short Film by New Ashtabula which answers questions about the Charter.

Charter Discussion Subpoena Powers








Saturday, October 19, 2013

The AFL - CIO comes to the Aid of the Clearly Terrified Commissioners



Tim Burga is clearly reality challenged, entirely unfamiliar with the concept of citizen activism.  At each point in the 'letter' below Burga lies, intentionally misstating what happened and ignoring the definition of such elemental concepts as 'representation.'

Of course, it is likely the letter is the result of a panicked call from one or more of the Commissioners or someone on the Democratic Central Committee to someone who they know will support their dirty politics totally and without question.

Working people, now far more aware of the huge salaries and magnificent perks accorded to those who control their 'labor unions.' These institutions, founded on the heroic Americans in the early years of the 20th Century with the intention of protecting the rights of workers, all too soon were corrupted, becoming sources of largess for a small elite, blood brothers to the very corporations they were intended to oppose. 

Tim W. Burga appears to live in a home built in 1999, which he seems to have purchased in 2002.  The house is 2688 square foot, has 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and is valued at around $335,000.








Friday, October 18, 2013

Body, Mind, and Spirit are Y They Are Here


by Melinda Pillsbury-Foster



Kids are overweight. We need to help them get into shape, ” said Jennifer Keener, Finance Director at the YMCA here in Ashtabula. She and everyone I talked to this morning while I was there for my Yoga class agrees our children have needs which must be met, weight control is only one of these.
The conversation ranged on to the mission and goals for which the YMCA was founded in 1844 by George Williams, a twenty-two-year-old farmer-turned-department store worker. Disturbed by what he saw happening to young men from the country when they encountered the city, with 11 friends he founded the YMCA to be an escape and resource for young men new to the hazards of London. The mission was solving problems and remains so today.
At the Ashtabula Y seeing problems and searching for solutions is part of the legacy, and the job. YMCA s did not begin to build gymnasiums until 1869.
Athletics remains a core mission for the YMCA. The term, “Body Building” originated with YMCA staffer Robert J. Roberts in 1881. The YMCA was responsible for originating basketball, volleyball and racquetball.
Programs for children, which help kids improve their health and self image, are only part of what happens there.
Trevor Sprague, CEO, is also making plans to extend the Y's reach. The big thing that we are in the process of doing right now is reaching outside the walls of the building. We want to partner with other organizations and extend our services to make sure we are making the biggest possible impact in our community.”
Continuing, Trevor cited the organizations newly forming Teen Leaders Club, which will have its first meeting at the YMCA on Oct 28th 7pm. Participants will set their own agenda, deciding what projects to take up with the assistance of adult counselors. Teens will learn about problems our community faces and be encouraged to help find, and provide solutions.
Learning leadership and skills cannot be accomplished without this, commented Trevor. Teens will be encouraged to extend their activism into Ashtabula and make a difference.
Each aspect, Trevor said, should help the individual grow in spirit, mind and body.
The original Y, founded by George Williams extended their mission into its community. One of their accomplishments was altering the rigid lines separating English social classes.
Today, the Y in Ashtabula sees a need to build lines of cooperation here.





Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Charter Measure Approaches Election Day.


by Melinda Pillsbury-Foster


An anonymous comment appeared in response to an article on Ashtabula Times titled, “"Local group proposes charter form of Ashtabula Cou..." Saturday, May 25, 2013. The article was a repost, with appropriate link and attribution, of an article appearing in the Star Beacon the day before, May 24, 2013.

It is unusual for older articles to receive new comments, and this was the first this repost received on Ashtabula Times.
As a matter of policy we treat anonymous comments differently than those which identify  the commenting individual. If these 'comments' appear to have an agenda we often decline to publish them. This one, commenting on an article made months ago, arrested my interest because of the lapse in time and impending election.
The as yet unpublished comment read, “Dave Glotzbecker wrote to the Star Beacon and denied he was a member of this committee or went to any of their meetings. Might want to check with the Editor of the Star Beacon as they ran the item in June or July. “
David Glotzbecker's name appears on the petition circulated by the New Ashtabula Charter Committee.
It took little research to ascertain what happened, Dr. Malinowski said, for publication, David and he are old friends. They, along with their wives, had been going out to dinner together for many years. The subject of problems with county government, about which Malinowski and Glotzbecker, were both concerned, was a common subject for conversation.
Then the idea of a change in county government was raised Doc Malinowski asked his friend, David, if he would like to be on a committee to study, and suggest a change to a charter form of government for the county. David enthusiastically agreed to serve.

The two discussed the matter on many occasions over many dinners and on the phone.
Over the next weeks others were invited onto the committee, the wording was finalized, and the petitions printed. All members of the original group were named on the petition. Circulation of petitions began.
Abruptly, David asked his name be removed from the petitions. Doc Malinowski pointed out this was impossible. The petitions were being circulated and signed by voters. From 20 people circulating the number of people in the county committed enough to the measure had swelled to 85, all volunteers.
For a petition to be valid only three, not five, proponents are required, by law. Pulling the petitions would waste time, be costly, and deny to those who had already signed the voice the petition process offers. Doc Malinowski told his old friend this was unacceptable.
David, Doc said, had been enthusiastic in his support until after the petitions were printed. Doc believes Dave was beginning to be pressured but promised to make it clear to the Board of Elections David wanted to be taken off the list of committee members as soon as the signature drive was complete.
Later, Doc learned David was being pressured by his wife and people within the county who had seen his name on the petition.
Dave told Doc his wife had threatened to divorce him because she, “did not want him involved in politics.” Although he would not use names for this article Doc admitted he knows who Dave was talking about. These are politicians, he said, very active at the county level.
Disrupting a life-long friendship, the two had no more contact until Doc heard Dave had been hospitalized and in bad shape. During their visit, Doc told him about the progress which had been made, moving the petition onto the ballot for November. Dave said he was glad.

Circulating the petitions allowed circulators to discover party affiliation, making it possible for the Charter Committee to confirm their belief support for the change was coming very equally from both Republicans and Democrats. Independents were also strong in participation.
At the same time, it is clear a small number of people, associated with County government, are strongly opposed to the change.
In late June the completed petitions were handed over to the Board of Elections in Jefferson.
Although the Charter Committee had turned in 3,500 signatures 8% were invalid. These signatures were declared to be illegible or from people not registered to vote. Immediately, it was announced the petition had failed and would not appear on the ballot in November. In answer to objections, a special meeting was announced for Friday, July 5th.


Over 25 people crowded themselves into the small meeting room at the Board of Elections in Jefferson in support of the Charter. After a tense discussion, and by unanimous vote of the Board of Elections, time was granted for the collection of 275 more signatures.

In ten days, using 20 volunteer circulators, the drive ended. The Board of Elections received over 650 signatures, almost all good. The final count came to 300 over what was needed. Granting extra time is routine, and guaranteed by law.
Further objections by County Prosecutor Thomas Santini on the point a line of print had not been BOLDED on the petition. The matter was formally laid before John Husted, Ohio Secretary of State by two members of the Board of Elections, Carol Lovas and Duane Feher. On August 2nd Husted responded with this letter making it clear this was not a matter of great portent.
The Charter Committee moved right along, beginning to meet with town governments to explain how the new form of government will work.
Sitting down with small groups the Charter Team went over the proposal in detail from throughout the county from the time enough signatures had been collected on.

A rumor was floated the Charter was intended to replace town government, an outright lie. The need to refute this and other untruths shocked Charter activists, none of whom are seeking careers in government.
The County seemed to make every imaginable objection to the petition, also using county funds to appeal to the Attorney General of the State of Ohio to quash the measure.
Then, in early September County Prosecutor Thomas Sartini found a provision which seemed to him to indicate it was unnecessary for the Commissioners to mail copies of the Charter Measure to voters. Soon, the language was explained to him.

Sartini admitted his error saying, “I was incorrect in my interpretation of the law and I believe the commissioners are obligated to provide a copy of the charter to the electorate,” Sartini said. “I advised them of this as soon as I realized my mistake and I believe they are going to do so in compliance with the law.”
At this time, Commissioners decided they needed a new website, more professional and slicker, at a cost of  over $50,000. The passed a Resolution on this. They needed it immediately, ignoring how unnecessary this would be if the Charter Measure was adopted by the voters in November.
Meetings included requests to speak to both the Democratic and Republican Parties. The Executive Committee of the Democratic Party refused to allow them to speak and in early October the Democratic Committee, chaired by Duane Feher, having refused to allow the Charter Committee to address them, voted to oppose the Charter Measure. This is the letter generated by the vote of the Democratic Party.
According to the cross section of those signing the petitions, most members of the Democratic Party of Ashtabula support the Charter.
The first large meeting for debate on the Charter was sponsored by the League of Women Voters. The Charter Team was told by Barb Schaab three spokesmen would be present from the opposition, Tom Robertson, George Distel, and Roger Corlett. The three appeared dressed in power suits.
Only Doc Malinowski was to speak for the Charter. Two more spokesmen were added, Bernie Baranowski and Isaac Arthur.
Perhaps the most memorable comment of the evening was from Bernie Baranowski, who said about what Ashtabula produces, “our biggest export is our children.”
Young people, who do not return from college because of the lack of opportunities in Ashtabula County, have been a recognized problem for many years.
At the back of the room sat County Sheriff William "Billy" Johnson. He was not wearing a power suit.

The Commissioners canceled meetings for the week of October 21st, according to this email from Lisa L. Hawkins, Clerk of the Board.
A certified letter was sent to Doc Malinowski, demanding the Charter Committee participate in a forum to take place October 9th at A Tech in Jefferson.

Doc Malinowski responded with a letter, dated October 10th, pointing out the Charter Committee had begun committing to a schedule for debate in, “in July or August before the dates get booked up.” He also mentioned they had already spoken to over 100 groups.
Malinowski then said, “Our group is comprised mainly of ordinary citizens from all walks of life who feel that our current government has let the people of our county down and feel the charter will get our great county moving again and give them a greater voice in the operations of government and their futures. They do not have time for this type of political gamesmanship.”
The League of Women Voters, when it was pointed out to them could not host an event if both sides were not participating, pulled out.
In the days remaining until Election Day on November several questions will be answered.
One of these is how much money the Commissioners will spend on advertising. Producing such a television ad was the most likely motive for their demand for a forum which they, effectively, controlled. This may also account for the rescheduling of meetings for the week of October 21st.
The second question is the source for the money they are spending in their campaign against the Charter.
With time, all questions are answered.







Democratic Central Committee votes Against Charter




County Commissioner's Website Delight Resolution No. 2013-203

They decided since it was going to cost over $50,000 they should get a couple more bids. 



To BOLD or not to Bold, Question Decided by Ohio Sec. of State Jon Husted





Thomas L. Sartini Learns a Lesson





October 10th Response to Robertson Letter - Mr. Robert Malinowski

Letter from Robertson Dated October 5th

Thursday, October 10th, 2013








Tom Robertson
Treasurer
Protect Your Vote-Vote No on County Charter
6386 S. Ridge Road West
Geneva, Ohio 44041


Dear Mr. Robertson,


We received your certified letter yesterday regarding a public forum (debate) at A Tech for Monday, October 14th or Wednesday, October 16th. After conferring with the petition committee members on those dates I regretfully inform you that we have prior commitments on these dates as well.


The Committee for a New Ashtabula understands the importance of the charter to the people of Ashtabula County. We have spoken to well over 100 groups and organizations over the last three months answering questions about the charter. We have had a “forum” with your committee hosted by the League of Woman Voters at the Nursing home in Jefferson a few weeks ago. We have another scheduled for Thursday, October 17th with the Ashtabula County Township Association facilitated by the League of Woman Voters. We have another for Monday, October 21st in Rome Twp., and yet another with your Political Action Committee for October 24th in Andover and both are conducted by the Ashtabula Counties Chambers of Commerce.


I can't help but feel that getting sent certified mail from your PAC group and copying the letter to the press is nothing more than a political attempt at grandstanding. Because of your actions we must respond in kind. My phone number is in the phone book. I am easy to find and am very open to talking about the charter with anyone. Scheduling these type of events typically occurs in July or August before the dates get booked up. Until recently we have not had any contact with your group. Perhaps your fellow opponents or yourself should contact us in that time frame. Instead at that time they were more interested in legal hair-splitting in an attempt to deny the people of their constitutional right to even vote on the issue.


Our group is comprised mainly of ordinary citizens from all walks of life who feel that our current government has let the people of our county down and feel the charter will get our great county moving again and give them a greater voice in the operations of government and their futures. They do not have time for this type of political gamesmanship. Your PAC is comprised mainly of former and current elected officials hiding behind the name of the PAC. Commissioner Peggy Carlo called me to set up the last failed forum at A Tech. Commissioner Dan Claypool filed the paperwork for the PAC you are the Treasurer of. County Recorder Barb Schaab was the contact for your PAC with regards to our last forum in Jefferson.


I am writing this to inform the media and the people of this county that the organized effort against this charter is coming right from the County Seat. If they are opposed to this charter they should come out openly against it and quit playing games. The people of this county are sick of partisan politics. They deserve better.


Respectfully,






Robert Malinowski
(997-7688)


CC: The Star Beacon
The Gazette Newspapers
Fran Hanselman
Dan Claypool
Peggy Carlo
George Distel
Rodger Corlett

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Anti-Committee Letter to Robert (Doc) Malinowski




Ashtabula County Commissioners clear their decks for Politics as Usual


 

Email from the Office of the County Commissioners for Ashtabula announcing there will be no meetings for the week of October 21st. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Lisa L. Hawkins <LLHawkins@ashtabulacounty.us>
Sent: Fri, Oct 11, 2013 2:28 pm
Subject: next weeks schedule

 
Thursday, 10/17          10:00 a.m.  Work Session- General Matters/Agenda Items** note time/date change**
                                  10:30a.m.  Work Session- water/sewer
                                  1:00 p.m.    Agenda
                                  1:30p.m.    Recorders Micrographic Fund Public Hearing
                                  2:00p.m.    Work Session- CCAO/electric
 
 
THERE WILL BE NO MEETINGS (WORK SESSION OR AGENDA SESSION) DURING THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 21, 2013.
 
 
Monday, 10/28            1:30p.m.    Work Session – at the County home- 5740 Dibble Road, Kingsville, OH 44048
 
Tuesday, 10/29            10:00 a.m.  Work Session- General Matters/Agenda Items
                                  1:00 p.m.    Agenda
 
 
 
 
 
Ashtabula County Commissioners
Lisa L. Hawkins, Clerk of the Board
25 W. Jefferson St.
Jefferson, OH 44047
 
Emai

Friday, October 11, 2013

Open Letter to Protect Your Vote-Vote No on County Charter

Thursday, October 10th, 2013






Tom Robertson
Treasurer
Protect Your Vote-Vote No on County Charter
6386 S. Ridge Road West
Geneva, Ohio 44041


Dear Mr. Robertson,


We received your certified letter yesterday regarding a public forum (debate) at A Tech for Monday, October 14th or Wednesday, October 16th. After conferring with the petition committee members on those dates I regretfully inform you that we have prior commitments on these dates as well.


The Committee for a New Ashtabula understands the importance of the charter to the people of Ashtabula County. We have spoken to well over 100 groups and organizations over the last three months answering questions about the charter. We have had a “forum” with your committee hosted by the League of Woman Voters at the Nursing home in Jefferson a few weeks ago. We have another scheduled for Thursday, October 17th with the Ashtabula County Township Association facilitated by the League of Woman Voters. We have another for Monday, October 21st in Rome Twp., and yet another with your Political Action Committee for October 24th in Andover and both are conducted by the Ashtabula Counties Chambers of Commerce.


I can't help but feel that getting sent certified mail from your PAC group and copying the letter to the press is nothing more than a political attempt at grandstanding. Because of your actions we must respond in kind. My phone number is in the phone book. I am easy to find and am very open to talking about the charter with anyone. Scheduling these type of events typically occurs in July or August before the dates get booked up. Until recently we have not had any contact with your group. Perhaps your fellow opponents or yourself should contact us in that time frame. Instead at that time they were more interested in legal hair-splitting in an attempt to deny the people of their constitutional right to even vote on the issue.


Our group is comprised mainly of ordinary citizens from all walks of life who feel that our current government has let the people of our county down and feel the charter will get our great county moving again and give them a greater voice in the operations of government and their futures. They do not have time for this type of political gamesmanship. Your PAC is comprised mainly of former and current elected officials hiding behind the name of the PAC. Commissioner Peggy Carlo called me to set up the last failed forum at A Tech. Commissioner Dan Claypool filed the paperwork for the PAC you are the Treasurer of. County Recorder Barb Schaab was the contact for your PAC with regards to our last forum in Jefferson.


I am writing this to inform the media and the people of this county that the organized effort against this charter is coming right from the County Seat. If they are opposed to this charter they should come out openly against it and quit playing games. The people of this county are sick of partisan politics. They deserve better.


Respectfully,






Robert Malinowski
(997-7688)

A Full Measure - War, Mortgages and measuring the Human Spirit

by Melinda Pillsbury-Foster



When millions of people are suffering and dying we tend to focus on the stories of individuals who then come to represent them all. Anne Frank represents for a vast majority the ugliness visited on Jews during WWII. The stories are haunting. All stories of vast human suffering impact us.

Only those without conscience or empathy can view the suffering of others and not be moved. Anne Frank died before I was born, but sometimes, unexpectedly, you find yourself confronted with a story of human endurance which is overwhelming.

Another saga of suffering, endured by millions as World War II was playing out, is the massive geographical dislocation of millions of Eastern Europeans as the Soviet-German rolled into Germany from the east.

I learned about this story, unexpectedly, while reviewing a foreclosure case from New Mexico. For the Carl Mehner, who with his parents and siblings survived the nightmare of war, dislocation, starvation, the trauma has has been life long.

Carl's father, an accountant in Dresden, Germany, and his wife were Christians of the “Sabbatarian” persuasion. Their faith made them targets of persecution in Germany as possibly sympathetic to Jews.

Carl's farther, never a soldier, was forced into slave labor, separated from his family, and forced to dig anti-tank ditches.

In 1943, separately, they became refugees, attempting to reach the west as the Soviet Army swept in. Their children were 2, 3 and 6. Carl remembers sleeping in fields, ruins, deserted and destroyed buildings, hungry all the time. Walking seemed endless through a landscape of burning villages.

First separately, and then together, they struggled to find food for themselves and their children. Carl was always cold and starving. Traumas were continuous.

Reunited, Carl's parents were determined to reach America. It was a ten year long struggle. In America, the family worked on a farm for food, as their children attended school.

Eventually, Carl married Frances Phillips from Southgate, California.

The couple eventually settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico where Carl served as chairman for the modern language department for 22 years, retiring in 2005. Frances ran a court reporting business.

Then, the mortgage meltdown began, taking their home without reason.

Fighting back Pro Se, Carl and Frances endured arrest, harassment, and abuse, as have others. They continue to fight. We never know what is possible until we have given our fullest measure. Carl's parents taught him this, and he remembers. 


Follow the Mehner's case at Homeowners Justice.  




Friday, October 4, 2013

You can get Robert's Rules of Order online, free.


by Melinda Pillsbury-Foster


Everyone uses Robert's Rule of Order. They are used in every legislature in the US, including Congress. They are used in business, at PTA meetings, and for meetings of garden clubs. These brief rules were originated by Henry Martyn Robert, first published, 1876. Henry, an officer in the U.S. Army was asked, without warning, to preside over a meeting. Embarrassed at his ignorance, he decided never to attend another meeting until he knew something of parliamentary law.

Today, nearly everyone knows, and follows, the rules Henry Robert compiled. My kids learned then when they formed their first club, just before they started pre-school. Robert's Rules allow everyone to participate. 
 
Ashtabula's County Commissioners don't use Robert's Rules of Order. Evidently, they have made up their own 'rules' which allow them to ignore the presence of citizens who take time to attend meetings. 
 
I've attended these meetings, a sharp contrast to the NFRW, or a meeting for the church vestry. With Robert's Rules eliminated there is no point where it is possible for citizens of the county to engage in dialog with the county government, for which they pay. 
 
The commissioners now in office, Dan, Peggy and Joe, have converted overseeing the business of the County to sovereign control of county government by eliminating the usual means for citizens to voice their insights and be part of the process of governing. 
 
Over the last months columns have appeared here pointing out the mis-management by our county commissioners on several specific issues, a partial list which could be much longer.
Included were problems with a 'recycling' program which failed completely, resulting in fines from the EPA, and the multiple complains about Ashtabula County Transport (ACT).

Ashtabula County Sheriff, William "Billy" Johnson, informed the Commissioners recently that the Sheriff's department will be $85,000 in debt by the end of the year. This, at the same time the Commissioners are planning a new website for themselves estimated to cost over $50,000. 
 
Sheriff Johnson's statement was a sharp contrast to others working for the County who simply send pleas for more money with no explanation at to what problems caused their miscalculations. These requests are generally approved without comment.
It does not take even a high school graduate to realize the time for questions is past. It is time for the citizens of Ashtabula County to demand answers, an audit, and real accountability from their employees.