This page was created for the Akron Police and
Fire Retirees and Widows Association
This site is meant to be a place where police and fire retirees
can go to find interesting and helpful information about things that affect the
lives of retired police and firefighters both positive and negatively. It was developed into a location open
to anyone with a desire to befriend others. Remember, it is not necessary that you be
retired or a member of the fire or police community. Nor are you required to be politically
correct.
It is my sincere wish that this site will help to keep you
informed about events that may impact your life and retirement or cause you to
both think and perhaps even smile once or twice. One of my goals is to cause someone to smile
each day. Even if they are only making fun of me!
If you have ideas and information you believe to be of interest to
others – please contact me via email at wa8dbw@neo.rr.com regarding the posting of
it on this website.
Thanks and enjoy. Your comments, good or bad, are welcome.
Dick Reese Sergeant Retired Akron Police Department 1969 to 1996
______________________________________________________________________________________
Here is the latest update for the status of the Police and Fire Healthcare Lawsuit.
The Appeals Court Decision is Listed here. Click the link as follows: ..\Users\Richard\Desktop\Decesion 1-14-14.pdf
This is the response our attorney sent to the court:
****************************************************************
Re: Timothy Metcalfe, et al. v. City of Akron
to the jurisdiction
of the Ohio Department of Insurance and they are a regulated insurance company.
The Grey Enigma Leave a comment Go to comments
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3.
If a person commits a felony while possessing a
firearm the penalty should be life in prison.
4.
If a person is harmed by a firearm during the
commission of any crime, the penalty is death!
Nothing will
stop the deranged person from killing, even in the absence of gun availability
_______________________________________________________________________________________
The info on
the judge that has sat on our case for the past two years is:
Bailiff
614-525-5927
Secretary 614-525-3811
OFFICE OF
DISCIPLINARY COUNSEL
250 Civic
Center Drive, Suite 325
(614)
461-0256 (614) 461-7205 FAX
Thank you in
advance for your consideration of this matter.
|
|
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
http://wa8dbw.ifip.com/Police&Fire-Retirees.htm
THE VIEW FROM HERE
August 2012
On behalf of the Executive Board of
the Akron Police and Fire Retirees and Widows Association I would like to thank
the retirees and their families for supporting our efforts to get the City of
Akron, OP & F, and Medical Mutual of Ohio to follow the Ohio Bureau of
Insurance (OBI) ordering compliance with the Ohio Revised Code regarding the
coordination of health care benefits.
The OBI order was appealed and we are
awaiting the court’s decision. Our
attorney and the office of the Ohio Attorney General are confident that we will
prevail in our efforts. I will endeavor
to keep all of you posted as events develop.
On another note, I have had many
readers contact me regarding my letters both in our newsletter and some area
newspapers. In the past there were many
complaints from members that our newsletter was a monthly source of political
bashing. I wish to commend our editor,
Jim Yocum, for the professional appearance and the
content of our newsletter. One must
remember that there are space limitations and Jim strives to keep the content
relevant to ALL retirees. Remember our
association is not limited to Akron PD retirees. We have members from agencies throughout the
greater Akron area. Our readers consist
of persons of all religious and all political groups. Jim strives to make our newsletter both
informative as well as interesting to this diverse membership while trying to
limit its size to two or three sheets of paper.
A pat on the back to Jim for a job well done.
As you know, our newsletter, like
most newspapers, is often limited as to what may be printed. In addition to my propensity to be somewhat
verbose, some of my writings may be welcome to many readers while other letters
may be found offensive to some and perhaps not appropriate for publishing in
our newsletter.
I remind our readers that since 2009
I have been posting assorted letters and notes on my web site. Those postings are available for reading or
printing by anyone. They may be viewed
at http://wa8dbw.ifip.com/Police&Fire-Retirees.htm
. If you have items you would like to
see posted – send me an email and I will try and publish your letters on the
site. It is normally updated several
times each month.
Take care, stay healthy, and thanks
for your understanding and support.
Dick Reese
Email -
wa8dbw@neo.rr.com
Phone - 330-329-8754
Date: 2012/7/27
Subject: A Jewish Boycott
A short time ago, Iran 's Supreme Leader
Grand Ayatollah Ali Khomenei urged the Muslim World
to boycott anything and everything that originates with the Jewish people.
In response, Meyer M. Treinkman, a
pharmacist, out of the kindness of his heart, offered to assist them in their
boycott as follows:
"Any Muslim who has Syphilis must not be cured by Salvarsan discovered by a Jew, Dr. Ehrlich. He should not
even try to find out whether he has Syphilis, because the Wasserman Test is the
discovery of a Jew. If a Muslim suspects that he has Gonorrhea, he must not
seek diagnosis, Because he will be using the method of
a Jew named Neissner.
"A Muslim who has heart disease must not use Digitalis, a
discovery by a Jew, Ludwig Traube.
Should he suffer with a toothache, he must not use Novocaine, a discovery of the Jews, Widal
and Weil.
If a Muslim has Diabetes, he must not use Insulin, the result of
research by Minkowsky, a Jew. If one has a headache,
he must shun Pyramidon and Antypyrin,
due to the Jews, Spiro and Ellege.
Muslims with convulsions must put up with them because it was a
Jew, Oscar Leibreich, who proposed the use of Chloral
Hydrate.
Arabs must do likewise with their psychic ailments because Freud,
father of psychoanalysis, was a Jew.
Should a Muslim child get Diphtheria, he must refrain from the
"Schick"
reaction which was invented by the Jew, Bella Schick.
"Muslims should be ready to die in great numbers and must
not permit treatment of ear and brain damage, work of Jewish Nobel Prize
winner, Robert Baram.
They should continue to die or remain crippled by Infantile
Paralysis because the discoverer of the anti-polio vaccine is a Jew, Jonas
Salk.
"Muslims must refuse to use Streptomycin and continue to die
of Tuberculosis because a Jew, Zalman Waxman,
invented the wonder drug against this killing disease.
Muslim doctors must discard all discoveries and improvements by
dermatologist Judas Sehn Benedict, or the lung
specialist, Frawnkel, and of many other world
renowned Jewish scientists and medical experts.
"In short, good and loyal Muslims properly and fittingly
should remain afflicted with Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Heart Disease, Headaches,
Typhus, Diabetes, Mental Disorders, Polio Convulsions and Tuberculosis and be
proud to obey the Islamic boycott."
Oh, and by the way, don't call for a doctor on your cell phone
because the cell phone was invented in Israel by a Jewish engineer.
Meanwhile I ask, what medical contributions to the world have the
Muslims made?"
The Global Islamic population is approximately 1,200,000,000;
that is ONE BILLION TWO HUNDRED MILLION or 20% of the world's population.
They have received the following Nobel Prizes:
Literature:
1988 - Najib Mahfooz
Peace:
1978 - Mohamed Anwar El-Sadat
1990 - Elias James Corey
1994 - Yaser Arafat:
1999 - Ahmed Zewai
Economics:
(zero)
Physics:
(zero)
Medicine:
1960 - Peter Brian Medawar
1998 - Ferid Mourad
TOTAL: 7 SEVEN
The Global Jewish population is approximately 14,000,000; that is
FOURTEEN MILLION or about 0.02% of the world's population.
They have received the following Nobel Prizes:
Literature:
1910 - Paul Heyse
1927 - Henri Bergson
1958 - Boris Pasternak
1966 - Shmuel Yosef Agnon
1966 - Nelly Sachs
1976 - Saul Bellow
1978 - Isaac Bashevis Singer
1981 - Elias Canetti
1987 - Joseph Brodsky
1991 - Nadine Gordimer World
Peace:
1911 - Alfred Fried
1911 - Tobias Michael Carel Asser
1968 - Rene Cassin
1973 - Henry Kissinger
1978 - Menachem Begin
1986 - Elie Wiesel
1994 - Shimon Peres
1994 - Yitzhak Rabin
Physics:
1905 - Adolph Von Baeyer
1906 - Henri Moissan
1907 - Albert Abraham Michelson
1908 - Gabriel Lippmann
1910 - Otto Wallach
1915 - Richard Willstaetter
1918 - Fritz Haber
1921 - Albert Einstein
1922 - Niels Bohr
1925 - James Franck
1925 - Gustav Hertz
1943 - Gustav Stern
1943 - George Charles de Hevesy
1944 - Isidor Issac
Rabi
1952 - Felix Bloch
1954 - Max Born
1958 - Igor Tamm
1959 - Emilio Segre
1960 - Donald A. Glaser
1961 - Robert Hofstadter
1961 - Melvin Calvin
1962 - Lev Davidovich Landau
1962 - Max Ferdinand Perutz
1965 - Richard Phillips Feynman
1965 - Julian Schwinger
1969 - Murray Gell-Mann
1971 - Dennis Gabor
1972 - William Howard Stein
1973 - Brian David Josephson
1975 - Benjamin Mottleson
1976 - Burton Richter
1977 - Ilya Prigogine
1978 - Arno Allan Penzias
1978 - Peter L Kapitza
1979 - Stephen Weinberg
1979 - Sheldon Glashow
1979 - Herbert Charles Brown
1980 - Paul Berg
1980 - Walter Gilbert
1981 - Roald Hoffmann
1982 - Aaron Klug
1985 - Albert A. Hauptman
1985 - Jerome Karle
1986 - Dudley R. Herschbach
1988 - Robert Huber
1988 - Leon Lederman
1988 - Melvin Schwartz
1988 - Jack Steinberger
1989 - Sidney Altman
1990 - Jerome Friedman
1992 - Rudolph Marcus
1995 - Martin Perl
2000 - Alan J. Heeger
Economics:
1970 - Paul Anthony Samuelson
1971 - Simon Kuznets
1972 - Kenneth Joseph Arrow
1975 - Leonid Kantorovich
1976 - Milton Friedman
1978 - Herbert A. Simon
1980 - Lawrence Robert Klein
1985 - Franco Modigliani
1987 - Robert M. Solow
1990 - Harry Markowitz
1990 - Merton Miller
1992 - Gary Becker
1993 - Robert Fogel
Medicine:
1908 - Elie Metchnikoff
1908 - Paul Erlich
1914 - Robert Barany
1922 - Otto Meyerhof
1930 - Karl Landsteiner
1931 - Otto Warburg
1936 - Otto Loewi
1944 - Joseph Erlanger
1944 - Herbert Spencer Gasser
1945 - Ernst Boris Chain
1946 - Hermann Joseph Muller
1950 - Tadeus Reichstein
1952 - Selman Abraham Waksman
1953 - Hans Krebs
1953 - Fritz Albert Lipmann
1958 - Joshua Lederberg
1959 - Arthur Kornberg
1964 - Konrad Bloch
1965 - Francois Jacob
1965 - Andre Lwoff
1967 - George Wald
1968 - Marshall W. Nirenberg
1969 - Salvador Luria
1970 - Julius Axelrod
1970 - Sir Bernard Katz
1972 - Gerald Maurice Edelman
1975 - Howard Martin Temin
1976 - Baruch S. Blumberg
1977 - Roselyn Sussman Yalow
1978 - Daniel Nathans
1980 - Baruj Benacerraf
1984 - Cesar Milstein
1985 - Michael Stuart Brown
1985 - Joseph L. Goldstein
1986 - Stanley Cohen [& Rita Levi-Montalcini]
1988 - Gertrude Elion
1989 - Harold Varmus
1991 - Erwin Neher
1991 - Bert Sakmann
1993 - Richard J. Roberts
1993 - Phillip Sharp
1994 - Alfred Gilman
1995 - Edward B. Lewis
1996- Lu RoseIacovino
TOTAL: 129!
The Jews are NOT promoting brainwashing children in military
training camps, teaching them how to blow themselves up and cause maximum
deaths of Jews and other non-Muslims.
The Jews don't hijack planes, nor kill athletes at the Olympics,
or blow themselves up in German restaurants.
There is NOT one single Jew who has destroyed a church.
There is NOT a single Jew who protests by killing people. The
Jews don't traffic slaves, nor have leaders calling for Jihad and death to all
the Infidels.
Perhaps the world's Muslims should consider investing more in
standard education and less in blaming the Jews for all their problems.
Muslims must ask 'what can they do for humankind' before they
demand that humankind respects them.
Regardless of your feelings about the crisis between Israel and
the Palestinians and Arab neighbors, even if you believe there is more
culpability on Israel 's part, the following two sentences really say it all:
'If the Arabs put down their weapons today, there would be no
more violence. If the Jews put down their weapons today, there would be no more
Israel ."
Benjamin Netanyahu: General Eisenhower warned us. It is a matter
of history that when the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces, General Dwight
Eisenhower, found the victims of the death camps he ordered all possible photographs
to be taken, and for the German people from surrounding villages to be ushered
through the camps and even made to bury the dead.
He did this because he said in words to this effect: 'Get it all
on record now - get the films - get the witnesses - because somewhere down the
road of history some ####### will get up and say that this never happened'
Recently, the UK debated whether to remove The Holocaust from its
school curriculum because it 'offends' the Muslim population which claims it
never occurred.
It is not removed as yet. However, this is a frightening portent
of the fear that is gripping the world and how easily each country is giving
into it.
It is now more than 65 years after the Second World War in Europe
ended.
Now, more than ever, with Iran , among
others, claiming the Holocaust to be 'a myth,' it is imperative to make sure
the world never forgets.
This e-mail is intended to reach 400 million people. Be a link in
the memorial chain and help distribute this around the world.
How many years will it be before the attack on the World Trade
Center 'NEVER HAPPENED' because it offends some Muslim in the United States ?
FOOD FOR
THOUGHT
From
Aesop and Carl Sandburg
July 8,
2012
The
Father and His Sons
by Aesop
A FATHER
had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. When he
failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he decided to give them a
practical illustration of the evils of disunion; and for this purpose he one
day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks.
When
they had done so, he placed the bundle into the hands of each of them in
succession, and ordered them to break it in pieces. They tried with all their
strength, and were not able to do it. He next opened the bundle, took the
sticks separately, one by one, and again put them into his sons' hands, upon
which they broke them easily.
He then
addressed them in these words: "My sons, if you are of one mind, and unite
to assist each other, you will be as this bundle, uninjured by all the attempts
of your enemies; but if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as
easily as these sticks."
A Father To His Son
by Carl Sandburg
A father sees his son nearing
manhood. What shall he tell that
son? 'Life is hard; be steel; be a
rock.' And this might stand him for the
storms and serve him for humdrum monotony and guide him among sudden betrayals
and tighten him for slack moments. 'Life
is a soft loam; be gentle; go easy.' And
this too might serve him. Brutes have
been gentled where lashes failed. The
growth of a frail flower in a path up has sometimes shattered and split a
rock. A tough will counts. So does desire. So does a rich soft wanting. Without rich wanting nothing arrives.
Tell him too much money has killed
men and left them dead years before burial: the quest of lucre beyond a few
easy needs has twisted good enough men sometimes into dry thwarted worms. Tell him time as a stuff can be wasted. Tell him to be a fool every so often and to
have no shame over having been a fool yet learning something out of every folly
hoping to repeat none of the cheap follies thus arriving at intimate
understanding of a world numbering many fools.
Tell him to be alone often and get at
himself and above all tell himself no lies about himself whatever the white
lies and protective fronts he may use against other people. Tell him solitude is creative if he is strong
and the final decisions are made in silent rooms. Tell him to be different from other people if
it comes natural and easy being different.
Let him have lazy days seeking his deeper motives. Let him seek deep for where he is born
natural. Then he may understand
Shakespeare and the Wright brothers, Pasteur, Pavlov, Michael Faraday and free imaginations
bringing changes into a world resenting change.
He will be lonely enough to have time for the work he knows as his own.
The below letter was published in the Post
Newspapers in response to my letter on Young Black Americans
Sgt.
Reese's advice to black youth rings true
To the
Editor:
How about a shout out for former police Sgt. Richard
D. Reese and his guest column (June 23.) Bless you Reese for your wise words to
the black youth of America. I can directly relate to Reese's ideas. I returned
to Columbus, from three tours in Vietnam, in 1969, seeking a job. I had a
degree in education with a double major in math and science. I landed a
position at Champion Junior High School, in Columbus to teach both subjects to
eighth graders. I was one of four white teachers out of 34 teachers. There were
no white students. I found that three tours in Vietnam had almost prepared me
for inner-city teaching.
Setting
the right tone started on day one, and as I like to say, "You only get one
chance to make a first impression." These were the days when teachers
actually wore a coat and tie and could be identified from the students. I was
in my room awaiting my first class and I had written my name on the chalkboard,
"Repasky." The kids came in and took their
seats and I began to introduce myself when one of the kids said, "Hey man,
what's your first name?" I replied, "Well boy, that
would be Mr. to you." I then put Mr. in front of my name on the
chalkboard. The kid then said, "Don't call me boy," and I replied,
"We have a deal, you don't call me man and I do not call you boy. We each
have proper names and I will use yours as long as you use mine. As long as I am
your teacher, you do not need my first name, that is for my friends to use and
you are not my friends, you are my students. The other thing that I want you to
know is that at this point in time, it is a "white world" out there,
and my job is to teach you the same things the white kids are learning, so that
you can be on a level playing field with them."
Of
course, this was the time that corporal punishment could be used in school, and a visit to the assistant principal usually led
to a swat with the paddle. What amazed me was that once the rules were laid out
the kids were great most of the time, and rose to meet all my highest
expectations.
Years
later, when I was a Secret Service agent, I was walking in downtown Columbus
one evening and I saw a couple of kids that I had in my science class. They
stopped me and told me that my instruction and demanding attitude had changed
their lives, and many went on to be teachers, lawyers and even mayors. I have
not changed my thoughts on this subject, and I have often been ridiculed and
called a racist, but Sgt. Reese, you and I are correct, sir.
Richard
L. Repasky
Medina
The View From Here
July
2012
Someone recently asked my
thoughts on brotherhood or fraternity.
A fraternity or brotherhood at
times brings to mind formal organizations where a group of people come together
in an environment of companionship dedicated to the improvement of its
members. For those of us in law
enforcement it can mean organizations like FOP 7, the Akron Area Police
Retirees and Widows Association, or the Police and Fire Retirees of the State
of Ohio.
As I recall from having taken
Latin in high school, the word fraternity comes from the Latin word frater or
brother. Ok, I guess that appears
reasonable but what is brotherhood or fraternity to you? For me it brings to mind that spirit of fellowship
and goodwill and companionship that exists between friends.
I believe we all can think of
others that without a doubt have that sense of brotherhood or fraternity
towards others whether they are associated with law enforcement or just fellow
members of the community. I know of some
that have provided monetary aid, housing, food, encouragement, or sometimes
simply that pat on the back or a smile when someone was in need. I believe smiles are gifts from God and they
cost the giver nothing. One of my goals
is to make someone laugh each day, Even if they are only making fun of me.
I remember the time when those of
us in law enforcement did whatever was necessary to help a fellow officer. It mattered not whether the officer was a
personal friend or what agency that person belonged to. If the person required assistance it was
given. We overlooked petty disagreements
and selfishness. We acted with warmth
and equality toward one another regardless of our differences. I have seen officers provide the same aid to
citizens in distress and then observed those same officers being accused of
apathy or prejudice by ignorant members of the community, the media, and sad to
say at times by a few fellow officers that may have had ulterior motives.
Sad to say, over the years there
appears to have been an erosion of brotherhood or that fraternalism among law
enforcement personnel. Recently there
was a meeting of retired personnel and I was both pleased and disappointed by
the people in attendance. I was pleased
by the overall number of people present but disappointed in that there was only
one female at the meeting and I was the only black at the meeting and those
present were less than 5% of those retired.
While some may have responsibilities that prevents attendance and
perhaps financial limitations that limits the ability to pay annual dues ($5
for the local and $20 for the State) it is my belief that our sense of
brotherhood or fraternity should not, or will not permit financial hardship to
exclude a fellow retiree from membership.
Some may be too embarrassed to
admit they are unable to pay dues. That
can be remedied by simply calling our treasurer or me and explaining the
circumstances. No one else need know and
I believe the organization will do that which is necessary to assure membership
to anyone desiring to participate in our organizations activities.
We meet the second Wednesday of
each month at the FOP Lodge for lunch at 12 noon followed by a brief business
session. We also have breakfast where we
solve the world’s problems and swap tall tales and sometimes even a few lies at
the Akron Family Restaurant on West Market Street on the first Wednesday of the
month. I and some others, sometimes get
together for breakfast or supper at other random days and times. Call or email if you are interested. Wives are welcome also.
That’s it for now. Stay healthy, and Be Your Brother’s Keeper.
Dick
Reese 330-329-8754 wa8dbw@neo.rr.com
The View From Over There
Life’s Destinations
The following is from a great friend of
mine. He is known as Guido by some of
us. He is a retired Lieutenant from an
adjoining county police department.
I have been in many places, but I’ve never been in
Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go
alone. You have to be in Cahoots with
someone.
I’ve also never been in Cognito. I here no one recognizes you there.
I have, however, been in sane. They don’t have an airport. You have to be driven there. I have made several trips there, thanks to my
friends and my work.
I would like to go to Conclusions, but you have to
jump, and I’m not too much on physical activity anymore.
I have also been in Doubt. That is a sad place to go,
and I try not to visit there too often.
I have been in Flexible, but only when it was very
important to stand firm.
Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as
I’m getting older.
One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and
pumps up the old heart! At my age I need
all the stimuli I can get!
And, sometimes I think I am in Vincible but life shows
me I am not!
I have been in Deepshit many times. The older I get, the easier it is to get
there, and it’s usually with the help of my friends – and You Know Who You Are!
*********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Take care and remember to make someone smile each day.
Dick Reese
THE VIEW FROM HERE
July 2012
Well here it is July and the
warm temperatures are with us. I have
been cultivating my tan and trying to enjoy life in general while contributing
to the financial security of my many doctors!
I wish to remind each of you
that our annual joint meeting of the Akron Area Police and Fire Retirees. The date is July 11th so mark the
date on your calendar. As in the past it will be held at the Wolter Park home
of FOP 7. Everyone is encouraged to
attend. There will be a great lunch
served again and an opportunity to share with fellow retirees.
I understand the kitchen crew
is already hard at work preparing extra food because we all know that the fire
retirees excel at eating. Char and I are
looking forward to seeing each of you there.
Come out and share the camaraderie with fellow retirees. Perhaps your showing up just may make
someone’s day.
Speaking of showing up, I
want to remind each of you that there is a monthly breakfast get together of
some of us at the Akron Family Restaurant located at 250 West Market Street in
Akron at about 8:30 am. Come and join us
help to solve the problems of the world or just swap a few lies with the group! We have a great time and good food. Our server is a pleasure and if you have
difficulty deciding what to eat, she will be happy to make a selection for
you. Give your wife a break and come on
out to breakfast and I’ll save a seat for you close to the potty room!
Everyone do your best to stay
healthy and try to make someone smile each day even if they are only laughing
at you!
Till next time.
Dick
Reese
Email - wa8dbw@neo.rr.com
Phone - 330-329-8754
K of C newsletter
July 2012
Ralph,
I
would like to thank you and all the members of Council 14111 for their prayers
and well wishes during my stay in AGMC last week. I was pretty sick and thanks
to my wife Charmaine, my doctors, and the staff of AGMC I am home and
continuing to recover.
That
being said I want to take this opportunity to encourage each of our members to
listen to your wives as they know us better than we know ourselves. I have not
been feeling well since before the Measure Up program. In spite of feeling bad
and getting progressively weaker I continued to convince myself that I was
getting better.
There
were numerous times when Charmaine said I needed to go to the hospital but I
refused to do so. Finally on the morning of May 29th I agreed to see our family
doctor. She performed several test and stated that I had to go to the hospital.
Since our family doctor is female and Char being female I was out voted two to
one!
The
rest is history. They found me to be anemic and suffering from two infections.
As I write this letter I am doing much better but still on two antibiotics.
Bottom line is, thank God for your health and listen to your wife when she says
you need to see the doctor.
Take
care and may God bless each of you
Rich
Reese
A
shortened version of the following letter was sent to several newspapers in the
Akron area. Few dared to print it. Sad
to say most thought it too radical to risk printing and upsetting their
subscribers. As requested, the complete
letter is posted here. Let me know what you think.
Young
Black Americans
The
View From Here
June 2012
Let me begin by saying I am a retired
Sergeant from the Akron Police Department and just happen to be a black man.
I was having a conversation on the radio with
a fellow the other day and after a couple of exchanges (we are both Amateur
Radio Operators)he said that he had gone to the data base and checked my call
sign, WA8DBW and he was surprised to see from a photo I had posted that I was a
black person. I replied “Oh! Why are you
surprised?” I was told that I do not
sound “Black.” I replied that I was
aware that there was a stereotypical way that many thought a black person was
supposed to sound however, I sounded like my parents and those people I grew up
with.
Unlike many today, I had parents that required
me to speak intelligently using proper diction, language etc. It is a disgrace that so many of today’s
black youth, and in recent years, some of our white young people share the
belief that it is “cool” to use the “ghetto language” like Who you be, Where he
be stayin, He be my baby daddy, He be driven a hoopty, What it be like, and it
just goes on and on and on. Many believe
it demeaning to say yes sir or yes mam.
I used to wonder where they learned to speak that way until I heard some
of the mothers talk. It then became
clear to me. The momma talked the same
way. I don’t know about the dad because
in most cases there is no father present and if momma had eight children then
there probably was seven or eight “Baby Daddy’s”!
Many of these young people have pants worn so
low that the crack of their buts are visible and the girls wear clothing so
skimpy that little is left to the imagination.
The same youngsters complain that the reason they are unemployed is
because no one will hire them when they apply for a job. Many can hardly read or write nor speak
properly. It brings to mind what my
mother used to tell me and my four siblings. “You never get a second chance to
make a first impression.” She also said that in most cases that first
impression is generally the correct impression and that more often than not it
is impossible to get that second chance and as a man I should be clean shaven
and wear a necktie and suit coat when applying for any job! My dad was a tire builder at B.F. Goodrich
and he always went to work having shaved and with neat and clean clothing.
Most intelligent people know that you need to
speak English, look professional, and most of all, it is better to be over
dressed than to look like a street thug when interviewing for a job. Wearing
$600.00 sneakers just doesn’t get it!
Why not spend $150.00 for decent clothing for that job interview? And use the balance to put food on the table
or to further ones education. Why is there no such thing a common sense
anymore? If not willing to do the common
sense things, then save the money that would be spent for a few pair of “Air
Jordan’s and assorted body piercings and purchase a ticket and go to any other
(African) country where they believe the opportunity to be better.
Would these same people be comfortable in the
hospital emergency room being treated by a doctor that asked “What be wrong wid
chew” and pants that exposed their underwear or worse? I believe I am safe in saying, I think not!
Many attempt to place blame on the education
system and say they did not have the education opportunities that others
had. To that I say “Cow Poop!” I am a product of the City of Akron school
system and I managed to graduate third out of a class of one hundred eighty
four. My children are all graduates of
the City of Norton schools and they all speak proper English and the fact that
they are black was never found to be a disadvantage and if the truth be known
at times it may have been an advantage.
This is in spite of the fact that some of my
black co-workers said that I was making a mistake when I moved to Norton in
1977. I was told that as blacks we would
never be accepted and my kids would be deprived of their African heritage. I responded that we were not Africans; we
were simply Americans that just happened to be black. As a side note perhaps it’s time to remove
that option (African American) from all forms that ask for race. After all they do not ask if one is Polish
American, Irish American, Hispanic American or European American. Most simply
ask if the person is White or Hispanic in addition to “Black American.” I was
born here as were my parents, grandparents and great grandparents. We are all simply Americans.
I do have several friends that are from
assorted African countries and while some speak with an accent they all speak
proper English and dress professionally.
They all hold good jobs that range from laborer, to education, to that
of a Catholic Priest. Those that have American citizenship refer to themselves
as Americans that happened to be born in another country and are both grateful
and proud of now being Americans.
I believe it is long overdue for America’s
blacks to stop making excuses for their lack of achievement. Today the opportunities are there and while
one may have to work a bit harder than the next person, anyone can be
successful in today’s society if willing to make the necessary sacrifices. Look and sound professional and with time,
success will come, provided one makes the required sacrifices.
Richard D. Reese
The Akron Police & Fire Retirees and Widows
Association
Our Path to Justice
June 2012
It
has been a long journey and we still have a ways to go. To bring you up to
speed on our law suit and to show our solidarity we are having a meeting on Saturday June 23 at 11:00am at
the Mogadore Baptist Church located at 3750 Albrecht Ave.
It is
imperative that everyone show up for this meeting. It seems that our rank and
file is dwindling down and some are losing hope that we will ever prevail. Now
is not the time to succumb to discouragement. For the last two years everything
has been going our way except for the time it has taken for us to reach a just
conclusion to our efforts.
Time
has been our worst enemy. We started this law suit back in the fall of 2003. At
first we met with some harsh defeats. To the surprise of our opponents, we did
not give up and run. Out of those defeats came the information we needed to
pursue and win our case. And that is exactly what we are doing now.
Let
me reiterate, the most recent rulings that have gone in our favor.
On
July 20th 2010 the Superintendant of Insurance for the State of Ohio
issued an order stating the following facts;
1. The City of Akron’s knowing failure to
apply legally appropriate coordination of benefits provisions for its
self-insured program constitutes a violation of the Ohio Revised Code and is
therefore, deemed an unfair and deceptive practice as a matter of Law.
2. The City of Akron has violated the Ohio
Revised Code by requiring retired police and firefighters to enroll in OP&F
insurance coverage as a condition precedent to coverage under the City of
Akron’s self-funded healthcare insurance plan.
3. The City of Akron’s refusal to properly
coordinate benefits violates the Ohio Revised Code.
4. The City of Akron’s actions constitute
unfair and deceptive acts under the Ohio Revised Code.
In her ruling the Superintendent of
Insurance ordered:
1. That the City of Akron, Medical Mutual of
Ohio, and the Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund immediately cease and desist
from further violations of the Ohio Revised Code.
2. That the City of Akron immediately
cease and desist from further violations of Ohio’s coordination of benefit laws
and the City of Akron, Medical Mutual of Ohio, and the Ohio Police and Fire
Pension Fund, coordinate benefits of their members pursuant to the terms of
their plans consistent with Ohio Law.
3. That an accounting be made by the City
of Akron, OP&F and MMO with the assistance of the Complainants to determine
the amount of Complainant’s past healthcare claims subject to coordination.
4. That this order is directed to the
Summit County Court of Common Pleas for further application in the case of
Metcalfe, et al. vs. the City of Akron.
The City of
Akron, OP&F and Medical Mutual of Ohio immediately filed an appeal in
Franklin County Common Pleas Court as to whether the Superintendent of
Insurance acted within the scope of her jurisdiction. The case was assigned to
Judge J Bessey.
Judge Bessey did
not rule on the legality of the Superintendent’s decision, everyone, including
our attorney filed an appeal in the Tenth District Court of Appeals in Columbus
to force Judge Bessey to make a determination on the legality of the ruling.
The Appeals Court remanded the case back to Judge Bessey’s court so that he can
finally rule on the legality of the Superintendent’s decision. Hopefully, a favorable decision from Judge
Bessey will be forthcoming shortly.
The
Superintendent of the Ohio Department of Insurance issued an Order to the City
of Akron, OP&F and MMO to immediately cease and desist from their unfair
and deceptive practice in the way they coordinate health benefits for all
retired Police, Firefighters and their dependants. So in typical City of Akron
arrogant fashion they have denied us our legal rights to benefits under our
Collective Bargaining Agreements and the laws of the State of Ohio. The Ohio
Bureau of Insurance has stated we are in the right and the law is on our side
now and that is not likely to change.
Damages and
Punitive Damages keep accumulating.
Someday, the City of Akron, OP&F, MMO and United Health Care are
going to face the consequences of their actions. If Judge Bessey rules in our favor they are
going to have to reimburse us for all the monies that they forced us to pay
illegally for our health care and it is our position that this issue is not
negotiable. It may seem like a dream or
a farfetched fairytale but someday it will become a reality. Again the law is clearly on our side and that
is not likely to change.
It has been a
long eight to nine year battle. But we are prevailing. And now it is time to
come together once again and show our solidarity. We need to keep pressing
forward. Sadly many of the retirees who were with us eight years ago have
passed away. We owe the continuation of this battle to their families as well
as to our future retirees as well as ourselves so that we all may enjoy the
retirement that we were promised.
When we came on
to this job we took an oath to protect and serve the Citizens of Akron. In
return they promised us a wage that we could live on and the ability to provide
benefits to our families. They said that they would take care of us in our
golden years and provide us with the essential monetary benefits and health
care to sustain a comfortable retirement. We kept our promise and served
faithfully for the duration of our employment. The City reneged on their
promise. They used us and threw us out with the trash.
Money, we need money! It has been two years
since the executive board has come to you and asked you for money. This eight
year battle has been a costly battle. Around 60% of the retirees have donated.
Some have donated as much as $800.00 to sustain this fight. Now it appears it
is finally going to pay-off. But we need the capital to bring this battle to a
close.
Our attorney
Larry Shenise has worked diligently for eight years at practically cost. He has
devoted many hours that he has not billed us for. We have paid him a fraction
of what the City has paid out in attorney fees to fight us.
As of today
there are no outstanding bills. Everything is paid up to date. But we still
have a few more battles to fight before we win what is due us. We still need
your financial support along with your moral support to finally secure our
benefits that we have justly earned.
To refill our coffers we are asking each
of you to pay your dues of $25.00 and an additional assessment of $50.00 or
whatever you can afford to secure your health benefits. We realize that these economic times are
tough and many are suffering financial difficulty. However, just think of the extra money you
will have if you no longer have to pay for health benefits. It is a small
sacrifice now for what you have to gain.
We ask that you
come to the meeting and pay your dues and donation at that time. You may also
mail a check to our treasurer Joe Forgach at 346 Keith Ave. Akron OH
44313. Joe may be reached by phone at
330-869-6232. You may also make a direct deposit into the APFRWA Legal Fund by
stopping in at either the Police or Fire Credit Union offices. Be sure to have
the casher put your name and address on the receipt so Joe can give you credit
for it. If you have an account at one of the credit unions you can just call
them and have them transfer the monies from your account into the APFRWA Legal Fund checking account. Be
sure to have them put your name on their receipt and mail you a copy
We need both your Financial and Moral Support. Please come to the meeting on June 23, 2012 and stand in solidarity with us.
If you have questions please contact:
Tim Metcalfe @ 330-929-2750 or Dick Reese @ 330-329-8754
tmetcalfe@neo.rr.com wa8dbw@neo.rr.com
2990 8th Street 1081 Sterling Oaks Drive
Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221-1622 Wadsworth, Ohio 44281-8528
P.S. DO NOT, CANCEL YOUR OP&F INSURANCE AT THIS
TIME! We will keep you informed and advise when it is safe to do so.
The View From Here
March 2012
This month I am
breaking from tradition and answering a question posed by one of my
grandchildren. I was asked why we have
four time zones in the United States.
I believe this
is an interesting question that many of us have not given much thought over the
years. Well time zones were established
in November of 1883 as a result of the railroads crossing the country. This resulted in great confusion as to
scheduling the arrival of the trains at various locations. This was due to each community setting it own
time standard based on the sun. Standard
practice was to use the town jeweler’s clock or the church steeple as the time
standard for the city. This resulted in
great discrepancies from city to city and across the nation.
Initially there
was some resistance to the implementation of “Standard Time” but it soon became
obvious that there were advantages for travel, communications etc. The use of
“Standard Time” became U.S. law with the passage of the Standard Time Act (15
USC 264) in March of 1918. This also
established Daylight Saving Time. As a
side note I have yet to save any daylight as a result of this act!
The Act was intended to
save electricity for seven months of the year, during World War I. Daylight
saving time was repealed in 1919, but standard time in time zones remained in
law, with the Interstate Commerce Commission or ICC having the authority over
time zone boundaries. Daylight time became a local matter. It was
re-established nationally during World War II and was observed until the end of
the war.
During World War II
Congress enacted the War Time Act on January 20, 1942. Year-round DST was
reinstated in the United States on February 9, 1942, again as a wartime measure
to conserve energy resources. This remained in effect until after the end of
the war. The Amendment to the War Time Act enacted September 25, 1945, ended
DST as of September 30, 1945. During this period, the official designation War
Time was used for year-round DST. For example, Eastern War Time (EWT) would be
the equivalent of Eastern Daylight Time during this period.
From 1945 to 1966, U.S.
federal law did not address DST. States and localities were free to observe DST
or not, and the predominant pattern was that the states and localities that did
observe DST did so from the last Sunday in April to the last Sunday in
September. In the mid-1950s, many states and localities in the northeastern
United States began extending DST to the last Sunday in October. The absence of
federal standardization resulted in a patchwork where some areas observed DST
while adjacent areas did not, and it was not unheard of to have to reset a clock
several times during a relatively short trip (e.g., bus drivers operating on
West Virginia Route 2 between Moundsville and Steubenville Ohio had to reset
their watches SEVEN times over 35
miles)[ In the middle 1960s the airline and other transportation
industries lobbied for uniformity of Daylight dates in the United States. There
was no standardization with regards to the start and ending dates. United
Airlines, for example, had to publish 27 different timetable editions each
year.
The U.S. federal Uniform
Time Act became law on April 13, 1966 and it mandated that DST begin nationwide
on the last Sunday in April and end on the last Sunday in October, effective in
1967. The act explicitly preempted all previously enacted state laws related to
the beginning and ending of DST. Any state that wanted to be exempt from DST
could do so by passing a state law, provided that it exempted the entire state,
and Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Indiana, and Michigan chose to do so. However,
Alaska, Indiana, and Michigan subsequently chose to observe DST. The law was
amended in 1972 to permit states that straddle a time zone boundary to exempt
the entire area of the state lying in one time zone. Indiana chose to exempt
the portion of the state lying in the Eastern Time Zone; however, that
exemption was eliminated in 2006 and the entire state of Indiana now observes
DST, leaving Arizona (with the exception of the Navajo Indian Reservation) and
Hawaii as the only two states not to observe DST. On July 8, 1986, President
Ronald Regan signed the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1986 into
law that contained a daylight saving rider amending the starting date of DST to
the first Sunday in April effective in 1987. DST continued to end on the last
Sunday in October. While the states retain the capability to exempt themselves
from DST, they are forbidden by the 1966 federal law from increasing a state's
time spent on DST, unless the U.S. Congress does so for the entire nation.
In response to the 1973
energy crisis, DST in the United States began earlier in both 1974 and 1975,
commencing on the first Sunday in January (January 6) in the former year and
the last Sunday in February (February 23) in the latter. The extension of
daylight saving time was not continued due to public opposition to late sunrise
times during the winter months. In 1976, the United States reverted back to the
schedule set in the Uniform Time Act.
Since DST moves sunrise
one hour later by the clock, late sunrise times become a problem when DST is
observed either too far before the vernal equinox or too far after the autumnal
equinox. Because of this, the extension was greeted with criticism by those
concerned for the safety of children who would have been forced to travel to
school before sunrise, especially in the month of March. In addition, the
airline industry was especially concerned if DST were to be extended through to
the last Sunday in November, as this is very often the Sunday after
Thanksgiving. This is one of the busiest travel days at American airports, and
could have resulted in much havoc among travelers who forgot that the clocks
were changing that day.
If the original proposal
to extend DST through the last Sunday in November had been adopted, the entire
United States, with the exception of the states that exempted themselves, would
have experienced the latest sunrises of the year during the month of November,
which would have approached the extremely late sunrise times when DST went into
effect on January 6, 1974 due to the 1973 energy crisis..
Time zone
boundaries have changed greatly since their original introduction and changes
still occasionally occur. DOT issues press releases when these changes are
made. Generally, time zone boundaries have tended to shift westward. Places on
the eastern edge of a time zone can effectively move sunset an hour later (by
the clock) by shifting to the time zone immediately to their east.
If they do so,
the boundary of that zone is locally shifted to the west; the accumulation of
such changes results in the long-term westward trend. The process is not
inexorable, however, since the late sunrises experienced by such places during
the winter may be regarded as too undesirable. Furthermore, under the law, the
principal standard for deciding on a time zone change is the "convenience
of commerce". Proposed time zone changes have been both approved and
rejected based on this criterion, although most such proposals have been
accepted.
Take care and
stay health and safe.
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
February 2012
Well it’s February and I am reminded that approximately 1
Billion Valentine’s day cards are exchanged each year, making the 14th
of February, Valentine’s Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after
Christmas. Valentine’s Day is a day for lovers or at least a day for the
expression of feelings of endearment to others.
The history of Valentine's Day — and its patron saint —
is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of
romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both
Christian and ancient Roman tradition. So, who was Saint Valentine and how did
he become associated with this ancient rite? Today, the Catholic Church
recognizes at least three different saints named Valentine or Valentinus, all
of whom were martyred.
One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who
served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made
better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for
young men — his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice
of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young
lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered
that he be put to death.
Other stories suggest that Valentine may have been killed
for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons where they were
often beaten and tortured.
According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the
first "valentine" greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed
that Valentine fell in love with a young girl
believed to have been his
jailor's daughter — who visited him during his confinement. Before his death,
it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed "From your Valentine," an
expression that is still in use today. Remember the expression “Be My Valentine”. Although the truth
behind the Valentine legends is murky, the stories certainly emphasize his appeal
as a sympathetic, heroic, and, most importantly, romantic figure. It's no
surprise that by the Middle
Ages, Valentine was one of the most popular
saints in England and France.
While some believe that Valentine's Day is celebrated in
the middle of February to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine's death or
burial — which probably occurred around 270 A.D — others claim that the
Christian church may have decided to celebrate Valentine's feast day in the
middle of February in an effort to "christianize" celebrations of the
pagan Lupercalia festival. In ancient Rome, February
was the official beginning of spring and was considered a time for
purification. Houses were ritually cleansed by sweeping them out and then
sprinkling salt and a type of wheat called spelt throughout their
interiors. I have a friend in Dayton
Ohio that opens his doors and sweeps his home out each February and he is only
68 years old!
In Great Britain, Valentine's Day began to be popularly
celebrated around the seventeenth century. By the middle of the eighteenth
century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange
small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. By the end of the century,
printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing
technology. Ready-made cards were an easy way for people to express their
emotions in a time when direct expression of one's feelings was discouraged.
Cheaper postage rates also contributed to an increase in the popularity of
sending Valentine's Day greetings. Americans probably began exchanging
hand-made valentines in the early 1700s. In the 1840s, Esther A. Howland began
to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America.
Approximately 85 percent of all valentines are purchased
by women. In addition to the United States, Valentine's Day is celebrated in
Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia.
Now my question is are you part of the remaining 15
percent? If not why not take a moment
and purchase a card or (heaven forbid) make a card for your spouse or loved one
if not married. He or she would
certainly be surprised by this expression of endearment on your part. I will be doing something special for
Charmaine. It is my sincere wish that
you do the same for your loved one(s) and that they reciprocate.
That’s it for this month.
Stay safe and see you at the retiree breakfast 8:30am the first
Wednesday of the month at The Akron Family Restaurant on West Market in Akron.
That’s the View From Here
Dick Reese
This is
a letter I sent to all of Ohio’s major newspapers voicing my opinion on Issue 2
/ SB5. Some papers published it – most
did not. Some acknowledged receipt and again some did not. It was my desire to perhaps influence a few
individuals to vote informed.
Issue 2
Facts
November
2011
I
just received another mailer urging me to vote YES on Issue 2. Like the others
it was a litany of false statements. I will address some of them here.
Supporters
say they only want government workers to pay 15% of their health care cost.
While some agencies negotiated paid health care in lieu of pay increases. As a retired Akron Police Sergeant I pay 25%
of my health care cost. For those with a
wife and at least one child that is over $8,000.00 per year for health care.
Supporters
say they only expect police to pay 10% of their pay towards our pension fund.
While it is true that some agencies have that 10% paid by their employer, it is
because they agreed to that as a benefit in lieu of pay raises at the urging of
their city. As an Akron officer I paid 10% towards my pension. How many in the private sector place 10% of
their pay in a 401 K or other retirement plan?
Government
employees do not pay into Social Security.
However, if a government worker works a second job he or she then must
pay Social Security like everyone.
Government
workers are penalized in that he or she only receives approximately 1/3 of what
was actually earned because he or she has a government pension. If that work is
considered self employed or that of an independent contractor, the government
worker must pay the full self-employment tax or Social Security. When I was
self employed it was 15%.. That meant I should be receiving about $1,200.00 per
month. But wait, because I also receive a government pension I only I get
$388.00 each month because of the offset and after the Medicare deduction I am
left with $277.00! This is after working 27 years on the police department and
paying the full 15% self employment tax on my employment and I am left with
less than $277.00 after Medicare! Hardly seems fair considering I paid 15% of
my income to Social Security.
Supporters
of Issue 2 say government employees make 43%more than the average worker yet
they provide no facts to support that ridiculous claim. I was elated in 1971
when I made $8,200.00 on the police department. That same year my brother made
$18,000.00 working in the private sector.
That is more than 220% that he made at B.F. Goodrich and he would brag
that they had a quota to reach and that it was reached after the first three
hours of the shift. They were permitted to sleep the remaining five hours! When I quit AT&T and went to the police
department in 1969 I received a $30.00 a week pay cut, not a 43% raise!
Issue
2 supporters say government workers get guaranteed pay increases just for
showing up. I was part of management and
I could deny that raise by giving the employee an unsatisfactory service
rating. Most contracts specify a schedule of raises over a number of years but
are received only if the employee is rated satisfactory or above by management.
Supporters
of Issue 2 say we have to keep raising your taxes to pay for our benefits. I
know of no government employee that has the power to raise taxes. It is the
politicians that do that with the support of the voters. Government workers are
also tax payers and pay the same taxes as those citizens that support Issue 2.
There
is need for change in some areas. Issue 2 as written with over 300 pages is not
the way to address those problem areas. Vote
NO on Issue 2 and together let us force the politicians to come up with a
reasonable replacement bill that truly address those problem areas. Do that and you just may have my vote as
well.
Just
my View From Here.
Richard
D. Reese
Vice
President Ohio Police & Fire Retirees
1081
Sterling Oaks Drive
Wadsworth,
Ohio 44281
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
November 2011
Well it’s time to vote again. It appears that again I am perplexed by many of the confusing statements and accusations voiced in many of the advertisements appearing in the media. This is true regarding both political candidates as well as many of the issues being placed before the voters.
This is especially true regarding State Issue 2. To begin the issue is over 300 pages long! That should raise a red flag. 300 pages tells me that there are many thing hidden in the bill that the politicians do not want you the voter to be aware of. The following is a summary of what I believe are some of the most noteworthy points contained in S.B. 5.
S. B. No.5 Issue 2 repeals and revises existing and enacts new provisions of the Ohio Revised Code relating to laws concerning public employees, including collective bargaining, salary schedules and compensation, layoff procedures, and leave, including, but not limited to, the following:
Expands the list of subjects that are inappropriate for collective bargaining.
Requires public employers to not bargain on any subject reserved to the management and direction of the governmental unit, even if the subject affects wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment.
Prohibits an existing provision of a collective bargaining agreement that was modified, renewed, or extended that does not concern wages, hours, and conditions from being a mandatory subject of collective bargaining.
Allows a public employer to engage in specified employment related actions at the employer’s discretion unless the public employer specifically agrees otherwise in an express written provision of a collective bargaining agreement, with certain exceptions concerning equipment.
Prohibits all "public employees" from striking.
Requires the public employer to deduct from the compensation of a striking employee an amount equal to twice the employee's daily rate of pay for each day or part thereof that the employee engaged in a strike.
Expands the definition of
"supervisor" with respect to members of a fire or police department.
Expands the definition of "supervisor" and "management level employee" with respect to faculty of a state institution of higher education to include those involved in certain decisions.
Prohibits employees of community schools from collectively bargaining, except for conversion community schools.
Allows the governing authority of a conversion community school to opt out of collectively bargaining with the community school's employees.
Limits the ability of other employees to collectively bargain with their public employers, including regional council of government employees and certain members of the unclassified civil service, to allow the employees to bargain only if the public employer elects to do so.
Removes continuation, modification, or deletion of an existing collective bargaining agreement from the subject of collective bargaining.
Changes the time limitations within which the State Employment Relations Board must act upon a request for recognition.
Allows the Board to determine appropriate
units, remove classifications from a bargaining unit, or hold an election
regardless of an agreement or a memorandum of understanding granting
nonexclusive or deemed certified recognition.
Prohibits an appropriate unit of firefighters from including rank and file members with members who are of the rank lieutenant and above.
Permits certain groups to file a decertification petition demonstrating that 30% of the employees in the described bargaining unit support the petition.
Prohibits a public employer that is a school district, educational service center, a conversion community school that collectively bargains, or STEM school from entering into a collective bargaining agreement that does specified things, such as establishing a maximum number of students who may be assigned to a classroom or teacher.
Requires collective bargaining agreements between such an education-related public employer and public employees to comply with all applicable state or local laws or ordinances regarding wages, hours, and terms and conditions of employment, unless the conflicting provision establishes benefits that are less than provided in the law or ordinance.
Prohibits a collective bargaining agreement
from prohibiting a public employer that is in a state of fiscal emergency from
serving a written notice to terminate, modify, or negotiate the agreement.
Prohibits a collective bargaining agreement from prohibiting a public employer that is in a state of fiscal watch from serving a written notice to modify a collective bargaining agreement so that salary or benefit increases, or both, are suspended. .
Prohibits an agreement from containing a
provision that requires as a condition of employment that the nonmembers of the
employee organization pay to the employee organization a fair share fee.
Prohibits a collective bargaining agreement
entered into or renewed on or after the bill's effective date from containing
provisions limiting a public employer's ability to privatize operations.
Prohibits a collective bargaining agreement entered into or renewed on or after the bill's effective date from containing provisions for certain types of leave to accrue above listed amounts or to pay out for sick leave at a rate higher than specified amounts.
Prohibits a collective bargaining agreement entered into or renewed on or after the bill's effective date from containing certain provisions regarding the deferred retirement option plan.
Limits the currently required grievance procedure to unresolved grievances that are based on the disputed interpretations of the written provisions of the agreement.
Eliminates the ability of the parties to
submit disputes to an agreed-upon dispute resolution procedure.
Extends the timelines involved in the dispute resolution process.
Expands the list of factors a fact-finder must consider in resolving disputes, and requires the fact finder to consider as the primary factor the interests and welfare of the public and the ability of the public employer to finance and administer the issues proposed.
Eliminates the final offer settlement procedure.
Requires the legislative body of the public employer to be the final decision-maker with respect to any dispute that is unresolved during the fact-finding process, and prescribes procedures and requirements for the legislative body to make a determination.
Requires any agreement determined by the
legislative body to be in effect for three years.
Requires, if the legislative body fails to select a last best offer, the public employer's last best offer to become the agreement between the parties.
Allows, for certain public employers, if the legislative body selects the last best offer that costs more and the chief financial officer of the legislative body determines that insufficient funds exist or refuses to determine whether sufficient funds exist to cover the agreement, the last best offers to be submitted to the voters for selection.
Prescribes procedures to place the last best offers on the ballot and for that election.
Expands the list of unfair labor practices that may be committed by an employee organization, its agents, or public employees and the remedies that may be applied for unfair labor practices committed by those entities.
Revises the procedures regarding hearings on unfair labor practice charges.
Requires a public employer to report certain information about compensation paid to public employees under a collective bargaining agreement.
Repeals the provision requiring the Public Employee Collective Bargaining Law to be liberally construed.
Eliminates statutory salary schedules and
steps.
Requires performance-based pay for most public employees, including board and commission members, and makes other, related changes.
Requires performance-based pay for teachers based, in part, on evaluations conducted under a policy that is based on a framework for teacher evaluations that has been recommended by the Superintendent of Public Instruction and adopted by the State Board of Education.
Caps vacation leave for certain public employees at 7.7 hours per biweekly pay period and limits total accrual for those public employees currently accruing 9.2 hours per pay period.
Reduces sick leave accrual for most public employees from 4.6 hours to 3.1 hours per biweekly pay period.
Limits public employer contributions toward health care benefit costs to 85%.
Requires health care benefits provided to management level employees to be the same as any health care benefits provided to other employees of the same public employer.
Requires boards of education to adopt policies to provide leave with pay for school employees and abolishes statutorily provided leave for those employees.
Abolishes continuing contracts for teachers, except for those continuing contracts in existence prior to the effective date of the bill and revises the law relating to limited contracts.
Prohibits a public employer from paying employee contributions to the five public employee retirement systems.
Requires health care benefits provided through a jointly administered trust fund to be the same as the health care benefits provided to other public employees.
Allows death benefits paid under the Police and Fire Pension Fund to be paid in accordance with existing salary schedules and increases in salaries.
Removes consideration of seniority and length of service, by itself; from decisions regarding a reduction in work force of certain public employees.
Creates the Ohio Commission for Excellence in Public Service to establish and guide programs that foster best practices in public service workplaces.
If a majority of the voters vote to not
approve the Act, then enacted changes will not take effect and the prior version
of the affected laws will remain in effect.
The bottom line is there are some good points contained in the bill but there are many bad ones. This is especially true regarding police and fire employees. It is for that reason that I encourage you the voter to VOTE NO on Issue 2. Let’s force the politicians to go back and rewrite the bill to be something reasonable that all residents of Ohio can live and prosper with.
Just my View From
Here.
I close with this thought – Deliver me from all the evildoers that talk nothing but sickness and failure. Grant me the companionship of those who think success and are willing to work for it. Loan me those associates who cheerfully face the problems of the day and try hard to overcome them. Relieve me of cynics and critics. Give me continued good health and the strength to be of real service to the world and receive that which is good for me and all those that want it.
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
wa8dbw@neo.rr.com
THE VIEW FROM HERE
October 2011
Akron's September 13th primary election is now over. I have heard many say they are disappointed
that Michael Williams did not displace Don Plusquellic as Akron’s democratic
candidate. There have been many
theories bantered about. While some have
definite merit it is my belief that many voters thought they had until the
November election to vote. Many were
appalled by the low voter turnout. In
2015 Williams plans to run again. I
believe it is imperative for him to use the next four years to organize a huge
base of citizens that will aid in overcoming the misinformation his opponent
will disseminate to the voters. It is
also imperative that those who profess to support a change in city
administration be willing to get out and do more than just offer lip service in
support of a candidate that dares to oppose Plusquellic.
Some have said they do not understand why Plusquellic
wants to remain in office with 38 years of city service he can retire at any
time. One can speculate as to the reasons; however I believe there is a strong
likelihood that he will step down prior to the end of the upcoming term. Stepping down or retiring would turn the
mayor’s office over to council president, Marco Summerville. It is unfortunate but this would be pretty
much a continuation of Plusquellic’s policies and procedures.
The question arises – what actions should Mike Williams
be performing in the next four years to best insure his election as mayor of
Akron? This questions answer is
complicated by the fact that Plusquellic, Summerville, and Williams are all
democrats. First of all, I believe the
office of mayor should be nonpartisan, and based on that premise, Williams
should run as an independent. I, and
many others, vote for whomever they believe has the best interest of the
community at heart. As I stated in my
endorsement of Williams from September 10, 2011 “I am a Republican that offers
total support of the Williams for Mayor of Akron campaign. I urge you the
reader to do the same.” I believe had
Williams been a republican or preferably an independent, he would have been
successful in his bid to replace Plusquellic as Akron’s mayor.
That’s just The View From Here
By the way – There is still no change in the status of
the healthcare suit. As you remember we
won the last action and Akron appealed it to Franklin County Court. I do not anticipate any ruling until after
the November elections. I promise to
keep you posted as to what develops.
Dick Reese
wa8dbw@neo.rr.com
An Election Editorial
September 10, 2011
Akron's
September 13th primary election is fast approaching. Mayor Plusquellic is for
the first time facing serious competition for the democratic nomination for
mayor. This is due to Michael Williams, Councilman-at-large, having made the
decision to seek the position of mayor of the city of Akron. Williams has long
been involved in Akron politics and is one of the few that has dared to openly
oppose Plusquellic, questioning some of his tactics, attitudes, policies, and
dictatorial actions when dealing with the citizenry in general, surrounding
communities, and city workers.
We have
been inundated with media commercials from Mayor Don Plusquellic in an effort
to convince the citizens of what a marvelous job he has done for the city.
These have included endorsements from some high ranking members of the safety
forces, including a former police chief. This falsely gives the impression that
members of the police division endorse Plusquellic's re-election. Nothing can
be further from the truth. I will concede that some members may support
Plusquellic, but the majority support Mike Williams for the office of Mayor of
Akron. It is unfortunate that some members and former members of the Police
Division have chosen to prostitute themselves by voicing support for
Plusquellic while the majority of the rank and file supports Williams. This is
evident by Williams having received the endorsement of both the Police and Fire
Unions.
Some of
the reasons include the fact that Williams is a man of integrity and has always
been an advocate for the safety of the community, refusing to let personal
likes and dislikes control his policy. This is in contrast to Plusquellic's
denial that there are any safety concerns in Akron's neighborhoods. He has
chosen to disregard mandated staffing levels, jeopardizing the safety of police
officers as well as that of the community. Plusquellic has let his hatred for
union leaders and some members of the safety forces negatively influence his
decisions regarding the safety of the community.
Williams,
while readily admitting that these are austere times and that Akron must
operate with a balanced budget in mind, believes that above all Akron must
maintain a safe environment for its citizens. It serves no purpose to say we
must maintain sanitation services if the citizens are afraid to leave their
homes to take the trash can to the curb for pickup! This is in contrast to
Plusquellic stating that since Safety forces are the largest part of the
employee payroll, they should be first to be severed from the city employment
roster.
Williams
welcomes those persons with ideas that differ from his, while Plusquellic
becomes enraged if you fail to agree with him and even goes so far as to
"reserve a special place in Hell" for those that are foolish enough
to oppose his ideas. I find it noteworthy that Plusquellic apparently has a
relationship with Satan that is so close that he believes he has that ability
to "reserve a special place in Hell" for those who chose to disagree
with or oppose him! I also find it notable that Mike Williams more often than
not ends his conversations with individuals with "May God Bless You!"
Plusquellic
brags about bringing foreign jobs to Akron but when bragging of the number of
jobs he fails to state that most are projected jobs for the future. He thus far
has failed to give a concise accounting of how much money has been spent on
travel to other countries. He states that the travel was paid by JED funds and
that is justification for first class travel and payment of $300 to $600 dollar
per night hotels for each member of his entourage. Plusquellic apparently
forgets that the JED funds are also taxpayer money. He has neglected existing
small and medium business in the area resulting in some companies leaving Akron
for surrounding communities. Williams pledges to concentrate on providing
motivation aimed and keeping existing jobs while enticing other companies to
locate in Akron.
Williams
has pledged to honor Akron's obligations to its residents as well as those
imposed by Ohio and Federal regulatory agencies such as the EPA, and
contractual obligations with Akron's labor organizations. Again this is in
sharp contrast with Plusquellic's total disregard for the same. Plusquellic's
refusal to honor the EPA mandated improvements to the city sewer system has
resulted in millions of dollars in fines that continue to accumulate on a daily
basis.
Mayor
Plusquellic for years has refused to provide contracted Medical Benefits to
Police and Fire Retirees unless they first purchase health care coverage from
Ohio Police and Fire Pension Fund. For some retirees this coverage comes at an
annual cost in excess of $8,000.00! That cost is deducted from the retiree's
pension check. In the event the insurance cost is greater than the pension
benefit, the retiree is billed for the difference!
Seven
years ago the City of Akron was taken to court, and the Mayor claimed that this
was not an issue under the courts jurisdiction, but instead was an insurance
matter. The retirees took this issue to the State of Ohio Bureau of Insurance,
and after lengthy investigation, Mayor Plusquellic was ordered by the Director
of Insurance of the State of Ohio to pay the present and past medical claims of
police and fire retirees and to immediately stop this unlawful practice. He
refused to comply with that order. He is now claiming that the courts have
jurisdiction, not the State Department of Insurance. Retired police and firemen
have died with this issue of their medical benefits never being resolved . This
is an outrage and Plusquellic must be held accountable. This and other actions
have resulted in the City forgoing the use of the Akron Law Department's
expertise and hiring outside law firms to represent the City of Akron. Some
have said that this was because the Akron Law Department advised Plusquellic
was wrong to avoid his obligation to settle these issues and negate the costly
law suits. Plusquellic then contracted with these private law firms to
represent the City of Akron. Perhaps someone could request an accounting of the
monies paid to those law firms. Meanwhile Plusquellic continues to defy the
Ohio Bureau of Insurance and he continues to give taxpayer money to private law
firms to appeal the State of Ohio order.
Mayor
Plusquellic has permitted his abrasive and arrogant personality to control his
relationships with the safety forces, other employee groups, and the community.
As Akron's chief executive, he is responsible for setting the tone for ALL city
employees. It should be incumbent that he led with maturity and wisdom, treating
others as he would be treated. The citizens and other politicians should demand
it; anyone not willing to operate that way should be summarily removed from
office.
These
are but some of the reasons I oppose the re-election of Don Plusquellic and
support the candidacy of Michael Williams for Mayor of Akron. Yes, Williams is
a Democrat and as a non-resident I cannot vote, but I am a Republican that
offers total support of the Williams for Mayor of Akron campaign. I urge you
the reader to do the same.
Richard
D. Reese
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
September 2011
I would like to begin with an apology for my failure to
write something for the August issue. It
was a hectic month with lots of challenges.
I had tons of medical test and two trips to the hospital. The good news is that I survived the hospital
stays. While I was in AGMC my brother
Robert was in Akron City ICU.
Unfortunately he was not as fortunate as I. He passed away on the morning of August 3rd. He left his wife and two sons and a host of
other relatives and friends to morn his passing. He would have been 67 on the 18th
of August.
I wish to take this opportunity to thank all of you for
the many expressions of sympathy and we were pleasantly surprised at the number
received from long time – long ago co workers at APD. In particular the many members of the 911
communications center. I have been gone
from there for over sixteen years but they still remember the experiences we
shared. Again thanks to all and may God
bless you and keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy.
On a lighter note Charmaine and I have spent some quality
time together and with some of our six children and nine grandchildren. They are precious to the two of us and we
treasure the time we get to share with them.
We took the motor home to Lake Erie with seven of the grands and two of
our daughters and one son. We all had a
great time with lots of food and fun in the waters of Erie. Perhaps in a couple of months we will get all
of the sand out of the carpet!
August is when we celebrate numerous birthdays. We have two of our daughters Christine and
Meredith’s birthday on the 13th and 17th as well as
nieces, nephews, friends and my sister Becky on the 23rd and mine on
the 24th.
The 22nd of August is the most important day
of my life. You may ask why – well it is
Charmaine and my wedding anniversary.
Some of you know that when I was divorced I vowed to remain single for
the rest of my life. I managed to do so
for eight years and to make a long story short Charmaine proposed to me and I
instantly replied yes. The rest is
history. She is the best thing that ever
happened to me and I am forever grateful for her undying love. I am convinced that if not for her I would
not be among the living. She and my
oncologist Dr. Sandra Hazra are my two angels.
I realize I am rambling and probably boring most of the
readers so I will close this month by again thanking all of you for your well wishes
and expressions of sympathy in the death of my brother Robert. May God bless you and may each of you have as
much happiness as I have been blessed with.
Just my View From Here
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
August 2011
Essentially
there is nothing new regarding the Health Care law suit. Your attorney Larry
Shenise was at the Wednesday July 13th meeting of the retirees at the lodge. It
appears that the judge and/or the City of Akron are attempting to delay any
decisions until after the fall elections. As you know we received a favorable
ruling from the Bureau of Insurance and as expected Akron filed an appeal.
The
judge in Franklin county court has yet to make a decision on the Akron appeal
and is now questioning if he even had jurisdiction to hear the appeal. it is our
opinion that Ohio law is clear in that regard. Any appeal must be heard in
Franklin County (Columbus) court. Time line for a settlement remains unknown.
Perhaps our best chance for a speedy settlement would be after the November
election and perhaps a new mayor of Akron.
Back
in May an invitation was extended to both Mayor Plusquellic and Councilman at
large Mike Williams to speak at our joint meeting of police and fire retirees.
Williams responded and attended our meeting. He outlined his plan for Akron and
his support of Akron's safety forces.
While
in route to the July 13th meeting I received a phone call at 11:10 am from
Plusquellic's office regarding the meeting. I explained that the invitation was
extended back in May and the meeting was to begin in about 45 minutes.
Plusquellic's spokesperson said that he could not make that days meeting but
perhaps another one may be possible. I explained that we only had one joint
meeting each year but the August Fire meeting on August 4th at the FOP lodge would
be possible. . She stated she would check Plusquellic's calendar and get back
to me. I stated that would be fine. The sooner the better so that I could
advise the police retirees to attend the August meeting with the fire retirees.
On July 23rd I received a call from his campaign office stating Plusquellic was
not available for the August 4th fire meeting. I said the other date is August
10th the date of the next police retiree meeting. I explained that I required
an answer ASAP so that fire retirees could be notified of Plusquellic's
attendance.
As
soon as I receive a reply from Plusquellic's office I will send an email to the
group.
Keep
Bob Trevathan in your prayers. He is recovering from surgery at home. If anyone
has knowledge of any member in need of prayer - please send me an email or call
me on the phone.
Take
care.
Dick
Reese
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
July 2011
Well here it is July
and we have five Fridays, five Saturdays, and five Sundays in this month! This is a combination that will happen again
in July of 2016. Those of you that are still
working have the opportunity to take five weekends off!
Remember Independence
Day is July 4th so fly our flag and say a prayer for our military
and our safety forces.
I wish to remind each
of you that for the first time it appears that Mayor Plusquellic has serious
competition for the office of mayor. As
you know longtime councilman Michael Williams has tossed his hat in the
ring. I contacted both candidates’
offices and extended an invitation to speak to the retirees and inform us as to
their vision of Akron’s future and relay their thoughts regarding the safety
forces. As of this writing Mike Williams
has agreed to speak at our July 13th meeting at noon. This will be a joint meeting of the police
and fire retirees. Mark your calendar
and Charmaine and I are looking forward to seeing you there.
As of June 26 I have
yet to receive a response from Mayor Don Plusquellic. In the event I do I will try and arrange a
date prior to the September vote when Plusquellic can speak to the group also. You can form your own thoughts as to why
Plusquellic has failed to respond to the invitation to speak to our group. I will not voice my thoughts since it would
only be speculation since Plusquellic nor his office has given me the courtesy
of a reply to my request for him to speak to our retirees group. Although I cannot vote in Akron elections
since I am a resident of Wadsworth, and I would never tell anyone how to cast
their ballot, I will advise my friends and relatives that are residents of
Akron that if I were a resident I would cast my ballot for Mike Williams rather
that Plusquellic and yes, I am a registered republican!
An update on the
status of our law suit against the City of Akron regarding our healthcare;
There was a hearing
scheduled in Columbus on June 27th and I was holding this note in anticipation
of providing news of the hearing but when I called to check on the hearing time
on Saturday the 25th I was notified that it was canceled and all
parties were to submit briefs to the judge.
Yes that basically constitutes another delay. As soon as I receive meaningful information
it will be emailed to Don and Sue Dexter to be sent to the email list.
I have had several
people inquire as to what number they should call to get the 2011 Medicare Reimbursement
Form sent to them. You can call United
Health Care at 888-832-0964 or call me at 330-329-8754 and I will email a copy
of the form to you.
Till next time...Stay
safe and be your brother’s keeper.
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
June 2011
PESSIMISM about the United States rarely pays off in the long run. Time and
again, when we Americans have felt particularly glum, our economy has been on
the brink of a revival. Think of Jimmy Carter’s cardigan-clad doom and gloom in
the inflation-ridden late 1970s, or the fear of competition from Japan that
marked the “jobless recovery” of the early 1990s. Both times the United States
bounced back, boosted on the first occasion by Paul Volcker’s conquest of
inflation and on the second by a productivity spurt that sent growth rates
soaring in the mid-1990s even as Japan’s economy stalled and then stagnated.
That record is worth bearing in mind today. Many Americans are unhappy, and
becoming more so, about the country’s prospects and politicians’ efforts to
improve them. In a new CBS News poll, seven out of ten respondents said America
is on the wrong track. Almost 60% of Americans disapprove of the
administration’s handling of the economy, and three out of four think Congress
is doing an even worse job. Let’s not
even get started on Ohio SB5!
This malaise partly reflects the sluggishness of the recovery. Though
unemployment has reportedly been falling and share prices are close to a
three-year high, home prices are still in the dumps and the price of gas has
soared to levels not seen since the summer of 2008. But it’s not all about oil
or indeed the short term. A careful reading of the polls suggests that our
worries stretch well beyond the next couple of years: about stagnating living
standards and a dark future in an economy slow to create jobs, saddled with big
government deficits and under threat from China. Tellingly, a majority now
regard China, not America, as the world’s leading economy.
Are these worries justified? On the plus side, it is hard to think of any
large country with as many inherent long-term advantages as America: what would
China give to have a Silicon Valley? Or Germany an Ivy League? But it is also
plain that the United States does indeed have long-term economic weaknesses—and
ones that will take time to fix. The real worry for Americans should be that
their politicians, not least their president, are doing so little to tackle
these underlying problems. Three failings stand out.
The first failing, of which President Obama in particular is guilty, is
misstating the problem. He likes to frame America’s challenges in terms of
“competitiveness”, particularly versus China. America’s prosperity, he argues,
depends on “out-innovating, out-educating and out-building” China. This is, in
my opinion, mostly nonsense. America’s prosperity depends not on other
countries’ productivity growth, but on its own (actually pretty fast) pace.
Ideas spill over from one economy to another: when China innovates Americans
benefit.
Of course, plenty more could be done to spur innovation. The system of
corporate taxation is a mess and deters domestic investment. President Obama is
right that America’s infrastructure is creaking. But the solution there has as
much to do with reforming Neanderthal funding systems as it does with the
greater public spending he advocates. Too much of the “competitiveness” talk is
a canard—one that justifies misguided policies, such as subsidies for green
technology, and diverts attention from the country’s real to-do list.
High on that list is sorting out America’s public finances. The budget
deficit is huge and public debt, at over 90% of GDP when measured in an
internationally comparable manner, is high and rising fast. Apart from Japan,
America is the only big rich economy that does not have a plan for getting its
public finances under control.
The good news is that politicians are at last paying attention: deficit
reduction is just about all anybody talks about these days. The bad news—and
the second reason for gloom about what the politicians are up to—is that
neither party is prepared to make the basic compromises that are essential to a
deal. Some say Republicans refuse to accept that taxes will have to rise;
others say it’s the Democrats refusal to admit that spending on “entitlements”
be reduced. No real progress is likely until after the 2012 presidential
election. And the antagonism of today’s deficit debate may even harm the
economy, as Republicans push for excessive cuts in next year’s budget.
Meanwhile, the biggest dangers lie in an area that politicians barely
mention: the labor market. The recent decline in the jobless rate has been
misleading, the result of a surprisingly small growth in the workforce (as
discouraged workers drop out) as much as fast job creation. A stubborn 46% of
America’s jobless, some six million people, have been out of work for more than
six months. The weakness of the recovery is mostly to blame, but there are
signs that America may be developing a distinctly European disease: structural
unemployment.
Youth unemployment is especially high, and joblessness among the young
leaves lasting scars. Strong productivity growth has been achieved partly
through the elimination of many mid-skilled jobs. And what makes this all the
more worrying is that, below the radar screen, America had employment problems
long before the recession, particularly for lesser-skilled men. These were
caused not only by sweeping changes from technology and globalization, which
affect all countries, but also by America’s habit of locking up large numbers
of young men, which drastically diminishes their future employment prospects.
America has a smaller fraction of prime-age men in work and in the labor force
than any other G7 economy. Some 25% of men aged 25-54 with no college degree,
35% of high-school dropouts and almost 70% of black high-school dropouts are
not working.
Beyond the toll to individuals, the lack of work among less-skilled men
could have huge fiscal and social consequences. The cost of disability payments
is some $120 billion (almost 1% of GDP) and rising fast. Male worklessness has
been linked with lower marriage rates and weakening family bonds.
All this means that grappling with entrenched joblessness deserves to be
far higher on America’s policy agenda. Unfortunately, the few (leftish)
politicians who acknowledge the problem tend to have misguided solutions, such
as trade barriers or industrial policy to prop up yesterday’s jobs or to spot
tomorrow’s. That won’t work: government has a terrible record at picking
winners. Instead, America needs to get its macro-medicine right, in particular
by committing itself to medium-term fiscal and monetary stability without
excessive short-term tightening. But it also needs job-market reforms, from
streamlining and upgrading training to increasing employers’ incentives to hire
the low-skilled. And there, strange as it may seem, America could learn from
Europe: the Netherlands, for instance, is a good model for how to overhaul
disability insurance. Stemming the decline in low-skilled men’s work will also
demand more education reform to boost skills, as well as a revised approach to
drugs and imprisonment.
Technology and globalization are remaking labor markets across the rich
world, to the relative detriment of the lower-skilled. That’s why a rosier
outlook for America’s economy does not necessarily mean a rosy future for all
Americans. President Obama and his opponents can help to shape the process.
Sadly, they are doing so for the worse rather than the better.
Just my View From Here
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
May 2011
Just a few reminders for the month of May;
Remember Mother’s Day
is Sunday May 8th. Give her
a call or go see her if possible. If she
has passed on as mine has then take time to think of her and if you believe –
speak to her and she will hear you and if you believe you will know what her
reply is as well.
Wednesday May 11th
is when we again celebrate Police Memorial Day at Wolter Park. I urge each of you to take time out of your
bust day and attend the service that honors our fallen brethren. As of this time there have been 65 officer
killed in the line of duty nationwide.
We have the dubious distinction of being number three in the country
with 5 officer deaths already. Ohio is
exceeded only by Florida with 10 and Texas with 6!
May 21st
is Armed Forces Day. This little
publicized day is always the third Saturday in May and Armed Forces Day is a day to recognize and honor
the military forces in our nation. Nations throughout the world participate in
observing this day as well.
May 30th Memorial
Day. Memorial Day is a U.S. holiday
commemorating the U.S. men and women who have died in military service to our
country. It is always the last Monday in
the Month of May.
May 3rd is
National Teachers Day. National Teacher Day is part of a week-long
celebration honoring our teachers. On Teacher Day, be sure to honor the special
teachers in your life for the hard work they do each day. For me there were two people that taught me
to love to learn new things. One was
Marjorie Rhodes who was my first grade teacher at George barber School that
used to be on Gary Road in Akron. The
second was (you probably guessed it) my mom Clara Reese who taught me more than
words can say. Even though she died in
2007 she continues to teach and influence me each day.
There
is still no decision on our health care suit.
I encourage each of you to be patient and my thoughts are that Politics
makes strange bed fellows and that will work in our favor.
That’s it for
now. Char and I look forward to seeing
each of you at the Wednesday Memorial Service.
Take care of each other and stay safe.
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
April 2011
Well here it is tax time and also
Easter is on the horizon. I was planning
on an article on Easter, its origin, traditions and little known facts. I realize that some of our readers are extremely
knowledgeable and could lead a class at any seminary while others like me may
only have enough knowledge to be considered dangerous.
I take this opportunity to encourage
you, the reader, to share your thoughts with your fellow readers. It has been my experience that everyone has
something worthy of being shared with others.
Try it and you may be surprised at the response you receive.
I wish to apologies for being missing
from the last few retiree get-togethers.
I have been under the weather for the last four months but I am on the
mend. I have had adverse reactions to
some of my meds, discovered I have heart blockage, polymyositis, pulmonary
fibrosis, and to top it off the left side of my head decided to swell and
generate immense pain that I imagined was caused by a group of alien invaders
that were warring inside my head.
After suffering for a week Char took
me to ER and the good news was there were no tumors or other signs of
concern. It was determined that I have a
bad case of shingles! I always believed
you got them on your chest or back. The
fact is you can get them on any part of your body. I fail to understand – if I had to get
shingles, couldn’t they could have been installed with regular roofing nails
instead of the 8 inch spikes they used!
That’s it for this month. Thanks for the well wishes and, Lord willing,
Char and I will see many of you at the April luncheon.
Till next time...
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
March 2011
I have been
struggling trying to decide what to say in this month’s View. There are so many things deserving of the
available space. Some subjects are; the
fall from power of Egypt’s Mubarak resulting from citizen peaceful protest. Don Plusquellic having decided to again run
for mayor of Akron.
Plusquellic and
Mubarak are similar in some respects with their lack of concern for the common
citizen and failure to address that which is important to the citizenry. Perhaps the citizens of Akron should mirror
the tactics of those in Cairo. Who’s to
say, it may result in Plusquellic being forced to resign from power.
I expect that by the
time this goes to print long time councilman Michael Williams will have thrown
his hat into the ring to run for mayor of Akron.
Ohio Senate bill 5 has garnered much attention from
Ohioans. The governor and other
politicians report that it is needed to balance the Ohio State budget which is
projected to be eight billion dollars ($8,000,000,000.00)! The math fails to add up unless they intend
to institute slave labor for all government employees in Ohio. The collective bargaining agreements have
built in checks and balances for both government and those they employ. The implication that it is the cause of the
huge deficit is ludicrous and totally without merit.
Thus far there has been no indication of any major
reductions in compensation or benefit packages for any of the politicians,
members of their cabinet or staff. Again
perhaps there are lessons to be learned from the protests in Egypt that started
as part of a youth movement against the Mubarak regime and was joined by senior
citizens, housewives, conservative religious groups.
Just as protests have
spread to other Arab nations like Tunisia, Libya, Iran Yemen, and Algeria and
others. Many Arab nations that have
generally been viewed as invulnerable now find they are being challenged and
this may yet spread too many other nations.
Is it possible that the same could happen here in Akron or the State of
Ohio?
I find it intriguing
when thinking of the possibility of social protest here in Ohio or Akron
forcing constructive change in our governments as recent protesting has done in
parts of the Arab world. What are your
thoughts?
So long till next
month. Stay safe and remember there is
strength in unity.
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
wa8dbw@neo.rr.com
VIEW FROM HERE
February 2011
I received this from a good friend...
When I bought my Droid Blueberry Smart Phone I thought about all the years I
worked and how I somehow managed to be somewhat successful in spite of the fact
I did not have a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, photos and
communicates with Skype, Facebook and
Twitter. It has me signed up under duress for Twitter& Facebook, so my
kids, their spouses, grandkids and great-grand kids could communicate with me
in the modern way. I figured I could handle something as simple as Twitter
with only 140 characters of space.
That was before one of my grandkids hooked me up for Tweeter, Tweetree, Twhirl,
Twitterfon, Tweetie and Twittererific Tweetdeck, Twitpix and something that
sends every message to my cell phone and
every other program within the texting world.
My phone was beeping every three minutes with the details of everything except
the bowel movements of the entire next generation. I am not ready to live like
this. I keep my cell phone in the garage in my golf bag.
The kids bought me a GPS for my last birthday because they say I get lost every
now and then going over to the grocery store or library. I keep that in a box
under my tool bench with the Blue tooth (its red) phone I am supposed to use
when I drive. I wore it once and was standing in line at Barnes and Noble
talking to my wife (they closed the Borders Books) and everyone within 50 yards
was glaring at me. I had to take my hearing aid out to use it, and I guess I
got a little loud.
I mean the GPS looked pretty smart on my dash board, but the lady inside that
gadget was the most annoying, rudest person I had run into in a long time.
Every 10 minutes, she would sarcastically say,
"Re-calc-u-lating." You would think that she could be nicer. It was
like she could barely tolerate me. She would let go with a deep sigh and then
tell me to make a U-turn at the next light. Then if I made a right turn
instead. Well, let’s just say it was not a good relationship. When I get really
lost now, I call my wife and tell her the name of the cross streets and while
she is starting to develop the same tone as Gypsy, the GPS lady, at least she
loves me.
To be perfectly frank, I am still trying to learn how to use the cordless
phones in our house. We have had them for many years, but I still haven't
figured out how I can lose five phones all at once and have run around digging
under chair cushions and checking bath-rooms and the dirty laundry baskets when
the phone rings.
The world is just getting too complex for me. They even mess me up every time I
go to the grocery store. You would think they could settle on something
themselves but this sudden "Paper or Plastic?" every time I check out
just knocks me for a loop. I bought some of those cloth reusable bags to avoid
looking confused, but I never remember to take them in with me.
Now I toss it back to them. When they ask me, "Paper or Plastic?" I
just say, "Doesn't matter to me. I am bi-sacksual." Then it's
their turn to stare at me with a blank look. I was recently asked if I tweet. I
answered, No, but I do toot a lot."
Senior citizens don't need anymore gadgets. The TV remote and the garage door
remote are about all we can handle.
***********************************************************************************
Post Script:
I thought it was time for something other than the
normal doom and gloom. I hope the above
gave some of you a chuckle. There is no
news regarding the Health Care Lawsuit other than all of the briefs are in the
judges hands and I have been told to expect a ruling sometime this month.
That’s all for now.
Stay healthy and safe. See you at
the meeting on February 9th.
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
THE VIEW FROM HERE
January 2011
"Happy New Year!" That greeting will be said and
heard for at least the first couple of weeks as 2011 gets under way. But the
day celebrated as New Year's Day in modern America was not always January 1.
The celebration of the New Year is the oldest of all
holidays. It was first observed in ancient Babylon about 4000 years ago. In the
years around 2000 BC, the Babylonian New Year began with the first New Moon
after the first day of spring.
The beginning of spring is a logical time to start a new
year. After all, it is the season of rebirth, of planting new crops, and of
blossoming. January 1, on the other hand, has neither astronomical nor
agricultural significance. It is purely arbitrary.
The Babylonian New Year celebration lasted for eleven
days. Each day had its own particular mode of celebration, but it is safe to
say that modern New Year's Eve gatherings pale in comparison.
The Romans continued to observe the New Year in late
March, but their calendar was continually tampered with by various emperors so
that the calendar soon became out of synchronization with the sun.
In order to set the calendar right, the Roman senate, in
153 BC, declared January 1 to be the beginning of the New Year. But tampering
continued until Julius Caesar, in 46 BC, established what has come to be known
as the Julian calendar. It again established January 1 as the New Year. But in
order to synchronize the calendar with the sun, Caesar had to let the previous
year drag on for 445 days.
Although in the first centuries AD the Romans continued
celebrating the New Year, the early Catholic Church condemned the festivities
as paganism. But as Christianity became more widespread, the early church began
having its own religious observances concurrently with many of the pagan
celebrations, and New Year's Day was no different.
During the middle Ages the Church remained opposed to
celebrating New Years. January 1 has
only been celebrated as a holiday by the West for only the past 400 years.
Other New Year traditions include the making of
resolutions. This also dates back to the
early Babylonians. Modern resolutions
might be to stop smoking or quit drinking or lose weight. The most popular resolution for the
Babylonians was to return all of the farm equipment they had borrowed during
the year.
Many of us will watch the Tournament of Roses Parade this
New Year. Are you aware that the Parade
dates back to 1886? It was started by
the Valley Hunt Club and members decorated their carriages with flowers. The parade was to celebrate the California
orange crop ripening.
Today we associate the New Year with football. The Rose Bowl football game was first played
as part of the Tournament of Roses in 1902.
I am certain that many readers will be parked in front of the big screen
watching the bowl games.
Another thing associated with the New Year is luck. It is the belief of many that what they do or
eat on the first day of the year will determine the luck they will have for the
coming year. For that reason it has
become customary for people to celebrate the New Year with family and friends
often parting into the middle of the night.
Some say that the first visitor on New Year’s Day will bring either good
or bad luck for the remainder of the year.
It is believed that it was really lucky if the visitor happened to be a
tall dark haired man. I guess that
leaves me out – my doctor said I have lost an inch in height and what little
hair I have left has turned gray!
Some believe that food can bring good luck and
prosperity. Many start the New Year consuming black-eyed peas and pork. Some believe cabbage will bring good luck. Cabbage leaves are said to represent
prosperity and are representative of paper currency. Anyone want to try paying for lunch with
cabbage leaves? The Dutch are said to
believe anything in the shape of a ring is good luck. That is the reason the Dutch starts the New
Year eating donuts so they will have good luck for the coming year. See you always wondered why we police
officers crave donuts, bet you never realized we all must have some Dutch in
our family tree!
I think I will adjourn and go to the new Duncan Donut
shop on Rt. 94 and do some additional research on this donut thing.
Till next time take care and stay safe. See you at the retiree meeting Wednesday
January 12th.
Dick Reese
330-329-8754
wa8dbw@neo.rr.com