Around Ohio

Okay, okay, you’re thinking. You’ve been so critical of our governor. What are your ideas?

Well, first, Strickland should actually do the things on the “Turn Around Ohio” plan.  Haven’t seen much activity here.

Second, I laughed today as I was driving to work and noticed the “Visit Michigan” billboard along the highway.  Beyond the irony of putting this up in the heart of Buckeye football country, the joke is on us.  Because while Michigan is INCREASING spending on tourism promotion, our clueless governor wants to ELIMINATE IT!  Uh, gee, I would think when times were bad you would want to encourage people to visit–and spend–in our state.

Third, champion the state. I don’t see any “rah, rah” kind of activity. In fact, what does Strickland do all day? Other than cut, apparently not much. I’d like to see him visit neighboring states and drum up some interest in the Buckeye state.

Fourth, have some sort of plan.  To vehemently oppose VLTs and then do a 180° for them shows Strickland has no game plan.  Instead of trying to pull money out of his ass, he should have either supported VLTs from the beginning or had some other sort of revenue in mind in its’ place.

Finally, how about school funding?  Remember that?  Our Supreme Court has time and again called for a “systematic overhaul” of school funding in Ohio.  This doesn’t mean some lame “results based” educational flop that makes all-day kindergarten mandatory (without providing funding!).  It means a move away from property tax levies to an equitable, statewide source of school funding. How about some action on that?

Strickland has done none of these things. It’s about time somebody did.

Your Buckeye, John Kazalia

Better Lives, Better Ohio is the name of Jennifer Brunner’s new state of Ohio Web site.

Okay, but I have to ask, couldn’t we just have reorganized ohio.gov? And why not a better URL? No one on this planet is going to remember www.sos.state.oh.us/SOS/betterLives.aspx. Why not betterlivesbetterohio.gov?

And what the heck is search general information, search detailed information? How about some explanation for the layman about what this means? Heck, I’m a librarian with 25 years experience and was stumped about what to do when I saw this.

Oh well, maybe it will get better.

Your Buckeye, John Kazalia

First Strickland vehemently opposes gambling, then he’s suddenly for it. He talks about supporting public libraries, then cuts the hell out of funding for them. When other states are promoting tourism, he wants to cut our tourism budget to zero.

All this while the Columbus Dispatch reports influence buying by the nursing home lobby is causing increases in nursing home reimbursements–as other states move toward cheaper home care.

What an idiot.

Taft was so bad, I figured this guy couldn’t help but do a better job.

Well, technically I suppose Strickland has done better. But not by much.

Strickland ran on a platform to “turn around Ohio.” In three years, we have turned around–around the drain, that is.

Impeach Strickland! And I’m voting for Kasich–don’t know if he’ll do better either, but can’t do much worse.

Your Buckeye, John Kazalia.

Welcome to aroundohio.today.com. Things are a bit gloomy in Ohio these days, what with the recession and auto industry ills and all. I’ll be writing about that, but most of all I’ll be sharing news and events and fun stuff from around the Buckeye state.

And just who am I to be covering all of Ohio? Well, I have lived in Ohio for all of my 44 years. I’ve lived in Toledo, Bowling Green, Cleveland, near Youngstown, and lately in and around Columbus. I’ve stayed with friends in Mansfield, Lima, and Cincinnati. I’ve visited relatives in Warren and Dayton.  I’ve spent time in Kent, Marietta, Portsmouth, Zanesville, New Philadelphia and Ashtabula.  I occasionally shop in Springfield and Chillicothe.  Yes, if it’s a town of any size in Ohio, I’ve been there.

I love Ohio. From the Erie Islands to the view along the Ohio River, it’s a great state. Sure Ohio has problems these days, but things will get better. Until then, sit back as I grow a great resource on what to do, where to go, and how to get there in Ohio.

Your Buckeye, John Kazalia.

Photo ©2009 John C. Kazalia