Election 2016

Xenia Voters Guide

Below is every contested race in Xenia.  I have linked to every candidate's campaign website to help you research each candidate. 

President

• Richard Duncan & Ricky Johnson 
• Gary Johnson & William Weld (Libertarian Party)
• Jill Stein & Ajamu Baraka (Green Party)
• Donald J. Trump & Michael R. Pence (Republican Party)
• Hillary Clinton & Tim Kaine (Democratic Party)
• Evan McMullin  (Write In)
• Darrel Castle (Write In)

U.S. Senator

• Joseph R. DeMare (Green Party)
• Rob Portman (Republican Party)
• Scott Rupert 
• Ted Strickland (Democratic Party)
• Tom Connors 

Representative to Congress (10th District)

• Robert Klepinger (Democratic Party)
• Tom McMasters 
• Mike Turner (Republican Party)

State Senator (10th District)

• Matthew Kirk (Democratic Party)
• Robert D. Hackett (Republican Party)

State Representative (74th District)

• Bill Dean (Republican Party)
• Barb Niemeyer (Democratic Party)

Member of the State Board of Education (10th District)

• Nick Owens
• Braydon L. Bevens

Justice of the Supreme Court

• John P. O' Donnell
• Pat Fischer  

Justice of the Supreme Court

• Cynthia Rice
• Pat DeWine

18 Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Greene County Vocational School District

A renewal for a tax for the benefit of Greene County Vocational School District for the purpose of general permanent improvements at a rate not exceeding 0.75 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.075 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2017, first due in calendar year 2018.

21 Proposed Bond Issue Xenia Community City School District

Shall bonds be issued by the Xenia Community City School District for the purpose of paying for the local share of school construction under the State of Ohio Classroom Facilities Assistance Program and locally funded initiatives in the principal amount of $52,138,694, to be repaid annually over a maximum period of 37 years, and an annual levy of property taxes be made outside the ten mill limitation, estimated by the county auditor to average over the repayment period of the bond issue 3.9 mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.39 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, commencing in 2016, first due in calendar year 2017, to pay the annual debt charge on the bonds, and to pay debt charges on any notes issued in anticipation of those bonds?

22 Proposed Tax Levy (Renewal) Greene County

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Greene County for the purpose of providing funds for health and hospital services for current expenses of Greene Memorial Hospital Inc., including cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac care, satellite health facilities (Beavercreek, Fairborn, Cedarville, Yellow Springs) and emergency room equipment at a rate not exceeding 0.5 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.05 for each one hundred dollar of valuation, for a period of 5 years, commencing in 2017, first due in calendar year 2018.

Understanding No-Fly zones over Syria

FARAI CHIDEYA of Five Thirty Eight Made an interesting point about No-Fly Zones over Syria.
From the Presidential Debate. October 9th, 2016


Hillary Clinton:


"Russia hasn't paid any attention to ISIS. They're interested in keeping Assad in power. So I, when I was secretary of state, advocated and I advocate today a no-fly zone and safe zones. We need some leverage with the Russians, because they are not going to come to the negotiating table for a diplomatic resolution, unless there is some leverage over them. And we have to work more closely with our partners and allies on the ground."



In one of the latest Clinton emails revealed by Wikileaks, she said in 2013:

“To have a no-fly zone you have to take out all of the air defenses, many of which are located in populated areas. So our missiles, even if they are standoff missiles so we’re not putting our pilots at risk — you’re going to kill a lot of Syrians.” Tonight, she reiterated her support for a no-fly zone.

163 Miles of Cycling

I'm hoping this summer to make my 3rd attempt the ride my bicycle from my home in Xenia to Nicholasville, Kentucky in one day. This is a 163 mile journey. I will post my planning progress here.

I'm thinking about changing my route a little bit for this attempt.  Google maps helped my find a route around Lexington, KY.  This way I can avoid all the traffic on Lexington and arguably one of the worse roads to cycle on: Nicholasville Road.

The new route around Lexington uses lower traveled side roads through the beautiful Blue Grass Region.  This should make for a more enjoyable and safer ride.  However, there are a few down sides  to the new route, less services available, more hills, more turns to navigate, and I will not be riding on the 8 mile Legacy Trail in northern Lexington. The


Original route via the Legacy Trail, Lexington, and the evil Nicholasville Road

The Blue Grass route around Lexington

According to Google it is only going to take 9 more minutes and a half mile longer to use the Blue Grass route.  What is 9 minutes when I am going to spend all day cycling?

There are two other minor changes to my route.  I'll be crossing the Ohio River using the John A Roebling Suspension Bridge simply because the bridge has a great history and I want to ride past the great American Ball Park. The Purple People Bridge was a great way to cross the river as well, but I want something different this time.

I will also be using Turkey Foot Road (KY - 1303). I love Kentucky Road names and numbers.  Turkey Foot Road has nice bike lanes and less stoplight. 

Create Maps or Search for a route from millions at MapMyRide

Here is a MapMyRide map on the whole route.
The elevation chart is in error, The Ohio part in flat, and the Kentucky part is constant hills.

Quizzing Game for Awana

I am suspending sales of the Quizzing Game.  After 15 years it is time to call it a very good run.  Thanks to everyone who purchased a game.  

2012 Fall Election Xenia, Ohio Voters Guide

Xenia's Sample Ballot

President/Vice President

• (Green Party) Jill Stein/Cheri Honkala (Web Site)
• (Socialist Party)Stewart Alexander/Alex Mendoza (Web Site)
• Richard Duncan/Ricky Johnson (Apparently Ohio is the only state he is on the ballot, and I couldn't find a website)
• (Constitution Party)Virgil Goode/Jim Clymer (Web Site)
• (Libertarian Party) Gary Johnson/James P. Gray (Web Site)
• (Democratic Party) Barack Obama/Joe Biden (Web Site)
• (Republican)Mitt Romney/Paul Ryan (Web Site)

U. S. Senator

• (Democratic Party) Sherrod Brown (Web Site)
• (Republican Party) Josh Mandel  (Web Site)
• Scott A. Rupert  (Web Site)

Representative to US Congress (10th District)

• (Libertarian Party) David A. Harlow (Web Site)
• (Democratic Party) Sharen Swartz Neuhardt (Web Site)
• (Republican) Mike Turner (Web Site)

State Senator (10th District)

• (Republican Party) Chris Widener (Web Site)
• (Democratic Party) Jeff D. Robertson (Web Site)

State Representative (74th District) (Web Site)

• (Republican) Robert D. Hackett (Web Site)
• (Democratic) Steve W. Key (Facebook Page)

Sheriff 

• Charles Barrett (Web Site)
• (Republican) Gene Fischer (Web Site)

County Recorder

• (Republican Party) Eric C. Sears (I could not find a Web Site)
• (Democratic Party) Martin Borchers (I county not find a Web Site)

Member of State Board of Education (10th District)

• Jeff Hardin (Web Site)
• Todd Book (I could not fot his Web Site)

Justice of the Supreme Court

• Mike Skindell (Web Site)
• Terrence O'Donnell (Web Site)

Justice of the Supreme Court

• William M. O'Neill (Web Site)
• Robert R. Cupp (Web Site)

 Justice of the Supreme Court

• Yvette McGee Brown (Web Site)
• Sharon L. Kennedy (Web Site)

 Judge of the Court of Appeals 

• Carley Ingram (Web Site)
• Jeffrey M. Welbaum (Web Site)

State Issue #1 Shall there be a convention to revise, alter, or amend the Ohio Constitution?

Issue 1 is a question that by law appears on the ballot every 20 years. It has never been approved since the 1910's. From what I can tell no one is pushing for this.

• Yes
• No

State Issue #2 To create a state-funded commission to draw legislative and congressional districts

Issue 2 deals with how the congressional district lines are redrawn every ten years. Currently, the lines are drawn by our electric officials in columbus. The republicans have been in charge and have drawn spaghetti lines across the state to keep as many republicans in power as possible. Issue 2 would set up a commission the draw the lines. Issue 2 is being pushed by a coalition of groups including ohio democratic party, Ohio Libertarian Party, a variety of labor groups and the League of Women Voters of Ohio. I am personally will be voting yes on this issue.

• Yes (Pro Issue 2 Web Site)
• No (No on Issue 2 editorials)

Local Issue 21 Proposed Tax Levy (Additional) Xenia Community City School District 6.5 Mills

About $200 per year on a 100,000 house.

School Levies are the hard.  I am not universally against them. I do want to support our local schools. It is reasonable to pay a little extra due the to state cuts. However, I do believe that the school district needs to make a strong case additional taxes. Simply stating there will be devastating if this does not pass is pathetic. I need to know, what will be cut, if the levy fails and what will be funded in the levy passes. From what I understand if this levy does pass Xenia will be one of the highest taxed school districts in the state. I think budget cuts should start with administrative salaries.   

• Yes (Facebook Group)
• No

Local Issue 22 A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Greene County Mental Health and Recovery Board 1.5 Mills About $47 per year on a $100,000 house

• Yes (Mental Health Board's Flyer) 
• No

2011 Fall Election Xenia, Ohio Voters Guide

State Wide Issues

Ohio Secretary of State web site about the Issues with Arguments for and Against.

Issue 1

If approved, Issue 1 would raise the maximum age when one can become a judge from 70 to 75.

Issue 2

According to the League of Women Voters of Ohio Education Fund, Issue 2 would: “Affect public employees, in particular, teachers, firefighters and police. Prohibit public employees from striking, eliminate binding arbitration as a way to settle contract disputes, require performance based pay for teachers, establish a minimum that public employees must pay for health insurance and pensions, allow the governing body (public employer) to impose its own last offer to settle a contract dispute.”

A “yes” vote on Issue 2 would affirm Senate Bill 5, which was signed into law by Governor Kasich this year, and enact the provisions stated above.




Issue 3

Passage of Issue 3 would make it illegal for Ohioans to be forced to buy health insurance or participate in any health care system. This attempt to block key provisions of Obamacare would likely be challenged in federal court, but it would be a clear signal that Ohioans wish to assert their 10th Amendment rights against a blatantly unconstitutional and potentially disastrous overhaul of a huge portion of the national economy that would greatly diminish personal liberty for every American.

Greene County Issues

Issue 13

Xenia Community City School District

Emergency Levy- Additional

4.8 mills- five years- Commencing 2011 ($147/year on a 100,000 house)

(Xenia School Board Statement)

Issue 14

Greene County Career Center

Permanent Improvements- Renewal

0.75 mill- five years- Commencing 2011 ($16/year on a $100,000 house )

(Greene County Career Center Statement)

Issue 15

Greene Memorial Hospital

Operating Levy- Renewal

0.5 mill- five years- Commencing 2012 ($13/year on a $100,000 house )

(Website)

Xenia City Council 4 to Elect

John Caupp (Website)

Michael Engle

Josh Long (Website)

Dale Louderback (Website)

30 by 30 list

Here is 30 by 30 list. I'm not completely satisfied with it, but here it is now, I might change a few things are the year progresses.

Bike Century

Visit Hocking Hills Statepark

Visit Columbus Zoo

Learn to grill a mean steak

Buy a gold coin

Run a 5k

Roller Blade to work

Buy a nice Road Bike

Cook a romantic dinner

Finish World Map Art for living room

Weigh 160 lbs

Make a new kind of ice cream

Goto a Michigan Football Game

Attend a Cedarville Basketball Game with Lily

Ride the Van Buran Bike Trail

Make Bed Frame and Headboard

Make over my office

Take our Awana club to AwanaGames

Memorize a scripture passage

See my cousin Dan

Visit Alicia & Kirk

See a 3D Movie

Disk Golf at a new Course

Finish the Great Miami Bike Trail

Bikeride with Lily to Youngs

Drink a new kind of pop

Take Danielle to a new Resteraunt

Buy Meat from grass feed cow

Plant a Fruit Tree

6 Months savings in the bank

Xenia-Jamestown Bike Trail

Here is my review of the new part of the Xenia-James town trail. From Xenia Station to Jasper Road. Pictures taken during a snowy December day. Click the above picture for more pictures of the new part of the trail, along with descriptions of the pictures.

The Xenia-Jamestown trail is now complete in Greene County other than the important fact that the tunnel still needs to be built under Bypass US-35. Below are two maps of the new parts showing the gap in the trail.


Xenia Station to US-35 (NEW)


US-35 to Jasper Road (New)


This is the road Detour I took. I've been told that there will be signed detour at some point.


Here is the whole trail from US-35 to the Greene/Fayette County Line

I will blog for free Christmas Cards from Shutterfly

Finally, it looks like my blog is going to pay off. I'm participating in Shutterfly's 50 Free Christmas Cards Promotion. If you have a blog you can too. Here is my shameless promotion for Shutterfly. Over the years Danielle has tastefully used our digital pictures to create photo books, greeting cards, and calendars. A few months ago I saw how special a personalized calendar was to Danielle's grandma. This summer our family was visiting "Great Grandma" from out of state. She was proudly displaying in her living room her calendar from 2008, the month was correct but year was a bit off. Great Grandma loves seeing bright and colorful pictures of her kids, grand kids, and great grand kids. Our family draws names for Christmas thus the two year gap in calendars, but this year we will make sure that she gets a new Shutterfly calendar from us.

Shutterfly also has some very neat products out this year just in time for Christmas. My favorites are:

• Professional Looking Christmas Cards,
• Beautifully simple desk calendars for work
• Stunning birthday cards

We look forward to sending our these photo cards to share a smile with our family around the country and around the world.

Thanksgiving 2010

This year we traveled to Grandma House in Three Rivers, Michigan and then to Niles to spend a few days with my parents. The kids loved being with the grandparents.

Fall 2010 Bike Hike 81 Miles

Brian and I did our longest ride ever. It was a very warm Novemeber day, with a high of 71F. The forecast was for the wind to be out of the south, but ended up being out of the South West, which made for a delightful ride out to London and a exhausting ride back home.

2010.10.16

Xenia, Greene County, Ohio November 2010 Ballot

Here is the copy of Xenia's November 2010 Ballot. Please be informed when you vote.

JD's Voter Guide Xenia, Ohio, Greene County, Ohio Nov 2010

Each election I feel like it is harder to come up with a voting guide. As I learn more about each issue, I realize how the decisions at the polls effect the people I know. I also feel the more I learn about each issue the more complex it becomes, sometimes there are no easy answers, or immediate solutions. This guide is just my opinion. I try hard not to hold to a single party, I'm backing people from the Republican, Libertarian, Constitution and Democratic Parties. I attempt to find the best person for the position, regardless of their chance of winning. I do not ascribe to the "the lesser of two evils" philosophy. In general I look for people who give us more liberties, fight corruption and push for transparency in government. I hope this guide provides useful information even if you don't agree with me.


JD’s Voters Guide November 2010 Xenia, Greene County, Ohio

Governor and Lieutenant Governor
- John Kasich & Mary Taylor (Republican) Not sure about his wall street background. Concerned about his lack of gun rights record.
* Ken Matesz & Margaret Ann Leech (Libertarian) End the Ohio income tax and school choice

- Dennis S. Spisak & Anita Rios (Green)

- Ted Strickland & Yvette McGee Brown (Democratic)

Attorney General

- Richard Cordray (Democratic)

- Mike DeWine (Republican) Moderate to Liberal Republican. Concerned about his lack of gun rights record.

- Marc Allan Feldman (Libertarian)

* Robert M. Owen (Constitution) Pro-life. Pro-gun rights, non-interventionist foreign policy.

For Auditor of State

*David Pepper (Democratic) Has a great record of cutting waste, taxes and spending. Will work to increase government transparency.

-Dave Yost (Republican)

-L. Michael Howard (Libertarian)

Secretary of State

* Jon Husted (Republican) Cut some red take to attract business to Ohio

- Maryellen O'Shaughnessy (Democratic)

- Charles R Earl (Libertarian) Could not find much info on his website.

Treasurer of State

-Matthew P. Cantrell (Libertarian)

*Josh Mandel (Republican)

-Kevin L. Boyce (Democratic)

US Senator

- Daniel H. LaBotz (Socialist)

* Rob Portman (Republican) We need Republicans in the Senate as a check and balance to the White house

- Micheal L. Pryce

- Eric W. Deaton (Constitution)

- Lee Fisher (Democratic)

US House of Representative (7th)

* John D. Anderson (Libertarian) He is for a return to Constitutional Limits. Read his issues page. Very well thought out.

- Steve Austria (Republican) Austria is one of the more liberal republicans

- Bill Conner (Democratic)

- David W. Easton (Constitution)

State Representative (70th)

* Jarrod B. Martin (Republican) Endorsed by a lot of conservative groups

- Michael Stewart Watters (Democratic)

County Commissioner

- Steve W. Key (Democratic)

- John P. Williamson (Libertarian)

- Alan G. Anderson (Republican)

Since on one here bothered to have a web page. I cannot provide a recommendation.

Chief Justice of the Supreme court

- Eric Brown

* Maureen O'Connor - conservative/republican choice see endorsements

Justice of the Supreme Court

* Judith Ann Lanzinger - conservative/republican choice see endorsements

- Mary Jane Trapp

Judge of the court of the Common pleas

*Mike Buckwalter - conservative/republican choice see endorsements

-Joe Graf

Issue #3 Xenia School Renewal Level 11.4 mils

For me this is $618/year tax

This is issue was the hardest one for me to decide on. I know the public schools kids will benefit from the money. I'll be happy with public school families if it passes. If any of the following were true I probably would vote yes on it, but that is not the case.

- School would be more forth coming about how the money is to be used or what exactly would be cut if it fails.

- The City of Xenia keeps trying to raise the income tax 28%, did you get a 28% raise?, I don't think the city should.

- County auditor is over appraising property values to keep taxes up.

- Some type of tax break for private school or homeschooling families.

Issue #4 Roads and Bridges .25 Mils Renewal

For me this is a $14/year tax. This is a good deal to maintain roads and bridges. This is a legitimate function of local government.

Issue #5 Greene County Combined Health (Replacement and Increase)

No -

For me this is a $44/Year Tax

Not much money at stake here. I'm not convinced that this is a legitimate function of local government.

Issue #9 Xenia Income tax .5% income tax INCREASE

No, No, and NO!

This would makes Xenia income tax one of the highest in the state. This would put Xenia at a competitive disadvantage. Anyone who sells goods or services knows they can't simply solve revenue problems by increasing the price, the same applies to Xenia as well. Higher income earners will avoid living in Xenia in favor of living in locations with no local income tax. In the end Xenia will have less tax revenue as people look for alternatives to Xenia. If Xenia wants to increase revenue it needs to make this city attractive to people by simplifying the zoning laws, regulations, and cutting taxes. The majority of this tax would go to re-hire police and firefighters. Perhaps the police and fire could raise money through donations? This works for our churches. Don't get me wrong, I very much appreciate very much our police and firefighters. Theses are hard economic times, hard decisions need to be made, we cannot tax our selfs into prosperity. For the record I did advocate a small property tax increase in 2009 which would have gone to police, fire and street maintenance.

Issue #10 Minimal Fire and Police staffing levels.

NO!

This is bad for Xenia is so many ways. Police and Fire consume about 75% of the cities expenditures. This could bankrupt the city. There is no provision to reduce staffing if the city population goes down.

Issue #11 Allow Xenia to utilize volunteers, temporary and/or part-time firefighters, police etc.

Sure. If have no problem with this. If both 10 and 11 pass they would contradict each other and I'm sure they law suits would fly.

Late Summer Bike Hike Verona - Dayton - Xenia 45 Miles

Zoo and 4th of July Weekend

Alicia Wedding May 2010

Give up your credit cards for one month challenge.

For years, I have respected Dave Ramsey and his get out of debt plan, except for that whole stop using credit card thing. I mean come on, I get 1% cash back, and 3% cash back if I use my credit card at a gas station. oh yeah! I pay my cards in full each month, so yeah I have the system beat. So like twice a year I could get a check for $10-$50, I'm well, on my way to becoming a millionaire. Well maybe not, but that was $50 I was getting for free, I was going to buy that stuff anyways, so I might has well be rewarded for spending.

Then I discovered River Valley Credit Union and their rewards checking account. They pay 4.5% if you make at least 12 debit card purchases a month. Then it occurred to me that I would make more money in interest than in cash back credit card rewards. So I switched to using a debit card. I discovered as a side effect that emotionally, I love having every item I buy be completely paid for. I really like not having a large credit card payment each month, budgeting becomes much simpler and I can look at my account and know exactly how well I'm doing at saving money. It's fun each month to earn more interest than the month before, you can see yourself winning. I'm not going back to credit cards, no way.

My challenge to you is the give up your credit card for one month and use strictly cash or your debit card. Let me know your experience and the freedom of one less bill.

JD's Voter Guide Xenia, Ohio, Greene County, Ohio May 4th Republican

Here is my recommendations for Xenia, Ohio, Greene County, Ohio May 4th Republican Primary Ballot. I'm only including the contested races. I was unable to find much information about the judges. Their websites did not have much substance and I am relying on solely the option of Virgil Vaduva. As always, I welcome anyones else's recommendations, there might be other considerations that I failed to see.

For Auditor of State

*Seth Morgan True conservative fights to lower taxes, listed out the issues he cares about on his website and I agree with his view on all of them.

David Yost

For Secretary of State

Jon Husted

* Sandra O'Brien More conservative of the two options, check out her issues page.

For Representative to Congress (7th District)

Steve Austria

* John Mitchel Opposes the Iraq and Afghanistan War. He is a champion of Liberty.

For Judge of the Court Appeals (2nd District)

Mike Hall

* George Reynolds Recommended by Virgil Vaduva

For Member of State Central Committee, Man (10th District)

Joseph Haines

David Kearney

(no recommendation)

For Member of State Central Committee, Woman (10th District)

Ashley Knowlton

Brenda K Lewis

*Cynthia J Bieghler - Tea Party Rep.

For State Representative

*Jarrod Martin Recommended by Virgil Vaduva, 2nd &10th amendment advocate.

Bill Miller

For Judge of the Court of Common Pleas

Raymond Dundes

David Mesaros

*Mike Buckwalter Recommended by Virgil Vaduva

For County Commissioner

Alan Anderson

*Virgil Vaduva Ron Paul supporter, believes in small limited government, and personal freedom. He strongly opposes Xenia Income tax. He will say no to a lot of the current nonsense in Greene county politics. Virgil is so well spoken, I'll just let you read for yourself why he is running. The following is copied from his election website:

Here is what I pledge to you, should you vote for me as county commissioner:

1. I will do my best to eliminate or lower tax rates in the county.
2. I will work to eliminate the bureaucracy which has been creeping in, making it a hassle for people to create businesses, build homes and work in our county.
3. I will find and promote ways to encourage people to reside in the county rather than seeking ways to leave the county due to high taxes and bureaucracy.
4. Improve communication with county residents by an improved website and electronic means, and by making the budget, finances and salaries of all county employees more easily accessible to all. Such information should be easily accessible via a well-designed website where residents should not have to ask for it or go to great lengths
   to obtain it.
5. Lastly, I will only accept a $1 a year salary; it is disgraceful for an elected official to accept $60,000 a year in taxpayers money for sitting in a few meetings each month and signing paperwork.

For County Auditor

*Dick Gould Not endorsed by Luwanna Delaney, our current oppressive auditor. He will demand FAIR and ACCURATE appraisals of your property.

David Graham

Ohio Issue #1 To Extend the Ohio third Frontier Program by Authorizing the Issuance of Additional General Obligations Bond to Promote Economic Growth

NO No way I'm voting for more debt in our state

Ohio Issue #2 To change the location of the Columbus Casino

No It was not a good idea to grant monopoly privileges to casinos. Even dumber idea to put the longitude and latitude in the Ohio Constitution of said casinos, so no, you are stuck with the dumb law and location.

Local Issue #7 Proposed Municipal Income Tax City of Xenia

NO I'm not against police and fire fighters, but as I understand it, the City of Xenia only needs to raise half a million to pay for the current police and fire coverage, not the 2.5 million that the tax will raise. I don't think the city has been wise with their money. They used tax payer money to fund advertisements for this levy, this is not at all fair. This tax would also put Xenia and one of highest taxed cities in the state. This would put the city of Xenia at a competitive disadvantage for attracting new families and businesses. Why is the city asking me and other families for more money, when city workers get a raise, and while many in the city are taking pay cuts or facing unemployment. I think we should fund the shortage with donations and not through force of taxation.

Republican Primary Ballot May 4, 2010 Greene County Ohio

To promote education in the election process here is a copy and the Republican Primary Ballot May 4, 2010 Greene County Ohio (Xenia) ballot.