50 ways to reform Ohio elections
EDITORIAL: The Columbus Free Press and freepress.org editorial board endorses the following reforms to ensure safe, secure and democratic elections in Ohio in 2008 and beyond.
1. The Secretary of State shall establish statewide uniform voting procedures in Ohio in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
2. The Secretary of State shall establish statewide uniform election reporting procedures in Ohio in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
3. The Secretary of State shall establish statewide uniform election terminology in Ohio in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
4. The Secretary of State shall allow the party’s county central committees to remove party appointments to the county’s Boards of Elections.
5. The Secretary of State shall establish standards for well-trained and fully informed pollworkers familiar with the voting laws and regulations of the state of Ohio.
1. The Secretary of State shall establish statewide uniform voting procedures in Ohio in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
2. The Secretary of State shall establish statewide uniform election reporting procedures in Ohio in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
3. The Secretary of State shall establish statewide uniform election terminology in Ohio in compliance with applicable federal and state laws.
4. The Secretary of State shall allow the party’s county central committees to remove party appointments to the county’s Boards of Elections.
5. The Secretary of State shall establish standards for well-trained and fully informed pollworkers familiar with the voting laws and regulations of the state of Ohio.
King Corn
King Corn
Now through December 2, 2007 at Studio 35
3055 Indianola Avenue (614) 261-1581
Each night at 6:30pm
The Free Press highly recommends the independent documentary “King Corn,” that makes the connection between government farm subsidy policy, massive obesity, and a junk food culture. Part Farming for Dummies, part animal rights advocacy, and mostly revelation about the overgrowth of corn and our overweight population. Two young college graduates from the east coast follow the trail of corn syrup from the American heartland as it clogs the arteries of major urban centers throughout the country. It’s witty but poignant, and more than ever proves the axiom, we are what we eat.
Now through December 2, 2007 at Studio 35
3055 Indianola Avenue (614) 261-1581
Each night at 6:30pm
The Free Press highly recommends the independent documentary “King Corn,” that makes the connection between government farm subsidy policy, massive obesity, and a junk food culture. Part Farming for Dummies, part animal rights advocacy, and mostly revelation about the overgrowth of corn and our overweight population. Two young college graduates from the east coast follow the trail of corn syrup from the American heartland as it clogs the arteries of major urban centers throughout the country. It’s witty but poignant, and more than ever proves the axiom, we are what we eat.
Tim Kettler endorsed as Green Party candidate for Ohio Senate District 20
Ohio Green Party Coordinating Committee unanimously endorsed Tim Kettler for Ohio Senate District 20 in their November 18, 2007 conference.
A lifelong Ohio resident, resides in the Warsaw, Ohio/ /with his wife Roberta, and son Malcolm. Tim and Roberta own and operate Action Septic Service, a twenty-year established, environmentally directed service business. His blue collar, working class background and his rural lifestyle have made him aware of the needs of both of these constituencies. He is an advocate of new progressive policies to meet these needs. Tim currently serves as the secretary of the Green Party of Ohio , and is a co-founder and treasurer of his local, the East Central Ohio Green Party. He and his fellow greens have spent long hours bringing Green values to rural Ohio through their organizing efforts.
A lifelong Ohio resident, resides in the Warsaw, Ohio/ /with his wife Roberta, and son Malcolm. Tim and Roberta own and operate Action Septic Service, a twenty-year established, environmentally directed service business. His blue collar, working class background and his rural lifestyle have made him aware of the needs of both of these constituencies. He is an advocate of new progressive policies to meet these needs. Tim currently serves as the secretary of the Green Party of Ohio , and is a co-founder and treasurer of his local, the East Central Ohio Green Party. He and his fellow greens have spent long hours bringing Green values to rural Ohio through their organizing efforts.
Columbus janitors win contract
Janitors' Victory Brings Hope to Columbus Families, Creates New Model for Ensuring Good Jobs with Health Care for Region's Low-wage Workers
Historic city-wide contract for nearly 1,200 janitors will double the income of many of lowest-paid in Columbus area, pave way for other service workers to win improvements
Columbus — On the heels of recent high-profile contract victories that made dramatic gains for thousands of working families in Cincinnati and Houston, Columbus janitors have won higher wages, more work hours and health insurance in their first-ever city-wide union contract. The groundbreaking agreement will help lift more than a thousand janitors out of poverty, increasing the income of the majority of workers by an incredible 100 percent over the course of the contract—and nearly doubling the income of workers at the lowest end of the spectrum within the first 14 months alone.
Mayor Coleman, along with Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy and many other community leaders, joined over 150 other community members and janitors to support the campaign on October 31st at a rally for the janitors' negotiations.
Historic city-wide contract for nearly 1,200 janitors will double the income of many of lowest-paid in Columbus area, pave way for other service workers to win improvements
Columbus — On the heels of recent high-profile contract victories that made dramatic gains for thousands of working families in Cincinnati and Houston, Columbus janitors have won higher wages, more work hours and health insurance in their first-ever city-wide union contract. The groundbreaking agreement will help lift more than a thousand janitors out of poverty, increasing the income of the majority of workers by an incredible 100 percent over the course of the contract—and nearly doubling the income of workers at the lowest end of the spectrum within the first 14 months alone.
Mayor Coleman, along with Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy and many other community leaders, joined over 150 other community members and janitors to support the campaign on October 31st at a rally for the janitors' negotiations.
Shock, awe and Antioch: The Bush administration's attack on progressive education
As the Free Press goes to press, the Antioch College Alumni Association has raised $12 million in donations and pledges in an effort to keep the socially-conscious college from closing next year.
Mysteries still surround Antioch's rapid and poorly explained closing. The Board has bizarrely turned to the "marketing, branding and public relations firm" of Simpson Scarborough to peddle the closing decision.
SimpsonScarborough CEO Christopher Simpson previously worked as an editor and writer for the notoriously right-wing Washington Times – a newspaper owned by Rev. Sun Myung Moon. The dark side of Moon, a self-proclaimed Messiah, is well-documented in the public record. A 1977 congressional report placed Moon on the payroll of the Korean CIA. Moon also has financial ties to former CIA Director George H.W. Bush.
Simpson also previously served as press secretary for the infamously racist U.S. senator, Strom Thurmond. How did the planned demise of America's most socially liberal and activist college end up in the hands of a marketer with such strong right-wing credentials? Revolution Online first raised this question in a July 31, 2007 posting.
Mysteries still surround Antioch's rapid and poorly explained closing. The Board has bizarrely turned to the "marketing, branding and public relations firm" of Simpson Scarborough to peddle the closing decision.
SimpsonScarborough CEO Christopher Simpson previously worked as an editor and writer for the notoriously right-wing Washington Times – a newspaper owned by Rev. Sun Myung Moon. The dark side of Moon, a self-proclaimed Messiah, is well-documented in the public record. A 1977 congressional report placed Moon on the payroll of the Korean CIA. Moon also has financial ties to former CIA Director George H.W. Bush.
Simpson also previously served as press secretary for the infamously racist U.S. senator, Strom Thurmond. How did the planned demise of America's most socially liberal and activist college end up in the hands of a marketer with such strong right-wing credentials? Revolution Online first raised this question in a July 31, 2007 posting.
John Judge talk
Who?
JOHN JUDGE: Special Projects Assistant, U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Rep. Cynthia McKinney 9/11 Research Project and 9/11 Citizens Watch, Washington, DC Executive Director, Coalition on Political Assassinations, Washington Anti-War and Anti-Military activist (43 years) with CHOICES. This event is free and open to the public.
What?
John Judge will present his lecture entitled, "Understanding America's Hidden History--World War II to JFK assassination to the War on Terror, and beyond."
John Judge will address:
• the history that has been stolen since the end of WWII.
• the covert operations and political assassinations that have been used to kill democracy and hope. • the questions never answered about 9/11. • the disaster of an endless War on Terror, the growing grounds for impeachment of the Bush administration, the plans for martial law.
When?
October 14, 2007, 12:45 PM.
Where?
Community Leaders Forum First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus 93 West Weisheimer Road
Why?
CREAT A REAL DEMOCRACY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
JOHN JUDGE: Special Projects Assistant, U.S. House of Representatives, Office of Rep. Cynthia McKinney 9/11 Research Project and 9/11 Citizens Watch, Washington, DC Executive Director, Coalition on Political Assassinations, Washington Anti-War and Anti-Military activist (43 years) with CHOICES. This event is free and open to the public.
What?
John Judge will present his lecture entitled, "Understanding America's Hidden History--World War II to JFK assassination to the War on Terror, and beyond."
John Judge will address:
• the history that has been stolen since the end of WWII.
• the covert operations and political assassinations that have been used to kill democracy and hope. • the questions never answered about 9/11. • the disaster of an endless War on Terror, the growing grounds for impeachment of the Bush administration, the plans for martial law.
When?
October 14, 2007, 12:45 PM.
Where?
Community Leaders Forum First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus 93 West Weisheimer Road
Why?
CREAT A REAL DEMOCRACY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Mayoral Candidate Bill Todd files lawsuit accusing State of Ohio and Columbus Public Schools of maintaining an unfair and inequitable system of education
COLUMBUS – Mayoral Candidate Bill Todd today filed a lawsuit on behalf of five Columbus City School residents accusing the Ohio Department of Education and the Columbus City School System of maintaining an unfair and inequitable system of education.
“The State of Ohio and the Columbus City Schools have allowed wide disparities in per pupil funding inside the Columbus schools. This system is unconstitutional in that it falls in the face of the state mandate to maintain a thorough and efficient system of public schools that provide equal educational opportunities to all students,” Todd said.
Todd filed the lawsuit on behalf of five Columbus residents who live in the Columbus School system. He said-
*The average per pupil expenditure for elementary schools in Columbus is $10,684 (2005-06 School Year)
*One of the top spending elementary schools, Winterset Elementary School, spent $12,507 per pupil (2005-2006 School Year)
*The bottom spending elementary school, Liberty Elementary, spends $7,779 per pupil (2005-2006 School Year). Liberty Elementary School is considered a failing school by the Ohio Department of Education
“The State of Ohio and the Columbus City Schools have allowed wide disparities in per pupil funding inside the Columbus schools. This system is unconstitutional in that it falls in the face of the state mandate to maintain a thorough and efficient system of public schools that provide equal educational opportunities to all students,” Todd said.
Todd filed the lawsuit on behalf of five Columbus residents who live in the Columbus School system. He said-
*The average per pupil expenditure for elementary schools in Columbus is $10,684 (2005-06 School Year)
*One of the top spending elementary schools, Winterset Elementary School, spent $12,507 per pupil (2005-2006 School Year)
*The bottom spending elementary school, Liberty Elementary, spends $7,779 per pupil (2005-2006 School Year). Liberty Elementary School is considered a failing school by the Ohio Department of Education
Fall farm & nature volunteer guides needed at Stratford Ecological Center
Love to work with kids and be outdoors? Combine the two as a volunteer farm & nature guide for the fall education season! We are looking for volunteers to lead small groups of children on adventures around the farm and nature preserve on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings during September, October and November. No experience necessary. We will train you.
Farm & Nature Guide Training Christa Hein, Stratford's Education Director, will take you through the steps of becoming a Stratford Farm & Nature Guide. Stratford guides share their love of the land with children from all over central Ohio. Training will be Wednesday, Sept. 12th, 9am-1pm
Please contact Jane at 740-363-2548 or SECVolunteer@aol.com. If you would like to guide but are unavailable these days, please contact Jane to make arrangements for another training date.
Thank you,
Jane Walsh
Volunteer Coordinator
Stratford Ecological Center
3083 Liberty Rd., Delaware, OH 43015
740-363-2548
Farm & Nature Guide Training Christa Hein, Stratford's Education Director, will take you through the steps of becoming a Stratford Farm & Nature Guide. Stratford guides share their love of the land with children from all over central Ohio. Training will be Wednesday, Sept. 12th, 9am-1pm
Please contact Jane at 740-363-2548 or SECVolunteer@aol.com. If you would like to guide but are unavailable these days, please contact Jane to make arrangements for another training date.
Thank you,
Jane Walsh
Volunteer Coordinator
Stratford Ecological Center
3083 Liberty Rd., Delaware, OH 43015
740-363-2548
Joseph Stephen Zoretic
Joseph Stephen Zoretic
December 25, 1968 to August 27, 2007
The Ohio Patient Network was quite saddened to learn of the untimely death of one of our founding members, Joe Zoretic. On Monday, August 27, 2007, Joe suffered a massive heart attack that resulted from an undiagnosed heart condition. Residing with his family in Lakewood, Ohio, he was 38 years old.
Joseph Stephen Zoretic was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 25, 1968. He spent his elementary years in nearby Maple Heights and high school years in Parma. He worked for Sabre Enterprises of Cleveland for 13 years as a Cold Header / Machinist.
Joe met the love of his life, wife Dee Dee, in fall of 1989, and the two were married on November 27, 1992. They have one son Stephen who was born in 1993.
The Ohio Patient Network was quite saddened to learn of the untimely death of one of our founding members, Joe Zoretic. On Monday, August 27, 2007, Joe suffered a massive heart attack that resulted from an undiagnosed heart condition. Residing with his family in Lakewood, Ohio, he was 38 years old.
Joseph Stephen Zoretic was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 25, 1968. He spent his elementary years in nearby Maple Heights and high school years in Parma. He worked for Sabre Enterprises of Cleveland for 13 years as a Cold Header / Machinist.
Joe met the love of his life, wife Dee Dee, in fall of 1989, and the two were married on November 27, 1992. They have one son Stephen who was born in 1993.
The New Revolutionaries are at work in Ohio
COLUMBUS Ohio. There is a quiet revolution happening in Ohio and the impact
that the revolutionaries are having is about to be felt quite loudly this
Labor Day- September 3. Five business people and a handful of dedicated
volunteers – secretaries, chefs, business owners, farmers and teachers –
came together on a cold fall day last year to talk about their dream of
bringing green living out into the open for Ohioans. They walked the fields
of the Flying J farm – fighting off the cold wind as they surveyed the
picturesque lake and thought about how they could use one organic farm near
Columbus to grow an interest in green living among Ohioans.