This is Governor Ted Strickland of Ohio. He had a new financial plan that will cut funding to Ohio libraries, forcing many to close.

Say what you want about Governor Strickland’s tenure thus far as Governor of Ohio. I’m not happy with him. Our economy continues to degrade. Especially in Southern Ohio, the job market is pretty bad. One of his latest legislative attempts is his Balanced Budget Framework which calls for a 30% reduction in the Public Library Fund, which supports our State’s public libraries, making them some of the best in the country. This 30% cut comes at a critical time when public funds to libraries have already been cut 20%. This new change results in a 50% cut to public library funds for next year.

Your local public library is a great source for many things the community needs. In addition to providing books, videos, tapes, and audio books, the Library provides many other services that go less-noticed. In these tough economic times, your local library provides free public internet service, which is used by many for the purposes of Job Searching and Career Planning. Your local library also provides computer training, as well as community outreach activities and children’s activities (like story time and summer reading programs). The library’s role as a community education resource is undeniable.

Many libraries derive most or all of their funding from the Public Library Fund. Reductions in this fund by your state government will result in many public libraries closing. Those that do not close will be forced to reduce staff hours, cut new material purchases, and cut programs which benefit the community.

What can you do to help? You can contact your governor, senator, or representative. We don’t have time to use the mail, so phone or web is preferred. For contact information please visit saveohiolibraries.com.

The Urban Renewal I’m talking about is my friend Bob’s house, and the smell refers to the geyser of foul smelling raw sewage which poured into his kitchen. A very unfortunate set of circumstances, especially given that his wife is so pregnant, she’s going to pop any day now.

The festivities started last Wednesday. The wonderful people from the city decided to rip a tree out of my friend’s tree lawn (its city property, so I guess they can rip out trees whenever they want to without consulting you. It was apparently hindering people from seeing on the road or something). On Wednesday evening, the geyser erupted in sweet smelly glory; covering his entire kitchen in a pool of wretched puke.

A few days later and a professional cleaning crew later, I found myself ripping vinyl tile from the kitchen floor. By now, the smell was less smelly and the yard was pretty much clean. Unlike some people, my friend is covered to the teeth in home owner’s insurance. He will hopefully be fine, even if the city decides it doesn’t want to own up to its error (an outside company confirmed to Bob that the problem was in the street and not in the lateral or his property).

My friend will probably get a new floor in both his kitchen and his bathroom out of it; though it is a little too much pressure to be having now of all times. Please keep Bob in your prayers.

Dear Congressman,

I would like to communicate to you the opinion of the average constituent. I have in my late twenties, I have done everything right. I have little to no credit card debt, and I have a mortgage that I can actually pay for. I’m still trying to pay back my college loans, which I’m probably going to be doing until I’m 40. My family spends its money carefully.

I was disturbed to read an article in the news, Reuters of all places, that stated that the administration’s plan to revive GM was to sell GM to the government, while forgiving the bulk of the loans that GM had already been given.

If I remember correctly, the media was quick to point out that the auto industry was being given loans, not free money to help fix their ineptitude at business. Now, those monies that were, according to the media and the administration, to be paid back to the tax payers are being written off and dumped in the waste bin.

Many people in the government have been quick to point out that the current administration is not socialist and does not have socialist policies, however I fail to see how the government controlling the auto industry is not socialist. It’s the governments job to do only what it needs and to protect the freedoms of our country. It is NOT THE GOVERNMENTS JOB TO RUN THE AUTO INDUSTRY OR ANY FREE ENTERPRISE. The government needs to steer clear of our Capitalism and let the market correct itself for the stupid business practices of others. What lesson do these people learn if they aren’t held accountable for their bad business decisions.

I’ve paid off my credit cards, I’ve reduced my debt, I pay my mortgage payments; and all I have to show for it is a house that’s worth less than I paid for it, and the reality that while my family is growing out of our house, we won’t be able to move to a bigger one anytime soon because the government doesn’t help people like me, the government only bails out the irresponsible.

I’m sick and tired of paying the balance for people who fail at managing their own finances, when I do everything right. They fail and are forgiven, while I succeed and pay the price for not failing. Something is wrong with this picture, it isn’t American. I struggle with my bills, where’s my bailout?

I wanted to post these slightly humerous pictures that Allie sent me this evening. I'm working the late shift at work. Allie was putting Gage to bed for his nap. Gavyn was a little upset that she wasn't included. So, she decided to try and climb up the stairs.

Previous attempts at climbing had met with failure, but she's getting stronger and getting closer to walking so I guess this time it worked.

I’ve had this little side project going for a while called Core Technology Consulting. I’ve done some web and server work here and there for people I’ve come into contact with that need this type of help. My goal one day is to own my own business. I’m not sure where this is headed in the short term, but that’s where I’d like it to go in the future.

To that end, I’ve developed what I hope is a witty business card. It’s unusual, it had a gimmick and I think that it’s one of my best to date. Now I just have to figure out how to produce them and distribute them to my “clients”. What do you think?

My latest project is for one of my wife’s friends. I won’t name this person because she’s still obligated to current\soon-to-be-former employer. It’s a new business website, pretty simple; for the most part some HTML and CSS. It’s a good challenge to learn some new skills. My latest read was HTML Utopia: Designing Without Tables Using CSS by Rachel Andrew. I’m hoping to hone my CSS skills.