Dogs (of course)
Yesterday I highlighted the important races here in Ohio – and a few of the one’s that are important, but only to our local communities. After all of that, I really didn’t “endorse” candidates or issues – I just stated the “facts” as I saw them.
Jenn and I intended to vote early last week. But, as often happens in our lives, we got wrapped up in tracking a lost dog (not ours). The bad news is a newly adopted two-year old Malinois made a break from his new family’s car as they pulled up in the home driveway for the first time. He was “out” for over a week, wandering the streets and woods of the North Linden neighborhood of Columbus.
The good news was the new adopter went to work, covering the neighborhood with signs. Jenn was able to “map” where the dog was from all the calls and days spent driving the streets of North Linden. She ultimately, got a humane trap on the ground. Friday night, two hours after the trap went down, the dog went in, and we were able to return him. His new family is finally able to start bonding.
So we are voting tomorrow, like the good old days, on Election Day. Jenn and I discuss how we are going to vote, and actually worked through a sample ballot. We don’t agree on every candidate, but we reason through every choice. I can’t say how she’ll cast her votes, only mine.
State Issues
I will vote for Ohio’ Issue One, the women’s health choices-abortion Amendment to the State Constitution. A while ago, I wrote an essay explaining my view, and if you’re interested, here’s the link – Yes on Issue One. In the final analysis for me, abortion is a moral and even religious issue. I don’t believe we have the right to tell others what their morals or religion should be. Issue One would leave choice to the individual, and I agree with that.
And, I will vote for Ohio’s Issue Two, legalizing recreational marijuana. To be honest, marijuana was never my “thing”, even back in the seventies in college. The old joke in my dorm was that on Friday’s the first floor floated to the fifth of our four story building. But beer was my “drug of choice” at the time, and the university supplied it for free (♫ “Oh Denison, My Denison” ♫) .
But it’s just not logical: I can buy enough alcohol to drown an elephant, but marijuana is still technically illegal. I’ve been around enough marijuana use to know, that it’s not that different. And I’m also well aware that today it’s use is socially “acceptable”. Just like it made no sense for my little town, Pataskala, to be “dry” until the 1990’s, so it doesn’t make sense today that we still try to make using or possessing “weed” a criminal offense. So let’s get it over with, and gain the benefit of more tax revenue for our communities and state. I probably won’t join in, but smoke up.
School Board
The next issue is the two seats on the local school board, Southwest Licking, where I spent my entire educational career. Five candidates are listed, but Alexander Smiley (a good one) had to drop out of the race. The two incumbents, Deb Moore and Kandee Engle, have been on the Board for a while, and while we’ve had our differences, continue to do a good job. They pass my primary test: as my old Principal Pete Nix used to say, they try to, “Do what’s right for kids”.
I don’t know one candidate, Michael Miller, a newcomer to the fray. Reading about him and his endorsement from the teacher’s union, I am tempted to cast one of my votes for him. But, as often is the case in the Southwest Licking, there is one candidate who if elected would dramatically change the Board of Education for the worse. Cory Ford personally seems like a nice guy, but he espouses a whole lot of radical-right philosophy, focusing on all of the “acronyms”: CRT, SEL, DEI (that’s Critical Race Theory, Social Emotional Learning and Diversity Equity and Inclusion). Ford is against them all, and sees an “acronym” in every classroom and lesson plan.
I’ve been in the classrooms (still substitute on occasion), and that’s not what’s going on. I don’t want a four year witch hunt in the Southwest Licking, and I don’t want Kandee and Michael to split the vote so that Ford might have a chance. So I’ll vote for Deb and Kandee, and hope they remain sensitive to the very real struggles of today’s teachers in the classroom.
City Stuff
So there’s two weird city of Pataskala issues, where they would automatically “aggregate” our electric and gas services. Here in Ohio, you can’t choose who delivers your gas and electricity, but you can choose who provides the actual gas or electricity that’s delivered. Essentially, this “resolution” would allow Pataskala the choice of our utility servicers unless we affirmatively “opt out”.
I like the Ohio choice plan, and every six months spend a couple of hours trying to get the best deal for our power. It’s worked so far, and I don’t really need the city to intervene. So I’ll vote against all of that.
And finally there’s four applications for a liquor license in our precinct. I’m all in favor of new places to eat and drink close to home, so I’ll be voting for those.
These are my choices. Even in this off-off year there’s a lot to talk about, and big decisions to make. Regardless of where you stand, remember: vote. It’s your chance to make a difference. Besides, if you don’t vote, as far as I’m concerned, you give up the right to complain!
