Message Board

Dan Paluch Field Dedication, Sat. 10:00 a.m. @ Showse Park

ScottSherwood — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:39:49 GMT

Reminder to all Vermilion residents, tomorrow is the dedication of Paluch Field at Showse Park. "Dan Paluch, who was instrumental in getting Vermilion Hot Stove to play at Showse Park." (PJ) The ceremony will take place at 10:00 a.m.

Scott Sherwood

Forum: General Discussion

Elk Farm

ErieDearie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:43:37 GMT

Went to Bonnie Brae Elk farm ,had a great time.You get a wagon ride go out into the field to hand feed the Elk.Very nice for the family,very informative..(ps.dont tell your kids ...LOL but they also sell the venison and its quite delicious! Very low in fat.)

Forum: Animals

Thank you Mapleview

ladybug77 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:52:25 GMT

I would like to take a moment to thank the wonderful family on Mapleview this year who were running a game for the trick or treaters. My children were excited, as were all the children lined up across the yard to play for a chance at a big candy. All had fun, nobody left empty handed and my kids were proud winners. It's wonderful to have people in the neighborhood who care and take the time to do such things for the kids. Thanks to everyone who participated in passing candy this year, but most of all thanks to you who brought fun and play to it as well.

Forum: General Discussion

Sometimes you have to read between the lines

outsidelookingin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:25:15 GMT

In the PJ this week did anyone notice the last ditch effort by Mayor Anderson to get the funding for Showse Park?

You see Dan Paluch passed away sometime ago and with his passing a vacancy was left on the Parks and Recreation Board. For months the mayor did not fill his position but the mayor nominated someone at the last council meeting to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Paluch which will expire on Dec 31st, 2009.

So why would the mayor nominate someone for what would amount to that person attending one meeting?

You see Dan Squires was pushing very hard to start the million plus dollar project at Showse Park and has been pressing the parks board for the money. So with this appointment for one meeting Dan Squires would have an additional vote to approve the 20 year funding.

Sorry Dan Squires and Jean Anderson you did not get your appointment at the last minute. Sorry you will not get to waste any additional tax payer money. Sorry Mr. Squires that you won't be sitting on that beach next summer!

Forum: Politics

November 5, 2009

NewsJunkie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 01:45:07 GMT

(MJ)

TOWN TALK

ELECTION: Issues results

ELECTION: Candidate results

(CT)

Police log for Nov. 5, 2009

Forum: Vermilion In The News

YOUR FEDERAL TAX $$$ WORKING FOR YOU

Randy — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 22:10:22 GMT

EVEN CNN IS GETTING UPSET ABOUT THIS!!!!!!!!!!
Pass this on after you watch it.   NOTICE THAT THIS IS FROM CNN,  NOT FOX!!!

This from CNN news:   http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/17260182/1610997888/name/ftc-vi26.wmv<http://d.yimg.com/kq/groups/17260182/1610997888/name/ftc-vi26.wmv>

This 2-minute video should be mandatory viewing for every US   citizen. If you have never passed anything on before, pass this on!   Every American should be outraged!

Forum: Politics

November 4, 2009

NewsJunkie — Thur, 05 Nov 2009 03:35:38 GMT

(MJ)
ELECTION 2009: Candidate Results

ELECTION 2009: Issue Results

(CT)
Complete election results list

Challenger wins Vermilion mayoral race

Forum: Vermilion In The News

Danny and Michelle, you should read this...

Fonzie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:13:34 GMT

Danny...Michelle, don't you guys live in Amherst? Didn't this just happen in Amherst?

"Amherst City replacement income tax of 0.5 percent (10 years) for street resurfacing, installation and maintenance of improvements, purchase of equipment PASSED"

Could you please tell me why you could not convince Anderson of the importance of this? If you had, you might not be looking for a new job next year. Instead, you let Anderson stab both you guys and council in the back. This is the main reason that I voted for Bulan. Yes, Anderson showed herself to be inept and incompetent in many other ways, also. But this was the #1 reason in my mind that she had to go. She was more concerned with herself than with her city.

Forum: Politics

Post-Game Analysis

DGH — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:04:35 GMT

Thought I'd put on my best John Madden, post-election.

Keys to the game:

1. Campaigning. Mayor-elect Eileen likely outspent Jean in the election, but that might have more to do with the ability to fundraise than anything else. Eileen also pursued interesting ways to engage the public--rare was the rubber chicken fundraiser---we had pirates!

2. Numbers. I think the myth about the Lorain/Erie voting flip-flop is over. Two elections have passed and the votes for/against in each county were pretty close to identical. Why is this? Well, maybe the divide is not as real as it used to be. Maybe with Ford's departure you can no longer draw the blue-collar split at the river?

3. Change. The numbers for Eileen were eerily similar to Jean's numbers in 2005. The argument for change is easier, especially when the argument to retain is weak. What is interesting is that middle ground of voter, the ones who likely supported Jean in 2005 flipped to Eileen. The moderates of the community are a fickle bunch.

Now, the trouble spots...

1. Technology Gap. I am sure no one online thought that this election would be close, but I thought 10% was pretty close given all the signs, letters, and bloggers over the years. My feeling is that despite all the messaging, Jean still managed over 1000 votes! That means 1000 households think she was doing a good job. So, for the mayor-elect there is a lot of bridge building to do. Some people will be unconsolable. Some people might come over once they understand the issues better. But again, Jean managed to convince a big chunk of voters that Eileen is bad for Vermilion.

2. Transition. There are two ways to go at this. The Anderson way and the classy way. My feeling is that Jean, should she desire to serve in the future--say as a ward rep when Brady is gone--she should consider turning the keys over in a classy manner. However, regardless of the transition, I imagine Eileen will not persecute anyone. Council and the mayor-elect should work on some solid transition ordinances to make sure we have a seemless continuity of government. We know that February always brings floods---best to have the ducks in a row on January 1. Good news is, Eileen has been there before.

3. Appointees. I imagine that we will be looking at a clean slate of civil servants in the directors' offices. Eileen has the knowledge base to know that the next directors will have to be people who are loyal to the city first. After all, Eileen served mutiple mayors as did several other directors. I am not sure "getting the band back together" will sit well with people, despite the fact that there was a more professional team in place in 2004 than 2008. When the directorships became partisan, the whole system fell apart. I think Eileen should do a national search for these positions, trust me, there are plenty of professional city managment people out there who'd love a shot at fixing up a small town. If not, there might be a few people in town who might heed the call to public service.

4. Future-state. What is to become of the message boards? Search "Anderson" and you get countless hits. Much of my writing on the past five years has been critical of the mayor and putting up ideas for a better Vermilion. Will Jean supporters now flood the boards? Will posters keep the fire to council and the new mayor? Will the conversations become more constructive for a better town? I think some, like Dirk and seemingly Phil_D have already signed off.

Thoughts?

Forum: Politics

Thank You Eileen!

outsidelookingin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:22:08 GMT

Thank You Eileen for running for Mayor! Thanks to you the residents in Vermilion no longer have to read the oxymoron: "The Honorable Mayor Jean Anderson"!

Forum: Politics

Let the butt kissing begin!

outsidelookingin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:15:22 GMT

I wonder who will be the first from the Anderson Administration to give mayor-elect Bulan a call ? I wonder if they wish they never said all those nasty comments at the Anderson rally?

Forum: Politics

Bulan wins video!

JAB — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:26:43 GMT

Sorry about the quality!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUSiUNDV9pU

Forum: Politics

Bulan Wins!

DGH — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:58:28 GMT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fonzie
10:45PM Erie County in .... Lorain County in

                   Erie   +   Lorain        = Total

Bulan          1080         1048           = 2128
Anderson      752          978           = 1730

Ostrander      1002         964           = 1966
Karney            723         869           = 1592

Strickler         942           998           = 1940
Roth              814           866           = 1680

Forum: Politics

Unofficial results

Fonzie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:18:07 GMT

10:45PM Erie County in .... Lorain County in

                   Erie   +   Lorain        = Total

Bulan          1080         1048           = 2128
Anderson      752          978           = 1730

Ostrander      1002         964           = 1966
Karney            723         869           = 1592

Strickler         942           998           = 1940
Roth              814           866           = 1680

School Levy Y 1273 608 = 1881
N 2370 1057 = 3427

Forum: Politics

Standing for Public Office: A national crisis

DGH — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:35:51 GMT

Today's Chicago Tribune has an interesting article on the decline of public office seekers. Some communities throughout Illinois and nationwide have uncontested ballots. There seems to be a general disinterest in public service, yet a huge interest in complaining from the sidelines about public servants. Sometimes the complaint is warranted, most of the time, it is just complaining for complaining's sake.

Anyone who stands for office puts their reputation and personal life out in the open for scrutiny--rightly or wrongly deserved. The article suggests that municipal matters have become too complicated for part-time elected officials. Also, the risk to personal business and legal liability probably keep people from the hassle.

For those who are seeking office today, you already have won this first step----of taking a risk to serve the public in the way you think best. Now, your ideas are judged, your past records are judged. No other job requires an interview process by thousands of people. Sometimes the candidates do a nice job of self-eliminating. Sometimes, the public is left to really think about the issues and what is best. Vermilion has a combination of those votes today.

This is a good read for today:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-tc-nw-no-candidates-1102-1103nov03,0,2616864.story

Forum: Politics