Fall

A few weeks ago I noticed a few things. My hostas were bloomed. I had walnuts falling in my yard. When I mentioned this fact to folks, they said it because of the lack of rain. Then the other night it was 48 degrees! I have yet to have anyone tell me that was from lack of rain. The Farmers Almanac predicts "numbs the word". I have a feeling they are right! Is this a huge discussion in Barry County? The farmers might be discussing it. I have not been to Ritchies, so I am not so sure what is on their dashboard. I am tiring of politics, tired of economics, and definitely tired of being tired! I had to ask myself, "Bebe what do you love?", (yes I know speaking to and answering oneself is cause for concern) the answer was I love Fall. I then decided to share this love.

As a few of you may have pulled from some of my post, I hold dear to the "old generation". This may have led plenty of you to think I am old. To the contrary I am not! I am still not a preacher, nor do I work at the jail (for those of you taking notes).

I enjoy the high school football games, hearing the marching band, Halloween, the changing of color, I even love the colder night air. I seem to get refreshed. Like a child going to their first day of school! The apple cider, crisp apples, and warm cinnamon donut holes. Warm me with thoughts of family togetherness. I remember shuffling my feet, dragging them on the ground through the fallen leafs. To this day I still do this! My glass is normally half full, and I can find things in all four seasons to enjoy and love. Still Fall is at the top of my list.

For a change in conversation of politics, and rumors, why not share some of your thoughts. Share your favorite season, memory, activity, possibly you may want to discuss the upcoming weather.

Promises "Society"

"I Promise" are these just words spoken? Ever help an individual, and the first thing out of their mouth is "I promises I'll......."? Recently I helped someone not expecting the favor or act to be returned. However this person on their own accord said " I promise I will return....." I thought well if they do great, if not that is ok too. Well come to find out the entire story was a lie. I was left wondering why did this person feel the need to lie to make a promise they fully knew they could not keep. To help you understand why I am so baffled here is what I did for this person. I noticed a middle aged lady walking on an extremely hot day. She looked about ready to faint, and I offered her a ride to Walmart (this was on my way to where I was going) There she could wait, in air conditioning. In the process I stopped at McDonalds and bought her a cold ice tea ($1.00). she never asked for the ride or the drink. She did ask to use my cell phone, which my minutes were free, and she was able to get a hold of someone from out by Gun Lake to come get her. Her story was (which she gave without me asking) was that her car broke down. She had a pay check in her lap. Turns out she worked with someone I knew. Well we arrived at Walmart, her ride coming, and she asked if she could borrow some money for gas until the next night (she promised). I gave her no more then I could afford to not get back.

Turns out this person was fired from their job, and never owned a car, and I never saw nor heard from that person again. I am not upset over the fact I will not see the gas money again, but rather over why make the promise?

This lead me to think of other promises made. The leaders of the country, of our state, of our county. Just out in the news is John Edwards affair. He denied this action for years even when he was caught running into restroom to hide.

I am a firm believer that society today has lost all of its values. We no longer teach our children table manners, I would go as far as to say that 90% could not set a proper table setting. Kids no longer fess up to the wrong doing to others (face to face apologies) I remember once I tagged along with my grandfather to his "store". During our little outing, I ran across a gumball. I was like 4 years old. Upon leaving the store, my grandfather noticed me chewing on the gum. He asked where I got that. My intention was not to steal, but rather I thought it was my grandfathers store, must be HIS gumballs. Within the next 5 minutes I learned darn well who owned what and where! He immediately took me back into the store, made me spit the gumball out, and I had to apologize to the clerk. I have never forgotten to ask first! He never yelled, spanked, or spoke of i t again. I learned. Values in that short amount of time have changed.

So what makes a person give a promise they do not intend to keep? Does this act make them feel better. Or do they figure they will get what they want. Is society so stingy that people can not get help without a good lie?

I am a firm believer that if I can help someone I will. I am not a millionaire, my spare time is at a all time low. If I can give someone a meal, help mow their lawn, any deed that I can help with I will. I do not expect anything in return, not even the promise. My youngest and I went to Detroit. This being the first trip to a large city we ran into homeless. We ate and had leftovers. A homeless lady wanted some money and my youngest wanted to. I told her if she wanted to help we could go get a meal for the lady. This lady did not want the meal but rather just a nickel?! I had to explain to my daughter that we can do what we can and the offer of food should have been greatly appreciated.

So what has happen to society? Foreclosures are at a all time high. Why can not people share homes? Why can not lenders "work" with folks going through a rough patch. Elderly are not respected, more treated as a hindrance. Poor are looked upon as leeches. Where are the days when neighbors aided each other, or even knew the neighbors names? Where churches were families, and when someone knocked on your door for a meal you would make them a sandwich and not call the police.

Promises........... "Society"

Political Ads: Sifting

Two weeks to go before our elections will be over, with one exception. Has anyone else notice the election ads misconceptions? I counted, on one hand within a few pages, of ads with pictures. Knowing the majority of these folks, and recently seeing them, I know those pictures are antique. These folks are not even confident about their self images (which in my opinion is about as bad as Hollywood images, and portrayal to young girls) So the pictures lead me to think what else are they misleading me about. So I read on. In one ad I read how they have the support of their entire staff (ha). I saw two problems with that statement. One, her entire staff of 4 just added 3 new people, they are new and have not worked with her long. Two, who in their right mind would tell their boss, well no I do not support you! In another ad it encourages you to ask a candidate questions that he can not answer. Why? Because of a court order he can not answer, but of course the ad left that information out. Again I have to ask who keeps the politicians honest (yes I used politician and honest in same sentence) The answer I keep getting is voters do. So I pay a persons salary in hopes they are honest for four years? How much time do they take off? I do not know, its on the honor system. If there is no honesty in their ads, I would dare say they have no integrity, and hence would more than likely in four years need to be replaced. But one would hope that out of maybe two candidates one is more honest.

One of our choices had tax payers pick up her student loan bill, was that not our tax payer money? She was working at the time, and purchased a new vehicle soon after. Her campaign is on hard working for the public (another ha) Maybe she could work the next four years without pay, since we already paid off her loans for her.

HELP WANTED:

A individual to appear to work for 4 years, no supervision, no honesty needed, integrity not a must, come and go as you please (no time clock to punch), get health care, if you show up for a meeting for the position you applied for,will give you a bonus, deduct lunches and mileage, misleading folks a must (what the public does not know is better for them) no degree or actual knowledge of this job required, just get the voters to take two seconds out of their busy lives to place a check mark by your name, possibility of anointing your best friend when you want to move on, possibility of life career with no accountability (blame the underdog get two hundred dollars and pass go), if this sounds like the job for you, please join the local political party of your choice within weeks prior to primaries.

Guns

Here I am again, speaking on a subject I know little about. Hopefully yet again I can learn more. Here is my opinion and thoughts on guns. First of all I am a gun owner. I am not a member of any club, meaning NRA etc. I have taught my children that even toy guns should not be pointed at a person. Even though I have taught my children the dangers of guns, I still lock mine up. I do not "Open Carry" or have a CPL. I would use a weapon to defend my family in their home. You can now view this statement and judge it from what I just informed you of.

I see no need to carry a weapon in Hastings. The march was to make a statement, which was bad for both Leaf and Sarver. Sarver did not show to arrest, and Leaf did not show in support of his beliefs (which everyone knows he is a supporter of). I have strong feels that if you believe or support a cause (ie.. God, Guns, a Politician) then do so. Do not be a silent observer, great program that should never have come about to be needed (potential new posting). If Sarver believes in and stated he was going to do something then do it. If Leaf is a supporter of and says he supports then do it. For either one of them not to show because of votes shows that they are pretenders. For example someone joining the Republican party in Barry County just before an election. They are saying they are one but just for votes. In my eyes is the same as lying.

Back to guns. I do have conflicted feelings on guns. I own one, would use it to defend myself in my home, but I would not carry, yet I feel responsible people should be allowed to do so. A law abiding citizen might, in a larger city, have a instance to use a gun in self defense. How often does that happen, I do not know. I do know that crimes with a gun, are not committed by law abiding citizens. Criminals get guns all the time. They are not going to pay for and wait for a CPL before they go out and rob a bank. Also, criminals have guns that police officers are not aloud to carry. 9 mm, 40s, shot guns, verses a fully automatic machine gun, yea no thanks.

I doubt that this recent "protest" will encourage people to open carry in town. All this "protest" did was show Sarver and Leaf are all about the votes.

Politics?

What exactly is politics? I remember the subject being taught in school, perhaps as history or social studies. The politics I encounter after getting my voter registration card is no where close to what I was taught. For example, "every vote counts", but seriously does it? We have super delegates who decide who runs. Then in actuality if they wanted to they could decide against the populous vote. How is that making my vote count? Or what about party affiliation? Is he/she a Republican or Democrat? Do we really have "Republican" and "Democrat"? I think they intertwined, in their beliefs and their politics. What this country was founded on is no longer true. It has been stretched and distorted to fit the politicians and governments needs. We have lobbyist, who essentially buy votes, and Politicians who are power hungry. I just do not understand the separation of the government? Are they not there for us? How about the distance between "we the people" and the "politicians". I can bet none of them are single parent families holding two jobs trying to make ends meet people. How can they represent what they do not experience? I see legislatures take weeks upon weeks off a year. Is that what the majority of citizens have? We pay for them to have health care, it is a pretty damn nice package, but what does the majority of Americans have for health care? I see them taking trips for....well who knows what, but I know they cost a great deal. Then I look at people in need, and where is the "neighbors" or money to help? When a disaster hits overseas we are there in a day, and here its is sometimes days getting help within our own nation. Our nation is foul, our society is broken. So to fix it what do they do? The government will create some outlandish laws that take years for them to "perfect". Then attorneys will spend years twist the laws making money off it so that the politicians can spend more time reforming the law. Where is the accountability? Society is so busy in their own lives that the ones we have left our country to are destroying it. The only way for me to learn this rather complex system is to attend tons of meetings and ask even more questions and hope I get an accurate answer. We live in a small town atmosphere, and have access to larger city news. However, how many times do you see listings of "how to Politics" Is there a book out there, Politics for dummies? We might be free but we are totally out of touch with how the United States of America is run, and in actuality our votes do not make a difference.

Mecca in Barry County

"Here's a potential topic. We have a new attempt starting about "economic development" (BCF, etc.). You could post the details from Bonnie.My spin is that Hastings could become a mecca for people of retirement age. Everybody else is trying to attract the yuppie crowd and the competition for their big bucks is fierce.If you read the cut-n-paste in last weekends Reminder, you know that the folks who benefit from misinformation are still trying to convince us old folks that we are about to slide down the slippery slope to death.In fact, most people over 65 are in great shape and are going to live longer than their parents without searching for a nursing home.Convincing people that they need a financial advisor to help accumulate the vast sums of money with which to retire is another myth perpetuated by insurance companies.I could go on and on and on, but start a post and I'll comment." Author El Grillo.

Cricket this is the best I can do. I will have to admit I am not any where near the knowledge level I should be on this topic. I will however enjoy learning what you may have to share. Please do!

PS Although I may not be highly educated in the mecca of Barry County, I do possess some computer skills, hence the ability for my eèëé s

Pennock Hospital threatens to move so Hastings caves

Years ago I recall our local hospital buying up homes and swamp to expand their facility. They put in the lot on the South side, the physician center, and Pennock Village. That expansion created some tension then. Now here we are again. They are claiming no room to expand. Here I am once again saying ........what? When the supposed expansion of the hospital was needed back then why did they not expand using the land they had wisely? I have never seen any other hospital that "needed to expand" use their precious expansion space for a village, which currently is at this time not at capacity (I did notice the hospitals State Street sign advertising openings). Even if the Pennock Village was badly needed why not build it on the South side, and then expand the hospital to the North? They do own front to back Green Street to State Street. Move the Pennock Village, relocate the Urgent center (the mini me hospital which seems like a waste of space) and EXPAND! I get so tired of businesses and the tax breaks, and threats of moving. So because they have no vision or future planning abilities we are going to lose a park? Or as they say they are going to utilize the park space. Even though we will lose a pond, a house, a field, trees, and various other objects that will have to be destroyed, but hey we will not notice the change?!? I guess the City believes we are ignorant. First verbal abuse, and a public apology for....well nothing, and now we will not notice the hospital expansion into a park. I also dare to say that with them already getting approvals that this is more than just in the idea stages. We have little to do in the town area, I guess losing part of a park that will not be noticed should be ok....right? What are your opinions?

Republican or Democrat

Our nation is run by two parties, Democrats and Republicans. Our County is predominately Republican. A well known fact in Barry County, if you want to win, you need to be a Republican.
Are we putting the right person in office or just an party affiliation? If a person can say hey I am a Republican just to win, then what are these parties truly for? I understand the core values of each party, but does that party affiliation run the canidate after they are in office, no. Should we as voters be more concerned with the persons values? Should we not be concerned with answers to questions pertaining to our beliefs?
After they are in office what makes them accountantable for their actions? Yes we as voters can do a recall, but if voter turn out is low, how many people do you think will bother with a recall? I think voter turn out is low not because of cold, rain, transportation, but lack of interest in who is on the ballot. I know personally I stare at the ballot and think who are they and what do they believe. Many times there are names I have not heard or read about. As long as there is not a huge scandal we stick with who is doing the job, simply for us it is more convienant.
Most offices are 4 year terms. That is four years we as voters are handing the running of a department over. A department that our taxpaying money is running. Why are we not more concerned with this rather than whose is Demcratic or Republican?
Democrat or Republican it is just a label and nothing more.

County Clerk Responsible too? What other problems are there?

I would like to know who else out there thinks the County Clerk should be held responsible for the missing money from the County, and other various mis-happenings of job duties?

From my understanding the County Clerks are suppose to balance the drawers as a double check. How can that much come up missing, and at least three employees be involved, in some way, and the County Clerk not know?

Why has it taken so long to fill those positions? I do not see why it is now April, and those vacancies are still unfilled. I had heard it was because the County Clerk failed to publish a employment ad in the paper. Is this not a huge part of a Clerks job to be sure the public knows?

If this County Clerk was new to the job maybe, and I say maybe, those details could be overlooked. However I do believe this Clerk has been in office a few years as the Clerk, and prior to that worked in the office. As I understand, the last County Clerk retired or stepped down, and the current one stepped up, as our local paper calls annointed, and has run unopposed since.

With a great deal of discussions on about lawsuits, and the cost to taxpayers, was there not a lawsuit or grievance filed against the Clerk by employees about bumper stickers on vehicles?

How many more years will no one not run against a public official and give people choices?

City Clerk- Harassment or not

If the accusations are true about the City Clerk do you feel this is harassment, who is responsible for the City Clerks actions, and should he resign?

Although it is not sexual harassment I believe what he did, and does is harassing employees. I think he should have been written up and disciplined from the start. I think productivity is lost when employees feel they are walking on glass. Many times people with power abuse and degrade those that work under them. How can they feel this will create loyalty and increase productivity? I am sure most people if they had a choice would quit. In these times of economic woes who could afford that. The City Counsel should move swiftly on this. One time is one time to many.

Blog Away

Everyone told them to do it. They did not. So here I go. I have created a blog! Which mis-happening should we start with? Here are a few suggestions: Sidewalks, City Clerk, County Clerk, Politics. These are some of the hot issues in Barry County right now. I just ask no name calling, no swearing, if you have an accusation you back it up, I will create ONE discussion thread for ONE issue. If you can not follow those rules then read and don't blog. Thanks!