Thoughts for the public – Being one of the new members of the Greene County School board, I would like to thank everyone that voted for me and continues to give me support for making the decision to get on the board. Just being on the board for a few months now, wow, is there a lot to take in.…
Read MoreCategory: Opinion
Grassley names new bill for Kevin Wills
WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Chuck Grassley on March 1 introduced legislation with Senator Chuck Schumer of New York to help families locate missing loved ones who have Alzheimer’s disease, autism or other related conditions that may cause them to wander away from their caregivers. The legislation, titled Kevin and Avonte’s Law, will reauthorize the expired Missing Alzheimer’s Disease…
Read More‘A pornography of pessimism’
~a column by Colleen O’Brien David Brooks, talking head, columnist and political know-a-lot, calls this election year a “pornography of pessimism.” Gotta love the English language and one of its superb wordsmiths, however you might disagree or agree with his politics. With a cast of thousands running for president and other offices, all of them yelling about the dire state…
Read MoreTree Tracings
~by Valerie Ogren for the Greene County Genealogical Society Meeting notice: The Greene County Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, March 5, at 10 am in the basement meeting room of the Jefferson public library. Jerry Roberts, master story teller, will share with us “Stories My Grandmother Told Me.” Guests are always welcome – and this is one you surely don’t want to miss.…
Read MoreSilly Billy, funny and wise
~a column by Colleen O’Brien I heard poet Billy Collins read his poems the other night. This was my second time in just under a year that I paid money to attend one of his readings. I’m beginning to feel like a groupie, but I can live with that. He is so worth it I’ll pay to see him whenever…
Read MoreLetter to the editor – Doug Whipple
To the editor- After visiting the Panorama 6-12 building this last week, I have changed my mind on a future new school here in Greene County. Panorama has the ability to share teachers and administrators between junior high and high school. The superintendent, principal, full time court liaison, guidance counselor, and full- time athletic director are located in the same office. Communication with…
Read MoreChristensen, board members answer ‘questions from the public’
A trio of Greene County school board members and school superintendent Tim Christensen met for informally for nearly two hours Feb. 16 with Hardin Township farmer Kurt Oathout to answer questions he posed in a public forum on a range of topics. Under a headline “Questions from the public to the ‘publicly employed superintendent’” in another publication, Oathout had asked…
Read MoreWhen was the first time someone pulled the prejudice card on you?
~a column by Colleen O’Brien Busy month, these Februarys of our lives. Groundhog Day, Black History Month/Negro History Week/Valentine’s Day/Lincoln’s (AND Darwin’s) birthday and Washington’s birthday, too. Punxsutauney Phil arises — or doesn’t — each February 2nd. Lincoln’s dead. Washington’s dead. Darwin’s dead. Saint Valentine is long dead even as he is a consternation to some and a reason to…
Read MoreThank you from JPRD
To the editor, Jefferson Park and Recreation would like to thank all the volunteers to helped make the youth basketball tournaments Feb. 6 and Feb. 13 a success. JPRD has a long tradition with those tournaments, and we’re able to host them only because a our great community volunteers. We particularly thank the young people of St Brigid Catholic Church for their…
Read MoreBaffling
~a column by Colleen O’Brien The English language is so much fun. There are a million words in it and about 100,000 ways to use them incorrectly. American English delights in promoting confusion or downright dumbfoundedness, both in meaning and in pronunciation.
Read MoreOpen letter to the Jefferson city council – Michael F. Mumma
Dear Council Members, I am usually supportive of the council’s decisions and appreciate the time you devote; however, in the last few weeks you have made a decision with which I heartily disagree. This decision involves the hotel/motel tax. On August 7, 2001, the voters of Jefferson authorized a 7 percent tax on the gross receipts of lodging rentals and…
Read MoreSuckin’ air – An old curmudgeon’s view
~by Bill Smith Assuming, first, all statements made in the Jan. 27 GreeneCountyNewsOnline article, Jefferson officials may have a priority problem. … but fire department told to seek outside funding for essential equipment.
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