Doug's Views: Findlay Archives

January 25, 2008

Blizzard of '78 - 30th Anniversary

I was 10 years old at the time. The previous evening ended with 44 degrees, rain, and some thunder and in less than 12 hours we had 60 mile an hour winds and 20 inches of snow and 30 to 40 below zero wind chills. The low pressure system causing the storm recorded the lowest pressure at Cleveland in history - even lower than a Hurricane. The weather people called it a Severe Blizzard - something that hadn't happened in decades.

Continue reading "Blizzard of '78 - 30th Anniversary" »

October 30, 2007

Thoughts on the Findlay Mayoral Forum

I posted on 10/24 about the recent Findlay Mayoral Forum that was held at University of Findlay on 10/22. It was broadcast on WFIN, WLFC, and UF-TV 20. At the time of my post I had not had a chance to see or hear the event and said I would get back to you. Well, I'm back.

Continue reading "Thoughts on the Findlay Mayoral Forum" »

October 24, 2007

Findlay Mayor forum available online

On Monday 10/22 Democrat Tom Knopf and Republican Pete Sehnert participated in a forum that was shown on UF-TV and heard on WFIN. I missed the program when it was streamed on the Internet but WFIN has audio files of the program avaible on their "On-Demand" section of their website.

Continue reading "Findlay Mayor forum available online" »

Posted by Doug at 1:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)
Posted to Findlay | Politics

August 27, 2007

Flooding brings back memories

The recent flooding reminded me of other times when the Blanchard flooded. The last major flood was in 1981. Rawson Park was a large lake, most county roads were closed, and a car dealer moved his inventory to overpass on Central Parkway to escape the water.

Continue reading "Flooding brings back memories" »

Posted by Doug at 2:57 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Life | Media

July 26, 2007

Courier finally uses some ink on Democrat in Mayor's race

Staff writer John Graber used about 800 words on the front page of the July 20th edition to talk about Knopf and point out that unlike Sehnert, Knopf has some actual ideas about what he wants to do in office when he is elected. That is more ink for Knopf than I have read since the election season began.

Continue reading "Courier finally uses some ink on Democrat in Mayor's race" »

Posted by Doug at 1:21 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Media | Politics

June 30, 2007

Courier editorial is wrong about Fairness Doctrine

I normally ignore Courier editorials because it is simply the paper's view of some issue and I usually don't care what their view is. This time I was compelled to respond. The editorial titled "Talk Radio" echoed the same conservative "talk" that passes for programing on radio stations like WFIN.

Continue reading "Courier editorial is wrong about Fairness Doctrine" »

Posted by Doug at 8:30 PM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Findlay | Media | Politics

May 25, 2007

On Star Wars - 30 years later

I remember it well. The film had been in theaters almost a year when I finally was able to see it. It was the talk of my school and several kids already had the action figures and other merchandise. We were too poor to see a movie all the time so I had to basically wait until my Mom got her tax refund. But there I sat in my seat at the old Cinema World theater just outside the Fort Findlay Mall.

Continue reading "On Star Wars - 30 years later" »

Posted by Doug at 1:16 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Findlay | Media | Movies

May 24, 2007

Findlay Mayor Race Open?

The usual way things go in politics in Findlay is if you are an incumbent you pretty much can phone in your reelection. Findlay doesn't change very fast if at all and as long as you don't get in trouble you don't have to worry about elections - especially if you are an incumbent Republican.

Continue reading "Findlay Mayor Race Open?" »

Posted by Doug at 9:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Politics

March 27, 2007

Ohio State Final Four Then and Now

The last official final four for Ohio State was 1968. The starting 5 on that team were Bill Hosket, Steve Howell, Dave Sorenson, Jody Finney, and Denny Meadors. Hosket has been involved in broadcasting Buckeye games and is still well known to OSU fans from that era and today. Dave Sorenson is a name I know well. He attended Findlay High School before going to Ohio State.

Continue reading "Ohio State Final Four Then and Now" »

Posted by Doug at 2:56 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Sports

March 23, 2007

If you think the Walter Reed scandal was bad

I read an article in the Nation tonight that talks about the rash of military discharges of wounded Iraq war veterans, in order, it seems to save the VA money on benefits. The article, "How Specialist Town Lost His Benefits", by Joshua Kors, highlights a previously unreported practice of discharging wounded soldiers as having a personality disorder, which happens to be one of the ways a soldier can be discharged and not be eligible for any future benefits.

Continue reading "If you think the Walter Reed scandal was bad" »

February 14, 2007

Snow Emergencies - An Update

Police have powers to protect order and the health and safety of citizens. If you being on the roads during a severe snow storm interferes with any of those duties then they can arrest you if that is what is called for by your actions.

Continue reading "Snow Emergencies - An Update" »

Posted by Doug at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Life

December 28, 2006

Reflections on President Ford

I was but a wee lad in 1974 when I watched President Nixon announced he was resigning his office and that then VP Ford would be taking over. After the corruption of Nixon on the news every night, Ford was boring. Until he pardoned Nixon. Even as a kid of 6, I knew it was a bone head move on his part to do it. Now many years later you have to wonder that if Ford wanted to "put Watergate and the Nixon presidency in the past", then why did he not pardon everyone involved in the Watergate mess?

Continue reading "Reflections on President Ford" »

Posted by Doug at 1:48 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Life | Politics

October 9, 2006

Football Deja vu

While reading the Findlay Courier online this past Thursday, I read the article they wrote about the Findlay High game the next day. The article talks about that week's opponent and the coach's view of what FHS is expecting. The opponent was Marion Harding High. Harding is a long time opponent. Marion is about an hour drive south of Findlay. The article talked about the teams meeting in 1985.

Continue reading "Football Deja vu" »

Posted by Doug at 2:46 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Football | Life | Sports

September 25, 2006

Reconnecting and Reunion

On Saturday, I attended my 20th High School reunion. I was both very nervous and very excited to see my former classmates. Some of us attended elementary and junior high school together before Findlay High. Most I have not seen or heard from in years.

Continue reading "Reconnecting and Reunion" »

Posted by Doug at 3:15 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Football | Life

August 25, 2006

Welcome readers of HCPU

I decided to merge the topic of Hancock County Politics Unfiltered, a blog I started 3 years ago, to comment on issues and events happening in my hometown of Findlay and Hancock County, into Doug's Views as of today.

Continue reading "Welcome readers of HCPU" »

Posted by Doug at 8:00 PM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Site News

June 5, 2006

Update to Famous Findlayians

I just updated my "Famous Findlayians" page on my website. That is where I list some collected info on famous people who either were born, lived, or worked in my hometown Findlay, Ohio. A couple of web visitors pointed out a few more people I failed to mention in the first edition. People like C.J. "Pappy" Hart who was one of the "fathers" of the sport of Drag racing and Howard T. Ricketts, who helped isolate the bacteria that causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. I also tweaked some of the photos I included on the page and updated some of the text.

Continue reading "Update to Famous Findlayians" »

Posted by Doug at 1:59 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Life | Writing

February 5, 2006

My obligatory Ben Roethlisberger fan post

The Super Bowl is today in Detroit. The Pittsburgh Steelers vs The Seattle Seahawks. The game is going to be extra special for those of us from Findlay. A hometown boy will be leading the Steelers on the field. Big Ben Roethlisberger is one of the youngest starting quarterback to start a Super Bowl. The youngest was Dan Marino.

Continue reading "My obligatory Ben Roethlisberger fan post" »

Posted by Doug at 1:47 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Football | Sports

December 19, 2005

A Bit of Local News

The big news is that FHS Head Football coach Cliff Hite stepped down as FHS coach on 12/1/2005. Actor David Cryer, Findlay High '54, who has been with the touring company of the musical "Phantom of the Opera" for the past 13 years, will be playing "Monsieur Firmin" in the Broadway production starting in January.

Continue reading "A Bit of Local News" »

October 3, 2005

Gushing about Football

As a grad of Findlay High, I follow the exploits of the football team from afar as I live in Columbus now. I am pleased as punch that the Findlay Trojans are 5-1 and as of last week ranked 3rd in Region 2 of the OHSAA computer rankings. As I said, living in Columbus forces me to follow the team via the newspaper or over the Internet. WFIN, the main station in Findlay has been streaming football games over the Internet for several years. Even when they had to stop streaming the station due to royalty issues (thank you Napster) they still stream the games each Friday night.

Continue reading "Gushing about Football" »

Posted by Doug at 12:23 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Football | Life | Sports

September 23, 2005

How I lost my virginity in the College Republicans

The article describes the tactics CRs learn and use for the campaigns of the Chairman of the group and how it seems real familiar to those who follow real elections. It reminded me of my short stint with CR back in the mid 1980's and I thought I would share my story.

Continue reading "How I lost my virginity in the College Republicans" »

Posted by Doug at 4:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Posted to Findlay | Life | Politics

July 9, 2005

Photo sparks a memory

I was checking out the Friday edition of the Findlay Courier (my hometown) online and came across a photo on the first page. It was a young kid playing chess with an older man with large wrap around sun glasses. He looked familiar. It was Glen Shelton. He taught me how to play chess when I was the boy's age many moons ago.

Continue reading "Photo sparks a memory" »

Posted by Doug at 12:38 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Life

May 27, 2005

Cell phones in Findlay High School causing trouble

It seems that FHS as a zero tolerance for cell phones on campus and if found they are confiscated and returned at the end of the day. If the same person is found with one again then a parent or guardian has to come to school to pick it up. It seems that the administration is searching the phones they confiscate and punishing any rule violations contained on them like bad language in text messages and pictures showing underage drinking.

Continue reading "Cell phones in Findlay High School causing trouble" »

Posted by Doug at 7:00 AM | Permalink
Posted to Culture | Findlay | Hancock County | Life

January 13, 2005

A Level 3 snow emergency, doesn't necessarily mean employees must stay home

Well I guess in Findlay, too many workers heeded the level 3 that happened in the storm that hit before Christmas to stay home. Findlay Mayor Tony Iriti, Hancock County Sheriff Michael Heldman and Chamber of Commerce President Doug Peters met with about 25 local employers and business owners to clarify what the snow emergencies mean.

Continue reading "A Level 3 snow emergency, doesn't necessarily mean employees must stay home" »

Posted by Doug at 2:28 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Life | Politics

January 11, 2005

Famous Findlayians

During the holidays I took the time to finally add a page to my website noting famous people who were born or lived in Findlay, Ohio (my hometown). Some are more known than others but all have contributed something to the public at large. Enjoy.

Continue reading "Famous Findlayians" »

Posted by Doug at 11:59 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay

November 1, 2004

If I could vote, who would I vote for????

I don't live in Hancock county. I was born and raised there so I am interested in the elections there. If I were to vote there here is who I recommend

Continue reading "If I could vote, who would I vote for????" »

Posted by Doug at 10:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Politics

October 28, 2004

Desparate Bush looks for support in Findlay

President George Bush is a desperate man. Sen. John Kerry is nipping at his heels as the race for the White House steams to a conclusion. His ads have gone very negative. Republicans believe that name calling is a valid campaign tactic. So what does one do to buck up a campaign in trouble? You hold a rally in a Republican strong hold like Findlay.

Continue reading "Desparate Bush looks for support in Findlay" »

Posted by Doug at 3:09 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Politics

May 13, 2004

Poor Findlay City Councilman David Cliffe

All Councilman Cliffe wanted was to chair a public hearing on a proposal to ban smoking in public areas in the city of Findlay. A group of students from Glenwood Middle School were to present their ideas on the ban as part of a class project. Councilman Cliffe, acting on a misunderstanding, decided to kick out the news crews after the student presentation. The city law director had advised Cliffe that the city shouldn't record the meeting but Cliffe took it to mean that he could close it to the media as well. He found that wasn't the case.

Continue reading "Poor Findlay City Councilman David Cliffe" »

Posted by Doug at 5:22 PM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Politics

April 1, 2004

A Visit Home

Last weekend I had a chance to visit Findlay and Hancock County. Didn't you know I don't live there? I lived there for the first 18 years of my life but chose to move out when I went to college. It is good to be gone for a few months or years so you can come back and notice any changes. This time I had the chance to drive around in the daylight.

Continue reading "A Visit Home" »

Posted by Doug at 11:21 PM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Life | Politics

March 4, 2004

10 Commandments Letter Exchange

I write letters to the editor of local newspapers I read. Ususally something I read upsets me enough I have to respond. One exchange took place between September 22 and October 1, 2003, in the Findlay Ohio Courier newspaper. I was born and raised in Findlay and I read the on-line edition of the paper everyday. I wrote in response to an article related to the Judge Roy Moore 10 Commandments legal case.

Continue reading "10 Commandments Letter Exchange" »

Posted by Doug at 12:20 PM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Media | Religion

January 1, 2004

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone has a great 2004! Good luck to new Findlay mayor Tony Iriti who begins his first day in charge.

Continue reading "Happy New Year!" »

Posted by Doug at 3:20 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Life

December 11, 2003

Kudos to the Toledo Blade on Oxley articles

Hope you all had a chance to read the Toledo Blade series on Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Findlay) who "represents" the 4th Congressional District. A majority of the evidence against Oxley has been known, at least to me, for many years yet reading the totality of it makes me wonder how he keeps getting re-elected every time. Oxley is like so many other elected officials in "safe" districts. Instead of representing all the people in their district, they become the tool for outside interests or advance their own agenda.

Continue reading "Kudos to the Toledo Blade on Oxley articles" »

Posted by Doug at 7:03 PM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Politics

December 7, 2003

Toledo Blade Investigates Rep. Oxley

Well it had to happen. After Enron and Worldcom and the other multibillion dollar busts brought on by deregulation and greed, it seems that the focus is moving onto the people in govt. who let it happen. One person is Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Findlay) who is chair of the House committee that helped Enron and others steal billions from investors and customers. The Toledo Blade is doing a three day series on Oxley and how much of a tool he really is. (pun intended..)

Continue reading "Toledo Blade Investigates Rep. Oxley" »

Posted by Doug at 6:04 PM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Politics

November 21, 2003

A Second Chance

As a senior at Findlay High, I played on the football team. Rather I was on the team but had no talent to play in a game. I was on the team only because I was a senior and the school had a 'no cuts' policy. As long as they had equipment for you, you were on the team. One of my teammates that year was Jon Wauford. I believe he was a sophomore or Junior that year. He played running back and was on defense.

Continue reading "A Second Chance" »

July 14, 2003

Reason behind this Blog

Some may wonder why I started this Blog. Well, it is because I got pissed at the antics of two people who were elected to serve the residents of Hancock County, my home county.

Continue reading "Reason behind this Blog" »

Posted by Doug at 2:28 AM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County | Politics | Writing

July 4, 2003

Findlay makes the big time!

A story published in the Courier, on July 3rd, concerning a preacher asking for a sign from God being struck by lightening, in the village of Forest, was picked up by the Associated Press. It was then picked up and published today on the website of BBC News in England. The page also included a link to the Courier website.

Continue reading "Findlay makes the big time!" »

Posted by Doug at 11:01 PM | Permalink
Posted to Findlay | Hancock County

Doug's Views

A unique look at my world. Includes my interests and complaints