Hancock County

December 19, 2005April 18, 2020

A Bit of Local News

Finally some local news:

Coach Hite resigns

The big news is that FHS Head Football coach Cliff Hite stepped down as coach on 12/1/2005. He became the winningest coach in school history, chalking up a 68-40 record in 10 seasons. Since 1998 his teams have six out seven league titles and appeared in the state playoffs in 1999, 2002, and this season.

His scheme was a version of the run and gun spread offense that allowed quarterbacks to put up some impressive yardage and touchdown stats. His most famous student is current Pittsburgh Steelers starting QB Ben Roethlisberger.

A replacement probably won’t be named until the spring when coaching changes are usually decided, but the local paper, The Courier, speculated that current offensive coordinator Mark Ritzler might be in line for the job.

Being a classmate of Ritz back in 1980’s at FHS, I hope he gets the job if he wants it.

Hite steps down as Trojans coach

David Cryer to play Broadway

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.

The touring company is performing in Cincinnati through January 1st.

Cryer is the father of actor Jon Cryer who stars on the show “Two and Half Men” on CBS.

Phantom’s foe: 10 questions with actor David Cryer

Originally posted on the blog “Hancock County Politics Unfiltered”

November 1, 2005April 18, 2020

Congressman Oxley announces retirement

The Toledo Blade reported moments ago that Rep. Mike Oxley (R-Findlay) would retire at the end of his term next year.

Mr. Oxley, 61, who has represented Ohio’s 4th Congressional District since 1981, cited House rules requiring him the relinquish his chairmanship of the powerful House Financial Services Committee at the end of this term as one of the factors in his decision. He must give up his chairmanship due to term limits.
“After a lot of thought and conversations with a lot of people…I’ve decided not to seek re-election next year,” Mr. Oxley told a crowd of about 200 people during a breakfast at the Findlay Country Club. “It was a tough decision.”
Congressman Oxley announces retirement

More later as events warrant plus I’ll add my 2 cents.

May 27, 2005April 18, 2020

Cell phones in Findlay High School causing trouble

Back on May 9th a group of Findlay High School students approached the school board to ask for a change in the cell phone policy at school.

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.

Cell phones are like a part of the body of most teens these days. They are always talking, texting, or now taking pictures to share. Schools do have a reason to control the use of the phones during school hours for the same reason you can’t have a boom box. The phones not only can disrupt class but they can also be used to cheat.

When I heard about the issue I sided with the current policy.

In my younger days calculators were just being made affordable for most students. At first they were banned from school. It was considered cheating if you used one. But then they found out that calculators can help marginal students in math since most of the trouble is doing basic math functions. The policy changed and calculators were allowed but if you had a fancy one that could save formulas you had to bring them to the teacher before a test and he/she would reset the machine to wipe out any attempts to cheat on the test.

The problem with cell phones is, that unlike calculators, they have NO educational value.

The students suggested changing the policy to allow them to bring them as long as they are off and kept in their lockers during the day.

Sounds reasonable.

Then I read a follow up story in today’s Courier.

It seems that some students still bring the phones to school and some even use them during the day, fully knowing that it is against the rules.

But that wasn’t the kicker.

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.

The kids are pissed. They feel that their privacy is being violated.

I think the kids had a good argument – if it wasn’t in school. Students have no privacy in school. When I was there in the mid 80’s we had a couple of school wide locker searches. Each class had to open their lockers and a staff member would look through them and punish any violation they found. One time they even brought a drug sniffing dog.

Cell phones are not school property but you really can’t blame the administration for searching them especially because they aren’t allowed in the first place.

As a teacher is quoted in the Courier article:

“Doesn’t there have to be some respect for the rules?”

Originally posted on the blog “Hancock County Politics Unfiltered”

May 2, 2005April 18, 2020

The Cucumber Incident: Revisited

Back in July, 2004, I posted some thoughts on the documentary called The Cucumber Incident.

The film told the story surrounding an incident that made national headlines in 1997. Three women had attacked, stripped, and forced a cucumber in the butt of a convicted child molester. They then drove the man back to his home town of McComb, Ohio and dumped him outside a pizza shop. The women were arrested and served time in jail as well as being labeled sex offenders.

The twist was the man was the husband of one of the women and the other two were the wife’s relatives. The guy had served time in prison for molesting his daughter and had been suspected of doing it again.

Someone posted my article in full on the Indymedia network of websites and comments flooded in to my article.

Most of the comments took me to task because I refused to applaud the women’s revenge. I was also taken to task for not being outraged at the husband’s acts and one person commented that it was no surprise as I was man. Several comments mentioned that if one was a victim of abuse then one would understand.

I reject all of those comments.

Revenge is not justice even if it is for a heinous act. The child was examined by the proper authorities and there was not enough evidence to arrest Randy, the husband.

The fact remains that Jewel chose to allow Randy back into house after he got out of prison. If she had kicked him to the curb then it is less likely another incident would have happened. Even after the alleged incident Jewel had the choice to leave him or kick him out of the house.

I do not look on child abuse of any kind lightly but it still doesn’t trump the fact that revenge is not justice.

My gender has nothing to do with my views on the woman’s acts. Revenge is not justice. I would feel the same way if it were 3 men attacking a female molester.

Although I have not been personally been abused, there was an incident in my family several years ago that still has a negative impact on me and the family.

Originally posted on the blog “Hancock County Politics Unfiltered”

January 13, 2005April 18, 2020

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

I live in Ohio. We have winters with snow storms and ice. We also have what are known as Snow Emergencies.

Basically, law enforcement officials in the various counties can issue Snow Emergencies to protect the public and help in the clearing of roads during and after a storm hits.