[...] edited by: Lisa Renee Ward,
Ohio Editor
It was announced today that Ohio’s “official” unemployment rate is now 10.5% - that’s up from 10.1% in September. Welcome to the recovery.
According to www.recovery.gov zip code 43130 received 35 grants totaling $12,487,898 creating 20.11 jobs. That’s $620,979 per job created.
[...]Some time ago I published a post about Opinion Outpost. I had been doing paid surveys for some time. I continue to do surveys as a diversion and continue to get paid. I currently have $59.70 in my account that I can draw out in a check or spend instantly [...]
I have searched for years for the best BBQ sauce. I have tried cheap sauces and expensive sauces. I have tried many recipes to try to make my own. I am pleased to announce the I have found the best available sauce. It is…drum roll please…Sweet Baby Ray’s sauces. This [...]
Yesterday (11/18) I got a letter from the Board of Elections stating that if I want to get paid for recently working as a poll judge I must fill out a form and return it by 11/13. That’s FOUR days before the letter was mailed.
On the form I must certify [...]
Well, not here, but in 1100 other communities in Ohio. Columbia announced that their gas rate would fall three more cents per 100 cubic feet. While Columbia Gas’s rate will be $.49 Lancaster continues at $.80.
It should be noted as in previous posts that the lower Lancaster connection fee does [...]
Beaker sent this email to me:
With the city claiming they are doing away with the curb-side leaf pick up to save money, here is what ticks me off.
On Monday, I saw the street sweeper go down my street actually sweeping AROUND the piles of leaves that have been placed there [...]
I decided to take Rooster’s up on their offer for $10 off their bill for vets today. I very much appreciate the thought.
It’s been a long time since I’ve been to Rooster’s - not sure why. Their wings were great and the price is about the same as everyone else [...]
If I am not mistaken Downtown has entered their first renewal of the Special Improvement District (SID) assessment. The nearly $100,000 per year collected from building owners is spent on an office in the Chamber building and a director of the Main Street program all in an attempt to improve [...]
Applebee’s will provide a free entree to veterans tomorrow from 11:00AM to Midnight. Take some sort of ID such as a military ID, DD-214, whatever.
Update: Vets also can get a $10 coupon at Rooster’s on Vet’s day.
[...]It was announced today that the “official” unemployment rate hit 10.2% last month.
In other news the president will sign into law another mini-stimulus bill extending the $8,000 tax credit for home buyers and extending unemployment. The bill includes a provision that gives an additional six weeks of unemployment pay to [...]
It is being reported today that the GDP expanded 3.5% in the third quarter. That seems to be a good sign, but don’t start singing “Happy Days Are Here Again!”! I question how much of this expansion is due to the government getting out the taxpayer’s credit card and artificially [...]
Answer: to give away $4500 per vehicle traded in it cost the government $24,000 PER CAR!!!!
[...]ACORN will be included in the combined Federal Campaign - a fund similar to the United Way for Federal Employees. I have to say that that it is wrong for the Federal Government to endorse an organization that gives advice on how to cheat the IRS and is patently partisan.
BTW: [...]
I was fascinated by the billboard on West Fair depicting Council candidate Greg Russell and the Muni building. I always know that Greg was a big man, but the billboard dispicts him as bigger than the Muni building! I know that politicians like to exaggerate, but sheesh! I thought this [...]
A $3,700,000 Federal Grant is being used to teach the Tlingit language and culture. Tlingit is currently spoken by less than 200 people. Click here.
[...]In my opinion we are getting closer, but we are not there yet. The current proposal is better than previous proposals, but I am still voting against it for the following reasons:
I do NOT like the idea of a constitutional amendment granting a monopoly to ANYONE. A monopoly is NEVER [...]Does anyone know? Under a public option will the “public option” comply with each of the 50 state’s insurance mandates?
Mandates are what state’s have said must be in every insurance policy sold. Under some state’s mandates aroma therapy is a mandate. In other state’s mandates acupuncturists, massage therapists, pastoral counseling, [...]
Included in the last stimulus bill is a provision for a government subsidy on electric vehicles up to $5500. Many are taking advantage of this program and buying golf carts - in some cases the buyer pays NOTHING.
Here’s one that I found on the Internet. (Click here)
[...]I have it on very good authority that the Lancaster Grill will reopen on East Main Street. A contractual issue has been resolved that will allow the restaurant to reopen. The owners are the same as before and they should reopen in a few weeks.
Mmmmm…. Greek food!
[...]I recently went to the Waffle House to see what all the buzz was about. All I can say is Mehh. I think people are in love with being in love with the icon we call Waffle House. I simply don’t see it. While one one hand it is an [...]
Recently, Mike Pettit, Lancaster Gas Superintendent told me that my last posting regarding comparison of gas rates did not give the complete picture. He said that because the base rate is lower in Lancaster many low use situations are cheaper in Lancaster.
Fair enough! I want to be fair to all [...]
Have you ever looked at the plethora of goodies that awit you when you get your Golden Buckeye card at age 60? Among participating businesses in Lancaster….
AmeriHost Inn Lancaster 1721 River Valley Cir N 10%
Best Western Lancaster Inn 1858 N Memorial Dr 10%
Buchanans Furniture 501 E Main St 10%
Burtic Jewelers 160 W Main St 10%
[...]
It was reported a few minutes ago that the “official” unemployment figure is now 9.8%. That is the highest rate since 1983.
[...]Did you hear that ACORN is suing the hidden camera film makers because Maryland law requires that both parties must give consent in order to have the audio recorded. Two ACORN workers suffered “emotional distress” from having the film released.
[...]Wasn’t it one of Obama’s campaign promises to have to provide transparency in government? Then why did the dems say no to posting the health care bill online before voting on it?
[...]Columbia Gas has lowered their gas rate to $.49/CCF. Lancaster is still at $.80. That’s 63.3% higher.
[...]What is more disgusting?
There are now FOUR videos out from four different cities where ACORN employees can be heard giving advice how to evade taxes and set up a brothel for underage illegal immigrants.
-or-
The news media (with the exception of Fox) is not covering it?
[...]The LEG reports that Sherrod Brown is seeking taxpayer dollars to invest in “business incubators”. He said that the funds will create between 46.3 and 69.4 jobs per $10,000 invested in business incubators.
Taxpayers invested $787 BILLION in stimulus funds with the hopes of creating or saving 3.5 million jobs. [...]
I would like to make a few comments about recent articles in the LEG regarding the potential of an upcoming sales tax increase:
LEG stated:
The county would be one in 27 counties with a 6.50 percent tax if the increase occurred.
Being among the counties with the lowest sales tax rates is [...]
Regarding the latest release of unemployment data:
AP’s Headline:
New jobless claims dip less than expected to 570KAnd the Washington Post’s Headline:
Last Week’s New Jobless Claims: 570000, More Than Expected [...]I keep seeing these tax settlement company ads on TV where if you owe a bazillion dollars you can have the tax settlement company down to a few bucks? WTH? If they owe it they should pay it. Sure, work out affordable payments, but how do these people get off [...]
There is an ongoing argument going on LEG (actually connects you to the Newark paper). It seems that a permit is required in Newark to have a yard sale and someone was ticketed because the people were having a longer sale than permitted. Most of the comments were the city [...]
Here is a link to the Veteran’s Administration’s booklet entitled “Your Life, Your Choices.” Click Here. The booklet was originally published in 1997. It’s use was suspended by the Bush Whitehouse. It has been brought back under Obama. Take a look at the booklet and in particular the checklist [...]
It is mentioned in the LEG today that the county commissioners may seek a quarter of one percent increase in sales tax. So how does Crabby get 33.3%? Well the total rate is 6.25% of which 5.5% goes to the state of Ohio. That leaves .75% going to local government. [...]
Sorry about the scanner function being interrupted. The PC used to transfer the data crashed. We will be back soon.
[...]As previously promised I will compare local taxes for Lancaster and Columbus. I use the collowing parameters as an estimated “regalar guy”:
Income $35,000/year House Value $150,000 Pay Sales Tax on $12,000 worth of purchases/yearI will compare the following:
Living and working in Columbus Living and working in Lancaster Living in Lancaster and working in ColumbusProperty [...]
It was announced in the Lancaster Eagle Gazette that the old Lancaster Glass location was being considered as a possible location for the new Fairfield County Jail. The other possibility was out near Liberty Center.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Visitors to town were greeted the the eyesore know as Lancaster Glass [...]
Ohio’s minimum wage is marked to CPI and the CPI has dropped this year by 2.1%. Assuming that the CPI does not rebound significantly does that mean that the minimum wage could go down? I realize that it could not go down much since the Federal minimum wage is only [...]
I asked this a long time ago, but never got an answer…
Why do people use the brown paper bags that cost about $.50 each for yard waste? At first I thought it was so they could be ground up and composted, but since they go into the same garbage truck [...]
Feed the angry Hungarians! Who pissed them off in the first place? Was is Hillary refusing to channel Bill?
[...]Lancaster’s public utilities, without a doubt, started with good intentions. The gas wells were publicly owned so the city could distribute gas dirt cheap. The same was probably true of the other utilities - since profit was not the motive the citizens could get the utilities at the best cost [...]
OK, the Lancaster Eagle Gazette gives away an “Orchid Award” to people that do good deeds. It was recently brought to my attention that a local business deserved special recognition, not for being a good deed doer, but for being, well, not very nice (to put it politely). I have [...]
Over the last few days I have compared the utility rates of Lancaster and Columbus. Here is the final Score:
Natural Gas (Assuming a 150 CCF fairly mild winter month) - includes delivery fees
Lancaster: $150
Columbus: $108.04
Water
Lancaster: $60.79
Columbus: 29.33
Sewage
Lancaster: $57.05
Columbus: $43.05
Trash Pickup
Lancaster: $13.50
Columbus: $0
Stormwater
Lancaster: $5.00
Columbus $2.73.
And the winner is…..drum roll please….
Columbus totals: [...]
The Lancaster Eagle Gazette reports this morning that Golden Corral will break ground in Lancaster this fall. My experience with Golden Corral has been less than golden. Maybe ours will be better. I would have preferred a Hometown Buffer, but since they are in bankruptcy they are not expanding.
[...]Lancaster:
Operation: $11.36
Landfill: $2.14
Total: $13.50
Columbus:
No Charge - part of Columbus Income Tax - mostly paid by Commuters. I can tell you that businesses are charged more by the City of Lancaster than if Waste Management emptied the same dumpster. Of course Waste Management is not allowed to compete with the city [...]
Assuming 12 CCF water usage for a family:
Lancaster - connection fee: $11.09
Usage: 12 CCF X $3.83 = $45.96
Total: $57.05
Columbus - connection fee 31 days X $.1073333 = $3.33
Usage: 12 CCF X $3.310 = $39.72
Total: $43.05
Lancaster loses again by a factor of 32.5%. Maybe tomorrow.
Make sure you check [...]
The Pizza Shop is in the process of moving where Rudy’s Original Vs 2.00/Fat Willie’s/Rudy’s had been located on North Columbus St.
[...]
On average a family of four uses about 12 CCF (100 cubic feet) of water per month.
Cost in Lancaster
5/8″ meter size (the minimum) $9.89
Well Head Protection $.50
Water 12 ccf X $4.20 = $50.40
Total $60.79
Cost in Columbus
5/8″ meter $5.55
12 CCF X $1.982 = $23.78
Total $29.33
Hmmm… This is NOT [...]
Just before the Congress adjourned for the August recess Nevada Representative Dean Heller (R) proposed two amendments to the House Ways and Means committee for inclusion into the health care bill:
The first would verify that those receiving taxpayer funded health care are not illegal aliens. AMENDMENT FAILED IN A STRAIGHT [...]
Current price of Natural Gas per 100 Cubic Feet (Cost Recovery Only)
Lancaster Municipal Gas $.80
Columbia Gas $.52
Need I say more - that’s 53.8% more than Columbia!
Source - City of Lancaster website and PUCO website.
Update: Come back every day from today until the 12th from a complete series [...]
It is being proposed that texting while driving be outlawed. Do we really need a law that specific? What about applying makeup, shaving, talking on a cell phone, having a dog sit on your lap, or eating a Sloppy Joe while driving? Couldn’t we just have a “distracted driver” law?
[...]Yes, I am pleased that the two journalists have been freed from North Korean. Having said that I am a bit sick of Americans that undertake risky activities that may not work out and then expecting the government to bail them out. These two journalists intentionally and illegally entered North [...]
A couple of weeks ago there was a middle of the night trash fire in the alley of the 500 block of East Wheeling St. Last night - also middle of the night - there was another trash fire in the alley of the 600 block of East Main Street.
Do [...]
When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
Benjamin Franklin
[...]Gallup polls now show Obama with a 54% approval rating. That’s 2% below George W Bush at this point in his presidency.
[...]Did anyone notice the for sale sign on the drive-thru on North Columbus St? Pretty sad when you can’t keep a beer dock open when the state mandates the artificially high beer prices in Ohio.
[...]PJ’s Pizza on Memorial Drive now sports a “for rent” sign. Is ANYONE surprised? I’m surprised it happen that fast, but not that they closed.
I never saw the first piece of advertising for the business.
[...]I got a letter today offering natural gas at a substantially lower rate than Lancaster Municipal Gas Company. Unfortunately the letter assumed that we were under Columbia Gas. Lower rates are not available to municipally owned gas companies. Too bad - gas rates are high.
Here’s a thought - sell the [...]
I have been informed that White Cottage will reopen. It will open with the previous owner (Carrie) as the new owner.
[...]The original estimate was that the plan’s $1,000,000,000 funding would last until November - it lasted four days. Is this the same government that is estimating the cost of Obamacare at $1,000,000,000,000 ($1 Trillion)?
[...]It is being reported that existing home sales are starting to rebound.
Well, duh! After the market price of a home drops 18+% in a single year and the government is paying first time buyers $8,000 to buy a house what would you expect? A $150,000 house is now worth $123,000 [...]
In the Lancaster Eagle Gazette when trying to justify an increase in sewage rates Wastewater Superintendent Mike Nixon is quoted as saying:
Everyone is going green and using less water and sewage.
Please don’t insulate your house and try to conserve gas - heating bills are hard enough to afford already.
[...]I have been informed that Uncle Al’s Famous Hotdogs has closed.
In other restaurant news my sources tell me that Bill Smith (aka Billy Cricket has purchases Bib’s). Bill owning a Lancaster Fare restaurant - this might be interesting.
[...]For every good there is a price tag of some type.
And yet we have the Harry and Louise…
Harry and Louise discuss the heath care plan as if their [...]
Employees were told today as they came in that Damon’s Grill is now closed. Will add additional details as they come out.
[...]For the fist time BHO’s approval rating has fallen below 50% (Rasmussen Poll).
Click here.
Anyone notice that Rudy’s Original version 2.00 now sports a “FOR RENT” sign?
[...]An accident at Mt Pleasant and Maim by the BP station about 12:15 PM this afternoon caused multiple injuries including a young girl. It is expected that four will be transported to the hospital. The first person to arrive at the scene directed traffic around the accident until police arrived.
[...]I ran across some information about one of Obama’s three dozen “Czars” that I had not heard before. Science Czar John Holdren co-authored (with Paul and Anne Ehrlich) a book in 1977 that said:
Women could be forced to abort their pregnancies, whether they wanted to or not The population at large [...]Ohio’s “official” unemployment figure has reached 11.1%. Strickland’s ‘turn Ohio around” campaign promise should be kicking in any minute now.
How is that “Hopey-Changey” thing working out for you?
[...]A dog bit a woman in Millersport. Animal control reports that Channel 6 responded to the scene.
[...]In 1973 voters authorized the state to establish the lottery. At the time the lottery was a limited drawing. (flash forward to 2009) The governor of Ohio has just proclaimed that slot machines can be installed in Ohio’s racetracks including two in central Ohio. This despite voters repeatedly rejecting attempts [...]
It was announced today that for the last nine months of fiscal 2009 the deficit was $1,000,000,000,000. That amounts to about $3278 per man, woman, and child in the U.S.
BTW: That’s about $42,866/second - day and night seven days a week
Can you honestly tell me the government is NOT out [...]
We are now headed into the part of the Summer when gardens start yielding crops - sometimes more than you can use. Just a reminder that if you have more tomatoes or zucchinis than you can use the are always welcome at local food pantries or Foundation Dinners.
They can be [...]
Access to make comments have been blocked to Wonworldwonder. WWW’s comments have gone well beyond arguments to posts of myself and others. His recent posts have been filled with hate and added nothing to the arguments of either side. Recent posts resorted to name calling, disclosure of personal information and [...]
The city of Columbus is now broadcasting TV ads saying that taxes have not been raised in 27 years.
What nonsense! Taxes were raised every time a person was promoted, every time the minimum wages went up, every time a person got a promotion, every time a new job was added.
[...]I’m just a bit confused. Michael Jackson died about 12 days ago. I thought that the Muslim belief was that a body was to be buried withing 24 hours. I know that the burial was delayed for an autopsy, but his body has been hanging around for quite a while [...]
Perhaps you did not know this but the United States could have become a monarchy. In 1782 George Washington dispatched four trusted men to Italy to convince Charles Edward Stuart AKA Bonnie Prince Charlie to become the king of America. Charles was regarded by many as being the legitimate heir [...]
Job losses were worse than expected shedding 467,000 jobs in June. Economists had expected a loss of 365,000.
[...]A local “tea party” will be held from 2-4 PM at the Lancaster bandstand. Click for details.
[...]A recent Rasmussen Poll said that only 18% say South Caraolina governor Mark Sanford’s ethical standards are lower than other politicians. 46% said he should resign. Only 46%? WTH? If a man will cheat on his wife I don’t understand how a man can be considered to handle public affairs. [...]
you might be a king (of pop)
or a little street sweeper
but? sooner or later you dance with the reaper
Death - Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey
Shoulda Melvined him!
UPDATE: In case you have not gotten this information from other media sources - Michael Jackson is still dead.
[...]President Obama said in his latest press conference that he “strongly condemn these unjust action” - the government of Iran shooting it’s own citizens from rooftops and beating them in the streets for staging peaceful protests.
Meanwhile, the president has invited Iranian diplomats around the world to party with them at [...]
Today Rasmussen reports (click here) that during his time in office Obama’s approval rating has fallen for +30 the day after inauguration to yesterday’s lowest rating of -2. The rating is derived by subtracting the percentage of people that strongly disapprove of Obama’s performance from the percentage of those [...]
It was announced today that Ohio’s unemployment rate is up to 10.8% in May up from 10.2% in April.
[...]
