gottaplan

I can't recall ever seeing a Highway Patrol in the neighborhoods of Cleveland... I know they do other things beside speed enforcement, but that really seems to be their primary focus. If something else happens as a result, like an arrest warrant or drug seizure of course. There must be a cost/benefit break point somewhere in this scenario

Drove 6 hrs through Ohio this weekend, down I-75 to Cincy, then back up I-71 to Cleveland. Saw 2 Highway Patrol cars within 20 mins so I started counting. Ended up seeing 15 patrol cars, or one car every 26 miles. I know Ohio has a reputation for being heavy on speed enforcement, but it seems really ridiculous to have so many highway patrolmen out on the highway. It doubt it really helps public safety when you consider how few highway patrols you see in other states. For people who drive to Florida, it's common knowledge that you'll see more police in Ohio than you will the rest of the entire trip - why is this? What is the relationship between ODOT and the Highway Patrol? Is there a minimum staffing level? Is there a legitimate justification for this?

Absolutely agree - nobody realized the extent of the memorabilia trading back then yet, but it would have been much better to indefinitely suspend the players they knew about right then, start the investigation, and move ahead with whatever consequences in terms of wins & losses, with Tressel in place and the University still able to claim moral high ground... I can't imagine the NCAA punishment at that point would be much of anything

ha. I'm open minded really. I enjoy the discussion here and like hearing other's opinions, but this board has a more educated base than the average joe. At this point, I think the referendum is a fascinating exercise in our system of government. Anything which gets people interested in government is a good thing in my opinion. I also know that the issue clearly falls into the realm of items not to discuss at the dinner table or local pub, unless you are sitting with a group that all clearly falls into the same category, or you might as well bring up abortion rights, etc. One question I haven't gotten a good answer to yet: explain to me why public school teachers fall into the same category as cops, firefighters, EMS, coal miners, factory workers, etc (your post from above). Of course they are union, but should they be? They are definitely the anomaly of the group listed and one which will be focused on as a major hinge point for or against the argument.

Hts, not going to argue with you about the law, not going to convince you. I posted the Pro-SB5 website because I thought it was news worthy & interesting and posted the Anti-SB5 website as well. Of course they both have false claims which are totally biased and skewing the facts

^it's a very divisive issue - I think it was probably crafted that way to draw a line to say "which side are you on" to whomever might've been in the middle and unsure which way to vote.... of course SB 5 supporters will find it objectionable but their vote was already lost... just my hypothesis

Well there you have it, our first unbiased review... For comparison, check out the Pro-SB5 website, "We Are Ohio"... http://www.weareohio.com/Welcome.html Lots of facts there: If SB 5 passes, owners of shops, gas stations and other small businesses across this state will be forced to lay off workers or close their doors. Nothing like a good ol' scare tactic to get your point across How about this beauty: The average OAPSE (Ohio Association of Public School Employee) makes $24,000 a year and retires with an average pension of $900 a month Can anyone provide the factual backup for that one???

Group officially formed to support SB 5, new website created, from Columbus Dispatch http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/05/31/group-forms-to-support-SB5.html?sid=101 Website for "Building A Better Ohio" http://www.betterohio.org/facts http://www.betterohio.org/sites/default/files/facts/SpinVsTruth.pdf

^I disagree - that's a matter of perception to say he put himself on a pinnacle. Yes he wrote books on "being the best you can be" and that, but he was different in many ways from other coaches, and not just because he rocked the sweater vest. Go to the Columbus Dispatch today and read how many former players and assistant coaches have come out in support of him and said how he was a real inspiration to help them become better people... I think that has more to do with him being put on a pedestal than any books he might've written

it is an interesting thought to wonder what the current situation would be if Tressel had blown the whistle on Pryor & the other tattoo gang right when it came to his knowledge.... might've blown their chances at winning a Big 10 title or a bowl game, but he'd still have a job and have a better shot at keeping his own legacy and that of the program in tact.

One more thing about the SI.com article, there are some very "open ended" quotes which leave the reader to make up their own mind on the facts, particularly about players who got "paid" by wealthy boosters. The quote about the one player was that he received over $10,000 in a period of four years. Let's say it was merely a "show up" job or he was asked to answer the phone at an office somewhere... that's only $2500 a year. At $15/hr (decent wage for college intern) that amounts to a few hours per week. No real smoking gun in the logic, but left open ended as the SI author chose to, it sounds much more juicy than it probably was in reality.

Excellent point. The difference is that at OSU, it's almost impossible to keep a secret on that campus because everyone is always watching. Someone who was at the scene of the fight would report it and follow up to see if the arresting officer pressed charges, follow up to see who picked up the players from jail, etc.

As long as we're talking about tattoos, let's all watch closely this fall and look at the star players for all the other teams (USC, Florida, Oregon, Texas, Wisconsin, LSU, etc) that have 18" forearms, 24" biceps, covered in ink.... how much do you all think they paid for that work? Fair market would be at least a thousand to cover that much skin. How many of these athletes, coming from poor families, can afford such a luxury as thousands in tattoos? I'd like to see SI.com do a followup on other schools

The losses to Florida & LSU & USC have to come with a big asterisk because those teams were all the best in the nation by a long shot. Florida would have blown out any other team in 2004 Championship, they were so much better than everyone. The game against LSU was much closer. I'm as big a Buckeye fan as you'll find, and I don't think there's much any coach could have done to win those two games.

Been calling for his head since 2004? You know he's won 6 straight Big 10 titles since then, been to 2 National championships and won several BCS bowl games?

I just read the Sports Illustrated article that was alleged to contain the bombshell which forced Tressel's resignation. More allegations of trading memorabilia for tattoos & cash. I don't see a big deal with that. I think as long as a star player's autograph is worth $100 or more, how can you enforce a ban on that, when plenty of folks are willing to pay that $100 to them? Tressel knew about it and lied, because he wanted to win, not because he wanted to protect the players or whatever. I'm probably rationalizing it, but I refuse to believe this same scam isn't going on at the campus of every other top 10 program in the country...

Who are also the most reliable sector of the voting block...

Ditto. Getting off topic of the Shoreway now, but I would gladly pay some type of daily/monthly/seasonal user pass if it meant seeing the place cleaned up and maintained better

Of course they aren't. They don't even have to go door knocking, just put a petition at every teachers lounge, firehouse, police station, water department, etc. Keep in mind, public employees are less than 10% of the population. SB 5 will be upheld. Wait till the tv ads come out, it's going to be brutal.

^Ohio will never be "overwhelmingly" democrat. Wait till the vote on SB5 before you make these bold predictions. All that's being reported now is all the union folks up in arms and them screaming how outraged they are and how the working class families are getting screwed. What isn't getting reported is all those in the silent majority who can't wait to cast their vote to uphold it and stick it further down the craw of public employee unions.

Is it really? Is it just that plain & simple to you? The longer the economy stays in the gutter, the longer our foreign policies get muddled, the longer the Democrats refuse to take action on the debt crisis, the more beatable Obama is, regardless of whom the GOP candidate is. Palin will never be a front runner - the news media just loves to report on her because she's so polarizing and she frequently makes an ass of herself, makes her much more interesting to put on the air than some ho-hum guy like Rick Santorum.... And I don't think Kasich ever thought for a minute that he was going to be a popular guy with his slash & burn approach, so quoting some ratings from a popularity poll among governors doesn't prove a thing. Besides, I could probably craft a poll showing he was extremely popular if I chose to only poll older wealthy white folks in rural areas...

35 mph change has not been approved. I talked to State Sen Tom Patton personally at length about this. It's going to require an act of congress, literally, to change this because state law doesn't currently allow it. He is personally not in favor of the change and is not going to support it unless he gets letters of support from the mayors of his constituent cities which will be affected (Lakewood, Rocky River) not likely. - The state has money allocated for maybe half this project (based on 2010 dollar value, not 2015 when it's more likely). Looking at the timeline for the upgrades on the ODOT website, items are already falling off the schedule (http://www.dot.state.oh.us/projects/ClevelandUrbanCoreProjects/LakefrontWest/Documents/Projectupdate_022310_FINAL.pdf), the only thing which is on schedule is the 73rd interchange. - Finally, nothing is going to happen to the main roadbed of the Shoreway until the work on the Innerbelt bridge is complete. When traffic starts getting impacted from that project, it will be redirected (intentionally or unintentionally) to the Shoreway and ODOT is not going to have the two main arteries into the city from the west side under construction simultaneously, whether the funds are there or not.

dergon - I'm glad to hear your position on the 73rd interchange and it effectively making your area a cul-de-sac. I've heard alot of grumblings from others about how they'll be isolated. I think it's really best of both worlds though. One other idea that is being kicked around for the Shoreway development is adding parallel parking along it where it lines Edgewater Park... logic is that it will give people direct access to the park without having to pull in and drive around to find a space. And it would slow down traffic. Theoretically it will give alot more access to the park for big events like July 4th and make it easier to get in/out. People could park facing westward on the north side and walk into Edgewater or park eastward on the south side then walk to the nearest tunnel... something to consider

Last week, Councilman Matt Zone and reps from Vintage had a neighborhood meeting to update everyone on a few things at Battery Park. I wasn't able to attend but speaking to others, this is what I gathered - The pedestrian tunnel at 76th will be done end of summer & should be really nice - The connection of 73rd & the Shoreway is confirmed to start next year - Development plans are moving forward to turn the existing vacant 4 story warehouse on 76th into rental units. This is great news because it extends the development farther down the lake along 78th and increases density into the area. The building has amazing uninterrupted lake views on 3 sides. No timeline set yet though but Vintage is getting alot of requests for rentals in BP and currently doesn't have anything to offer - Another tennant is close to being lined up in the East side of the Powerhouse. Again, nothing specific yet but it sounds like Vintage is evaluating multiple offers. The buildout could include a 2nd story patio deck on the East side of the Powerhouse facing the volleyball courts which would be pretty cool - Work on the next phase of Skyview townhomes should start in the next two weeks This is all what I've heard, but I wasn't at the meeting so if anyone has extra info, please contribute

How many of the 90% even have a clue what is being taxed? How many of the 90% who responded even bothered to vote? Posting polls around here is completely worthless