Elected Officials, Government Leaders, and Civil Service Employees

You know, there are a lot of political bloggers out there in cyberland from whom readers may gain a wide variety of perspectives. However, it is not uncommon for political bloggers (yours truly included), along with their readership who may comment back, along with everyday common folks outside the blogosphere to lambast our elected officials, government leaders, and civil service employees.

Quite frankly, while I understand much of the negative commentary and criticism, I also believe much of it to be misplaced. Oftentimes, I read comments from people who seem not to fully understand the American political system, the processes and operations of government, and the restraints of working in the public sector. All too often, I read comments from people who just want to tear down, but not build up. It is my opinion that a calling to be of public service is honorable. Furthermore, I think that many people fail to recognize the sincerity and selflessness that many of our elected officials and government employees bring forth in their service to our local, state, national, and international communities.

Head back to read two of my previous commentaries in which I have addressed critics of political and public service:
Public Service Laudable
Political Dynasty: Good Or Bad?
Independents and Politics: An Oxymoron

I appreciate those who answer the public calling to serve our community and nation, including those with whom I may disagree. Public service is much maligned. It's about time people took the time and effort to understand and recognize and (YES) appreciate the truly remarkable job that elected officials, government leaders, and civil service employees do in the service of this great nation of ours.

Barack Obama: A Socialist?

Is Barack Obama a socialist?

Many people seem to think that Barack Obama is a socialist.

Heck, I don't know if Barack Obama a socialist.

Many of the people who label Barack Obama as a socialist allege that Obama's proposal to adopt national health care is socialism and that any proposed public option for national health care is socialism.

Is Social Security socialism?
Is Medicare socialism?
Is the interstate highway system socialism?
Is the national park system socialism?
Is the national monument system socialism?
Is the national memorial system socialism?
Is the national museum system socialism?
Is the national preserves system socialism?
Is the national forest system socialism?
Is the national seashores system socialism?
Is the national trails system socialism?
Is the national military parks system socialism?
Is the public school system socialism?

FYI: Here is a whole List of National Parks and Monuments.

What exactly is socialism?

And, by the way, what does option mean?

Some people do not believe that Barack Obama is a socialist. Click on over to read:
The Capitolist, Patricia Murphy, Columnist: Top U.S. Socialist Says Barack Obama is Not One of Them.
The Washington Post: Obama's No Socialist. I Should Know. By Billy Wharton, Sunday, March 15, 2009.

What do you think? Is Barack Obama a socialist?

Glenn Beck: A Communist?

How much do you know about Glenn Beck?

Is Glenn Beck a communist?

Heck, I don't know if Glenn Beck is a communist.

But, I did find a blog entry by Tim Higgins over at Just Blowing Smoke... about Glenn Beck to be very interesting reading.

Check it out for yourself.

Click on over to read Glenn Beck & Communism.

Lucas County Educational Service Center: Governing Board Member To Be Appointed

The Lucas County Educational Service Center Governing Board is a five-member elected body that oversees, hires staff, establishes and provides programs and services, sets policy, etc. for the public educational service organization. As required by Ohio state statute, the Lucas County Educational Service Center provides services to the non-municipal school districts of Lucas County; these school districts are Anthony Wayne, Ottawa Hills, Springfield, and Washington Local. Additionally by means of contract, the Lucas County Educational Service Center provides services to the Maumee, Perrysburg, Rossford, and Sylvania school districts.

The five members of the Governing Board are elected to four-year terms with the terms staggered. Members are elected in odd-numbered years; two are elected in one odd-numbered year and three members are elected in the other odd-numbered year. This past November, three Lucas County Educational Service Center Governing Board positions were up for election.

To the best of my knowledge, none of the Toledo and Lucas County area traditional print or broadcast media carried any stories related to the candidates or any other type of election coverage, except for the vote result numbers of the two candidates after the election, in regards to the election of persons to this public body, the Lucas County Educational Service Center Governing Board, that is responsible for millions of taxpayer dollars.

I am unaware of any traditional news media informing the public that three seats of the Lucas County Educational Service Center Governing Board were up for election. I am unaware of any traditional news media informing the public that only two persons filed candidate petitions by the filing deadline to run for election to the three positions available. I am unaware of any traditional news media informing the public that a person could file as write-in candidate for a period of time after the filing deadline for persons who sought a spot on the ballot by the petition process. I am unaware any traditional news media informing the public of the fact that "only two of the three available positions" to the Lucas County Educational Service Center Governing Board were indeed elected. I am unaware of any traditional news media informing the public that in January 2010 the four members on the Lucas County Educational Service Governing Board will have the authority to appoint a fifth person to the Governing Board. I am unaware of any traditional news media informing the public that should the four members on the Lucas County Educational Service Governing Board fail to do so within thirty days, the Judge of Lucas County Probate Court will then have the authority to make the appointment.

To the best of my knowledge, the only reference by a public medium to the upcoming vacancy on the Lucas County Educational Service Governing Board is the statement reproduced below which is a direct quote appearing as the last paragraph of the Tuesday, November 17, 2009 blog entry of Lucas County Educational Services Center Updates by Angela Zimmann.

The next regular board meeting is December 8th. The December date will be the last board meeting for Judy Hansen, who has served for twelve years, and opted not to run for re-election this year. The other two incumbants, Joseph Rutherford (current president) and Joan Kuchcinski, were re-elected. The remaining vacant seat will be filled by the board in January.

NOTE: The Judy Hansen mentioned in that blog entry happens to be my wife who has been elected three times to the Lucas County Educational Service Governing Board. Before Judy was first elected to the Governing Board, I had previously been elected and served for three terms totaling twelve years.

To the traditional mass media in the Toledo Lucas County area, I say: SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

To the voting age public residing within the electoral jurisdiction of the Lucas County Educational Service, I say shame for not one person not having the interest in public service or the community commitment (other than the two remaining incumbents) to file for election to the Lucas County Educational Service Governing Board.

But, LO! It is not too late. Any registered voter in the Anthony Wayne, Ottawa Hills, Springfield, or Washington Local school districts may seek the appointment to the soon-to-be open seat on the Lucas County Educational Service Governing Board. While there has yet to be any formal announcement as to the process of filling the vacancy, I would suggest that any person interested in seeking this appointment send a written letter of interest to each of the remaining LCESC Governing Board members; they are President Joseph Rutherford, Vice President Dr. Angela Zimmann, Karen Krause, and Joan Kuchinski.

Don't wait. Submit that letter of interest now!

Mike Bell, Incoming Mayor of Toledo, Ohio

The 2009 general election has come and gone and the now former candidate Mike Bell for Mayor of Toledo, Ohio has been elected Toledo Mayor.

Over on Facebook, you will find Toledo, Ohio wants to say congrats to our new mayor, Mike Bell!!

YouTube has the video Bell reflects on win, 2010 agenda that you might find interesting. And over this-a-way, you can read a very brief article about Mayor-elect Mike Bell having named a three-member transition team preparing for his assuming the office of mayor.

While not current as of the date of this Roland Hansen Commentary, you may wish to read Michael Bell: Biography from Answers.com.

Mike Bell has a proven record of public service and a proven record as a public administrator. Now, he is about to become the CEO of a major municipal corporation. I wish him the very best in his newest position as Mayor of Toledo.