Health & Fitness
BLOG: Split Government Wide Open… Or Gut It?
This is part of Ted Hickman's weekly Dixon newspaper column. The complete version with many photos can be seen on the his site www.tedhickman.com.
For the whole uncensored column with many photos go to www.tedhickman.com. Feel Free to Email:Tedhick@gmail.com
Commitment is what transforms a promise into reality…Commitment is the stuff character is made of; the power to change the face of things. It is the daily triumph of integrity over skepticism. ~ Abraham Lincoln
Split government wide open… or gut it? They can stick the "sunshine ordinance" where the sun don't shine.
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The general public needs to understand the background of Measure N on the November ballot. It all started as a feud between former City Clerk Janice Beaman and IV Publisher Dave Scholl fueled by comments by columnist/city councilman Mike Ceremello. Scholl got ticked at Beaman because he said she made information available for him late so other publications had for print before he could… and he called her on it.
Mike crucified Beaman in print on a regular basis which didn’t soften her resolve… anti-government gal Ourania Riddle, wife of former city treasurer Gary Riddle, decided she would write her own form of local government by writing Measure N which was supported by Scholl and Ceremello. Their hope was to have the city council negotiate a compromise between what they wanted and what the city is doing… It got out of hand and the council dug its heels in, and the line in the sand was drawn with “If you don’t to this and you don’t do that” then “We will do this” … and Measure N was born.
Find out what's happening in Dixonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The concept is good… open responsive government providing public information in a timely and low cost manner…but the measure as written goes way beyond that. If they want to re-write it so it makes sense, instead of being Mike and Ourina’s tool to harass the council and city staff, I’ll be glad to help them do it…now you have the real whole story.
This is my measured response to the Measure N on the November Dixon ballot. NO! This is not what I, and all of the other people I had sign the petitions, thought it was. This is not “open government” this is a blatant attempt to subvert the election process and give outside voices power over elected officials and gut local government. “Unlimited” speaking times? A committee overseeing the council? Meeting times limited? Not identify yourself or where you are from when you speak to the council? Yeah, I want somebody from outside of this city talking on and on about a subject that has nothing to do with our citizens…I don’t think so.
The open government concept is valid…this measure as it is written is not good. In addition if passed, to digitize everything we’d have to make a choice between a couple of firefighters and/or police officers or financing this thing…NOT GOOD and not what I signed on for…Pretty much no one who reads all of it will vote for it. Shame on me for not reading IT ALL more thoroughly earlier. My apologies to all of those I mislead. Those who object to me saying this are only those who ox is being gored. If this statement cost me the election…so be it. On the outside chance I could be elected to the council this type of anti-local government would be unacceptable.
I am running for city council and I am the only known factor in the election. I have served three elected four year terms in the past. Everyone will probably have their favorite candidate so all I am asking for is your second vote…you can vote for two, or just one if you wish. The mayor’s race you can only vote for one. So…all of you sending in your absentee ballots early please consider giving me a vote. You know I’m not owned or controlled by any business or organization and have no axes to grind.
I seem to be the “go to” person for so many things in the community regardless who’s in office. Those of you who know me know I will do my best to make informed decisions based on what’s in the best interest of the taxpayers. If you want me back in office to stand up for you and our community, and use some common sense in making decisions, then please vote for me…You don’t have to “like” me, I’m not asking for a date. Just use me as you would any other reliable tool to get a job done.
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In Trouble At the Buckhorn
Ted: I was in the Buckhorn last Saturday night, and drank a few, and noticed two very large women by the bar. They both had pretty strong accents, so I asked, “Hey, are you two ladies from Ireland?”
One of them chirped, saying, “It’s WALES, you friggin’ idiot!”
So, I immediately apologized and said, “I’m sorry. Are you two whales from Ireland?” That’s pretty much the last thing I remember…S.N. Dixon
Walking The Dog
Reportedly, a woman was flying from Seattle to San Francisco. Unexpectedly, the plane was diverted to Sacramento along the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be a delay and if the passengers wanted to get off the aircraft, the plane would re-board in 50 minutes.
Everybody got off the plane except one lady, who was blind. A man had noticed her as he walked by and could tell the lady was blind because her guide dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of her throughout the entire flight.
He could also tell she had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached her, and called her by name, “Kathy, we are in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?” The blind lady said, “No thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs.”
Picture this: All the people in the gate area came to a complete stand still when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a guide dog for the blind! Even worse, the pilot was wearing sunglasses!People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, but they were trying to change airlines! True story…Have a great day and remember…Things aren’t always as they appear, and a day without laughter is a day wasted.
Penguin Funerals
I never knew this. We can all learn from it! Isn’t science fascinating? Did you ever wonder why there are no dead penguins on the ice in Antarctica? Where do they go? Wonder no more! It is a known fact that the penguin is a very ritualistic bird which lives an extremely ordered and complex life. The penguin is very committed to its family and will mate for life, as well as maintain a form of compassionate contact with its offspring throughout its life. If a penguin is found dead on the ice surface, other members of the family and social circle have been known to dig holes in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough for the dead bird to be rolled into, and buried.
The male penguins then gather in a circle around the fresh grave and sing:
”Freeze a jolly good fellow.”
“Freeze a jolly good fellow.”
You really didn’t believe that I knew anything about penguins, did you? It’s just so easy to fool people especially at election time. I am sorry; an urge came over me that made me do it! Oh quit whining. Lighten up! I fell for it, too…
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE PETS, THIS IS A TRUE STORY.
FOR THOSE THAT DON’T, IT’S ALSO A TRUE STORY.
The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.
Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes on the floor with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate does not mean that is suddenly your food, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.
The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the top of the stairs is not the object. Tripping me doesn’t help because I fall faster than you can run.
I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It IS NOT necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space that you are taking up, is nothing but sarcasm.
For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, and try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years – canine/feline attendance is not required.
The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, and then go smell the other dog or cat’s butt. I cannot stress this enough.
On Another Note…Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) Eat less,
(2) Don’t ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) Normally come when called,
(5) Never ask to drive the car,
(6) Don’t hang out with drug-using people;
(7) Don’t smoke or drink,
(8) Don’t want to wear your clothes,
(9) Don’t have to buy the latest fashions,
(10) Don’t need a gazillion dollars for college and
(11) If they get pregnant, you can sell their children…
Early Tuesday morning dogs began to bark, strange voices could be heard and a loud whoosh could be heard every few seconds. People went outside to see what was causing the commotion and were surprised to see at least three hot air balloon just over the treetops preparing to land in Dixon. These pictures were taken on Sierra Dr. a little southeast of Northwest Park.
Huuum…Interesting huh?
