Friday, June 4th, 2010

Local residents gather signatures on health care, estate taxes, more

By William Kincaid
A few local residents are gathering signatures to help get three proposed amendments to Ohio's Constitution in front of voters in November.
Celina resident Nancy Wheeler and other members of the Peoples Constitution Coalition of Ohio (PCCOH) are seeking signatures for the petitions of the Ohio Sovereignty Amendment, the Healthcare Freedom Amendment and the Ohio Estate Tax Elimination Act.
Wheeler, who is regional petition chairwoman for PCCOH, will be taking signatures on Saturday, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., in front of the former Laudick's jewelry store, located at the south end of the North Main Street Shopping Center in Celina.
PCCOH petitioners statewide are seeking to obtain at least 400,000 signatures for each issue by the June 30 deadline to get the issues on the November general election ballot, Wheeler said.
"We're shooting for double that (number) to make sure we have enough certified signatures," she said.
According to Wheeler, the Ohio Sovereignty Amendment proposes to peacefully reclaim Ohio's Constitutional heritage and mandate that government maintain its integrity within the narrow parameters of the state and federal constitutions. This amendment was submitted for petition by PCCOH.
The Health Care Freedom Amendment proposes that no law or rule in Ohio would compel any person, employer or health care provider to participate in a health care system, Wheeler wrote in a press release. It also proposes that no law or rule shall prohibit the purchase or sale of health care or health insurance, nor impose a penalty or fine for the sale or purchase of health care or health insurance.
This amendment and the e-
state tax elimination act were submitted for petition by Ohio citizens.
Wheeler said the Ohio Estate Tax Elimination Act would end the state's estate tax effective Dec. 31, 2012, through the enactment of statutory changes in the Ohio Revised Code.
"All eligible Ohio voters are urged to sign to enable these proposals to be put on the November ballot, allowing the opportunity for Ohio voters to give back the freedom and political power to we, the people," Wheeler wrote in the press release.
Wheeler told the newspaper that if not enough signatures are collected for placement on the ballot, volunteers will continue gathering signatures for the next eligible election.
Failure to meet the June 30 deadline would give the organization more time to educate the public about the proposals.
"I think it's highly possible ... if we all keep working together," she said about the upcoming deadline.
Wheeler said she joined PCCOH last year because she felt the nation has gone away from its forefathers' framework and vision and its constitutional values. She said at least 10 volunteers have sought signatures in Mercer and Auglaize counties for the proposed amendments.
"I'm tickled with the efforts of the others," she said.
Virginia Wood of Celina, who is helping Wheeler, said she wants voters to exercise their rights and decide on the issues for themselves.
"I think it's very important that we get these petitions signed," she said.
Many election officials are not recognizing the sovereignty of the American people, she said.
"I think the people need to decide this and not the regime in Washington," she said.
Additional online story on this date
Another exciting season of Grand Lake Mariners baseball is ready to jumpstart the summer months in Celina as college players from 19 different schools will call Jim Hoess Field home for the next two months. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Feb. 21 death of employee sparks OSHA investigation
CELINA - Celina Aluminum Precision Technology (CAPT) has been ordered to pay $6,000 in occupational safety fines stemming from the Feb. 21 death of an employee.
CELINA - Mercer County will pay zilch to have the old jail demolished.
Most of the seven bids submitted to tear down the structure were low, and all were less than the $81,500 in grant money received by the county to do the job.
ST. MARYS - Almost everything will be different next year when school begins in the district. The new 6-12 building will be completed and renovations at the new grade level buildings will be done. And everybody will need a ride. Already the bus routes are done and awaiting the August test drives.
ROCKFORD - The local health department is again dealing with noncompliance issues related to a landfill that has yet to open in rural Rockford.
Com
MENDON - Mercer County commissioners on Thursday approved the allocation of $105,000 in federal funds to Mendon.
The county received $115,000 in f
There is a shortage of large animal veterinarians and students going into the field of veterinary medicine, a local vet said Thursday.
Dr. Tim Barman, company veterinarian at Cooper Farms, spoke during Thursday morning's monthly agriculture breakfast meeting in Celina.
COLDWATER - Colin Paynter will continue his baseball career up north, as the Coldwater graduate will attend Defiance College in the fall and play for the Yellow Jackets baseball team.