Sunday, April 10, 2011
A hike with my boys and all the snakes in our paths
Hiking near the covered bridge in Cuyahoga Falls on 4/10 .. we came across a ton of snakes .. here's the best of the highlights including my youngest son picking em up!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Kent state student journalists dig deep into where colleges really commit their scholarships
Excellent work by TV2 reporters at Kent State .. tracking scholarship $$ at area universities ..
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Post-911 G.I. Bill discriminates against Guardsmen, Reservists
This is a re-posting of a blog I wrote some months back .. but I'm hoping it will get a new look.
I applied for education benefits under the new Post-911 G.I. Bill, which just recently went into effect and offers the best college benefits to date for our men and women in uniform.
As a veteran of the Iraq War, I'm thrilled to have access to the funds as a way to further my education, but I'm a bit miffed that the system is set up to offer most Guardsmen and Reservists a reduced benefit compared to the Active Duty troops wearing the same uniforms.
Here's my gripe:
The bill provides a full 100 percent tuition for any service member who serves an aggregate period of 36 months on Active Duty after 9/11. So in short, if you serve three full years in uniform on Active Duty, you get a full ride for tuition. It doesn't matter where you served, just as long as you laced em up one boot at a time for a trio of years.
But if you only serve 12-18 months on Active Duty, your benefit is only 60 percent. That's how long most Guardsmen and Reservists serve as part of their deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan or other hot spots around the globe.
My point is: why should any reservist who served in a combat zone for a year+ only get partial tuition, while some other soldiers who never had to even wear their helmet or even think about carrying live ammo can get the full 100 percent simply because they were on a U.S. base for three years?
I'm not knocking those who didn't deploy overseas. I'm not. Clearly every military job is necessary and valuable, and I know that you go where Uncle Sam tells you to go. Dick Goddard always makes fun of his deployment to Iceland during the Korean War saying that "not one North Korean soldier got into Iceland when I was serving there!" It's his way of affirming that you go where Uncle Sam sends you, and you don't have to apologize.
But when it comes to this new benefit, I'm just saying that if someone whose job never had them leave the U.S. for three years is entitled to a full tuition benefit, shouldn't those who served 12-18 months in actual war zones be entitled to the same thing?
In most cases, the Guardsmen/Reservist actually put in more than just their official Active Duty time .. often in the form of months of train-up time in their home states .. as well as post-mobilization time in uniform as they begin attending monthly drills again. Yet, none of that time is considered when it comes to the new G.I. Bill.
Don't even get me started on the difference in retirement pay between Active Duty and the Guard/Reserve Forces ..
... but when it comes to this new education benefit, there's still time to make a change so that all of our heroes who stepped up when called get equal benefits.
Couldn't we change the eligibility to: 100 percent tuition for anyone who served either a) three total years in uniform since 9/11 OR b) at least ____ months in a combat zone?
Anyone in Washington listening?
The assignments to serve are the same, so why aren't the benefits? This is just one in a slew of benefits that are unfair to Guardsmen and Reservists, but nothing will change without someone recognizing the inequality.
Remember this: the Active Duty military CANNOT survive with the Guard and Reserves. It's literally drawn up that way. They CANNOT deploy in mass without additional Guard and Reserve forces being part of the package. So why not even out the benefits, eh?
Okay . .I'm off my soapbox.
I applied for education benefits under the new Post-911 G.I. Bill, which just recently went into effect and offers the best college benefits to date for our men and women in uniform.
As a veteran of the Iraq War, I'm thrilled to have access to the funds as a way to further my education, but I'm a bit miffed that the system is set up to offer most Guardsmen and Reservists a reduced benefit compared to the Active Duty troops wearing the same uniforms.
Here's my gripe:
The bill provides a full 100 percent tuition for any service member who serves an aggregate period of 36 months on Active Duty after 9/11. So in short, if you serve three full years in uniform on Active Duty, you get a full ride for tuition. It doesn't matter where you served, just as long as you laced em up one boot at a time for a trio of years.
But if you only serve 12-18 months on Active Duty, your benefit is only 60 percent. That's how long most Guardsmen and Reservists serve as part of their deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan or other hot spots around the globe.
My point is: why should any reservist who served in a combat zone for a year+ only get partial tuition, while some other soldiers who never had to even wear their helmet or even think about carrying live ammo can get the full 100 percent simply because they were on a U.S. base for three years?
I'm not knocking those who didn't deploy overseas. I'm not. Clearly every military job is necessary and valuable, and I know that you go where Uncle Sam tells you to go. Dick Goddard always makes fun of his deployment to Iceland during the Korean War saying that "not one North Korean soldier got into Iceland when I was serving there!" It's his way of affirming that you go where Uncle Sam sends you, and you don't have to apologize.
But when it comes to this new benefit, I'm just saying that if someone whose job never had them leave the U.S. for three years is entitled to a full tuition benefit, shouldn't those who served 12-18 months in actual war zones be entitled to the same thing?
In most cases, the Guardsmen/Reservist actually put in more than just their official Active Duty time .. often in the form of months of train-up time in their home states .. as well as post-mobilization time in uniform as they begin attending monthly drills again. Yet, none of that time is considered when it comes to the new G.I. Bill.
Don't even get me started on the difference in retirement pay between Active Duty and the Guard/Reserve Forces ..
... but when it comes to this new education benefit, there's still time to make a change so that all of our heroes who stepped up when called get equal benefits.
Couldn't we change the eligibility to: 100 percent tuition for anyone who served either a) three total years in uniform since 9/11 OR b) at least ____ months in a combat zone?
Anyone in Washington listening?
The assignments to serve are the same, so why aren't the benefits? This is just one in a slew of benefits that are unfair to Guardsmen and Reservists, but nothing will change without someone recognizing the inequality.
Remember this: the Active Duty military CANNOT survive with the Guard and Reserves. It's literally drawn up that way. They CANNOT deploy in mass without additional Guard and Reserve forces being part of the package. So why not even out the benefits, eh?
Okay . .I'm off my soapbox.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Running the bases .. running blog from Opening Day at Progressive Field
5:37 p.m. Success! video successfully fed through the Internet. My work here is done. Thanks to Rob Campbell with the Tribe and all the bloggers for a great experience. Tribe down 15-7 in the bottom of the 7th .. still hope, eh? It's been so great to get back to blogging today .. I've soooo missed this .. more to come!
5:29 p.m. Having some website issues but it looks like my video went through .. 14-7 now .. nice to see the Tribe add a few, but still need 7 more with only two innings. I was convinced the 6p news wouldn't start on time, but with two innings to go, it's still possible to be done in time .. if no more runs are scored. Thought for a short time that the producers wouldn't need my 6p story but it looks like it'll be close!
5:07 p.m. I've been editing my story and am now feeding it back via the web. Sox up 14-4. If the Tribe comes back from this, they'll make a movie. If this wasn't the opener, I think some fans would be leaving .. but hey, it's a nice friday and it's baseball, right? I'm having a great time getting to know these bloggers.
4:30 p.m. 14-0 Sox .. where do I begin? Just did some interviews and then edited them for the 6p news, which will likely be pre-empted now that this game is going long. I'll be feeding the soundbites back via dropbox.com
4:11 p.m. Tribe down 6-0 .. Curtis just brought in the baseball used in the opening ceremonies so that all of the bloggers could see it and tweet/post it around the world. I got to hold it! Very cool. It's signed by Ann Feller, Bob's widow, and will be kept in the Tribe's own museum. About 10 bloggers here now. Most are inside cuz the breeze is a bit tough .. and the team is getting thumped. Here's the ball:
3:47 p.m. 2-0 Sox .. bottom of second .. just wrote some of my broadcast copy for channel 3 News at 6 and 7. I'm still amazed that technology lets me sit at the ballpark and yet I can write copy for a news anchor to read at another location. In a few minutes, I'll be shooting video too and then feed it via the Internet. Even though I use the technology every day, I'm still amazed some days ..
3:31 p.m. 2-0 Sox .. bottom of first . .tribe got a base runner .. so much fun to have game going. Blogger from Cleveland.com here now ..
My story from earlier is now on-line showing off the social media site
http://www.wkyc.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=876772727001
3:20 p.m. White Sox up 1-0 .. Carmona missed on strikeout of Konerko and he made em pay on next pitch. Looking for double play ball but gets strikeout instead. So five batters .. three hits and two strikeouts ... social suite nearly full now .. good conversation .. oddly, i'm the only one blogging right now .. will be interviewing a few of them in a moment for tonight's story on WKYC
3:12 p.m. First pitch and we're off .. and the first foul landed 10 feet from us! Lot of empty seats in the upper deck .. lots of folks standing in the sun rather than hiding in the cold ..
3 p.m. Feller tribute was very, very well done .. Giant flag and balloons make for a colorful, sunny opening day. Looks like we'll start right on time too .. great job by the Tribe to make it happen .. the social media suite is busier now .. about 7 bloggers are now here and doing their thing ..
2:50 p.m. Tribe players now being introduced .. just amazing to see them ALL wearing number 19 in memory of Bob Feller ... with the background music .. it's really well done
2:42 p.m. Dominic Litten from Points to Point is here now .. he's among the multiple bloggers who are returning from last year's social media deck .. he's glad to have the suite as well .. Tom Hamilton is now on the field leading the pre-game festivities .. the weather is awesome .. Carmona is still soft tossing in the outfield around the balloons. These bloggers are a riot .. they love to chat and talk baseball ..
2:30 p.m. Checking rundowns to see how we will script our 6 and 7p broadcasts. Days like these, we have no idea if the game will go short or long .. so we always have to prepare for the worst case scenario .. and often times, we put together stories that never make air .. especially if the game goes long .. here come the military honor guards .. about ready to get started!
2:20 p.m. Scott from WFNY is here now as well . .the food is getting a workout . ha .. the pre-game stuff with Bob Feller is set to start soon .. fans are asked to be in their seats by 2:30 p.m. but many are still streaming in .. not much of a breeze, but enough to let you feel the chill. I feel like I need additional hands .. blogging, tweeting, and then also facebook .. plus i have to shoot and edit a story at some point ..
2:08 p.m. Giant banners of Bob Feller, including a giant jersey, are now being hung on the outfield walls ... the first pitch is expected to be special too. Feller's widow putting the ball on the mound and just leaving it there .. grounds crew is working the baseballs off right now ..
2:01 p.m. Rick Grayshock from WFNY is here now .. he's from Lima and writes for waitingfornextyear.com ... great to have some company here now! chilly in the shade ..
1:51 p.m. White Sox now done with warm ups and the grounds crew is moving in to get the field ready for the ceremonies. As a journalist, can I tell you that it feels really bad to be celebrating on opening day when a Springfield Police Officer is in bad shape after being hit overnight by a suspected drunk driver. On any other day, that's the story I'd be chasing. My colleague, Paul Thomas, is covering the story and will have more tonight after the game. Just being honest .. tough day for those in law enforcement and those who love and support them
1:36 p.m. Liveshot went great ... camera crew now mauling the food! ha! Ed Esposito from WAKR stopping in to say hello. First bloggers from Dayton have arrived .. the social suite will be busy. Sox still taking BP .. lots of fans in stands trying to get autographs and foul balls ... Rob Campbell from indians just stopped in .. the guy never stops smiling!
1:18 p.m. White sox shortstop just threw wild during infield practice and hit a photographer in the thigh. Ouch!
1:14 p.m. The entire pre-game show is being streamed live to wkyc.com so give it a look-see on-line ..
1:03 p.m. Top of the show went clean .... Jim and Romona sound great ... White Sox now taking BP.. Plenty of folks in the outfield now hoping to snag a home run ball ... others on the home run porch. Great to hear "welcome to the show" playing on the speakers as the gates opened for opening day. By the way, one of the stadium announcers is Ryan Pritt -- a great guy who was a student of mine when I taught part-time at the University of Akron a few years ago. He's great!
12:56 p.m. Mic checks are done. I'm using a cell phone in back pocket to get my cues ... and we're off! gates just opened and here come the fans .. feels like opening day for sure!
12:44 p.m. Microphone and earpiece checks .. can't hear well .. might have to switch to earbuds and a cell phone to hear the toss from Romona ..
12:29 p.m. The progressive truck in centerfield is open now .. guess they're loading it with goodies to launch once the tribe hits some home runs. I'm told it doesn't have an engine and it stayed there all off-season.
Just got a station e-mail that Anchor Jeff Maynor is retiring and this Sunday will be his last show. Jeff, wishing you all the best ... a great guy with a great voice .. and I've always enjoyed working together. Best of luck my friend!
12:18 p.m . A few tribe players have reached the seats with home runs during batting practice. Can't tell who though since they are all wearing coverups ..
12:08 p.m. None of the other bloggers have arrived yet, but they'll be greeted with joy .. the food here is amazing. Just sampled the carribean pork wings .. unreal .. great stuff. Tribe still stretching and taking some soft toss. Lots of media near the tribe dugouts for the noon live broadcasts across town. Pre-game on Channel 3 starts at 1pm!
11:57 a.m. Stadium crews are bringing food and more into the suite .. getting it ready for the national bloggers .. included on the menu are different foods from different parts of the ballpark. The tribe is now on the field stretching .. fans are outside the gates .. ready to roll in .. oh, and it's picture perfect weather .. a bit chilly, but sunshine is great!
11:51 a.m. Videogapher Barry Wolfe and Producer Brandon Simmons are with me now in the suite .. they're testing the connection on our mobile three camera for our scheduled liveshot at 1:24 p.m. during the pre-game broadcast on TV3. So far, the connection is good .. fingers crossed.
Oooh .. the fridge is open .. diet pepsi here I come.
5:29 p.m. Having some website issues but it looks like my video went through .. 14-7 now .. nice to see the Tribe add a few, but still need 7 more with only two innings. I was convinced the 6p news wouldn't start on time, but with two innings to go, it's still possible to be done in time .. if no more runs are scored. Thought for a short time that the producers wouldn't need my 6p story but it looks like it'll be close!
5:07 p.m. I've been editing my story and am now feeding it back via the web. Sox up 14-4. If the Tribe comes back from this, they'll make a movie. If this wasn't the opener, I think some fans would be leaving .. but hey, it's a nice friday and it's baseball, right? I'm having a great time getting to know these bloggers.
4:30 p.m. 14-0 Sox .. where do I begin? Just did some interviews and then edited them for the 6p news, which will likely be pre-empted now that this game is going long. I'll be feeding the soundbites back via dropbox.com
4:11 p.m. Tribe down 6-0 .. Curtis just brought in the baseball used in the opening ceremonies so that all of the bloggers could see it and tweet/post it around the world. I got to hold it! Very cool. It's signed by Ann Feller, Bob's widow, and will be kept in the Tribe's own museum. About 10 bloggers here now. Most are inside cuz the breeze is a bit tough .. and the team is getting thumped. Here's the ball:
3:47 p.m. 2-0 Sox .. bottom of second .. just wrote some of my broadcast copy for channel 3 News at 6 and 7. I'm still amazed that technology lets me sit at the ballpark and yet I can write copy for a news anchor to read at another location. In a few minutes, I'll be shooting video too and then feed it via the Internet. Even though I use the technology every day, I'm still amazed some days ..
3:31 p.m. 2-0 Sox .. bottom of first . .tribe got a base runner .. so much fun to have game going. Blogger from Cleveland.com here now ..
My story from earlier is now on-line showing off the social media site
http://www.wkyc.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=876772727001
3:20 p.m. White Sox up 1-0 .. Carmona missed on strikeout of Konerko and he made em pay on next pitch. Looking for double play ball but gets strikeout instead. So five batters .. three hits and two strikeouts ... social suite nearly full now .. good conversation .. oddly, i'm the only one blogging right now .. will be interviewing a few of them in a moment for tonight's story on WKYC
3:12 p.m. First pitch and we're off .. and the first foul landed 10 feet from us! Lot of empty seats in the upper deck .. lots of folks standing in the sun rather than hiding in the cold ..
3 p.m. Feller tribute was very, very well done .. Giant flag and balloons make for a colorful, sunny opening day. Looks like we'll start right on time too .. great job by the Tribe to make it happen .. the social media suite is busier now .. about 7 bloggers are now here and doing their thing ..
2:50 p.m. Tribe players now being introduced .. just amazing to see them ALL wearing number 19 in memory of Bob Feller ... with the background music .. it's really well done
2:42 p.m. Dominic Litten from Points to Point is here now .. he's among the multiple bloggers who are returning from last year's social media deck .. he's glad to have the suite as well .. Tom Hamilton is now on the field leading the pre-game festivities .. the weather is awesome .. Carmona is still soft tossing in the outfield around the balloons. These bloggers are a riot .. they love to chat and talk baseball ..
2:30 p.m. Checking rundowns to see how we will script our 6 and 7p broadcasts. Days like these, we have no idea if the game will go short or long .. so we always have to prepare for the worst case scenario .. and often times, we put together stories that never make air .. especially if the game goes long .. here come the military honor guards .. about ready to get started!
2:20 p.m. Scott from WFNY is here now as well . .the food is getting a workout . ha .. the pre-game stuff with Bob Feller is set to start soon .. fans are asked to be in their seats by 2:30 p.m. but many are still streaming in .. not much of a breeze, but enough to let you feel the chill. I feel like I need additional hands .. blogging, tweeting, and then also facebook .. plus i have to shoot and edit a story at some point ..
2:08 p.m. Giant banners of Bob Feller, including a giant jersey, are now being hung on the outfield walls ... the first pitch is expected to be special too. Feller's widow putting the ball on the mound and just leaving it there .. grounds crew is working the baseballs off right now ..
2:01 p.m. Rick Grayshock from WFNY is here now .. he's from Lima and writes for waitingfornextyear.com ... great to have some company here now! chilly in the shade ..
1:51 p.m. White Sox now done with warm ups and the grounds crew is moving in to get the field ready for the ceremonies. As a journalist, can I tell you that it feels really bad to be celebrating on opening day when a Springfield Police Officer is in bad shape after being hit overnight by a suspected drunk driver. On any other day, that's the story I'd be chasing. My colleague, Paul Thomas, is covering the story and will have more tonight after the game. Just being honest .. tough day for those in law enforcement and those who love and support them
1:36 p.m. Liveshot went great ... camera crew now mauling the food! ha! Ed Esposito from WAKR stopping in to say hello. First bloggers from Dayton have arrived .. the social suite will be busy. Sox still taking BP .. lots of fans in stands trying to get autographs and foul balls ... Rob Campbell from indians just stopped in .. the guy never stops smiling!
1:18 p.m. White sox shortstop just threw wild during infield practice and hit a photographer in the thigh. Ouch!
1:14 p.m. The entire pre-game show is being streamed live to wkyc.com so give it a look-see on-line ..
1:03 p.m. Top of the show went clean .... Jim and Romona sound great ... White Sox now taking BP.. Plenty of folks in the outfield now hoping to snag a home run ball ... others on the home run porch. Great to hear "welcome to the show" playing on the speakers as the gates opened for opening day. By the way, one of the stadium announcers is Ryan Pritt -- a great guy who was a student of mine when I taught part-time at the University of Akron a few years ago. He's great!
12:56 p.m. Mic checks are done. I'm using a cell phone in back pocket to get my cues ... and we're off! gates just opened and here come the fans .. feels like opening day for sure!
12:44 p.m. Microphone and earpiece checks .. can't hear well .. might have to switch to earbuds and a cell phone to hear the toss from Romona ..
12:29 p.m. The progressive truck in centerfield is open now .. guess they're loading it with goodies to launch once the tribe hits some home runs. I'm told it doesn't have an engine and it stayed there all off-season.
Just got a station e-mail that Anchor Jeff Maynor is retiring and this Sunday will be his last show. Jeff, wishing you all the best ... a great guy with a great voice .. and I've always enjoyed working together. Best of luck my friend!
12:18 p.m . A few tribe players have reached the seats with home runs during batting practice. Can't tell who though since they are all wearing coverups ..
12:08 p.m. None of the other bloggers have arrived yet, but they'll be greeted with joy .. the food here is amazing. Just sampled the carribean pork wings .. unreal .. great stuff. Tribe still stretching and taking some soft toss. Lots of media near the tribe dugouts for the noon live broadcasts across town. Pre-game on Channel 3 starts at 1pm!
11:57 a.m. Stadium crews are bringing food and more into the suite .. getting it ready for the national bloggers .. included on the menu are different foods from different parts of the ballpark. The tribe is now on the field stretching .. fans are outside the gates .. ready to roll in .. oh, and it's picture perfect weather .. a bit chilly, but sunshine is great!
11:51 a.m. Videogapher Barry Wolfe and Producer Brandon Simmons are with me now in the suite .. they're testing the connection on our mobile three camera for our scheduled liveshot at 1:24 p.m. during the pre-game broadcast on TV3. So far, the connection is good .. fingers crossed.
Oooh .. the fridge is open .. diet pepsi here I come.
Tribe Opening Day -- back to baseball and blogging
I'm back! Just like the Tribe.
Blogging from the tribe's new social media suite along third base at Progressive Field. Here's my seat!
I'm in here already getting ready for our pre-game show that starts at 1 p.m. Later today, this suite will be filled with bloggers including:
@WFNYScott
@TheTribeDaily
@starmoon
@OnlyInCLE
@RickWFNY
@caralageson / @YelpCleveland
@dawgpndgirl / @clevelanddotcom
@craigcalcaterra / @HardballTalk
so you can find em on social media .. anyway .. more pics and more info to come!
Stadium is not yet open to fans, but the media and stadium crews are hard at work.
As for the blog, I'm back baby! I've really missed being able to blog and weigh on the big topics .. so much of my non-on-air time has been spent on shooting, editing, facebook, and other social media .. that the blog time hasn't been there ..
anyway .. would love to hear from you throughout the day! Go Tribe!
Blogging from the tribe's new social media suite along third base at Progressive Field. Here's my seat!
I'm in here already getting ready for our pre-game show that starts at 1 p.m. Later today, this suite will be filled with bloggers including:
@WFNYScott
@TheTribeDaily
@starmoon
@OnlyInCLE
@RickWFNY
@caralageson / @YelpCleveland
@dawgpndgirl / @clevelanddotcom
@craigcalcaterra / @HardballTalk
so you can find em on social media .. anyway .. more pics and more info to come!
Stadium is not yet open to fans, but the media and stadium crews are hard at work.
As for the blog, I'm back baby! I've really missed being able to blog and weigh on the big topics .. so much of my non-on-air time has been spent on shooting, editing, facebook, and other social media .. that the blog time hasn't been there ..
anyway .. would love to hear from you throughout the day! Go Tribe!
Monday, August 9, 2010
Akron's predictions for police layoffs, others are staggering
I don't know if I can find the right words to describe a layoff of 60-90 Akron Police Officers or more. Probably because I'm friends with so many of them from over the years. I always tell people that Akron is a big city, but a small town - translation: we don't need six degrees of separation to know who is who.
The city's prediction of a year-end deficit of $4 million is staggering considering all the cuts we've seen in the last 18 months. Early retirements, buyouts, etc .. shouldn't that have helped us beyond this?
I spoke in depth with FOP President Paul Hlynsky last week and then with Mayor Plusquellic by phone today. Both are passionate about their positions and both agree they want to save jobs, every single one they can.
But can they work together to make it a reality?
Whether it's 10 officers or 100, police layoffs will hurt the city. Without the Akron Schools to hire more (not going to happen) or some other revenue source coming in in the next few weeks (maybe the COPS grant the Mayor applied for in Washington), we ARE going to see layoffs in Akron in the next month.
One local leader told me there has been talk of a study to limit the department to two officers per every 1,000 residents. That would give us a police force of around 400 give or take. That's a lot less than we have now. Would a force that size really work in Akron?
City Hall has NOTHING to gain by cooking the books to make us look poor and let people go.
APD has NOTHING to gain by playing chicken with a budget crisis.
Akron has EVERYTHING to lose if we can't find middle ground.
Stay tuned.
The city's prediction of a year-end deficit of $4 million is staggering considering all the cuts we've seen in the last 18 months. Early retirements, buyouts, etc .. shouldn't that have helped us beyond this?
I spoke in depth with FOP President Paul Hlynsky last week and then with Mayor Plusquellic by phone today. Both are passionate about their positions and both agree they want to save jobs, every single one they can.
But can they work together to make it a reality?
Whether it's 10 officers or 100, police layoffs will hurt the city. Without the Akron Schools to hire more (not going to happen) or some other revenue source coming in in the next few weeks (maybe the COPS grant the Mayor applied for in Washington), we ARE going to see layoffs in Akron in the next month.
One local leader told me there has been talk of a study to limit the department to two officers per every 1,000 residents. That would give us a police force of around 400 give or take. That's a lot less than we have now. Would a force that size really work in Akron?
City Hall has NOTHING to gain by cooking the books to make us look poor and let people go.
APD has NOTHING to gain by playing chicken with a budget crisis.
Akron has EVERYTHING to lose if we can't find middle ground.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Lynn France on Today Show
Lynn France, who first shared her story with Channel 3 News, shares her identity and more with the Today Show. What would you do in her shoes?
Monday, August 2, 2010
Tiger, Tiger burning bright .. bringing $$ to Akron day and night
I can't complain. Getting paid to go to Firestone Country Club for the first day of World Golf Championships week isn't tough duty, although there isn't much to report on day one. The usual story -- and the one that I was assigned today -- is to preview the week's activities while looking at the economic impact of the events.
Only in this case it's eventS .. add the "s" at the end to include the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions this weekend. And oh yeah, LeBron James has his bike-a-thon too.
Dan Colantone from the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce estimates the financial impact to the region at $30 million. Big bucks for a big week for sure.
I just wonder if it wouldn't be better to have the two major events on separate weeks rather than competing for air time and restaurant seats.
I was asked about security for Tiger so I checked with the tournament. Security is always tight for the world's number one player, and I was told by both the tourney folks and APD that his traditional plan is in place. Honestly, I don't think anyone expects there to be trouble anyway .. but as a journalist, we get paid to ask.
Only in this case it's eventS .. add the "s" at the end to include the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions this weekend. And oh yeah, LeBron James has his bike-a-thon too.
Dan Colantone from the Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce estimates the financial impact to the region at $30 million. Big bucks for a big week for sure.
I just wonder if it wouldn't be better to have the two major events on separate weeks rather than competing for air time and restaurant seats.
I was asked about security for Tiger so I checked with the tournament. Security is always tight for the world's number one player, and I was told by both the tourney folks and APD that his traditional plan is in place. Honestly, I don't think anyone expects there to be trouble anyway .. but as a journalist, we get paid to ask.
Friday, July 30, 2010
My son sings on WAKR-AM (1590) to promote "Seussical - The Musical" at Weathervane Playhouse
OK .. I'm proud .. what can I say? Come see the show .. it's great. Get tickets by calling 330-836-2626 or visit http://www.weathervaneplayhouse.com/.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Facebook's impact on divorce just as messy as ever
My story on a local woman discovering her husband's second wife on Facebook plays tonight at 11, but the more I think of her case -- and others like hers -- the more I wonder if FB helps or hurts cases like this.
On one hand, it adds clarity to a spouse's actions when you can see photos of them with another person or doing something they said they weren't doing. Tough to argue you never met "that woman" when there are photos of you two kissing on a boat.
On the other hand, photos and status updates can always be debated by one or the other so it creates even more objects for debate in an often messy process.
Either way it's painful.
In tonight's story, we'll meet "Megan" and hear about how she watched helplessly from Ohio as her husband's "business trips" to Florida led to him not only meet another woman but to marry her too -- all while still married in Ohio. Wedding photos were eventually posted on Facebook and soon thereafter pictures of the Ohio's wife's two children interacting with her husband's "second" wife were added as well. Can you imagine how hard that is to see?
I spoke with the husband's Florida attorney who says the hubby is claiming a clerical technicality that makes the first wedding null and therefor he's not a bigamist. Megan says that's a crock, but we'll let the courts settle that.
In stories like these, my experience is usually that the truth is somewhere in the grey area between the two parties' stories. In this case, it's just bizarre.
Either way, it's heartbreaking to see marriages ending period. To see FB as a part of the divorce process -- either as a vehicle to temptation or after-the-fact as an evidence-gathering tool -- just adds another obstacle that keeps some folks away from FB altogether when they could be using it as a great way to stay in touch with family and friends.
On one hand, it adds clarity to a spouse's actions when you can see photos of them with another person or doing something they said they weren't doing. Tough to argue you never met "that woman" when there are photos of you two kissing on a boat.
On the other hand, photos and status updates can always be debated by one or the other so it creates even more objects for debate in an often messy process.
Either way it's painful.
In tonight's story, we'll meet "Megan" and hear about how she watched helplessly from Ohio as her husband's "business trips" to Florida led to him not only meet another woman but to marry her too -- all while still married in Ohio. Wedding photos were eventually posted on Facebook and soon thereafter pictures of the Ohio's wife's two children interacting with her husband's "second" wife were added as well. Can you imagine how hard that is to see?
I spoke with the husband's Florida attorney who says the hubby is claiming a clerical technicality that makes the first wedding null and therefor he's not a bigamist. Megan says that's a crock, but we'll let the courts settle that.
In stories like these, my experience is usually that the truth is somewhere in the grey area between the two parties' stories. In this case, it's just bizarre.
Either way, it's heartbreaking to see marriages ending period. To see FB as a part of the divorce process -- either as a vehicle to temptation or after-the-fact as an evidence-gathering tool -- just adds another obstacle that keeps some folks away from FB altogether when they could be using it as a great way to stay in touch with family and friends.
Wow .. I'm sooo overdue to write!
Just learned that this Blog was runnerup as "Best Blog" for Akron Life and Leisure Magazine. (Here's the cover from when I returned from Iraq a few years ago) Clearly I am both humbled by those who voted and ashamed that my life has gotten so busy that I haven't written like I used to write .. so I promise to get back at it.
Heck the stories inside our newsroom alone will give you a chuckle ...
More later ..
Eric
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Akron flags send wrong message
Scribbles in my notebook ..I realize the City of Akron is scraping together its pennies right now, but I was a bit miffed at the flags I saw flying over the snow and ice center on Triplett Boulevard. (see photo) The American Flag is tattered something fierce, and the City of Akron flag isn't much better. Maybe I'm a bit more sensitive as an Army veteran, but I really hope someone puts up new ones soon. If it's a cost issue, I'll bet a local citizen or two (or 100) would volunteer a replacement Stars and Stripes soon. I need to take a look around town to see if this is a city-wide problem or just at this location.
I can't seem to go more than three days without doing a story that has a social media element -- blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Makes me wonder how viewers who don't use social media react when they see so many TV stories involving these sources.
I was thrilled to see the city step forward on a deal to keep the All-American Soap Box Derby in town. Yes, I'm biased as a Derby Dad, but I've always believed it's one of the most unique, family-friendly events in the country. One more way to get the city's name out there in a positive light.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Akron uses technology to keep up with record snowfalls
Akron uses technology to keep up with record snowfalls
A record snow fall keeps the city busy .. and challenges the city's wallet at the same time.
A record snow fall keeps the city busy .. and challenges the city's wallet at the same time.
Monday, February 15, 2010
WKYC.com | Cleveland, OH | Smart Living: Cell phone analysis can save money on monthly bill
WKYC.com | Cleveland, OH | Smart Living: Cell phone analysis can save money on monthly bill
I was amazed at how fast this website analyzed her bill for savings! Check it out.!
I was amazed at how fast this website analyzed her bill for savings! Check it out.!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Former local news photographer Ken Love takes risk to fulfill dream
Ken's talent is real gift, and his drive to turn a bad situation into his dream job is certainly one that others could follow. Dick Dawson's guidance is good too, but I fear that too many folks aren't willing to take the risk.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Catching up .. long overdue
Blogging .. oh yeah, I remember how to do this. My schedule has become so much busier these days that it's been tough getting back in the habit.
I'm still pretty sore from our "Channel 3 News at 7 Olympics"
in which Monica Robins, Betsy Kling and I compete in 10 winter sports for fun. The series of stories will run each night during the Olympic games. We shot all 10 events in one day. Skis, skates, sleds, and even curling. It'll be funny for sure.
Thanks to those of you who have been encouraging me to keep writing .. and to Phil for threatening to UN-bookmark me if I don't share more soon. Ha.
A few notes:
I'm still pretty sore from our "Channel 3 News at 7 Olympics"
in which Monica Robins, Betsy Kling and I compete in 10 winter sports for fun. The series of stories will run each night during the Olympic games. We shot all 10 events in one day. Skis, skates, sleds, and even curling. It'll be funny for sure.I'm not hearing any complaints about fire response during the months following the layoffs of 37 fire fighters. That's not to say that there aren't manpower issues or that the department doesn't desperately need these fire fighters back. Rather, I'm just noting that no complaints have surfaced.
I find it semi-amusing that the 18 Akron Police Officers now working in our schools as their full-time assignment are being forced to pay for a background check because "everyone who works in the schools must have one" .. or something to that effect. Hmmmmm ... me thinks having Akron cops doing background checks on their own seems a waste of time and money. Nes pas?
Last week, it was a pot-bellied pig .. and now we have hybrid wolves? Ummm what the heck? A few months ago I actually got a tip that the Akron Zoo was hunting for a bear that escaped. After shifting one of our videographers to head to the zoo immediately, I learned that it was a drill.
Interesting to hear Matt Patrick on the air at WTAM. Can't get over hearing him read other call letters.
Got my first "I can't tell you" from Lisa following her first meeting on the Akron School Board. Nothing like being married to a public official, eh? Of course, in my line of work, that goes both ways.
Felt bad for the North Ridgeville Police today. They were already stretched thin by helping cover President Obama's visit to Lorain County when they got a call of a homicide -- a 55-year-old man found dead in his home. Tough to meet all those manpower demands on the same day.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
NewsNight Akron to return to 9 p.m.
Well, it was nice while it lasted.
Beginning Jan. 15, NewsNight Akron will move from its 9:30 p.m. time slot back to its original time of 9 p.m. The show had changed times to allow NeoTropolis time to debut at 9. The Thomas Mulready production will now air at 8:30 p.m., so both shows will remain interlocked.
The Jan. 8th show will be our traditional "Newsmaker of the Year" debate. Last year's winner was Ralph Regula, and Dr. Luis Proenza won the previous year. This year's show will include a live audience as members of Leadership Akron will be in attendance.
As a new nugget to the debate, we are inviting the public to weigh in as well. A list of the 16 finalists should be on-line soon at Western Reserve Public Media , so weigh in and vote. You can also share your comments here.
I can tell you that the panelists have already begun quite a debate with email traffic .. I can only imagine the fireworks for the actual show.
Beginning Jan. 15, NewsNight Akron will move from its 9:30 p.m. time slot back to its original time of 9 p.m. The show had changed times to allow NeoTropolis time to debut at 9. The Thomas Mulready production will now air at 8:30 p.m., so both shows will remain interlocked.
The Jan. 8th show will be our traditional "Newsmaker of the Year" debate. Last year's winner was Ralph Regula, and Dr. Luis Proenza won the previous year. This year's show will include a live audience as members of Leadership Akron will be in attendance.
As a new nugget to the debate, we are inviting the public to weigh in as well. A list of the 16 finalists should be on-line soon at Western Reserve Public Media , so weigh in and vote. You can also share your comments here.
I can tell you that the panelists have already begun quite a debate with email traffic .. I can only imagine the fireworks for the actual show.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Catching Up ..
OK .. after being challenged by folks all over town who keep giving me grief over not writing much (or at all) in the last two months, I'm making it my New Year's resolution to catch up.
Scribbles in the notebook:
NewsNight Akron's move to 9:30 p.m. from the 9 p.m. slot it held for years seems to be going well. I haven't gotten too many complaining emails from folks after the first week, so it sounds like viewers found us.
My Nov. 26th story on Lenny King (see below) is one that will stick with me for a while. To have life choices lead you to a life living under a bridge is tough enough, but to be attacked multiple times, including being set on fire, would leave me bitter I'm afraid. I'd like to believe I'd have the power to forgive the attackers, but I fear that I wouldn't. Lenny's story is really unique.
The University of Akron Soccer team is amazing. The NCAA needs to get rid of the penalty kick scenario though. It's no way to really settle who the better team was. Would we let the NBA Finals be settled on a free throw shooting contest? Ridiculous.
Can't believe Matt Patrick won't be on the air at WKDD after Friday. I don't remember the station without him.
I hope Mayor Plusquellic will promote some police officers soon. With Gus Hall now interim Chief, APD has NO Deputy Chiefs. All three positions are empty. That means four officers are being denied advancement for each vacancy. Promoting a captain to major also means that a lieutenant will get promoted to captain and a sergeant to lieutenant and a patrolman to sergeant.
Just like the military, there's an escalator as the higher ranks get filled. I understand why he kept one or two of the Deputy Chief slots open the last few years, but at this point, those promotions shouldn't have to wait while a permanent Chief is selected.
And while I'm on my bandwagon, I do hope the city will consider some of its senior captains as the long-term chief. Sylvia Trundel is well-respected and will-liked, and many in the Patrol Division tell me they'd feel "great" about having her as the department's new leader. Gus Hall is really dedicated and well-liked, so there's no immediate rush. Still, I hope that the nationwide search will include a fair review of the current leadership.
I learned a lot about the other side of public service during my wife, Lisa's, campaign for Akron School Board. It was odd to be working with some of the local leaders when I'm so accustomed to covering their events as a journalist. Many were very gracious with their time and advice for the campaign, while others weren't helpful at all. My goal now is to avoid a conflict-of-interest in my reporting. Lisa and I already have an agreement that there will be some things we can't tell one another, and if WKYC is pursuing a controversial story on the Akron Schools, I'll certainly raise my hand and step aside. Still, I hope that all my rants and raves to Lisa (and other board members I've gotten to know) about pitching more stories to the media will take shape.
I froze my you-kn0w-what off last Thursday night when I was live outside of Channel 3 for our newscast leading up to the Browns-Steelers game. The ratings were great that night, but the 15 minutes I spent in the cold wind of the third-floor balcony chilled me to the bone.
Today is the one-year anniversary of my role as co-anchor at 7 p.m. Hard to believe a year has flown by so fast. Carol Sullivan is now working as a morning anchor in San Diego. She left WKYC in the spring to head West after her husband, Mike, got a job with the Chargers organization. I fell so comfortable with Monica Robins by my side each night. No one works harder or is more dedicated in this business, and I'm so glad that she and I are teamed together.
Scribbles in the notebook:
NewsNight Akron's move to 9:30 p.m. from the 9 p.m. slot it held for years seems to be going well. I haven't gotten too many complaining emails from folks after the first week, so it sounds like viewers found us.
My Nov. 26th story on Lenny King (see below) is one that will stick with me for a while. To have life choices lead you to a life living under a bridge is tough enough, but to be attacked multiple times, including being set on fire, would leave me bitter I'm afraid. I'd like to believe I'd have the power to forgive the attackers, but I fear that I wouldn't. Lenny's story is really unique.
The University of Akron Soccer team is amazing. The NCAA needs to get rid of the penalty kick scenario though. It's no way to really settle who the better team was. Would we let the NBA Finals be settled on a free throw shooting contest? Ridiculous.
Can't believe Matt Patrick won't be on the air at WKDD after Friday. I don't remember the station without him.
I hope Mayor Plusquellic will promote some police officers soon. With Gus Hall now interim Chief, APD has NO Deputy Chiefs. All three positions are empty. That means four officers are being denied advancement for each vacancy. Promoting a captain to major also means that a lieutenant will get promoted to captain and a sergeant to lieutenant and a patrolman to sergeant.
Just like the military, there's an escalator as the higher ranks get filled. I understand why he kept one or two of the Deputy Chief slots open the last few years, but at this point, those promotions shouldn't have to wait while a permanent Chief is selected.
And while I'm on my bandwagon, I do hope the city will consider some of its senior captains as the long-term chief. Sylvia Trundel is well-respected and will-liked, and many in the Patrol Division tell me they'd feel "great" about having her as the department's new leader. Gus Hall is really dedicated and well-liked, so there's no immediate rush. Still, I hope that the nationwide search will include a fair review of the current leadership.
I learned a lot about the other side of public service during my wife, Lisa's, campaign for Akron School Board. It was odd to be working with some of the local leaders when I'm so accustomed to covering their events as a journalist. Many were very gracious with their time and advice for the campaign, while others weren't helpful at all. My goal now is to avoid a conflict-of-interest in my reporting. Lisa and I already have an agreement that there will be some things we can't tell one another, and if WKYC is pursuing a controversial story on the Akron Schools, I'll certainly raise my hand and step aside. Still, I hope that all my rants and raves to Lisa (and other board members I've gotten to know) about pitching more stories to the media will take shape.
I froze my you-kn0w-what off last Thursday night when I was live outside of Channel 3 for our newscast leading up to the Browns-Steelers game. The ratings were great that night, but the 15 minutes I spent in the cold wind of the third-floor balcony chilled me to the bone.
Today is the one-year anniversary of my role as co-anchor at 7 p.m. Hard to believe a year has flown by so fast. Carol Sullivan is now working as a morning anchor in San Diego. She left WKYC in the spring to head West after her husband, Mike, got a job with the Chargers organization. I fell so comfortable with Monica Robins by my side each night. No one works harder or is more dedicated in this business, and I'm so glad that she and I are teamed together.
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