Monday, August 29, 2011

Will the Real Police Chief Please Stand Up?

If anyone knows who got the title of Chief of the Norwood Police Department will you please fill us in?  Just how long does this really take?  I don't agree with taking a test to select a Chief.  This process is outdated and old.  Times have changed, and I think its time for Norwood to change its position to promoting for the Chief.  Tell us what you think. 

Norwood Crossing Guards Got Double Crossed

Did you have a favorite Norwood crossing guard?  Did you always notice them being there?  I did.  Our crossing guards did us proud.  I have never heard of one kid getting hit with them on the job.  Not to mention they provided safety for adults.  Now they are being double crossed...............First by the City of Norwood, Ohio.  Then by the Norwood School Board. 

The city had the responsibility of the crossing guards for years, I know at least 15.  In this latest round of budget cuts the city decided to do away with them altogether.  The city made it clear, we can not afford to pay crossing guards any longer.  Period point blank.  No maybes, no we will look at our budgets, no we will find the money to keep them.  THEY ARE GONE! 

Personally, I miss them.  I miss Norma.  I miss the little man that is the same height as the children he is crossing.  I miss the mother of four children who was working that part-time job with pride.  The job of a crossing guard is hard.  You may get the bird flipped to you on a daily bases.  You may get hit by a person not watching what he/she is doing?  You might encounter a speeder who may keep going.  This is one job I simply could not do.  I admire anyone willing to do it. 

One thing is for sure, they are not doing it for the pay.  It pays little and  requires you to come to your job twice a day(most people clock in once). Crossing guards endure all kinds of weather.  Rain, hell, sleet, and snow to name a few.  You have to endure freezing cold weather.  When the heat reaches 90 degrees, there is no air conditioner available. Yes, crossing guards have a thank less job. 

Why do crossing guards do it?  If someone out there wants to answer that question, my faithful readers would love to hear from you. 

The Norwood School Board passed a levy  in May 2011.  You would think crossing guards would get the money needed to work. Not a chance.  I never believed for one second this money was for the children. How can you say you are for the children them put their parents out of work?  We voted in a Levy and the Norwood School Board cut jobs.  How can you be for the children but will not pick up the tab to keep them safe?  This  present school board knew the City of Norwood was in financial trouble and the crossing guards was on the chopping block.  Where was the leadership of someone on the board to speak up and demand a vote to use the levy money for crossing guards?  Since they campaigned on, "It's for the children".  I never believed it for one moment.  That is one reason I voted against this levy.  It really was never about the children.  If so would that not have been one of your first priorities?   

Yes, they were double crossed by both the City of Norwood and the Norwood School Board.  I miss them.  So do the children who cross these dangerous streets on a daily bases.  Let's all hope the Norwood Schools get enough volunteers to cover these corners.  Our crossing guards were the best, I just hate they got double crossed.

That is one reason I'm asking for your vote to take a seat on the Norwood School Board.  I will bring up issues that matter to you.  I will not go along with the Superintendent just to get along with the Superintendent,   I will stand up and speak out for our children.  I'm asking for your vote on Nov. 8th.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

The Wrath of the Weather

Has anyone else noticed the wrath of the weather?  Is The Creator mad at America?  Has the weather ever been this  bad?  Tornado's, floods, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes, wild fires, and ice storms have effected us all.  Some of us have been in  the wrath of the weather. 

Is this because of climate change?  Is some of our behavior causing these wraths?  We are a nation of excess and  maybe the terrible weather is our own doing.  The creator is not happy with us and he/she is sending us a message that unless we change our ways he/she will cause more wreck-age.  The force of these disasters are telling.  The come stronger, last longer and devastate more and more people. 

The weather is a 24 hour cycle.  It is depressing to watch the reports on the weather.  They tell us how hot it is going to be, how many inches of snow we will get, and how many lives were lost in the wrath.  That is news I can live without.  I can go out and know it is hot.  We listen to the news tell us how many days its been hot,  and how much hotter it is going to get.  We name or most devastating hurricanes  after women.  Why is that?  If was name was Irene or Katherina I would be wondering why my name?  If by chance a storm comes and its named Yvonne.  Don't worry it will calm down and do little to  no damage. 

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Dear Congressman Steve Chabot,

Your Town Hall Meeting on Monday August 22, 2011 sucked!   I have to express my disappointment with the sham you pulled on your constituents.

First of all your staff posted, NO CAMERAS.  Your staff was more concerned with that then welcoming us out for the evening.  Your staff asked us to fill out a form if we wanted to ask a question.  I did not.  You and your staff knew you would never read all of those questionnaires.  Then your staff member went through them and picked the topic that you could ramble on and on about.  It was not even a slight of hand trick.
I would think a Congressman  would arrive on time, (if not early) shake hands, give a smile,  take a picture, give a hug,.........nope.

You  arrived late at 7:15,  came in the back door,  went straight to the podium,  and proceeded to ramble till 8:10. 

The police officer got physical with people that had their cameras and you act like you had no pulse to stop the madness.  Your constituents were handled to rough.  All because you did not want to take a photo?  One man held up his hand for 30 minutes and you never acknowledged him.  Never told him to speak with you after the meeting.  Just nothing.  Approximately  10 people had blue pieces of tape over their mouth symbolizing  that you silenced their voice.  From what I seen, you and your staff did just that.  You talked the entire town hall meeting.   It was as if we were in school in a classroom and the teacher did not want to be interrupted.  We had to sit there and listen.  That is not a Town Hall Meeting!

You lost the constituents  after the first 10 minutes because you sounded pitiful.  You looked pitiful.  You looked scrip ed and phony.  You didn't look comfortable.  You didn't know where you were.  At least you did not mention where you were.  Did you know where you were? 

I suspect you came to get people's  information so that you could add it to your address collection.  You never intended to meet and greet your constituents did you?  You knew you would slither in there and slither out.  You said nothing new.  You couldn't make your conversation simple.  You talked about old, stale issues.  You told us over and over again that you have been in Congress 14 years the first time and 2 years this time.  Did you notice the people shake their heads and say term limits?  I suspect you didn't, you kept your head buried in the sand(I mean papers) till you left.  Your staff collected at least 20 to 30 questions and you read 6?  Not to mention the  topics you keep repeating over and over.   It was sad.  You seem stall, you seemed old, you looked old, that hair style is tired and you need to get it together.  The clothes you had on didn't seem guineue.  A suit to a Town Hall Meeting Congressman Chabot?  Where was the jeans,  or shorts.  I mean look casual sometime. 

You never said a kind word about our President.  To not have anything good to say about our President is so sad.  You lacked common sense to be positive. 

I left there thinking WOW did I just witness that?  People were walking around like zombies trying to come out of the haze of nothing-ness that you put us in.  We were asked by you Mr. Chabot to come to your Town Hall Meeting and you treated us crap.

I came there Congressman Chabot to meet you and shake your hand.  I wanted to put my face to your face to show you the lady that has been writing and e-mailing your office.  I wanted to say while shaking your hand, "Congressman Chabot my name is Yvonne Collins and I'm your constituent that has sent you a number of letters and e-mail".  I was wanting you to say "Oh yes, I have read at least one of your letters or e-mail".  Instead I got nothing.

I'll keep writing my letters to my Congressman I'll keep attending Town Hall Meetings, I'll bring my camera hoping to get a picture with you.  I"ll  fill out the question card with my information on it.  I'll pay attention to the other 45 minutes of what you have to say.  I'll sit and think this is time well spent.  I'll do my civic duty to petition my Government. I won't give in to  negative thoughts.

Until that day come, Congressman Steve Chabot your Town Hall Meeting Sucked!

Signed,

You Wasted My Evening



Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Sagging .... All Time Low

I know you have seen the sag look.  Where men and some women wear their pants down below their behinds.  Some people sag to the point their pants are down to their hips.  Showing all  their under wear.  I understand this fashion started in our prisons.  My understanding  is, in prisons this was a  way to express to  gay men that he was available.  He would pull his pants down on his behind for all to see that I'm down with being gay.  No harm done there.  We the public did not have to see it or be offended by it. 

Now that the sagging look has came out of the prisons and into our communities, Are you accepting of it?  I'm not!  It is a disgrace.  It shows our world is in turmoil.  When we let our men and women walk around with their behinds out and nothing is done, we are in trouble.  Some men sag with no shirt on.  They sag to the point of having to hold their pants up. No belt,  no rope and sometimes no hope.  They look a hot mess.

Have you ever confronted a child sagging?  I have all the time.  I do it when the opportunity presents itself. I do it in a manner that will not hurt or offend the saggie.  I simply ask him or her why?  I sometimes ask, did your mother see you leave the house looking like that?  Or if the sag is really bad, I scold them and say,"there is classy and their is trashy, you are looking trashy. 

Yes, I know its dangerous to say anything to any body's children.  It's the mom in me.  I can't help it.  I refuse to let children think its okay to walk around with your underwear showing,  holding your crouch, with no shirt on.  Someone has to speak up and hold these children accountable for their uncivilized manners.  Most of them want you to notice them.  They want you to engage them.  They want to be held accountable.  If we never say anything to them this bad behavior will continue.  You will not reach everyone but if you reach and teach one......... that is better then teaching none.

Fashion trends come and go.  Lets help the sag go faster by speaking up and telling our young folk to pull them up!

Monday, August 22, 2011

Lift Every Voice

I love America.  I have never been anywhere else, to know if I would want to live some place else.  I love it here.  In America  I can lift my voice and express my thoughts, frustrations, dreams, and opinions.  I love this freedom.  History tells the story's of how many people died for people like me to lift my voice.  If this is the case........I Thanks these people.


To those that want to take my  different points of thoughts, frustrations, dreams and opinions to another level is unfair.  I'm allowed to think different.  I'm allowed to have different points of view.  I'm also allowed to be a jerk, a comedian, a philosopher, a poet, a drum major, a activist, a prophet, a singer, whatever I desire. 


This blog is the way I can be all of the above.  I'm funny, I'm frustrated, but most of all I'm a good listener.  I will listen to anybody express their whatever.  That is why America is good.  We allow this. 


It is up to each individual person to decide what is best for them.  The articles are meant for discussions.  Nothing more nothing less.  It is for each person to read, and take away from it whatever you would like.  I do it all the time.  I read a lot of things I disagree with.  However, I don't use it against a them to try to hurt them.  No, I actually do the opposite.........I wish they would lift their voices louder so that others can hear and learn and feel what it is they are trying to say. 

Love and Peace to all:
Sincerely,
Yvonne Collins

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Are you a Nag When It Comes to the Sag?

Someone has to say it and someone has to do it!  Tell our young men to pull their pants up!  This whole sag era has me wondering how far will it go?  When and where does it stop?  What next?  

What goes through your head when you see a young mans pants down below his hips?  Do you turn away quickly?  Do you blush with embarrassment?  Do you point it out to your company?  Or do you accept it as a fashion statement?  

I invite your thoughts on this issue.  I will tell you what I do and say when I get the opportunity to say something to our young folks about their pants on the ground.

Not in this article but in a later article.  You have to stay tune. 

Exciting Times

Wow, I'm loving this run for Norwood School District.  I'm getting a lot of attention.  I must be on some folks mind.  I feel like I'm representing.  Ever heard the saying any publicity is good publicity?  There are three other candidates and nothing about them.  It's all about me!!!!! 


Please give me your vote on Nov. 8th and make it really really about me!!!!!!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

I'm Not Afraid

Dear Opposition,

I'm not afraid of you.  To quote Eminem,  "I'm not afraid to take a stand".  I'm not afraid of your tactics.  I'm not afraid of your criticisms.   I'm not afraid that you will make up lies and untruths.  I'm not afraid that you will dig into my past.  All the while not seeing the good future I have.  No,  I'm not afraid that you will find out that I was in a crazy abusive relationship in the 80's.  I'm not afraid that I have touched some nerves in my commentaries on issues.  I'm not afraid of you. I'm not afraid of your lies and smear campaign.  You can't make me afraid.  I am who I am and I like me. 

Let me tell you who I am.  I have never done any drugs.  I have never done crack, crystal meths, PCP, heroin, estacy, pills, bath salts nor any mind altering drugs.  I have never been interested in doing drugs.  I have seen up close and personal the damage they do.  For anyone that finds themselves unable to come to terms with their own personal use,  I hope you seek and  find the help you need. 

I have never mistreated my children or any ones children for that fact.  I care for children 6 days a week.  I provide care and love for all children, all colors, all religions, from all kinds of families.  That is why I'm not afraid.  I got it going on.  I know what I can do...........so I tell myself go head on with your bad self and don't be afraid of the haters.

So I say bring it on.  Because............ I'M NOT AFRAID!

Here is My Announcement..................

I'm running as a Independent Norwood School Board Candidate!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I decided to run for a seat on the board immediately after the passage of the School Board Levy.