I just watched a WTVM interview with Zeph Baker on the WTVM website.. Zeph was asked directly where he lives and works...And we still don't know where he lives, nor what businesses he has that are ACTIVE in Columbus. his Bolton Ct "residence" is under management of B&O Services as an elderly care facility with 24/7 assisted living patients, and he is neither the owner nor an employee of B&O, His "Majestic Sunz" business.. when "Googled" is shown to be "Permanently Closed", and if you go to his "Health Matters" address (1124 13th St), there are only Zeph Baker poster ads covering the windows. Hey, WTVM.. did you check with the City Finance Department for business licenses at his Bolton Court residence, or any business licenses he might have that are active?

 

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Just got a Zeph Baker flier in the mail...interestingly. he highlighted "Fiscal Responsibility" as one of his assets..Excuse me, but he's shown no responsibility ..or transparency...in producing/reporting his campaign donations/expenses on time.

 

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On his flier, Zeph Baker says he "solves complex and difficult problems for a living". One question ....where? He lists 2 businesses in Columbus on his Financial Disclosure, but neither one is a viable business here.

 

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In all fairness to Zeph Baker, I do like his idea of figuring out a way to use an empty 'big box building" or two in developing a satellite campus off Victory Drive for Columbus Tech vocational courses. Of course, any local politician can work on this.

 

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Well...I've about analyzed the Mayors race ad infinitum, and after all is considered, I'll be voting for Skip Henderson...by default. I really am not excited as Skip has been one of the least responsive at large Councilors we ever had, but maybe we can count on this facet to keep anymore wild-hair ideas off the table before the plethora of existing current problems held over (and/or created) from the Ton-LYING-son years.

 

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L-E headline/story: "TSYS poised to take prime office space in Columbus’ Midland area *
“That property seems to have become a temporary expansion space for some of our large corporate clients in Columbus, and that’s what it’s doing again,” said David Johnson, the KW Commercial broker who is working on a lease agreement with TSYS at the Midland location." -- Hmmm.. "temporary expansion space"? Maybe we should start praying that this is a permanent occupation for additional jobs in Columbus... and we can certainly use some good job news now.. Of course, it could simply be that TSYS is "taking one for the Team Tom-LYING-son" to ease the sullen atmosphere for her legacy by major retail stores leaving Columbus altogether, and most recently the closing of NCR.

 

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It's getting crunch time in Columbus for voting for the future. Remember, the local non-partisan elections are primaries, so you can't vote for any Mayor, Councilor or School Board candidates in November.

 

I've finished my local analysis as well:

 

For the MCSB:

 

Post 2 - Sheryl McCraine..both her opponents.. Steed and Edmondson, agree that everything is wonderful as it stands, so neither will be prying into solutions.

 

Post 4 - Toyia Tucker..her incumbent opponent. Naomi Buckner lacks the dedication of the issues in the MCSD, she actually WORKS in in another school system.

 

Post 6 - Mark Cantrell.. believe MarK is informed enough and ready to look after student and Columbus taxpayers' needs better than his opponent Eddy Obelton who WORKS in a Russel County ALABAMA school system.

 

Post 8 - Frank Myers.. Frank has awakened issues that the past school boards would just as soon be left sleeping. And his 85 year old opponent was Board Chair when Lewis was recruited so we can't depend on Schley being open to new solutions.

 

Post 9 At Large - Tony McCool...I have great respect for Kia Chambers as a businessperson, but with her child attending a private school, I do not feel she can devote all her school issues time and energy on solving MCSD problems.

 

In local Council Races:

 

Post 1 - Pops! Have watched with admiration how Pop Barnes gets out in his district to "see" what's going on.. I do not always agree with his decisions, but I'm comfortable that his choices are based on his personal knowledge and desire for a better Columbus.

 

Post 3 - Bruce Huff.. have known Bruce Huff for many years, and his head and heart are Pro-Columbus.

 

Post 5 - By default, Charmaine Crabb...  blessed we are with getting her energy working towards Columbus' future!

 

Post 7 - Sia Etemadi.. a newcomer, but well invested in his District's residential and business issues.. just feel it's a good time to inject more energy in the Du-district 7 Council seat.

 

Post 9 - Will have to stick with Judy Thomas.. even when I disagree with her logic, I do think it's a decision she's researched for herself.

 

Post 10 - Without a doubt.. Tollie Strode..I wish he was running for Mayor.. but alas, he's not.. We need.. COLUMBUS NEEDS this man's knowledge, energy, and commitment to Columbus' future, and Council Post 10 is a great place to start.. Politics is always a "gamble", but for Tollie Strode, I'm "all in".

 

For Mayor - this is the first day I'm making my decision known... but of all of the candidates, I do believe Skip Henderson is our only real choice for the next 4 years..will watch him like a hawk and review options in 2022.

 

Still weighing most state races, but am gungho for Josh McKoon in the Republican primary for our next Secretary of State.. Columbus should unite behind Josh so we can get state-wide recognition.

 

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I was shocked a couple of days ago by a local interview conducted with a local voting official...she said a picture ID was necessary such as a GA driver's license, a military ID, or a driver's license from another state if it it wasn't expired. How can it NOT be expired in GA since laws require a GA license showing your current address within 30 days of moving here, and one must be registered to vote within 30 days of an election..in fact, we need a law making the DMV the only place a new licensed-from-another-state citizen can register to vote.

 

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Republicans seem split on direction... maybe it's time to use two symbols for their mascot... Mighty Jumbo for the Conservative Republicans, Dumbo for the RINOs...as a symbol of their flightiness...

 

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I finally understand why the English support the Royal Family's welfare program... you can't turn on a news program that's not fully focused on "the wedding".. all the free advertising for England's tourist industry more than pays for the Royal's welfare.

 

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What is it with liberals? How can they get upset at President Trump referring to members of MS 13 as animals? Personally, "animals" is too good a word to describe them. Hey, liberals, I do not believe I've seen any of you lining up to adopt any MS 13 members.. according to you, they just haven't had "advantages" , yet you libs are not willing to offer such in your homes.

 

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Now it's been nearly 4 months since 3 men intentionally parked a garbage truck on the railroad track in West Virginia to derail an AMTRAK train filled with Republican Congresspersons and their families. We deserve more information.

 

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Good grief! Will someone replay the video to Rand Paul showing him side with AZ U.S. Senators Flake and McCain on voting against CIA nominee Gina Haspel.

 

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From the "we KNOW what they are smoking" department - Online headline/story: "Colorado city unanimously votes to ban assault-style rifles * The city council of Boulder, Colorado has voted to ban semi-automatic rifles - a weapon used in several recent US mass shootings. * The military-style rifle is carried by soldiers around the world, and is legally available for adults to purchase throughout the US. * The city council on Tuesday unanimously passed the measure, which also bans high-capacity ammunition magazines." -- "military-style"? Even in weaponry, "imitation is a sincere form of flattery". Now, it looks like Boulder will get no hotel business from hunters or the NRA in the future.... even after the courts overturn the Boulder Council's judgment.

 

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L-E story: "At issue Thursday was a recording Eddings made while interviewing Patterson on July 22, 2017 – without Jackson’s permission. Jones by then had been charged in Bolden’s slaying, but Patterson had been arrested only for making false statements, having told police someone borrowed his car the day witnesses saw the white Geo Prism in Oakland Park. * In July 2013 and June 2014, Eddings was cited and fined for talking to other attorneys’ clients without their permission. In August 2016, the Georgia Supreme Court ordered that he be publicly reprimanded for violating the rules of conduct. Under those rules, an attorney is not to speak to another’s client in the same case without the other lawyer’s approval." -- This story has raised a question not addressed in this story.. After Attorney Eddings blamed his then wife for his escrow accounts being violated, and now Eddings seemingly violated another person's legal rights, why does Eddings still have a license to practice law?

 

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L-E headline/story: "Teen wanted in April kidnapping arrested this week on firearm charge * A Columbus teenager facing kidnapping and false imprisonment charges had his Recorder’s Court hearing delayed Thursday morning as he hires an attorney. * Markel Ervin, 17, held his former girlfriend against her will for almost 48 hours last month, Columbus police say. Ervin appeared briefly in court before the hearing was delayed until next week." -- I'm beginning to believe that Columbus doesn't have nearly as bad a "crime problem" as Columbus has a "bad criminal and jury" problem...

 

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I find it hard to believe we had any Senators who wouldn't support Gina Haspel's nomination as head of the CIA based on the mastermind of the 9-11-01 terror attack feeling she was mean to him...

 

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From the "the NCAA doesn't get it" department - L-E story: "(ACC) Commissioner John Swofford said Thursday the league will propose legislation to expand the NCAA Tournament from 68 to 72 teams. That would create a second set of First Four games. * The league also supports moving back the 3-point line." - Good grief.. the NCAA needs to CUT BACK the total teams to 48, and let the 17th-48th teams play into the 2nd round where the Top 16 would get a bye.. This would greatly improve the chances of top teams to make it into the Final 8 and 4 brackets...It probably would restore the TV audiences to watch early games.. I know it would with me..

 

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L-E headline/story: "93-year-old makes first hole-in-one in last round * ZANESVILLE, OHIO * Ben Bender, a 93-year-old Ohio man, wrapped up his nearly seven decades of golf with his first hole-in-one. * Bender, who says he began playing when he was 28, told The Zanesville Times Recorder “the Lord knew” this was his last round and gave him a hole-in-one. He aced the 152-yard third hole last month at Green Valley Golf Course in Zanesville with a 5-wood. * He says he was in awe watching it, but then his hip started bothering him, forcing him to stop after a few more holes. He headed to the clubhouse, bringing his golfing career to a memorable end. * He says he hates giving up the game, but he knows he can’t play forever." -- What a feeling he must have, and while no one can take that away, but according to the rules of golf, his failure to complete the round means it is not an official score... Hey, I'm just the messenger...

 

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L-E headline/story: "China plans to offer major trade concessions * Chinese negotiators are preparing to offer the United States a mammoth package of promises to buy more U.S. goods, in a bid to pare down the trade deficit between the two countries and to defuse President Donald Trump’s aggressive moves against China’s trade practices. * The package, which officials said could approach the $200 billion in trade concessions that the administration requested from the Chinese government earlier this month, would allow Trump to claim a major victory in his campaign to rebalance the United States’ trade relationship with its biggest economic rival." -- "allow TRUMP to claim a major victory"? Come on, mainscream media.. it's AMERICA's Victory.. and just the results of having Trump negotiating the deal rather than career politicians..