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"The Oaks" in Sevierville, TN amidst the splendor of the Smoky Mts.

Look for a complete account of our stay and contact information about how you can stay at "The Oaks" coming up in this blog and in our column.

The Dayton Dragons Section 105 Way Over The Hill Gang

Poor Mike strained his back trying to uproot a dandelion, and we're told by Rae, whined about it. But this is our tribute to him as we're all hunched over to commiserate with Mikey.

2008 Saurkraut Festival

I’m Fired!

Column

There’s an episode of Seinfeld in which Kramer goes into a Manhattan office to use the bathroom and gets pulled into an executive meeting, likes it and sticks around with his three piece suit and briefcase. He does the 9 to 5 every day and even generates a report from his “work”. When his “boss” reads it he calls Kramer into his office. He explains to Kramer that the report is gibberish and really bears no resemblance to anything related to business. He tells Kramer he has to let him go. Kramer says “But I don’t really even work here”. The boss says “I know. That’s what makes this so difficult”.

Well, if the stories I’ve heard are true this week, I’ve been fired from announcing the Mum Festival Parade; and I didn’t even work there! At least I never SAW a paycheck.

I learned today that a person, or persons, took umbrage with something I said at this year’s parade. As the Democratic Party float passed the review stand, I suggested that Barack Obama might be in the car pulling the float since he was likely embarrassed after losing the debate the previous evening to John McCain. That person, or persons, fired off an email to the City Council wanting that body to do something about what I said. I also heard that a former big-wig with the Mum Festival Committee would be addressing the next Mum meeting about my comments. And then I was told that a member of the Committee responded to the slightly off-kilter complainant by stating that I certainly wouldn’t be returning to that microphone next year. All this information is second hand, so my comments will be addressed to the parties involved IF it actually happened the way I was told.

First of all, lighten up! You might be surprised what cracking a smile would mean to your health. If you think those comments were that bad, you have a real perception problem. I understand Ohio, and the Miami Valley is important in this presidential election but being prudish isn’t helping and I can only imagine how you’ll behave when your candidate loses in November………and he will lose. You’ll be fit to be tied.

The Council has nothing to do with the Mum Festival or what I say. Why would you waste their time whining about your personal problems? Maybe you should go burn some objectionable books outside the library, or stop by the school board to make sure the texts meet your standards. Hey, I have an idea; perhaps you could join with like-minded concerned citizens to screen all comments made in Tipp City or Monroe Township to see if they pass the politically correct test for free speech before we’re allowed to print or speak them.

And if, in fact, that committee member did succumb to the un-American grumblings of this/these censorship hooligans, then that member lacks any modicum of integrity…..and didn’t even have the intestinal fortitude to contact me first. They preferred sucking up to the griper. But I suppose taking the easier way out is less stressful.

If the committee wants a robot to sit and read a script in what amounts to a computer-generated, simulated voice, that’s fine. My wife told me I sounded like I was certainly entertaining myself with my witticisms anyway. And I was. I thought I was quite clever. But I don’t need to be on stage to do that. I can just as easily play to a small room.

I was asked for the past two years to announce the Mum Festival Parade. I actually prefer watching with my family and friends but I believe we must support our community when asked. By the way, aside from the individual who asked me to help out, there’s been no “Thank you” stream flowing in my direction from the committee, just this kind of garbage.

You see, unlike a handful of you busy-bodies in the area, I believe in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. I will continue to speak my mind in public forums, in private gatherings and in this fine publication until the editor tells me to shut up. I wonder if this is a common attitude with those in “that” political camp. And if you really don’t like what I say, I’ll bet they’d be happy to put you (and you know who you are) up in the Hotel Havana. I’m sure you’ll enjoy Castro’s restraints put on parade commentators there………its’ right up your alley.

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Mike Scinto is a Radio Talk Show Host and hosts the longest running show in Southwestern Ohio. You can catch him weekdays from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM on 1210-AM. Mike is a regular guest host on the national Mike Gallagher Show and is a contributor to cable’s Fox News Channel. You can visit http://myspace.com/mikescintoshow or email mike@themikescintoshow.com. You can also reach Mike by calling 937-506-4288 and visit his blog at http://mikescinto.blogspot.com .

Pigs in the Park

http://tippvoice.com

Column

It’s really sad when you have to tell people that they’re slobs and they’re affecting not only their little world but those around them as well. Well they’re in our midst as we speak.

I’ve found Kyle Park to be quite a respite from the hectic, everyday world. I go there in the morning with our dog, I coach soccer there, our family walks the trail around the perimeter and I’ve even written columns in the past about how clean and well maintained the park is right down to the rest rooms. It’s been a pleasure to use this gift from the Kyle family. But as it grows, so do the inconsiderate, grotesque violations of the park.

Before I get started with my rant, let me say I still believe it is one of the best maintained, groomed and patrolled parks I’ve seen in any city, large or small.

I’ve noticed, especially over the past year or so, more trash, acts of vandalism and general lack of concern for the facility by patrons. As I said, I am there at all hours of the day and evening almost every day. And while the problem isn’t pervasive, it is annoying.

I constantly see the picnic tables at the Timmer Pavilion pulled together and dangling off the concrete from skateboarders who used the tables for their acrobatics. I have nothing against skateboarders, we have one of our own, but I do recognize the liability of doing it in a totally unsupervised area seemingly inviting a broken skull to happen. And I wonder if they would leave their own backyard in the same disarray?

The bathrooms that I once wrote were clean enough to eat off the floor (not literally, of course) are sometimes as trashed as the facilities at a baseball stadium or concert arena.

I recently saw where a car had been parked by the new baseball diamonds and the occupants had obviously emptied all their ash trays and trash bags out both side doors. Several months ago as I went for a stroll, I had to step over a used condom in the parking lot. Where possible, and time permitting, I try to pick up what I can, although I must admit, I couldn’t bring my ungloved self to pick up the prophylactic.

And most of us have been there after one of the porta-potties has been tipped over; quite a pleasant aroma to complement the honeysuckle on a spring or summer morning.

I served on the old Parks Advisory Committee some years ago, and if memory serves me correctly, the policy at the park back then was that it was closed from 11:00 PM until 7:00 AM every night. Unless there were problems though, it wasn’t really enforced. By the time we get the kids to bed, chores wrapped up for the day and are winding down it is usually after 11:00 PM. I will head for the park to take a quick walk/jog around the park. Or I will use that time of quiet to prepare for a radio show or write my column on this laptop.

Several nights ago I arrived a little after 11:00 and as I headed around the baseball loop, I saw the flashing red lights of a police cruiser. I wondered if I was being taped for an episode of “Cops”. Apparently he had been parked with his lights off watching for people coming into the park. He explained I couldn’t be there after 11:00. I felt like a criminal in my beloved Kyle Park. I know the officer was just doing what he needed to do, and he was very polite, but when he said I’d have to leave the park because it was closed I felt like Tipp City had “come of age”.

The serenity, beauty and uniqueness had somehow been stolen because of a few punks and slobs who should be living in a sewer instead of a community of civilized people. To those reading this; if the shoe fits, wear it.

Again, I have no complaints with the parks folks. They work very hard to maintain a gorgeous park for all. And for the most part, it remains that way. But they can’t be there 24/7. Pick up after yourself, and help keep our public, family areas something of which we can be proud. If not we’ll look like every other two-bit community.

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Mike Scinto is a Radio Talk Show Host and hosts the longest running show in Southwestern Ohio. You can catch him weekdays from 12:00 noon until 2:00 PM on 1210-AM. Mike is a regular guest host on the national Mike Gallagher Show and is a contributor to cable’s Fox News Channel. You can visit http://myspace.com/mikescintoshow or email mike@themikescintoshow.com. You can also reach Mike by calling 937-506-4288 and visit his blog at http://mikescinto.blogspot.com .