Columns

Remember how Daniel enjoyed occasionally writing columns for me and how he couldn’t stay away from the subject of relationships? I wonder if God put it there, knowing that at the prime age of 33, he’d be called to leave Earth’s ranks.

Nine years in, let me confirm with great enthusiasm, retirement is great. No alarm clocks, no being on call, no schedules. It’s bliss. I planned hard and saved hard for my post-work years and the result is well worth the effort. The thought of returning to a job has never occurred to me. There was no career that could lure me away from leisurely awakening, two hours of coffee drinking, the New York Times crossword puzzle, and pickle ball. Until now.

As October ends and November begins, we’ve entered a portion of our annual circular journey that’s decidedly transitional.

Back before Hurricane Ian blew it away, I rented a house in Florida for a few weeks. The house came with four bedrooms, three baths, an ocean view, and a Barbie doll. There was an extra charge for the first three items, but as far as I can tell, not for the doll, fully realizing the small print giveth and the small print taketh away. Since I am not conversant with the multiple variations of Barbies, I gave her several different names. This doll had no elbows or knees that bent. All her limbs stuck out like she had a terminal case of tetany. Just about the only activity she could participate in was sitting in a chaise lounge, developing wrinkles and skin cancer. So initially I called her Melanoma Barbie. Then I got to thinking that maybe her knees and elbows used to bend. You know, when she was Young Barbie. Because I was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt, her second name was Old-Age Stiff-Jointed Barbie. Everyone who can relate, hold up your hand. If your wrecked shoulders allow such excursions.

Today’s column will focus on the makeup of the Board of Elections and how election results are tabulated and released. We are often asked about the structure of the Board of Elections and how people are appointed to their positions. The Board of Elections is made up of four members, two who are affiliated with the Democratic party and two who are affiliated with the Republican party. The four board members are county electors who are recommended by their county central committees and appointed by the Ohio Secretary of State, the chief election official in the state. The board members serve for a term of four years, and are appointed in March of odd numbered years. The current board members are Chair Dave Fisher, Rob Long, Audrey Gillespie, and Jim Oda.

Nature occasionally rewards us with seasonally perfect days. Quintessential days achingly sweet and beautiful, with weather that’s equally ideal. Days to forever treasure. Days you’d give anything to be able to away somewhere and relive again in the future.

DAYTON — The Alzheimer’s Association is offering a webinar outlining ways for caregivers to take care of themselves as part of its free ALZ Talks program series.

Last week we were walking through a day at our house. Come in and join us as we pick up where we left off.

Early October is a very busy time here at the Board of Elections office, as staff is managing several different tasks to prepare for Election Day. All voting equipment, including precinct based and early voting ballot scanners, ballot marking devices for voters with disabilities, and high-speed ballot scanners for mailed in ballots were thoroughly tested to verify that all ballots are being tabulated accurately. A test deck of marked ballots is run through each scanner and the results are uploaded into the tabulation software to ensure the votes are counted as marked. Later in October, the Board will conduct apublic test of voting equipment in three randomly chosen precincts, which will be repeated before each stage of the ballot counting process, another step in making sure the equipment is working properly. The public is invited to observe that test, which will take place during the board meeting at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Since we’ve all pretty much decided to forget about COVID these days, we’re all feeling pretty safe when we step out the door.