“What really burns me” “if you can’t speak English you can’t drive a truck” a truck driver’s perspective

/0 Comments/in , /by
  • Executive order from President Trump that says You need to speak English to work here

What really burns me

 

I believe that I have a unique perspective on this executive order that was signed into law by President Trump stating that all truck drivers have to have a firm grasp on the English language Read write and speak.

I have a unique perspective as I am a truck driver, owner operator, with my own business, and I see everyday now, that this type of executive order should have been implemented long ago.

I’ll put this in a perspective that might make all of you understand why this is a good thing. I drove truck overseas and no not just for the military I drove in Germany and all around Europe from Italy all the way up to Ireland Scotland and England and I did so with a German CDL.

After I got out of the military I took what was called a European out I was an expat. When I got out I decided that I wanted to go and drive a semi which was one of the best things I’ve ever done but to do that in Germany, guess what I have to do, I have to speak read and write German I have to understand the language I have to understand The road signs other drivers and the laws and I have to understand them in German. I had to take the driving test in German I had to also learn something that’s called hochedeutsch which is a higher form of German lovingly referred to as business German. That way when I communicated with shippers and receivers I would have a higher understanding of the language and know more business German to be able to do the job correctly.

But that is something we don’t have here in America we do not force people that come here to this country to speak English, we used to, but that was for those who were trying to become citizens. Now you don’t have to do that anymore if you don’t believe me just look at the over 15 million illegal immigrants that don’t speak English.

I don’t know if you knew this but in New York City and many other cities across America you can take the driving test in multiple different languages languages such as Spanish Korean Farsi Chinese and many others. Taking the test in your own language defeats the purpose of having a driving test if you can’t read the signs or speak to anyone in English What are you going to do when there’s an emergency involving yourself or how about what are you going to say to the EMS or police when something goes wrong on the road What are you going to say when someone dies because you couldn’t read a sign and just happened to go down the wrong road and have a head on collision with someone?

I used to see it sporadically but now I see it almost daily where some driver is at a shipper or receiver holding out their phone with a translating app talking to the shipper or receiver. And it’s all fine and good You have a translator there but the time that it takes that to translate a conversation back and forth could be the time necessary to save someone’s life or the time necessary for you to be able to read a sign and stop from going down the wrong road and causing an accident or God forbid something worse.

President Trump has given the FMCSA (Federal motor Carrier safety administration). 60 days to find these folks who don’t speak the English language with enough fluency to hold a CDL and revoke their license and I 100% agree.

If you go to a foreign country for any length of time longer than a vacation You are made to learn their language, speak read and write it. And out of respect you should That’s the problem here is the people that come here don’t have any respect for us for our language and for the families and people traveling our highways.

I hope that President Trump cracks down on them and makes sure that the FMCSA actually goes out there and starts pulling licenses if you don’t speak the language if you can’t read the signs you can’t write down any information You don’t deserve a CDL there are times when you receive a bill of lading that you have to be able to read it and follow the instructions on it or you could get violated and lose your license anyway.

To the states That give the licenses out if they don’t speak English they don’t get to take the test. give it to them in English and only English no second languages no third languages this is an English-speaking country and we should be demanding English speaking drivers both car and semi trucks

That’s “what really burns me”

Thomas Domich

“What really burns me” “The core of the problem”

/0 Comments/in , /by

Auto parts stores. Fraud? Scam?

the “CORE” of the problem.

 

This is “what really burns me”.

 

If You have ever leased or currently Make monthly payments for, or own outright a vehicle, then You have been through this, most likely, multiple times. Especially if you do a lot of your own repairs.

If you haven’t guessed it already I’m talking about CORE charges.

That is the added extra charge that can make your bill go from the cost of the part, which is exorbitantly high in this day and age, to a price that is, for some, unaffordable at the moment. But no worries It comes with the promise of reimbursement for total cost of the core which is for those that don’t know, The part that is being replaced or the damaged part.

All auto parts stores do this You buy a new part to replace one that is damaged, but you have to return the damaged part to the store Where you bought the new one to get your money back. On what is called a core charge.

So they want you to bring a damaged part to the store where you buy the new one but they charge you money before you bring it back and they promise you a reimbursement as an incentive to bring them the broken part.

This used to be something that I had no issues with until I did a little bit of digging. This core charge has been going on for a long time. Even before you could buy used, reworked,  remanned, or refurbished, parts from the store.

It had always been something that you would have to buy from a junkyard if you wanted a used part, which of course has restrictions by the government that state certain parts can not be reused regardless of how good of a condition they were in.

What the auto parts companies were doing, was taking those cores, reworking  or rebuilding them, whatever was necessary to put them into a good condition of usability and reselling them at close to full price.

After a long time they started to sell these parts for a little bit less money and they would call them remanned or rebuilt or refurbished, and the stores themselves would sell them.

People would buy those parts to save a little bit of money because they did cost less than brand new parts.

Here’s the problem, if a person owns something then that person owns every single part of that something. As in vehicles if I own a vehicle then I own every part of that vehicle, broken or otherwise.

So to charge me a core charge, regardless if I’m going to be reimbursed or not, is not something that should be automatic or forced.

The auto parts stores will automatically put that into your bill of sale charge you automatically and if you say no that you’re not going to pay a core charge, then they will not sell you the new part until you’re willing to pay the core charge, or basically a promise (by monetary force), And in that way they are forcing you to bring them that part that is broken. And yes I know you’re saying that “they are going to reimburse you” which is true if that always happens.

So they force you to bring back that part and usually about 70% of the time you will get your reimbursement. The rest does not happen. I myself have spent months even a year or more waiting for a reimbursement, on one part, and I’ve never received it but I digress.

They force you to bring them that broken part so they can fix it and resell it.

But now things are changing and a lot of the auto parts stores will not sell the reworked or refurbished parts but they still want to continue to charge you for the core.

Now here’s the fun part they no longer sell the refurbished parts,  but still charge you for a core, and expect you to bring that core back or lose that money.  And they still refurbish the parts but they package and sell them as brand new.

And I know you’re not going to believe that but it’s happening in the trucking industry and it’s starting to happen with regular vehicles.

So you say, “what if a person doesn’t want to pay the core charge”?  then you will not be able to buy the new part and if you don’t bring back the core of course you lose that extra money that you pay on the original sale. And with some parts, the core charge is almost as much as the new parts charge, up to 90%.

So you’ll pay almost double for one new part because you decide you want to keep the broken part. maybe reuse it, repair it yourself and put it in another vehicle, or for any other reason you so desire.

It is your part, right?

Then that comes down to the auto industry itself and those who make these parts. They make things harder and harder to fix on your own because they would lose money. Auto mechanics and shops would lose money, and then the dealerships mechanics, and shops would lose a fortune.

So the harder it is for you to fix on your own the better for them therefore they still charge core charges, to manipulate that part from you,  so you don’t try to fix it yourself and they resell it as a new part. They almost double their money because they’re selling a part twice and you lose almost double your money on the price of a new part because, if you refuse to bring back the core, which you own, You get no reimbursement.

I think the auto industry and the auto parts industry make more than enough money in this world than to have to turn around and force us to give them money for a used or damaged part so they can refurbish it and then resell it.

I’m sorry if I own it I will only give it to you if I choose to, and not because you try to manipulate me. It is my property therefore I do not have to give you any part of it. And you will not charge me money, as a so-called “incentive” to bring back something that I own and give it to you for free. Because that’s what it is, after you reimburse me my money for the piece of property that I own. You’re still taking that core that means it’s a free part for you to fix and resell.

I may be making this harder for myself to buy new parts but I will never ever pay a court charge again until they start selling, in the store, reworked parts, labeled as such, not reworked parts selling them as new while still taking the core which is still  your property to continue that cycle

That’s “What really burns me”

Thomas Domich

 

 

 

“What really burns me” – Fostoria Mayor Don Mennel

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

You know what really burns me?

That someone could allow the leachate from the landfill to be put into our sewer treatment plant again.

Mr. Mayor as a person I really do like you. I think that you’re a wise man, smart businessman, and all-around decent human being. But you are definitely lacking in the mayoral role that you’re in now.

First and foremost, you stated that you did a visual inspection of the leachate spill of 55,000 gallons more water. And then you try to explain away the decision to do that by trying to explain water runoff from a landfill. You stated something of the nature that if the water seeps into the trash or into the cover soil and then runs off, that is leachate, but if it runs off the top of the soil down the hill, that is not leachate.

Sure, you are not only mistaken, but you are way, way out of the ballpark. As a former employee, I can attest to and tell you and everyone else that any amount of water that touches that landfill immediately becomes leachate.

Let’s talk about the areas that don’t have very good cover or the transfer station that puts out so much dust into the air that it is almost impossible to see 3 ft in front of yourself, and that dust travels, even if a short distance, and lands directly on the runoff water as it’s coming down the top of the hill, not to mention the trucks that go up and down the hills kicking up garbage, dust, and whatever else may happen, and then the heavy equipment that’s supposed to be burying that trash with cover soil. It turns up the trash and the dust and God only knows what, and it lands right on top of all of that runoff.

A visual inspection wasn’t near enough to let you know whether or not that stuff could be cleaned up. Then consider all of the heavy metals and forever chemicals that are inside of that trash because there’s just as much municipal solid waste as there is C&D, sometimes even more, that should have never been taken into the sewer treatment.

Let me ask you a question. What happens to the water after the sewer treatment plant is done with it? They put it back into the environment, correct? What do you think’s inside of that water? All those forever chemicals, all those heavy metals, and all that nasty crap was right back into it, into the soil and possibly into our drinking water. Never thought about that clearly, did you?

You are having that hauled off by tanker truck to an off-site location, the sewer treatment plant. How about to an off-site location that handles that kind of stuff every day? There are many, many disposal places that handle liquid hazardous waste.

Not understanding the last time it was put there, it wasn’t stopped because of a smell. It’s because anybody that knows anything about the environment and the process to clean sewage and stormwater knows that once it has been cleaned, it is dumped right back into the environment, usually open land or creeks, rivers, or ponds. It identifies that liquid as being clean, treated, and can be put back into the environment where it will end up back on the water table and possibly into the drinking water or into the freshwater creeks and streams, killing fish and other wildlife.

The information that you spoke of sounds exactly like what Ben Nutter would have said and placate the citizens of Fostoria, but I’m telling you now, everything that he says, except maybe when he announces his name, is a lie.

The landfill is a self-monitoring entity, meaning they can lie and do whatever they want and put out some report full of only half-truths and lies, and they know that they can get away with it. And then you have an EPA who turns a blind eye and an attorney general who takes credit for anything that happens regarding the landfill that makes them be accountable and of course also turns a blind eye.

It was my hope that you, as the mayor, would not turn a blind eye to the lies, the theft, the fraud, and the downright malice that the landfill continues to do. People are dying, people are being diagnosed with illnesses, and people are being told of their imminent death.

Stop worrying about the money that’s going to come in from it. Stop it from happening. You can figure out something else. Do not accept that toxic liquid in our sewer treatment plant.

THIS IS WHAT BURNS ME

Thomas Domich

 

“What Really Burns Me” – HYPOCRITES, LIARS, THE LANDFILL.

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

HYPOCRITES, LIARS, THE LANDFILL.

I read the last piece that was done by the Fostoria Free Press about the landfill and its so-called administrator and liaison to former commissioner Ben Nutter. A lot of good information, but also a lot that is still not known, some of which I’m going to give you today.

As a former employee and former manipulator, falsifier of documents, all while working for Sunny Farms and under their instructions, I can tell you things first-hand that you may or may not believe, so I’ll give it to you in the form of my opinion.

Chris Valerian was the owner of Live Earth LLC. While the information is correct that WCA acquired the landfill from Mr. Valerian in the tune of 88 million, there’s some information that’s not given about the ties between Ben Nutter, Mr. Valerian, and WCA.

WCA purchased the landfill earlier than stated; according to the SEC, they purchased that landfill in 2009, not 2011 as others believed or was made public. Also, since Mr. Valerian, who was indebted to someone from whom he received the money to purchase the landfill in the first place, WCA came to the rescue by paying off his debt, giving him 88 million, giving him 555.5 million shares of WCA, which was about 13.7% at that time. Also, they kept him in charge of the landfill and the transfer stations on the East Coast.

And if Mr. Valerian gave campaign contributions to Ben Nutter, then I believe WCA would have known about it as well because it would have been their money that paid for that campaign.

As far as falsifying documents and things of that nature, being as I was one of the people that did that while I worked there, I can guarantee you that type of conduct has been going on since long before I started working there. Also, by WCA buying the landfill earlier than was publicly released, and WCA being, at that time, part of another company who was owned by Tunnel Hills and GFL, which purchased WCA before that was publicly released as well, it goes to show a pattern of non-compliance, lies, deceit, and downright hatred for the people of Fostoria.

While I worked there, there used to be a scale tower that was on the other side of the landfill, away from the public. It was there for us to be able to weigh the trucks as they were leaving the transfer station and to verify whether or not the trash that was in the back of the trucks was CD&D or if it was MSW (municipal solid waste). While in that scale house, the transfer station was instructed that anything that was loaded into the trucks could be anything that they wanted, MSW or CD&D, but they had to try to get as much CD&D as they could on the top because I had to take pictures of it, which in turn, those pictures were to be sent to the health department and the front scale house as evidence that the majority was CD&D, which in turn, later, those photos were passed to the EPA and to the customers so they could milk them for more money.

I say that because they were crooked enough to have me take pictures only of CD&D. If the truck did not have any CD&D on the top of the municipal trash to hide it, I was to zoom in specifically on a piece of destruction material, and every day I would manipulate weights and photos to make sure that the landfill received the highest pay they could for trash that was exactly that, just trash, with unknown materials inside.

After so long of doing that, when my health started to fade, I came to the realization that if I didn’t do something about it or say something to someone, it wouldn’t be just me whose health would be fading. Most of us were already blowing out black, nasty goop out of our nose and coughing up brown and black phlegm. I thought maybe some of that would have been attributed to the asbestos that was illegally buried there without permits, but I was not diagnosed with mesothelioma. I was diagnosed with COPD, now at stage 4, and something solid in my lungs that they cannot identify and are afraid to try to remove any of because it may cut up my lungs on the way out. But it does move around in my lungs, causing me grief and difficulty breathing. So, I reported to the EPA. I gathered pictures and duplicate pictures and had them in a file that I was going to give the EPA and the customers. Suffice it to say, I was caught. I was threatened for my job and told that my NDA would not allow me to do such a thing. I later found out that if there are health problems that you have from working somewhere, an NDA does not apply.

The connection between Mr. Valerian, Mr. Nutter, and another man named Joe Frola, who happened to be general manager of the landfill at the time, is unknown by this writer, but there is a connection.

This is just the tip of the iceberg that shows the pattern that is there, that continues to happen over and over again because they can get away with it, and all because they learn it from the prior owners who are all under the same umbrella.

I think that maybe the next City Council meeting, we should all bring some water in from our faucet and ask them to drink it. I guarantee you, quick, fast, and in a hurry, they’ll refuse, and if they don’t refuse, that only goes to show you that their health is good enough from living elsewhere, that whatever they drink isn’t going to harm them like it has us.

And for those of you who think I’m living in the past and everything is different now, you’re wrong. We are supposed to learn from our mistakes in the past, not continue them, and the landfill continues to do the same things over and over again, just in a new way, hoping that we won’t catch on. The pattern continues, and I feel bad for anyone who works there right now because quite a lot, if not all of you, will most likely end up with health issues in the future.

And in my opinion, Ben Nutter has betrayed Seneca County and the people that live here. It’s no wonder that he lost his campaign.



AND THAT’S WHAT REALLY BURNS ME
Thomas Domich




“What really burns me” – STOP MEDICATING OUR KIDS

/0 Comments/in , , /by

“What really burns me” – STOP MEDICATING OUR KIDS

ADD, ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Dissociative Personality Disorder, Depression. These are a few of the things that our children are diagnosed with nowadays. More than 85 percent of the world’s children, to put a better number on it.

And in my opinion, about 95 percent of those is a line of bull puckey.

First, let me say that I applaud RFK Jr. for trying to get a handle on the chronic disease epidemic, but I think we need to include this into that same epidemic.

I believe the majority of these diagnoses are wrong, and the doctors give them out so they can give out the medication like candy, all for the almighty dollar.

And as all opinions are based in truth or experience, I myself as a child, and my child now, both have experience in this.

In my opinion, we don’t medicate our children for them; we medicate them for ourselves. The doctors of our time, for what these kids have, use it as a way of making it sound like a problem that needs medication, and of course they push the narrative that it needs medication when in reality it doesn’t.

Look at the names of the diagnoses, for example, ADHD, which translates to Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. One, it’s not a disorder or disease or anything else, and two, what the issue is, is directly in the name: HYPERACTIVE.

Most kids I know, if you give them a little bit of sugar, they bounce off the walls. I was one of them. They decided to put me on Ritalin when I was a kid. What did that do for me? It turned me into a drooling zombie.

I’ve seen what these antidepressants and these mood stabilizers do to kids. My daughter was always a lightweight child, but when I watched her go from 120 lbs down to 90 in less than 3 weeks, it was frightening, to say the least.

I’m not going to speak ill of any parent; we only do what we hope is for the best, and we listen to doctors. But when I say that we do this for ourselves and not for our children, I mean that because the first time that you give your kids medication is when you feel that you can’t handle whatever it is that they’re doing, and you don’t know how to control them. You don’t know how to handle it. You can’t handle it, so you take them to the doctor, who then gives them pills.

Then you notice that they’re calmer, more relaxed, and easier to control, and that’s it in a nutshell: we want to be able to control our children. If Little Jimmy was always a good boy, nothing ever came around, no other problems, he wouldn’t have medication. But the minute that Susie acts out of the norm for what you set standards for, then we medicate them.

In my opinion, learn how to handle your children, stop giving them medication, and stop telling them there’s something wrong with them. Start helping build up their positives, stop looking at any kind of negatives, and never, ever tell them the word “enough.” The word “enough” implies limits, which these children should not have.

“You’re pretty enough, you’re good enough, you’re smart enough.” It implies that there’s no further that they can go or that they shouldn’t aspire to anything more, and that is the wrong way to handle it.

This is what really burns me. Stop medicating our children, stop disparaging them, stop pigeonholing them. Learn how to control them without medicating, and we’ll all have a much better life.

Thomas Domich

“What really burns me” – OH-EPA Where rules really ARE made to be broken.

/0 Comments/in , , /by

Author: TD

“Rules are made to be broken” at least that’s what we were told when we were kids.

We heard it from all our friends, and older siblings, and we believed it.

Until our all-knowing smarter parents shot that down, put us to rights and made us understand that rules are made to be followed.

Rules are made to protect us, and rules are made because some people have done things that can be considered ignorant and silly.

So rules were made to protect us just like signs are never made unless someone has actually done the deed that caused the making of the sign.

With that being said, I want to tell you about someone, an organization, who breaks their own rules and allows others to break them too.

The Ohio EPA, and yes I know just as all of you do that these folks are not elected, they’re bureaucrats, hired under the promise of watching out for our health and wellbeing, keeping an eye on our environment and stopping all the pollution and all the toxification of our air and water etc etc.

But What I bet you don’t see, is that the EPA is not a government organization as we were led to believe. They are hired bureaucrats who can talk fancy and make you want their services. they’re given power over protecting our environment and our water and our kids and our lives but they don’t use it for that they use it to make money.

It’s a money grabbing organization that answers to no one but gives all the money they earn to their pockets and to the government officials who let them stay in power.

The EPA gets their funds from fines and fees that they charge to every company, large organization or anyone who violates their rule.

But of course they can’t fine themselves or charge themselves any fees even though they break their own rules as well.

Ask yourself a question When a company needs to get rid of waste if they don’t ask the EPA and get caught they get fined and that’s it.

And yes I know sometimes they get sued and lose a lot of money. Now lets say that same company asks the EPA for a permit to commit whatever atrocity that they’re going to commit And they receive it for a fee.

What I don’t understand is how does the EPA make rules stating that you can’t do this and you can’t do that but if you want to do those things call us and we’ll sell you a permit that allows you to do those things

So if you want to pollute call the EPA if you want to put toxic waste in the water call the EPA and get a permit.

Only as an example Win Waste Innovations. They have purchased multiple different permits and all of those permits give them allowance to do exactly what the EPA has made rules against. Such as SO2 levels, such as expansions, such as height of the trash mountain so on and so forth

It shows me that either the EPA is on the take, or they just take enough to give the landfill the opportunity to have a permit, to do exactly what the EPA has mandated that no one can do.

So I guess our friends were right when we were kids, rules are made to be broken… at least when it comes to keeping our air and water clean for our children and for their future.

What is the actual use of the EPA? why do they exist?

They might need to change their name to the Environmental Payoff Agency.

“What really burns me” and my opinion about it.

 

Fire erupts at Martinez refinery in California

/0 Comments/in /by

A significant fire erupted at the Martinez Refining Company in Martinez, California, on Saturday, February 1, 2025, around 1:47 p.m. The incident resulted in at least one reported injury and prompted local authorities to issue public health advisories for the surrounding communities.

The blaze was accompanied by substantial flaring, leading to towering flames and thick black smoke visible from miles away. Contra Costa County health officials promptly issued a public health advisory for residents in Martinez, Pacheco, and Clyde, cautioning that individuals with respiratory sensitivities might experience eye, skin, nose, or throat irritation. Residents were advised to stay indoors, close all windows and doors, and turn off ventilation systems to minimize exposure.

In response to the fire, a shelter-in-place alert was issued at 4:49 p.m. for areas north of the refinery. Residents were instructed to remai

The Martinez Refining Company reported that their trained firefighters and personnel were actively responding to the incident, working diligently to isolate and control the fire. All refinery personnel have been accounted for. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Local emergency services, including the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, were on the scene to assist with the response. Authorities have temporarily closed roads near the facility, including the Interstate 680 southbound exit to Marina Vista Avenue, to facilitate emergency operations. Residents are urged to avoid the area to allow first responders to work unimpeded.

Air quality monitoring is ongoing, with inspectors from the Bay Area Air Quality Management District assessing potential impacts. Preliminary reports indicate that neighborhoods near and downwind of the fire could experience elevated levels of particulate pollution. Residents are advised to monitor local news sources and official communications for updates and further instructions.

This incident underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and the need for clear communication between industrial facilities, local authorities, and the communities they serve. As investigations continue, more information will be provided to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected residents.

The Line Between Convenience and Compliance: Dean & Donna’s Advertising Dilemma

/0 Comments/in , , /by
Read more

Fostoria Resident’s Extension Cord Incident Sparks Ongoing Disputes with City Officials

/0 Comments/in , /by

Fostoria, Ohio – A series of escalating confrontations between James/Micheal Mosier, a local resident, and the City of Fostoria has raised questions about constitutional rights, public access, and the limits of citizen activism. The feud began with a seemingly petty dispute over an extension cord and has since spiraled into allegations of unconstitutional practices, physical altercations, and retaliatory charges.

The Extension Cord Controversy

The roots of this conflict trace back to an unusual dispute involving Mosier’s brother, Michael. Michael Mosier allowed a neighbor to use an extension cord from his home for a short time. When the arrangement soured, and Michael no longer wished to allow the neighbor access, the neighbor allegedly continued to plug the cord back in without permission.

Frustrated by the situation and dissatisfied with the Fostoria Police Department’s response, Michael Mosier took a provocative step: he laid an extension cord across County Line Street to power a lamp on the sidewalk. This act, viewed by many as a symbolic protest against perceived inaction by local authorities, drew significant attention and marked the beginning of the Mosiers’ ongoing scrutiny of Fostoria’s municipal operations.

From Extension Cord to Constitutional Auditor

Following the extension cord incident, Mosier took on the role of a constitutional auditor, focusing on government accountability and transparency. His tactics include recording in publicly accessible areas of the Fostoria Municipal Building and challenging policies he believes infringe on citizens’ rights.

However, Mosier’s methods have sparked controversy:

  • Repeated Public Building Visits: Mosier has frequently recorded inside the municipal building, claiming this is his constitutional right. His presence has reportedly upset city employees, with one worker allegedly brought to tears by his interactions.
  • Persistent Phone Calls: Mosier is said to have repeatedly called the Fostoria Police Department, asking to be transferred to other departments before hanging up and calling back. This behavior reportedly persisted for weeks.

Allegations Against City Officials

In an email to Law Director Stephanie Kiser, Mosier outlined his grievances, including:

  • Unconstitutional Signage: Mosier has challenged the presence of “no recording” signs in publicly accessible areas, calling them unconstitutional. Despite public criticism, these signs remain in place.
  • Physical Altercations: Mosier accuses Assistant Prosecutor Barb Dibble and Probation Officer Erika Mackling of physically pushing him and using a door to block his access to a public hallway. Video evidence reportedly supports his claims.
  • Retaliatory Charges: Mosier alleges he has been charged with additional offenses simply for asserting his right to record in public spaces.

Community Reaction: Advocacy or Harassment?

The Mosiers’ actions have divided the Fostoria community. Supporters argue they are standing up for constitutional rights and holding officials accountable. Critics, however, see their behavior as disruptive and petty, pointing to incidents like the extension cord protest and frequent emails and phone calls to city employees.

City Council Involvement

In a related twist, City Council President Brian Shaver faced backlash for allowing an anonymous speaker, believed to be Mosier, to address a council meeting. Critics argue that this decision violated the city charter and reflects broader issues of leadership within the council.

The Broader Implications

This conflict underscores the challenges faced by both citizens and government officials in navigating activism and public accountability. While Mosier’s actions highlight potential concerns about transparency and rights, his methods have also drawn scrutiny for potentially crossing the line into harassment.

Moving Forward

The City of Fostoria must address the balance between respecting constitutional rights and maintaining a productive, harassment-free environment for its employees and citizens. Meanwhile, the Mosiers continue to demand accountability, leaving many in the community to question how and when this escalating conflict will be resolved.

For now, the dispute over an extension cord has grown into a larger battle over rights, public access, and government accountability, placing the City of Fostoria in the spotlight.

 

Breaking Free from Small-Town Mindsets: A Path to Progressing the Local Economy

/0 Comments/in /by

In small towns across the country, tight-knit communities are often defined by their traditions, long-standing values, and a sense of familiarity that offers comfort and stability. While these qualities can create a strong social fabric, they can also foster a resistance to change, inadvertently stifling economic growth and innovation. If we want to see our local economies thrive, it’s time to reevaluate how small-town mindsets can either propel or hinder progress.

Here’s how we can move forward collectively while staying true to the heart of our communities:

1. Embrace Change Without Losing Identity

Small towns often value their history and traditions, but economic development requires a willingness to adapt. This doesn’t mean abandoning what makes your community unique. Instead, it’s about integrating modern solutions while preserving cultural heritage. Whether it’s supporting local startups or exploring new industries, change can coexist with tradition.

2. Rethink “Competition”

In small towns, there’s often a tendency to see other businesses as competition rather than potential collaborators. Breaking free from this mindset can lead to partnerships that benefit everyone. For example, a local café might collaborate with a bakery to offer special promotions, creating a win-win situation for both businesses. Community over competition is key to building a thriving local economy.

3. Invest in Local Innovation

Progression often requires investment—financial and otherwise. Encourage local schools, businesses, and entrepreneurs to think creatively. This could mean offering incentives for startups, hosting innovation workshops, or creating spaces for networking. Fostering a culture of forward-thinking not only benefits the community but also attracts external investments.

4. Welcome Newcomers and Ideas

Many small towns face challenges with an “us versus them” mindset when it comes to newcomers or fresh perspectives. To grow, communities must be open to diversity and innovation. Whether it’s a new resident with a business idea or an outsider proposing economic strategies, their input could be the spark needed for transformation.

5. Encourage Risk-Taking

Small-town economies often lean on “tried and true” industries, which can limit potential growth. Encouraging calculated risks—like investing in technology, tourism, or niche markets—can pave the way for long-term success. While risks carry uncertainties, they also open doors to opportunities that traditional approaches might overlook.

6. Focus on Education and Training

A skilled workforce is a cornerstone of any economy. Small towns should prioritize education and workforce training to prepare residents for modern industries. Partnering with local schools, colleges, and trade programs can equip people with the tools they need to succeed and contribute to economic growth.

7. Support Local Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship is a powerful driver of economic development, yet small-town entrepreneurs often face barriers like limited access to funding or resources. Providing support—through grants, mentorship programs, or coworking spaces—can encourage locals to take the leap into business ownership.

8. Adopt a Long-Term Vision

Small towns frequently focus on immediate needs or short-term goals, often at the expense of long-term planning. To progress economically, leaders and community members must adopt a broader vision. This might mean investing in infrastructure, green energy, or digital connectivity to attract businesses and residents for years to come.

A Unified Approach

Letting go of small-town mindsets doesn’t mean losing the sense of community and belonging that defines these places. It’s about expanding horizons and working together toward a brighter future. By embracing change, fostering innovation, and supporting one another, small towns can evolve into hubs of opportunity while remaining true to their roots.

The path to economic progression starts with us—our willingness to dream bigger, try new things, and step into the unknown for the betterment of everyone. Together, we can ensure our small-town charm thrives in a modern world.