Classifieds....... A10-12Comics.&.Puzzles.. A9Real.Estate.............A13

Local/State......... A3-4Obituaries............... A2History.................... A5

Sports.............. A15-16Todays.World......... A8Weather.................. A2.

Saturday, auguSt 9 & Sunday, auguSt 10, 2014 $1.00

rEdS FaLL tO MarLInSThe Cincinnati Reds couldnt hit Nathan Eovaldi. Cincinnati rallied in the ninth, but it wasnt enough. Fridays loss to the Miami Marlins gives the Reds a 8-13 record after the All-Star Break. a16

A dHI Media Publication serving Van Wert, Delphos & Area Communities

COOPEr FarMS aCQuIrES Egg CO-OPCooper Farms announced its acquisition of egg-layer and pullet cooperative Fort Recovery Equity Friday.

a3-4

High expectations are the key to everything.

-Sam Walton

Bulletin Board

Index

A Joint Product of the Times Bulletin and Delphos Herald Newspapers

The Van Wert County Veter-ans Services Of-fice Board meeting has been moved from August 7, to August 14 at 1 p.m.

The Ladies Aux-iliary Post 5803 in Van Wert has changed its August meet-ing date from Sunday, August 3, to Sunday, Au-gust 10 at 1 p.m.

Bulletin Board

By nanCy SPEnCErDHI Media Editor

nspencer@delphosherald.com

LIMA Ohio Gov. John Kasich made one of his first campaign stops in northwest Ohio Friday, visiting Wannemacher Logistics on Han-thorn Road in Lima.

Kasich was quick to outline his successes in his first term at the helm.

When I started, the unemployed in Ohio could have filled 3 1/2 Ohio stadiums, he said. We have cre-ated 263,000 private sector jobs and given our workers back their dignity. Having a job is a morale issue.

When Kasich took office in 2011, the states debt was $8 billion. Today, there is a $1.5 billion surplus.

We were carrying this huge debt. We just had to sit down at the table and decide what we needed and what we didnt need, Kasich said. And along the way, we cut taxes and we are poised for more economic growth. We not only have agricul-ture and manufacturing, which are doing great, we are also involved in energy and are attempting to become

independent. We are expanding our service and upgrading our logistics. When you see those orange bar-rels, that means people are working, were moving things.

Kasich also touched on the elimi-nation of the death tax in Ohio.

You shouldnt have to visit the undertaker and the tax man on the same day and walk away without your [family] business, he said. We got rid of that and are encouraging the federal government to do the same. Small business is the engine of economic growth.

Kasich urged everyone to get in-volved to solve the states problems, rather than waiting on someone else or the government to come to the rescue.

We have 11.5 million people with diverse backgrounds. We have the formula to be great, he said. We need to get folks involved in-stead of thinking someone else is go-ing to fix it.

Education is a large part of Ka-sichs campaign drive and his last budget included more funding for K-12 schools, bringing trade schools

back to Ohio and universities and community colleges pledging to fo-cus on students completing courses and earning degrees, not tuition.

We need our high school guid-

ance counselors guiding people. They need to be helping our students map out their future, not being used as a lunch room monitor, he said. We have universities and commu-

nity colleges committing to their stu-dents and their success.

Kasich referenced a school in Cincinnati with a 65-percent gradua-tion rate that was lifted to 97 percent just by having community members coming into the school and talking with students and taking an interest in their success.

You dont need to try and change 100, 50 or even 10 peoples lives, he said. You just need to change one.

Kasich closed by urging the 250 in attendance to become a part of the solution to Ohios challenges.

We need to take our communi-ties back. We have lost our sense of personal responsibility, he said. We need to get our folks in the schools and talking to our youth. I read somewhere that even just one conversation with a young person about the scourge of drugs make st-hem 50 percent less likely theyll do drugs. Weve rolled out a new pro-gram called Start Talking and its our plan for the war on drugs and it starts with talking.

Kasich urges residents to get involved in their communities

The Delphos City School Board of Education will meet at 7:30 p.m. Mon-day in the administrative building.Items on the agenda in-

clude approval of the fed-erally mandated increase of lunch prices.

Governor John Kasich touted his successes in his first term and outlined his plan for continued improvements in Ohio should he be voted in for another to a crowd of more than 250 at Wannemacher Logistics on Friday. (DHI Media/Nancy Spencer)

2014 Rib Fest underwayThe 2014 edition of the Van Wert Rib Fest kicked off Friday evening at Van Wert County Fairgrounds. Visitors to the event were treated to ribs from a number of competing barbecue teams, as well as live music, and other entertainment. Rib Fest continues this weekend as part of the community Crossroads Festival. (DHI Media/Ed Gebert)

Salvation Army Food Pantry restocked thanks to public reaction

By Ed gEBErtDHI Media Editor

egebert@timesbulletin.com

VAN WERT Two weeks ago, Maj. Art Barter was not feeling too secure. The Salva-tion Army Food Pantry in Van Wert was all but out of food. Families who came for help with groceries soon would be going home with only a few scraps of what was leftover. With no promise of a food supply coming to restock the pantry, there was much uncer-tainty.

It was a little unsettling not knowing where we would get more, Barter admitted. We had plenty of snack food like packages of crackers you could give kids after school, but nothing substantial that you could put in a bag of gro-ceries for a family.

Marbletown Cake Decorating Contest draws 61 confectionersThe icing was slathered and the decorations placed just so during the annual Marbletown Kids Cake Decoration Contest Friday in Marble Hall at Delphos Wesleyan Church. Local baker Alex Benavidez provides each child with a 4-inch round cake, icing and gummy worms, frog, gum drops, etc., to create their own sweet masterpiece. Above: Brianna Bowen, 6, and Zaria Harter, also 6, make sure their cakes have enough decorations. See the winners on page 3. Events continue today with the 5K at 8 a.m., childrens events from 10 a.m. to noon, the parade at 1 p.m. and the Golf Cart Poker Run at 2 p.m. (DHI Media/Nancy Spencer)

dHI MEdIa StaFF rEPOrtinfo@timesbulletin.com

VAN WERT One more tool is ready for use in the struggle to match talent, especially hometown talent, with local job opportunities. Van Wert Works, is a web-based employment service featuring area employers looking for employees. It is based on a success-ful program for Mercer, Auglaize, and Darke County employees called Hometown Oppor-tunity.

On Wednesday night, the new site went online at Van-WertJobs.com and thus far the site is getting a good re-action.

So far, the feedback from the businesses has been wonderful, offers Van Wert County Economic Development Director Sarah Smith. I can already see there being a need in the future to hire someone just to manage the web-site, which is the same thing that happened in Mercer County for their website Hometown Opportunity.

Unlike the neighboring site, Van Wert Works will not allow direct submissions of resumes on the site, but it will be continually updated with new jobs and opportunities. Ac-

cording to Smith, four new job openings were emailed from local companies on the first day the site went live.

Directions to responding to the job postings can be found on the site.

Not all of our key industries are listed on the site quite yet, explained Smith In May I visited over 45 Van Wert and Delphos orga-

nizations and busi-nesses. It was their task to complete the information needed to add them to the site. Sometimes it takes the site going active and seeing you arent on there to give the push to get your informa-tion submitted.

Companies who have not yet re-turned their infor-mation should con-tact the Van Wert County Develop-

ment Office.The purpose of the site is a push by the

county commissioners to showcase Van Wert County, Smith shared. It will provide one-stop shopping for youth desiring to see what jobs and opportunities are available in the Van Wert. This could serve to help steer a career path for talent looking to stay in Van Wert County or move home after college.

New site to help match local talent and local jobs

JOBS/A14

KaSICH/A14

In this 2012 file photo, United Way workers count and sort food donations made during the Day of Caring Food Drive. Thanks to public reaction to a food shortage at the Salvation Army Food Pantry this summer, the food pantry should remain stocked until this years United Way Day of Caring Food Drive on Sept. 26. (DHI Media File Photo)FOOd/A14

OPInIOnReaders speak their minds about local topics on the Opinion page. Turn to pages A6-7 to read letters to the editor, thumbs up/down, and columns from our staff. a6

Vol. 145, No. 41

fr

A2 Saturday, August 9 & Sunday, August 10, 2014 Times Bulletin/Delphos Herald

Tomorrow MondayToday

turning partly cloudy with a 20% chance of afternoon showers High: 84Low: 63

partly cloudywith a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms

High: 83Low: 65

mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms

High: 82Low: 65

Ohio LotteryMega Millions 09-16-61-70-75, MB: 7Midday 3 0-9-3Midday 4 6-6-5-5Midday 5 9-0-0-7-6Pick 3 8-3-5Pick 4 4-3-3-1Pick 5 7-1-5-4-6Rolling Cash 5 02-15-28-35-38Indiana LotteryDaily Three-Midday 2-8-8Daily Three-Evening 4-1-5Daily Four-Midday 6-9-6-0Daily Four-Evening 3-7-9-4Quick Draw-Midday 03-04-14-15-16-31-33-37-38-43 49-50-52-63-71-72-73-74-79-80Quick Draw-Evening 02-06-07-09-12-13-21-31-34-35 40-43-49-54-62-65-67-68-79-80Cash Five 01-03-32-33-38Mix & Match 10-11-14-18-43

OBITUARIES

POLICE REPORTS

VISITATION & SERVICES

LOTTERY

LOCAL WEATHER

ELIDA Gary L. Plum-mer, 74, of Elida, died at 1:35 a.m. Friday at Kindred Hospi-tal in Lima following an ex-tended illness.

He is the husband of Con-nie K. Follas Plummer, who survives in Elida.

Funeral services will begin at 8 p.m. Monday at Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral Home, Spencerville, the Rev. Bruce Tumblin officiating.

Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the fu-neral home.

Gary L. Plummer

Van Wert Sheriffs Office08-02 10:35 p.m.A Van Wert man reported

a domestic incident that oc-curred in the 1500 block of Venedocia.

08-03 10:48 p.m.A complainant in the

20000 block of Carpenter Road, Middle Point, reported someone banging on their back door.

08-04 6:26 p.m.A Middle Point woman

in the 9700 block of Middle Point Road reported an inci-dent of domestic violence. No charges were filed.

08-05 5:36 p.m.Officers responded to a call

of an injured deer along State Route 118.

08-04 7:39 p.m.Four Ohio City juveniles

were warned about criminal trespassing after being seen on private property.

08-04 4:30 p.m.Police responded to a com-

plaint of menacing with regard to an illegal manufacturing of drug and cultivation of mari-juana. An officer investigated the complaint in the 300 block of West Carmean Street, Ohio City. Nothing was found and no charges were filed.

08-05 8:12 p.m.Taylor Lautzenheiser, 22,

of Celina, was arrested for possession of drugs.

07-27 5:57 p.m.John Friemonth was cited

for no operators license and unauthorized use of license plates. No age or address was provided in the report.

08-02 3:53A Van Wert man in the

11800 block of Clayworth Road reported an unruly ju-venile.

08-05 3:58 p.m.A Van Wert woman in

12000 block of Greenville Road reported someone tres-passing on her property.

08-07 2:28 a.m.An Ohio City man in the

200 block of South Main Street reported two juveniles trespassing.

08-05 3:23 p.m.The Sherriffs Office re-

ceived a call about a dog run-ning loose on Temple Street. Officers found the dog and it had been reported missing. The owner was located.

08-04 2:08 p.m.A juvenile was bitten by a

dog in the 600 block of Cable Street, Van Wert. No charges were filed.

08-01 4:15 p.m.Casey McMillen, 30, of

Van Wert, was arrested for es-cape, a felony of the third de-gree, and possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree.

08-01 4:15 p.m.Joe Quevedo, 49, of Van

Wert, was arrested for aggra-vated burglary, a felony of the second degree.

08-01 4:50 p.m.Michael Whisman, 23, of

Columbus, was arrested for burglary, a felony of the sec-ond degree, and theft, a felony of the fifth degree.

08-06 12:48 p.m.Officers responded to a call

regarding cruelty to an ani-mal in the 800 block of North Washington Street, Van Wert. After investigating, officers found no indication of this.

07-24 4:03 p.m.The department received

complaints of cruelty to ani-mals on Middle Point Wetzel Road in Grover Hill. Officer investigated and called a vet-erinarian, which resulted in no indication of cruelty to the animals.

08-07 8:14 p.m.Ruby Hollinsworth, 55, of

Van Wert, was arrested for a failure to comply to a warrant.

08-07 3:26 p.m.A Convoy woman reported

an unruly juvenile.

VAN WERT Vickie Ma-rie (Cochenspager) Rayer, 49, of Van Wert, died at 10:10 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014, at Lu-theran Hospital, Fort Wayne, Indiana, from a brain stem an-eurysm.

She was born Jan. 19, 1965, in Van Wert.

She is survived by her par-ents: Michael and Edna (Mut-er) Semer of Van Wert and pa-ternal grandparents, David and Peggy Stuckey of Van Wert.

She is also survived by her children: Nicole M. (Curt) Moore of Mulberry, Indiana, Brandie J. (Bill) Combs of Li-gonier, Indiana, Hunter M. Rayer, Raynie M. Rayer, Rylie M. Rayer, and Angela Ireton, all of Van Wert; grandchildren to whom she was Mammee: Nathan, Kyle, Justin, Maekayla, and Karlee Moore, all of Mulberry; sister: Deborah E. (Ar-mando) Alba of Van Wert, and a niece: Maekenzie Alba of Van Wert.

She was preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey JJ Rayer, maternal grandparents: Ashley and Mabel Muter and her pater-nal grandparents: William Thatcher and Leah Thatcher.

Vickie was a homemaker and 1983 graduate of Van Wert High School.

Funeral services will be at the graveside at Woodland Cemetery at 10:30 a.m. Monday with the Rev. Jody Harr officiating.

Preferred memorials are to the family.Condolences may be left on the website, www.bricknerfu-

neralhome.com or sent to bricknerfuneralhome@bright.net.

Vickie Marie Rayer

Vickie Marie Rayer

Jan. 19, 1965 - Aug. 5, 2014

Michael AglerService will be held at Sunday, Aug. 10, 2014, at 5 p.m. with

visitation starting at 3 p.m. at Midwest Funeral Home and Cre-mation Society, 4602 Newaygo Road, Ft. Wayne, Indiana.Loren BradfieldA prayer service will be held at 9:15 a.m. Monday, Aug. 11,

2014, in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Rose Catholic Church in Monroeville. Friends will be received from noon to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 10 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monro-eville. A rosary service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.James HasselswerthCelebration of Life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16,

2014, in the VFW banquet hall on South Shannon Street, Van Wert.Howard LambFuneral Mass will be held at St. Mary of the Immaculate

Conception in Los Gatos, California, on Friday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m.

Moletus OstingA Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday at St.

John the Evangelist Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Visitation will be on Sunday from 2-8 p.m. at Harter and Schier Funeral Home. There will be a parish wake on Sunday to begin at 7:30 p.m.Gary PlummerFuneral services will begin at 8 p.m. Monday at Thomas E.

Bayliff Funeral Home, Spencerville. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.Vickie RayerFuneral services will be at the graveside at Woodland Cem-

etery at 10:30 a.m. Monday. Clyde (Ed) SmithVisitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Harter and

Schier Funeral Home with a memorial service to be held at 6 p.m.Ralph Wischmeyer Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 9:30 a.m.

Saturday at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, the Rev. Matt Jozefiak officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Ottawa American Legion, VFW and AMVETS. Memorials can be made to Sts. Peter and Paul School Education Foun-dation. Condolences can be expressed at lovefuneral-home.com.Marilyn Youngpeter A Memorial Mass celebrating Marilyns life will begin at

10 a.m. Aug. 9 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 750 Bright Road.

WASHINGTON (AP) This weeks death of former White House press secretary James Brady, who survived a gunshot wound to the head in a 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan, has been ruled a homicide, District of Colum-bia police said Friday.

Federal prosecutors said only that they are reviewing the ruling. But a law professor and an attorney for John Hinck-ley Jr., who was found not guilty by reason of insanity in the shooting, said bringing new charges against the 59-year-old in Bradys death seemed unlikely.

I think it (the medical examiners ruling) will mean noth-ing, long-time Hinckley attorney Barry Levine told The As-sociated Press. No prosecutors will bring such a case. The notion that this could be a successful prosecution is far-fetched. There is no legal basis to pursue this.

Brady lived through hours of delicate surgery and further operations over the past 33 years, but never regained normal use of his limbs and was often in a wheelchair.

An autopsy revealed the cause of death to be a gunshot wound and its health consequences, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide, according to a news release Friday from District police spokeswoman Gwendolyn Crump. Nancy Bull, district administrator for the Virginia medical examiners of-fice, which made the ruling, declined to disclose any more re-sults of the autopsy and referred inquiries to District police.

Besides partial paralysis from brain damage, Brady suffered short-term memory impairment, slurred speech and constant pain. His family said he died Monday at age 73 at his Virginia home from a series of health issues.

William Miller, a spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office in Washington, said the office is reviewing the ruling on the death of Mr. Brady and has no further comment at this time. District police and the FBI are also reviewing the case.

Tung Yin, a professor of law at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon, said Friday that its rare that the act that could be considered the cause of a murder occurred so long ago.

It seems a little bit unprecedented, Yin said of the Virgin-ia medical examiners ruling. He said such cases more likely involve a person in a coma who dies some time later.

He said bringing such a case could cause problems for pros-ecutors, because Hinckley Jr. was found was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

A jury has already concluded on the same incident that he (Hinckley Jr.) was not guilty. Nothing today changes that, Yin said, even if prosecutors say Hinckley is no longer insane. That doesnt change what he was 33 years ago.

Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate Reagan outside the Washington Hilton Hotel on March 30, 1981, just two months into the new presidents term. Reagan nearly died from a chest wound. Three others, including Brady, were struck by bullets from Hinckleys handgun.

In 1982, Hinckley Jr. was found not guilty by reason of in-sanity of all charges in a 13-count indictment, including fed-eral counts of attempted assassination of the president of the United States, assault on a federal officer, and use of a firearm in the commission of a federal offense, as well as District of Columbia offenses of attempted murder, assault, and weapons charges. The District of Columbia offenses included charges related to the shooting of Brady.

Levine said prosecutors would have the additional challenge of proving that Bradys death this week was the result of an act 33 years ago. How do you prove causation beyond a reason-able doubt? he asked.

Gail Hoffman, a spokeswoman for Bradys family, said the homicide ruling is not a surprise to any of us. She said the family would respect whatever prosecutors think is appropriate in dealing with the ruling.

Levine said that Hinckley wanted to express his deep sym-pathy for Bradys family. He has the highest regard for (James) Brady, he said.

Reagan aide Jim Bradys death ruled homicide

This Jan. 6, 1981 file photo shows President-elect Ronald Reagan introducing James Brady as his press secretary in Washington. Brady, the affable, witty press secretary who survived a devastating head wound in the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan and undertook a personal crusade for gun control, died Monday. He was 73. (AP Photo/Walt Zebowski, File) (AP Photo/Walt Zebowski, File)

ROWLAND HEIGHTS, Calif. (AP) Los Angeles County authorities have rescued a woman they say was held for ransom for two days without any food or water.

Authorities say the 44-year-old woman was kidnapped at gunpoint Monday after a woman she had worked with for years offered her a ride home.

Her family got a call de-manding $110,000 and warning shed be harmed or killed if it wasnt paid.

About 25 sheriffs detec-tives worked around the clock, and on Wednesday they found the woman bound with duct tape in a dark, squalid Row-land Heights garage. The Sheriffs Department says she was weak and dehydrated but is expected to make a full re-covery.

No ransom was paid.Two Rowland Heights cou-

ples remain jailed after plead-ing not guilty Friday to kidnap-ping for ransom and conspiracy.

Kidnap victim rescued

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www.gardnerswindows.comGregg 419-238-4021 Aaron 419-965-2856

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In Loving Memory of

DaviD EvansOur loved one has been

gone from us for two years, but he is not forgotten. For he has left behind many

loving memories and tears of joy. He has marked our hearts with love forever.

Sadly missed byWife Barbara

Sons David, Beth and Family

Bob, Kim and FamilyDaughter Lisa, Gary

and Family

BY STEPHANIE GROVESDHI Media Staff Writer

sgroves@delphosherald.com

The majority of Ohios electricity is generated using nonrenewable resources of coal, natural gas, nuclear and petroleum which are found naturally in the earth and produce large amounts of electricity. Each of these resources take a long time to form and there is a limited supply available for people to use for power generation.

According to the US Energy Informa-tion Administrations statistics, coal fueled 69 percent of Ohios net electricity generation in 2013, which is much higher than the 42 percent of electricity generated by coal nationally.

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) reports Ohio cut its net generation of electricity from coal by close to 10 percent from 2010 to 2011.

Public Affairs Department Represen-tative Matt Schilling said the decrease is due to environmental factors as well as an increase in the use of natural gas.

Theres a shift in Ohios unregulated market, Schilling said. There are appli-cations to build new natural gas genera-tion facilities and providers are shifting to the less expensive natural gas.

The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) report-ed that close to 11 percent of Ohio electricity is generated by nuclear power - a process in-volving the fission of uranium atoms which releases heat and turns water into steam - about 9.1 percent is produced using natural gas and other gases which burn to produce steam or hot combustion gas, and 1.0 percent is produced with petroleum which is burned to create steam that generates electricity.

Hydropower, wind, biomass and solar energy are renewable resources that are used to produce electricity on a smaller scale, each of which are readily available in nature and can be replenished quickly.

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, worldwide, wind en-ergy is one of the fastest growing renew-able electricity technologies between 2000 and 2012, wind electricity generation worldwide increased by a factor of nearly 16 and in the United States, wind electricity generation increased by a factor of 25.

Currently, Ohio has two wind farms which generate close to 450 megawatts (MW) of electricity, Schilling said. There are several more planned for construction.

The two operational wind farm facilities in Ohio includes Timber Road Wind Farm II in Paulding County with 55 turbines and Blue Creek Wind Farm in Van Wert and Paulding Counties with 160 turbines.

This is the second article in a series exploring the Environmental Protection Agencys Clean Power Plan and its im-pact nationwide and at state levels.

A DHI Media publication Saturday, August 9 & Sunday, August 10, 2014 A3

COMMUNITY CALENDAR Ohios energy mix shifting to natural gasCommunity calendar items include the name of the event or

group and date, time and place of the event. Please include a daytime phone number when submitting calendar items.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 9The Van Wert Optimist Club will be selling sausage sand-

wiches at the Van Wert Council On Aging Warehouse. For more information contact Denney at (419) 905-6740.

8:30-11:30 a.m. St. Johns High School recycle, enter on East First Street.

9 a.m. - noon Interfaith Thrift Store is open for shopping.9 a.m. St. Vincent dePaul Society, located at the east

edge of the St. Johns High School parking lot, is open.9 a.m. Cloverdale recycle at village park.9:30 a.m. New Morning Bereavement Group meets at 1159

Westwood Drive. For more information call (419) 238-9223.10 a.m.-1 p.m. Van Wert Farmers Market, 500 Fox Road,

will be open.10 a.m.-2 p.m. Delphos Postal Museum is open.12:15 p.m. Testing of warning sirens by Delphos Fire

and Rescue.1-3 p.m. Delphos Canal Commission Museum, 241 N.

Main St., is open.7 p.m. Bingo at St. Johns Little Theatre.8 p.m. AA open discussion at First Presbyterian Church.8-11 p.m. Darke County Singles will host their monthly

dance featuring music by Triple Play at the VFW Hall, 219 N. Ohio St., Greenville, Ohio. The dance is open to all singles 21 years of age and over. Admission is $5. For information call (937) 417-2722 or (937) 901-3969. The group can be found on Facebook.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 101-3 p.m. The Delphos Canal Commission Museum, 241

N. Main St., is open.1-4 p.m. Putnam County Museum is open, 202 E. Main

St. Kalida.2 p.m. AA open discussion at 1158 Westwood Dr.2-4:30 p.m. Van Wert County Historical Museum is open

to the public.MONDAY, AUGUST 11

8 a.m. Aeroquip Mens Retirees will meet.5 p.m. The Van Wert County Board of DD will meet at the

Thomas Edison Adult Center, 525 Augustine Drive, Van Wert.5 p.m. Weight Watchers will hold its weigh in. Meeting

will follow at 5:30 p.m. Both are held in the Fellowship Hall on the second floor at Trinity United Methodist Church, South Walnut St., Van Wert.

5:15 p.m. Habitat for Humanity will meet in its head-quarters located at 302 Bonnewitz Ave., Van Wert.

6 p.m. Village of Middle Point Council will meet.6:30 p.m. American Businesswomens Association meets

at Lock Sixteen.6:30 p.m. Convoy Lions Club will meet at Convoy Unit-

ed Methodist Church.7 p.m. The Wren Village Council will meet in regular

session. The meetings are held at the town hall building and are open to the public.

7 p.m. Haviland Village Council will meet at the Havi-land Village Hall.

7 p.m. Voiture 154 40 ET 8 will have a meeting.7:30 p.m. The Middle Point Council will meet.7:30 p.m. Van Wert City Council will meet.7:30 p.m. Navy Club USA, Ship 726 Auxiliary, will meet

in VFW Hall.8 p.m. AA Big Book meeting at First Presbyterian Church.8:30 p.m. Young & Heart Group will meet at St. Marks

Lutheran Church.

Cooper Farms acquires Fort Recovery EquityINfORmATION SuBmITTEd

OAKWOOD Cooper Farms announced Friday it has completed its acquisition of Fort Recovery Equity, a chicken egg-layer and pullet cooperative based in Fort Re-covery.

The purchase allows Coo-per Farms to grow their egg division and branch into val-ue-added egg products.

Our Cooper family stock-holders are very excited about creating a much more viable egg division for our compa-ny, said Gary Cooper, Coo-per Farms COO. We have big plans for our future in eggs

and value-added egg prod-ucts.

The purchase will give Coo-per Farms an additional two million chick-en egg-layers and the abil-ity to raise up to six million pullets for their own needs and outside cus-tomers. These birds are raised by more than 40 farmers, who will join Cooper Farms as con-tract growers.

We are especially inter-ested in the variety of spe-cialty egg layers we are gain-ing, Cooper said. We see an

opportunity to expand those numbers as we gain more niche customers

Cooper Farms will also ac-quire a feed mill, Cooper Farms fourth, which will produce approximately 400,000 tons of feed in 2015. This mill will offer the ability to create special-

ty feeds and accept specialty grains.

The equitys 75 team members have been asked to stay on as members of the Cooper Farms team as well. With these individuals, Coo-

per Farms will employ nearly 1,700 people total throughout northwest and west central Ohio.

We are gaining a wonder-ful group of people with this acquisition, Cooper said. They have a lot of years of experience and dedication to the company, which will prove instrumental in this transition and as we work to create val-ue-added egg products.

Cooper Farms has based their success upon a value-added business model, in which they create products that provide consumers with quick and easy meal options.

COOPER/A4

ENERGY/A4

Marbletown contests honor winners

Winners of the annual Marbletown Kids Cake Decoration Contest were, from left, Tylynn Shaner, 12, and Gwen Wagner, 7. They each won baking utensils and something to bake with them. (DHI Media/Nancy Spencer)

Teens got in the act to show off their cake decorating skills in the Marbletown Teen Cake Decorating Contest. Winners are, from left, Colin White, first place with his Frog Island cake; Kenzie Brinkman, second, with her frog cake; and Kylie Gossett, third, with her flower cake.

Fred Wagner, left, and Nick Mericle were the winners of the second annual Marbletown Corn Hole Contest. The pair battled seven other teams to come out on top. They won $80 and the second-place finishers, Chuck Wilson and Eric Wally Wallace, took second and $40.

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INFORMATION SUBMITTED

The following is the weekly report con-cerning construction and maintenance work on state highways within the Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 which includes the counties of Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert and Wyandot.

For the latest in statewide construction visit www.ohgo.com. Please contact us at 419-999-6803 with any information needs.

Construction and Maintenance ProjectsWeek of Aug. 11, 2014

Allen County Interstate 75 Recon-

struction Project For the most recent information concerning the Interstate 75 reconstruction project through Lima and Allen County, please visit www.odotlima75.org.

Ohio 65 between Brower Road and E. Northern Avenue will be restricted to one lane through the work zone on Monday and Tues-day of the week for utility location. Work will take place between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. each day. Work is being performed by the highway man-agement, real estate and construction depart-ments of ODOT District 1.

Ohio 66 between Delphos and the Auglaize County line will be restricted through the work zone for tarring and chipping. Traffic will be main-tained with flaggers. Work is being performed by the Allen County ODOT maintenance garage.

Ohio 117 from the Mercer County line to west of Spencerville will be restricted through the work zone for tarring and chipping. Traf-fic will be maintained with flaggers. Work is being performed by the Allen County ODOT maintenance garage.

Ohio 65 between U.S. 30 and the north edge of the village of Cairo will be restricted to one lane through the work zone for pavement

repairs which will begin during the week. Pave-ment resurfacing is likely to begin within the following two weeks and will also require a one lane restriction through the work zone. Work is being performed by Shelly Co., Find-lay.

Ohio 81 from Stewart Road to the Har-din County line will be restricted to one lane through the work zone for pavement repairs which will begin during the week prior to pavement resurfacing. The pavement resur-facing project will begin within the next few weeks. Work is being performed by Shelly Co., Findlay.

U.S. 30/Ohio 309 near Delphos may be re-stricted to one lane at times through the work zone for culvert work. Work is expected to be completed in late summer. Work is being per-formed by Platinum Painting, Boardman.

Putnam CountyOhio 613 from the Paulding County line to

Ohio 109 will be restricted to one lane through the work zone for shoulder work. Work is be-ing performed by the Putnam County ODOT maintenance garage.

Ohio 109 between the village of Ottawa and Ohio 613 will be restricted to one lane through the work zone for shoulder work. Work is be-ing performed by the Putnam County ODOT maintenance garage.

Van Wert CountyOhio 697 just west of Dog Creek Road is

open after a crossover replacement.Ohio 117 from the Allen County line to

the Mercer County line will be restricted for tarring and chipping of the roadway. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers. Work is be-ing performed by the Van Wert County ODOT maintenance garage.

U.S. 224 west of Van Wert will be re-stricted to one lane through the work zone for drainage work. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers. Work is being performed by the Van Wert County ODOT maintenance garage.

Local/StateA4 Saturday, August 9 & Sunday, August 10, 2014 Times Bulletin/Delphos Herald

A tractor-trailer rig tipped and rolled onto its side Friday morning on the ramp from U.S. 224 onto U.S. 30 near Van Wert. There were no reported injuries in the accident. (Submitted photo)

ODOT releases weekly road report

Featured at the check presentation , from left , are Craig Bell, US Bank Van Wert branch manager; Tafi Stober, Niswonger marketing director; Jane Jones, US Bank Convoy branch manager; and Paul Hoverman, Niswonger Performing Arts Center executive director. (Submitted photo)

US Bank invests in community enrichment

INFORMATION SUBMITTED

VAN WERT The Niswonger Perform-ing Arts Center is the honored recipient of a $5,000 Community Grant from US Bank. U.S. Bankcorp contributes to the strength and vi-tality of communities through the Foundation charitable contributions program. US Bank seeks to build strong partnerships and lasting value in communities by supporting organiza-tions that improve educational and economic opportunities of low and moderate income in-dividuals and families as well as enhance the cultural and artistic life of the communities in which they live and work.

US Bank is the Presenting Sponsor of three featured events at the Niswonger in the 2014-15 season including Dallas Brass, Kenny Rog-ers and Church Basement Ladies.

The Niswonger Performing Arts Center partners with businesses and organizations throughout the region who contribute towards the mission, To provide a premier venue for a wide variety of performing arts, concerts, lec-tures, meetings, and special events which will inspire, educate, and entertain residents of and visitors to Van Wert County, and to provide an economic catalyst by increasing cultural tour-ism, creating new jobs, and generating busi-ness for the region.

PET CORNERThe Humane Society of Allen County has many pets

waiting for adoption. Each comes with a spay or neuter, first shots and a heartworm test. Call 419-991-1775.

They used to call me big Poppy but not anymore! I have been working out, watching what I eat and staying lean and trim. I also have a medical condition and do have some pills that my wonderful caretakers give me twice daily! But hey, we all have issues! I would love a home where I can sniff the fresh air, play with toys and just be awesome! I love to go for walks too!

Im Danica and its hard to believe I have been at the shelter almost all of my life. I keep waiting to find my for-ever home, but I dont mind waiting for the right person. I get along great with my other roommates and love to lounge on my cat tree, look-ing out the window, sitting on laps, and rubs behind her ears. I am getting older and has recently had a dental done. Even though I dont have teeth, I get along fine.

The following pets are available for adoption through The Van Wert Animal Protective League:

CatsF, 2 years, tiger, black and orange, spayed, name Spitfire

and ButtercupKittensM, F, 6 weeks, gold tiger, gold and white, black and whiteM, F, 7 weeks, orange, gray and whiteDogsLab, F, black, shots, name SallyPoodle, M, 7 years, black, shots, neutered, name BozoFor more information on these pets or if you are in need

of finding a home for your pet, contact The Animal Protec-tive League from 9-5 weekdays at 419-749-2976. If you are looking for a pet not listed, call to be put on a waiting list in case something becomes available. Donations or correspon-dence can be sent to PO Box 321, Van Wert OH 45891.

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First Financial Bank team wins annual Chamber Golf ScrambleThe First Financial Bank team won the Delphos Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Scramble held last week at the Delphos Country Club. Pictured are team members, from left, Dave Jennings, Corey Scarbrough, Kevin Pfefferle and Andrew Kiess. (Submitted photo)

Lincolnview Local Schools to hold open houseINFORMATION SUBMITTED

MIDDLE POINT Lin-colnview Local Schools will hold an open house on Aug. 18, from 6-7:30 p.m. This will be for Kindergarten through 12th grade. The open house will be open for families

to come through the build-ing together, explore each of the classrooms together and meet the teachers all at the same time. It is an open time frame that will allow for families to come anytime between 6-7:30 and visit the classrooms, complete neces-sary paperwork for the new

school year, drop off student supplies, and visit the caf-eteria (elementary) or Lec-ture Hall (Jr. High and High School) to log into Progress Book to be ready to check homework postings, grades, and teacher comments for child/children.

Tractor-trailer tips in Friday accident

(From page A3)Timber Road has an output

of 99 MW, which is enough to power close to 27,000 average Ohio homes with clean en-ergy each year. Blue Creeks installed capacity is 304 MW and will power approximately 76,000 homes annually.

Biomass energy resourc-es include wood and wood wastes, landfill gas, biogas from food processing waste, animal waste, sewage sludge, and potential energy crops.

Ohio has 19 land fill gas projects which generates 50 MW total, Schilling said. The vast majority of solar power is residential, commer-cial and industrial.

Ohios alternative energy portfolio requires 12.5 percent of the electricity sold by the states electric distribution utilities or electric services companies must be generated from renewable en-ergy sources by 2027.

Each electricity provider has to meet annual bench-marks, Schilling explained. They receive renewable en-ergy credits (RECs) and one Rec equates to one MW.

(From page A3)Value-added products are

something that we focus on throughout our company, Cooper said. For example, with meat, we provide turkey burgers, cooked deli meat and sliced meat.

The company plans to use this way of thinking in their egg division as well. In addi-tion to the specialty egg por-tion of the business, Cooper Farms wants to also focus on other value-added products.

We see great potential in providing liquid eggs and cooked egg products, Cooper said. We are working on a partnership with an Ohio-based company to purchase a new egg-breaking plant which will add to our value added egg product line.

This transition has been a goal of the Cooper Farms team and family for many years, mak-ing the acquisition a welcome and exciting one for all involved.

We had been looking at a variety of egg-related companies for the past few years in an at-tempt to enhance our egg divi-sion, Cooper said. We started seriously working on purchas-ing Fort Recovery Equity this spring, so we are excited to see it come to fruition.

COOpER

ENERgyOSU-Lima welcomes new dean and director

INFORMATION SUBMITTED

LIMA The Ohio State University at Lima welcomes its new dean and direc-tor, Charlene D. Gilbert, on Monday. This will be Dean Gilberts first day on the job.

Dean Gilbert will serve as Ohio State Limas dean and director and will join the university with the rank of pro-fessor in the Department of Womens, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Before coming to Ohio State Lima, Dean Gil-bert was professor and chair of the De-partment of Womens and Gender Stud-ies at the University of Toledo. She was the founder and director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Languages, Literature and Social Sciences. Prior to joining the University of Toledo as director of the Catharine S. Eberly Center for Women in 2007, she was an associate professor in the School of Communication at American University.

She has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in media production and analysis. Her interdisciplinary work has included teaching courses in the Department of Theatre and Film.

In her research and creative work as a documentary film-maker, she has written and produced more than a dozen films and videos. Gilbert has produced and directed two feature-length documentaries that aired nationally on Public Broad-casting Stations during primetime.

She has also been selected for several highly competitive fellowships, including a Rockefeller Media Arts Fellowship, a Bunting/Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study Fellowship at Harvard University, and an American Council on Education Fellowship. Further, she served as an artist-in-residence at the Smithsonian Institution.

She earned a BA in economics and political science from Yale University and an MFA in film and media arts from Tem-ple University.

Gilbert

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THOSE WERE THE DAYS

A DHI Media publication Saturday,August9&Sunday,August10,2014 A5

BY KIRK DOUGALDHI Media Group Publisherkdougal@timesbulletin.com

TheColonelhadbeenAssistantSecretary of the Navy, the gover-norofNewYork, led theboardoftheNewYorkCityPoliceCommis-sioners, and had become famousforleadingthechargeupSanJuanHill during the Spanish-AmericanWar.HehadalsoalreadyservedasPresident of the United States forsevenandahalfyears.

But Theodore Teddy Roos-evelt believed he still had serviceto give to his country and whena group of political leaders ap-proachedhiminNovemberof1911about running forPresidentagain,hequicklyaccepted.

Allwas not happy, however, inthe Republican Party. Roosevelthad handpicked his successor forthe1908election,WilliamHowardTaft,afterdecidingnottorunagainbecauseoftheunwrittenruleaboutnotexceeding two terms inoffice.After stumping for and helping tosecure the election for his friend,Roosevelt soon began criticizingthenewPresident.

Taft did not consult Teddy onselectionsformembersofthecabi-net. The President then helped tobroker the Payne-Aldrich tariff, atax solution that split the Repub-licanParty down themiddle.Taftthen committed themost grievousoferrorsinRooseveltsmind.Taft,who launched dozens of antitrustlawsuits against big business dur-ing his time in office, went afterU.S. Steel for the purchase of a

competitorthatRoosevelthadper-sonallyapprovedwhilehewasstillin office.TheColonel felt humili-atedby themanhehadoncecon-sideredhisprotege.

Theprimaryseasonquicklygotunder way and Roosevelt beganfashioninghimselfasthesavioroftheGOP,themanwhocouldreuniteall sides in their disagreements towin the White House again. Hisstrongprogressivestances,though,turnedawaymanyofthemorecon-servativepowerbrokerswithintheparty, including the donors withthemostmoney.

The1912electionwasthefirsttofully use the state primary systemand Roosevelt did well, includingwinningTaftshomestateofOhio.Taft, in the meantime, swept theSouth,pickeduptheupperMidweststates,andcapturedNewYork,thestatewhereRoosevelthadbeengov-ernor. However, even though eachstate held its ownprimary, the na-tional committee determined thecredentials of the delegates so bythe time the convention convenedinChicago, itwas a certaintyTaftwouldregaintheGOPnomination.

Roosevelt accepts nomination challenge but Bull Moose Party falls short

Coliseum, Chicago, Aug. 8 -Amid scenes of the greatest confu-siontheProgressivepartynominatedformerPresidentTheodoreRooseveltforpresidentandGovernorHiramW.JohnsonofCaliforniaforvicepresi-dent. Both nominations were madebyacclamation.ThewordNationalwasdroppedfromthepartyname.

Theconventionhadbeen inses-sionsince10a.m.Thedelayinmak-ing the nominationswas caused byexhaustivediscussionsovertheplat-forminthecommitteeonresolutions.

Colonel Roosevelt was put innominationbyComptrollerWilliamA. Pendergast of New York, andthe nomination had been secondedby JudgeBenLindseyofColorado,Miss JaneAddamsofChicago,Al-exander T. Hamilton of Georgia,General Horatio C. King of NewYork,ColonelT.F.LloydofFlorida,General JohnH.McDowellofTen-nessee,HenryJ.AllenofKansas,ex-Governor Garvin of Rhode Island,JohnJ.SullivanofOhioandRobertS.FisherofArizona.

GovernorJohnsonhadbeenputinnominationbyJudgeJohnM.ParkerofNewOrleans,andthenominationhadbeensecondedbyC.S.Wheelerof California, James R. Garfieldof Ohio, Bainbridge Colby of New

York, Frederick Landis of Indiana,RaymondRobinof Illinois,GiffordPinchot of Pennsylvania, GovernorVessey of South Dakota, WilliamFlinn of Pennsylvania and John R.Clede,anegro,ofNewYork.

Colonel Roosevelt, arm in armwith Governor Johnson, appearedbefore the convention and wasgreetedwithwildestplaudits,averybedlamofademonstration,andfor-mallyacceptedthenominations.Thegreataudienceof15,000soulssangtheDoxologytotheaccompanimentofaband, thefifeanddrumcorps,aquartetof trombonesandcornets,with theminutegunmachinebark-ing away up in the organ loft, andwith thebenediction theconventionadjourned.

At that moment a great bannerwasdroppedfromthegirdersontheroof of theColiseumwith this leg-end:

Roosevelt and Johnson. NewYork and California. Hands acrossthecontinent.Forthereisneithereastnorwest;bordernorbreed;norbirth,when two strongmen stand face toface,thoughtheycomefromtheendsoftheearth.

Fromtheveryfirstmomenttothelast thisconventionhashad theap-pearanceofagreatreligiousrevival.

SenatorDixonandothers remarkedatthecloseofthescene:Thisisnotpolitics;thisisreligion.

TemporaryChairmanBeveridge,incallingtheconventiontoorder,an-nouncedthatRabbiG.S.LevioftheTempleIsraelofChicagowouldsaytheinvocation.

Medill McCormick of Illinoisgotarousingwelcomewhen,asthechairmanofthecommitteeonrules,hereportedtherecommendationsofthatcommitteetotheeffectthatthenew party would be known as theProgressive party. The newpartyhasmadenoprovisionfordelegatesfrom thePhilippinesorPortoRico,norwilltheyhaverepresentationonthenationalcommittee.Alaska,Ha-waiiadWashingtonD.C.areadmit-tedtothenationalcommittee,butthemembers are not permitted tovote.Theyareeachpermittedonedelegateintheconventionwithavoteeach.

Itwasnowwellon towardnoonandtherewasnoindicationthatthecommitteeonresolutionswasreadyto report. The committee had beenin continuous session for nearly 62hours.ColonelRoosevelthaddesiredasshortaplatformaspossible.Thecommittee had received so manyplanks that theywereworking likeday laborers to chip them down toreasonabledimensions.

Ticket Is Named By Acclamation

BY DHI MEDIA STAFFinfo@timesbulletin.com

25 Years AgoThis week in 1989, President Bushs ad-

ministration was gearing up to implementthe biggest government bailout in history. Abill authorized $50 billion to fund the clos-ing andmerging of hundreds of savings andloansaroundthecountry.Thelegislationalsoimposedtougherfinancialstandards,dictatedasweepingoverhauloftheregulatorybureau-cracy,andcreatedtheResolutionTrustCorpo-ration(RTC)tooverseethesaleofbadloansand repossessed real estate the governmentwouldinheritwiththeclosingsoftheS&Ls.

The president of the VanWert City Edu-cation Association, Margaret Morrison, pre-sentedanoverviewtotheboardofeducationon the new Dial-A-Teacher program to beimplemented in the fall. Funded by commu-nitydonations,theprogramwouldinstalltwotelephone lines,mannedby teachers, for stu-dentstocallforhelpwithhomeworkprojectson Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from6:30-8:30p.m.TointroducetheDial-A-Teach-er program to elementary students, teacherBitseyClarkandstudentsChadBrubakerandRichardWashington wrote and performed arapsongthatwasvideotaped.

STG-3ThomasG.Wrocklage,sonofTomandMary LouWrocklage of Delphos, com-pleted a two-year tour of dutywith theU.S.NavyinYokosuka,Japan.WhilehewasbasedinJapan,hisshipspenttwomonthsintheIn-dianOceanandthePersianGulf.Hisshipwasattachedtothebattlegroupsupportingtheair-craftcarrierU.S.S.Midway.

50 Years AgoThisweekin1964,tensionsremainedhigh

after three North Vietnamese torpedo boatsattacked the U.S.S. Maddox, an AmericandestroyerintheGulfofTonkin.Althoughall

theshipswereeithersunkordrivenoff,asec-ondtorpedoattackthenextnightledPresidentJohnsontogiveashoot-to-killorder toNavyofficials. Planes from the Constellation andTiconderogacarriersbombedtorpedoboatsintheir coastal nets, anti-aircraft positions, anddestroyedanoilstoragedepot.Theescalationinattacksledanalyststobelievewarmightbeunavoidableintheregion.

AVanWertCityCouncilmeetingwasex-pected to revolve around the need for a newcity reservoir and pump house. Constructionontheprojectwasestimatedat$476,000.

AformerFortJenningsmanandhiswife,JackandAnnaMaeCalvelage,attherespectedandrespectiveagesof76and70werecaringfortheir54thchildintheirhomeinWagoner,Okla.JackandAnnaMaerearedthreedaugh-ters of their own, plus an adopted son anddaughter.Therestof theirfamilywerefosterchildren youngsters in custody of the stateChildWelfareDivision.

75 Years AgoThisweekin1939,SecretaryofAgriculture

HenryA.Wallacecalledthenewfoodstampprogram a success. Begun as an experimentthreemonthsearlierinordertodistributefarmsurpluses to low incomegroups,Wallace ex-pectedtheprogramtoexpandnationallyinafewmonthsfromthesixtestcities,includingDayton,Ohio.

Ninemembers of Boy Scout Troop 31 ofVanWert traveled toRomeCity, Indiana fortheannualcampatSylvanLake.Localmem-bers inattendance includedJoeMorgan,Ro-land Stuck, Roger Leatherman, Dale Stripe,Junior Thomas, Junior Whitman, GraydonLee,JuniorGribler,andJackWeigle.

An effort was made to secure action forthe construction of theDelphos projects, theswimmingpool,comfortstationandstadium,undertheWPA.Thestatusofthematterwasdiscussed at theweeklymeeting of theDel-phosKiwanisClub.MayorBaringerandSer-viceDirectorMyerswerepresentasguestsatthemeeting.

25, 50, and 75 Years Ago

Roosevelt and Johnson to Lead Progressive Fight

TIcKET/a14

ByKirk Dougal

From the Archives

On the Banks of Yesteryear ...BY THE DELpHOS cAnAL cOMMISSIOn

Through the Eyes of Teens, part IIOn a visit to the museum at the end of the school year, 8th grade language arts students

researched items that interested them. These are a few of their findings.

Early Football EquipmentBY BREnEn AUER

The early football equip-ment is nothing compared towhatweuseintodaysgame.

In the early years of foot-ball they had leather helmetsthey called headharnesses.The leatherhelmetswerede-signedtoprotecttheeararea.It made communicating ex-tremely difficult. Between1915 and 1917, the first skullprotectionhelmetswereintro-duced,alsothefirstearholesandsuspensioninthehelmetscausingthemnottobeplaceddirectlyonyourhead.Acou-ple years later harder leatherwas added and a more tear-drop shape evolved into thehelmets.

Other teammates in theearly football years did notlikewhen you put extra pad-ding underneath your jersey.The first shoulder pads weremadeoutofsewnleather.

The first pair of footballpantsweremadeoutofroughcanvas with light padding inthethighandknee.Thepants

design never changed. Theystillonlygoaboutkneelengthwithalace-upfly.

(Photo submitted)

Browning M1917

(Photo submitted)

BY TREY GOSSMAn

The Browning M1917 was a water-cooledmachinegundevelopedbyJohnMosesBrown-ing. Itwasused inWWI,WWII,TheKoreanWar,andTheVietnamWar.Thegunweighed103poundsbutincludedthegun,atripod,awa-terjacket,andawoodenammocratethatcould

hold2507.6mmrounds.ThegunwasbuiltfortheU.S.anditwasmountedonArmyjeeps.Itwasarecoiloperatedgun.Theymadeatotaloftwomillion.Duringthe1960sthewatercoolingjacketfailedtoworksothesoldiershadtourinateonthemduetocoldweather.Itwaslatertakenoutof the armyand replacedbyamuchmoreadvancedguncalledtheM60machinegun.

Themuseumisputtingthefinaltouchesonthenewcanaldisplay,includingtheremains

of the Marguerite, the lastcanalboatinDelphos.Weareopen every Thursday morn-

ingfrom9a.m.tonoon,everySaturdayandSundayfrom1-3p.m.orbyappointment.

A Note from the Museum

Read the classifieds

BULL MOOSE/a14

y

I dont consider myself a political person. I have my beliefs and they dont always line up on the same side of the fence. Im a huge fan of forming the Common Sense party. Sometimes these politicians make me want to go back to bed with a good book and forget where and who I am.

On Friday, I covered Gov-ernor Kasichs campaign rally in Lima. I didnt think I was going hear much oth-er than the usual rhetoric. These things are usually pre-dictable and could be writ-ten, in most, without attend-ing the event.

He did say one thing that stuck in my mind and I hope it will continue to grow in there and come to fruition. He said you dont have to start out with the idea that you need to help 100, 50 or even 10 people. You just have to help one.

Huh. Thats pretty simple.

Just focus on helping one person.

This follows along with a Facebook post I read on Thursday. It was the short story of a little girl on a beach filled with star fish that had washed up on its shores. She was frantically gathering up the sea stars and tossing them back in the ocean. A gentleman came along and questioned her en-deavor saying she could nev-er save them all; she couldnt change the situation for all of them. She picked another one up and tossed it back in the sea and said, Well, I just changed it for that one!

Out of the mouths of babes.

I think sometimes we see the big picture and get over-whelmed by it all like that beach full of star fish. We need to break it down and take smaller pieces that can be fit back together and form a bet-ter picture. That daunting task

can become more manage-able in tinier bites. Someone involved in an eating contest doesnt look at the whole pile of hot dogs and think, I have to eat all those! They think, I have to eat one and then an-other and another. It all starts with one.

We can look in our city and parochial schools right here and think we have to help all the students or we can find a way to help one and then move on to another. It all starts with one.

Trust me, no one at either school is going to turn away a volunteer. They both need and will gratefully take our help. It could be something as simple as having a student read to you or going through math problems. It all starts with one.

There are people right here in Delphos who could use a little encouragement, a smile or a pat on the back. Life has kicked them down

and they dont need a hand out; they need a hand up. It all starts with one.

So when you are out and about this weekend going about your errands, hitting those garage sales or enjoy-ing the events at the Marble-town Festival, look around and see how you can help. Who could use a hand up or a smile or a little encourage-ment? I bet you dont have to look too far to find someone. There are a lot of people in our community that could use it. It all starts with one.

And then the next one will be easier. And then there will be two. See youre already 20 percent done with your first 10!

Its that weekend. Yard sales everywhere you step. For some people, this is heavenly with signs lining the road and tables full of stuff farther than the eye can see. Me, Im not a fan. I have enough stuff to last me until next year, thanks anyway.

But Im not going to deny anyone their sense of fun. Just dont step out in front of my car to go dicker with someone for that used waffle-maker. Thats one of the things Im not too keen about when it comes to such sales. Too many people forget that roads are for traffic and the Thats OK, theyll stop attitude causes a few additional cardiac events.

But this is a huge week-end for yard sale fanatics. All along Lincoln Highway and along U.S. 127 there are yard sales, and please call them yard sales. Unless, of course, the one you are visiting is ac-tually in a garage. If the items are in a garage, great! Its a garage sale!

If they are in the yard, guess what? Its a yard sale! There are tent sales, antique sales, junk sales, and all sorts of things like that. Some people call them tag sales

because the merchandise could be anywhere, and they wouldnt want to miss a sale!

I dont like shopping at garage sales because Im too lazy to walk through some-ones garage (or yard) to hunt down things I really dont need. I dont like having a ga-rage sale because most of the customers are just plain cheap. I could set a solid gold bar on a yard sale table with a $1 price tag on it, and the first 150 cus-tomers will all ask the same question Will you take 50 cents for this?

NO! Its only one dollar! Reach a little deeper in your lint-filled pockets and pull out FOUR quarters! Is reading comprehension a problem for you? (Alright, holding a sale can stress me out! But you know thats true!)

Let me emphasize, I have no problem with buying things that are formerly used. I have owned only one new car in my lifetime, I often wear clothing purchased at thrift stores, and when I bowl, I rent the shoes. Im not stuck up and insist only on brand new items. Al-though there are some articles of clothing we shouldnt see for sale out on someones sale

table. And Ill just leave it at that.

My last sale was a failure. The temperature in April hit a new record low and the wind started knocking things onto the concrete and a few items broke. To make matters worse, the neighbors dog came to visit and knocked a few more breakables onto the pavement. Total sales = $20. Total bro-ken items = $25 according to the tags. Of course people would have asked for half off, so maybe I made a couple of bucks after all!

The time before that, I had a pony cart for sale. It was a beautiful item. I had pur-chased the cart new in Indiana Amish country. I made sure to highlight the cart in my news-paper ad and gave it a prime position in my yard. The day before the sale, some guy saw it, stopped, and bought it for full price. It was a great devel-opment.

However when the sale did start, every person asked about that cart I used to have in my yard. Some had read it in the paper and wanted to take a look at it. The simple fact is I could have sold no less than half a dozen of those

things and I only had one, and that one was sold before the sale actually started.

I spent most of the week-end trying to remember which stone road in Indiana I had driven down to find the guy who had built that cart. I want-ed to buy as many as possible and bring them back to sell to a waiting public. Wouldnt you know, I had no directions to his place and (of course) no Amish phone number to use to call and order a yard full of them! But at least I got full money out of the one I had.

For those of you who love to poke around table of used nonsense and items you will probably have to fix before you can use them, I hope you are having or have had a won-derful yard sale weekend. And if you are preparing to go out and offer 50 cents for one-dollar items, go back in your own house and read a book. Dont torture these poor sell-ers. Youve been warned.

Thumbs up to Sally Snyder, Beverly Berry-man and Lin-da Gamble of

the 1960 class, the last class to graduate from Hoaglin-Jackson School. We thank them for planning this years alumni banquet July 12. It was a great get-together with the old school friends. There were over 70 attending. They voted to have a banquet in July 2015 if Sally, Beverly and Linda would be willing to plan it. They agreed. Thank you very much for that. It will make the 1950 class 60th year great. Don Lieter plans to come from Florida.

Mrs. Bill Gamble on behalf of the Hoaglin Jackson Class of 1950

Many, many thanks to the staff at Van-crest Van Wert and State of the

Heart Hospice for all their excellent care they gave our mother, Blanche Hagenno, during her stay and to us since her death.

Thanks also to Alexander & Bebout for the loan of tools and all our friends and family for their cards, gifts of food, messages and expressions of sympathy.

A special thanks to Linda Morris for all her help. There

are no words to adequately ex-press our appreciation.

Barb HuntVan Wert

On July 31, Aug. 1, and Aug. 2, the Van Wert County Coun-cil on Aging hosted bake sale

in conjunction with its annual warehouse sale to raise funds to help support their transpor-tation program.

We wish to thank everyone who donated baked goods, candy, money, and other items to the sale. We are so blessed to live in our wonderful com-munity who has such generous and kind people.

A special thank you to Bill Kuhlman for his help by picking up items for the sale. Our sale was a huge success thanks to all of you.

Without donations to help support COA we would be unable to transport senior citi-zens to various appointments and activities that COA pro-vides. With all of the dona-tions for the bake sale it was once again a success. Thanks again to all who donated.

God bless.Sincerely,Sharron AdkinsAllie KuhlmanLinda FrederickVan Wert

THUMBS UP / DOWN

YOUR OPINIONS

A6 Saturday, August 9 & Sunday, August 10, 2014

Times Bulletin/Delphos Herald

Ed GebertVan Wert Editor

Nancy SpencerDelphos Editor

KIRK DOUGALGroup Publisher

A DHIMedia Publication serving Van Wert, Delphos & Area Communities

Times Bulletin & Delphos HeraldWEEKEND EDITION

Letters to the editor must be signed and contain the address and phone number of the writer. The phone number will not appear in the newspaper unless the contributor requests it to be printed.Letters should be typed and addressed to: Letter to the Editor, The Times Bulletin, PO Box 271, Van Wert, Ohio 45891. Let-ters may also be emailed to egebert@timesbulletin.com or nspencer@del-phosherald.com.The publisher and editor reserve the right to edit or reject any letter deemed libelous or patently incor-rect. Writers may submit one letter per month for publication. Letters con-taining more than 300 words generally will not be published.

LETTERS TO THEEDITOR POLIcY

ByEd Gebert

MyTwoCenTs

By Nancy Spencer

On the Other hand

I said its one dollar!

It all starts with one

To the editor,Everyone is upset about the condition of water supplies in

several of our nearby lakes. The Herald printed an article in Mondays paper that states that farmers runoff and sludge plants are being blamed for the problem. No where did I see that everyone who fertilizes their yards was being blamed.

There has been so much housing growth along the rivers and lake channels in the last 20-plus years. All you see is big beautiful yards. The fertilizers and sprays from these yards runs directly into our rivers and lakes.

Please quit blaming it all on farmers. Look in the mirror; most of you are to blame, too.

Do you want a pretty green yard or do you want safer water and food on your table?

We, the farmer, have to use fertilizer; you dont.Anita HesselingDelphos

A lot has changed in the world since 1988.During that year, the cost of a stamp rose to 25 cents. The

price of gasoline hovered around 72 cents per gallon. Crocodile Dundee II was the top-grossing movie of the year at a little more than $24 million. Stephen Hawkings best-selling book explaining the universe, A Brief History of Time, was released. George Michael topped the charts with four number one songs. Barry Sanders won the Heisman Trophy after rushing for 2,850 yards and scored 44 touchdowns at Oklahoma State University. President Ronald Reagan was completing his last year in the White House.

But many things have stayed the same. From February to September of that year, the al-Anfal Campaign resulted in the deaths of up to 182,000 Kurds and other minority groups in northern Iraq. Today, the country appears to be on the verge of descending into another genocidal period.

Reports in the past few days and weeks have grown increas-ingly alarming as the group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has upped the violence in the country. At least one news organization has reported dozens of Christian, Kurd-ish, non-Sunni Muslim children were recently beheaded in a park in Mosul. Iraqi government officials said hundreds of Ya-zidi (a religion based upon Zoroastrian philosophies) women under the age of 35 were captured by ISIS forces. The women are now being held in the same city and are being given to ISIS soldiers as slaves. Another reported 50,000 Yazidi people, roughly half of them children, are surrounded in the mountains outside Sinjar with no food or water. On Thursday, ISIS told Christians in Qaraqosh, the largest non-Islam population in the country, to either leave, convert to Islam, or be killed.

At the same time, ISIS forces have also moved close enough to U.S. and other humanitarian aid countries centers that President Obama ordered airstrikes the past two days to attack the terrorist positions. U.S. assets also dropped supplies to the trapped Yazidis in Sinjar.

To say any of the events occurring over the past few weeks is solely the fault of recent U.S. administrations is naive and uninformed. In addition to the mass killing of women and children under the Hussein leadership in the 80s, Iraq histo-ry shows racial and religious mass murders going back to the 1920s (Simele Massacre) and earlier.

The current Iraqi government appears either unable or un-willing to do what is necessary to keep the country safe from these types of attacks. If the U.S. and other countries do noth-ing to help the Iraqi government, then the world will be treated to another round of atrocities to rival the likes of Idi Amin in Uganda and the Khmer Rouge government in Cambodia. More than likely, airstrikes with either planes or drones will only go so far in holding down the terrorist violence so if the U.S. becomes involved, ground forces may be needed in order to accomplish any portion of peace. So far the Obama adminis-tration has vehemently denied any plans to put troops in Iraq, going so far as to leave the airstrikes an unnamed operation to reinforce they are only small, temporary acts.

In the end, the U.S. and the Obama administration are fac-ing the Mortons Fork Paradox. In the late 15th century, the Archbishop of Canterbury, John Morton, stated any man living modestly must be saving money and could therefore afford to pay more taxes. Morton also held that any person living an extravagant and lavish lifestyle must be so rich they could obvi-ously afford to pay more taxes. In other words, Mortons Fork states that every case, despite the circumstances, leads to the same unpleasant end.

Iraq, and for that matter much of the Middle East, is the Mortons Fork for America. If we sit by and do nothing, tens of thousands of people, including women and children, will die. If we attempt to help in any way, we will invite attacks and put the lives of our soldiers and others in jeopardy, resulting in people dying.

Either way, there is no good answer.

Iraq and Mortons Fork

Look in the mirror The First Amendment

Congress shall make no law re-specting an establishment of re-ligion, or prohibiting the free ex-ercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peace-ably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

op1

Immigration and border security issues are demand-ing a lot of our attention as we debate the pros and cons of legal and illegal additions to Americas population.

It is easy to forget Ameri-ca is a nation of immigrants, and always will be. The vast majority of immigrants are good people. They come here voluntarily looking for a bet-ter life for themselves and their families. Who can blame them for that?

No one seems to have a problem with legal, docu-mented immigrants. The problem is with the flood of uninvited, illegal immigrants. Who do you know that com-plains about the number of foreign children brought here via legal adoption?

There are human tragedies all over the world. Billions live in terror, without food, clean water and sanitation. The message cannot be: send us all of your unwanted people without any restrictions.

Many people are suspicious and resentful towards those who come illegally. Wed be more tolerant if it didnt ap-pear the illegals were coming mostly for free government money, free health care and other free benefits.

Many lower-middle-class citizens see the immigrants taking away their minimum wage jobs, leaving them to survive below the poverty lev-el. Many of the illegals even qualify for government aid that isnt available to current citizens. Illegal workers even send money home to their families.

Alex Nowrasteh, an im-migration policy analyst for the Cato Institute in Wash-ington, wrote recently, The laws of economics cannot be repealedso long as the U.S. is a prosperous country and

American employers and con-sumers want to employ for-eign workers, they will come regardless of the laws.

More aggressive border enforcement and immigra-tion restrictions will not stop unlawful immigrationthen what happens is, the illegals find ways to bring their chil-dren and relatives to be re-united.

We need to reaffirm our American values. We need to reaffirm what we stand for, and what we wont stand for. We should never apologize for what America was founded on and it is our duty to pass this one to those who want to come here.

Americas culture was de-veloped over two centuries of struggles, trials and victories by millions of dedicated and hard-working men and wom-en who sought freedom. It was not an easy road and what we have today is a result of those sacrifices. Its why so many people dream of coming here.

The following opinions were taken from an unaccred-ited essay, but are thoughts shared by many.

Because of that, I think immigrants, not Americans, must adapt to our culture. It should be a take it or leave it proposition. Citizens are tired of apologizing and being defensive. We should not feel guilty about whether we are offending some individual or their culture. They should not try to change the American culture that has been in exis-tence for 230 years.

We speak mainly English in America, not Spanish, Leb-anese, Arabic, Chinese, Japa-nese, Russian or any other lan-guage. Therefore, if you wish to become part of this great society, learn the language.

Most Americans believe in God. This is not some Chris-tian, right wing, political push, but a fact, because Christian men and women, on Chris-tian principles, founded this nation and this is displayed on the walls of our schools, court rooms and government offices.

If God offends you, then I suggest you consider another part of the world as your new home, because God is part of our culture. Its part of Ameri-ca and what makes it attractive to so many outsiders. Allow it to be changed and America will no longer be America.

We are tolerant of your be-liefs and differences, but you shouldnt ask us to change 230 years of our culture and re-place it with yours. All we ask is that you accept ours, and live in harmony and peaceful enjoyment with us.

Remember, this is our coun-try, our land and our lifestyle, and we will allow you every opportunity to enjoy all this. But once you are done com-plaining, whining and griping about our flag, our pledge, our Christian beliefs and our way of life, I highly encourage you to take advantage of one other great American freedom, the right to leave.

If you arent happy here, then feel free to leave. We didnt force you to come here, you asked to become a part of this great experiment, so ac-cept the country that has ac-cepted you. We want you to become a productive, contrib-uting member of society.

*****

A Conundrum is defined

as: something that is puzzling or confusing. The following has been floating around for quite awhile. Here are the six conundrums of socialism in the U.S.

1. America is capitalist and greedyyet half of the popu-lation is subsidized.

2. Half of the population is subsidizedyet they think they are victims.

3. They think they are vic-timsyet their representa-tives run the government.

4. Their representatives run the governmentyet the poor keep getting poorer.

5. The poor keep getting pooreryet they have things that people in other countries only dream about.

6. They have things that people in other countries only dream aboutyet they want America to be more like those other countries.

*****

Here are three things con-servatives struggle to under-stand.

1. We are advised by liber-als to not judge all Muslims by the actions of a few luna-tics, but we are encouraged to judge all gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works!

2. Seems we constantly hear about how Social Se-curity is going to run out of money. How come we never hear about welfare and food stamp programs running out of money? Whats interesting is the first group worked for their money, but the second didnt.

3. Why are we cutting ben-efits for our veterans, no pay raises for our military and cut-ting our army to a level lower than before WWII, but we are not stopping the payments or benefits to illegal aliens and foreign aid to enemy coun-tries?

A DHI Media publication OpInIOns Saturday, August 9 & Sunday, August 10, 2014 A7

By Byron

McNutt

PeoPle Make the difference

By Josh MAndel

In high schools throughout America, shop class has been eliminated and kids are often told that the only way to be successful is to have a four-year college degree. I reject this ap-proach and, to the contrary, be-lieve we need to put shop class back in high schools and instill in young people a heightened sense of pride and purpose for entering careers in the skilled trades.

This important debate is il-luminated by a Bureau of La-bor Statistics study showing 48 percent of college graduates working in jobs that dont require a four-year degree. As you read this today, there are young people throughout America who have four-year liberal arts degrees, thousands of dollars in debt, and are serving coffee at Starbucks or working part-time at the mall.

I believe that many of these young people would have been better off with a two-year skilled trade or technical education with actual skills to secure a well-paying job and many oppor-tunities for upward mobility.

For example, I recently visited Pioneer Pipe in Marietta and learned that last year the company paid 60 of its welders over $150,000 and two of its welders over $200,000. The owner said he has had to turn down orders because he cant find enough skilled welders.

As baby boomers are retiring, I frequently hear about the shortage of welders, pipe-fitters, electricians, carpenters, ma-chinists and other skilled trades in many parts of Ohio.

According to a recent Skills Gap Survey by the Manufac-turing Institute, approximately 600,000 manufacturing jobs are unfilled nationally because employers cant find qualified workers.

In order to fill these jobs, we need to encourage high school students who show an interest in making and building things with a willingness to sometimes get their hands dirty.

Ohio has some terrific examples of what needs to be hap-pening throughout the country.

Ive been to the heavy equipment lab at the Warren County Career Center, where they have a mock construction site teach-ing students how to operate everything from high-tech machin-ery to bulldozers and backhoes.

At the Career and Technology Education Centers of Lick-ing County they are teaching students high tech manufacturing skills in welding and robotics. Schools like these put the tools on the tool belts of Ohioans in order to prepare them for jobs that are needed in todays economy.

By putting shop class back in high schools, increasing ac-cess to technical and vocational education and bringing pride and profile to the men and women who work in these jobs, we can help inspire the kids and grandkids of America to restore the tradition of hard work of previous generations.

There is a quiet crisis upon us and in order to combat it and prosper as a country, we must work together to encourage young Americans to pursue careers in manufacturing and the skilled trades.

JoshMandelisTreasurerofOhio.

Bring back shop class

Reaffirming our American values

Josh Mandel

Q: Werent estate taxes eliminated in Ohio?A: While the Ohio estate tax was repealed effective January

1, 2013, a decedents estate may have to pay a federal estate tax if the gross estate is more than $5.34 million dollars (the exempt amount).

Q: What is the tax rate for estates that exceed the exempt amount?

A: The tax rate is 40 percent. This rate also applies to gener-ation-skipping transfer tax (when, for example, a distribution is made from a grandparent to a grandchild).

Q: Can any tax deductions be taken from the decedents gross estate?

A: Yes. Typical deductions include expenses associated with the decedents funeral and burial, debts and obligations, gifts to charities and most transfers to the surviving spouse.

Q: Should an estate file a federal estate tax return if all assets are transferred to the surviving spouse?

A: Maybe. When the decedents gross estate exceeds the ex-empt amount, a return (Form 706) must be filed even if the taxable estate is zero. Also, the estate may elect to file a return when the gross estate is less than the exempt amount. Doing so may allow the surviving spouse to leave combined net assets of $10.68 mil-lion dollars in the estate, but the family would not have to pay federal estate taxes. For example, lets say a man dies and leaves $4 million dollars to his wife. His wife does not have to file a fed-eral estate tax return. If the wife has $4 million dollars of her own assets plus the $4 million dollars she inherited from her husband, her gross estate would be $8 million. Approximately $3 million dollars of this $8 million would be subject to federal estate taxes. However, if she files a federal tax return at the time of her hus-bands death, she can claim the unused exempt amount of $4 mil-lion dollars for her husband as well as her own exempt amount. This will leave her with a combined $8 million dollar exempt amount, which will eliminate the federal estate tax.

Q: Will accounts held as transfer on death or payable on death avoid federal estate tax?

A: No. The transfer of property can be accomplished quickly after a persons death through the titling of assets as transfer on death or payable on death, but most of these assets will not escape estate tax liability.

Q: Can I give all of my property away during my life to avoid estate taxes?

A: No. The federal tax structure is considered a unified es-tate and gift tax system. This means that transfers made while you are alive are added together with those that are distributed when you die to determine if your total assets exceed the exempt amount. This is called a lifetime computation.

Q: How does the federal gift tax work?A: Under the current law, an individual can give $14,000 (the

annual exclusion) to another person (the donee) without fil-ing a federal gift tax return. The annual exclusion is based on the amount of the gift made to each donee and not on the total amount given by the donor. For example, one parent can give $14,000 to each of his or her four children (a combined gift of $56,000) without filing a gift tax return. If the donor is married, the annual exclusion can double (called gift splitting). Thus, this couple could give $28,000 to each child without filing a gift tax return even though only one spouse made the gift. When the aggregate amount exceeds $14,000 per donee, a gift tax return (Form 709) must be filed by April 15 following the calendar year. The excess amount over the $14,000 reduces the future exemption amount available when the donor dies.

lAW/A14

Know how taxes may affect decedents estate

LAW YOU CAN USE

AP AnAlysis

By JUlIe PACeAP White House Correspondent

WASHINGTON (AP) After years of resisting the pull of more Mideast conflicts, President Barack Obama has sent the military back into ac-tion in Iraq, where he once ac-cused his predecessor of wag-ing a dumb war.

U.S. planes on Friday bombed Islamic militants who were towing artillery outside Irbil near U.S. personnel, the Pentagon said.

The aggressive insurgen-cy threatens to undermine Obamas legacy as the com-mander in chief who ended a long and unpopular war in which nearly 4,500 American troops died.

It also raises fresh ques-tions about whether Obamas desire to end the war clouded his assessment of the risks of fully withdrawing U.S. troops, as well as his judgment about the threat posed by the ex-tremists.

Obama insisted the U.S. was not moving toward a pro-tracted conflict.

I will not allow the Unit-ed States to be dragged into fighting another war in Iraq, he said late Thursday at the White House.

He also said the U.S. had completed airdrops of human-itarian aid to Iraqi religious minorities who are under siege.

The moves are, so far, more limited in scope than the inva-sion undertaken by President George W. Bush after the Sept. 11 attacks.

The chief rationale for Obamas authorization for military strikes in Iraq was to protect American forces serv-ing in Irbil. They include some of the forces the president sent in this summer to help train and assist Iraqs struggling se-curity forces.

In trying to help Iraq pro-tect civilians, Obama said the U.S. has a responsibility to stop imminent massacres. Its an echo of the argument he used when the U.S. joined NATOs bombing campaign in Libya in 2010.

Obama has not followed the same path in Syrias civil war, where more than 170,000 people have died.

The conditions that re-turned the U.S. to military action in Iraq can be traced back months or years, as

the presidents critics contend.As recently as January,

Obama was dismissive of the al-Qaida breakaway Islamic militants. In an interview with the New Yorker magazine, he said comparing the group to the terrorist network estab-lished by Osama bin Laden was like comparing a junior varsity basketball team to an NBA squad.

Yet U.S. intelligence and defense officials were warn-ing about the potential threat from the Islamic State, which had strengthened in Syria.

Obamas comments re-flected his limited appetite for wading back into Iraq or start-ing a military engagement in Syria, where he authorized an air assault last summer but never gave the order to go

ahead.Obamas critics draw a di-

rect connection between that approach and his decision to withdraw all American troops from Iraq in late 2011. He did so in large part because Iraqs government refused to sign a security agreement providing U.S. troops immunity.

But White House oppo-nents say the presid