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Local News

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Buehrer: Era of high-paying manufacturing jobs is over
Hancock Federal Credit Union
By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

The era of cities luring big manufacturing companies that offer hundreds of great-paying jobs has come to an end, according to a state legislator.

State Sen. Steve Buehrer, R-Delta, talked about the lagging economy, the need for state budget cutbacks, education, and what he thinks of Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland at a Flag City Rotary breakfast forum held Wednesday.

"The state of manufacturing in Ohio is poor because for so many years we've been dependent on auto manufacturing," which is seeing record financial losses with the drastic drop in sport utility vehicle and truck sales, Buehrer said.

"I hate to break it to city leaders and mayors, but from an economic development perspective, gone are the days where $20 per hour type jobs are going to come moving into your community," Buehrer said.

The legislator said he thinks the focus needs to shift to smaller start-up ventures for job growth.

"Where I think you have to 'incentivize' is with those smaller companies that employ 10, 20 people," he said, echoing former Gov. Bob Taft's Third Frontier plan that supported such businesses.

"The fact is, the growth, for many years, has always been in small business, not big," the state senator said.

Buehrer, however, said he is noticing "some bright spots" when it comes to economic development, particularly in alternative energy research and sales. He mentioned the "fledgling industry" of solar power in Toledo, which has panel manufacturer Xunlight Corp. and the collaborative Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization.

"The number one issue on people's minds is the economy and job climate," said Buehrer, referring to the Legislature's upcoming 2009 budget challenges.

"I saw a poll that showed as many as a third of Ohioans know someone who is in bankruptcy or foreclosure. People have modified their behavior. They have slowed down their spending," and that is reflected in less sales tax collections at the state and local levels, said Buehrer.

"I don't know how serious it will be, but there will be pressure in the spring to tighten" the state budget, Buehrer said.

The Delta senator expressed mixed feelings about Strickland's efforts and actions since the governor took office nearly two years ago.

Buehrer said he was "a bit amused" when Strickland, whose main campaign goal focused on a promise to reform Ohio's educational system, said in February that time had run out to earmark for education reform funding this year. "With what he may propose and the price tag for that, there will be some interesting forces at work," said Buehrer.

The state's two-year college tuition freeze at public institutions has worked, Buehrer thinks. "We've been very successful in giving access to some who may have been on the bubble in terms of not being able to afford college," he said.

Buehrer also cited the Legislature's decision on holding off with electricity deregulation until a supply and demand dynamic is strong enough for it to remain affordable, as well as "cleaning up the concealed carry law" and the goal to have 25 percent energy reliance on "renewable sources," from wind to nuclear power, by 2025.

"Over the next few years, I think you will see an increase in wind and solar power (use). I think that's quite exciting," said Buehrer.

But he is still voicing disappointment at Strickland's line-item veto of bill language, added by Buehrer, that would have banned human cloning in the state.

"Eighty percent of Ohioans believe you should not create life to do experiments and destroy embryos. It's especially wrong when your tax dollars are being used to do it. I think it's a chilling, chilling thing in terms of where (Strickland) comes out philosophically on that issue," said Buehrer.

The governor's veto reasoning is that the language, tacked onto this year's $1.75 billion job stimulus package, would have restricted stem cell research and gotten in the way of bio-medical developments that could save lives.

Brown: 419-427-8496,

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4 Comments

Latest comments listed first.
George wrote:
There are jobs!
“ If you look at all the $150K jobs posted on employment sites, youd think this was a boom time.

http://www.linkedin.com
http://www.indeed.com
http://www.realmatch.com

There are some seriously attractive jobs out there for people if they know where to look.

 ”
Friday, September 12, 2008 1:47:55 PM
Dave wrote:
He Doesn't Care
“ Why would he even think about helping out the common worker or the middle class? Good paying jobs are leaving Ohio and all this man cares about is banning human cloning in Ohio. Isn't there more important things to do in Columbus, like protecting those jobs in Ohio or finally creating an education system that is fair and not based solely upon property values for all students in Ohio? ”
Thursday, September 11, 2008 1:53:25 PM
city worker wrote:
looking out for-#-1
“ Like this guy even tried to get any high paying jobs for us take a look at this guys record pure spin [aka] lip service,
The buddy systems at work .
 ”
Thursday, September 11, 2008 4:03:25 AM
J wrote:
Government Employee Pay
“ While the private sector wages are going down at a stead rate, the taxpayer is force to pay for city and state employee wages that have remained unchanged, many making over 20 dollars per hour. Before asking for more money to balance government budgets, wages of government employees need to be reduced to reflect the Ohio economy. Other wise the only mid class in Ohio will be those working for the government. ”
Thursday, September 11, 2008 2:44:08 AM
   NEWS VIDEO

Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.