View From Here

‘Thanks’ is more than a matter of course
[Nov. 22, 2007] So often, when we think of being thankful, especially on a daily basis, we think of the things we are thankful for having. The higher numbers on the thermostat are looking good this time of year, even if the heating bill doesn’t. By Jim Newell

It takes an involved community...
[Nov. 15, 2007] Given the acrimony in the Goodrich school district over the past few years — and several residents’ complaints about past leadership — what is amazing is that so few people are showing up for the interview process. By Jim Newell

The Race Is Not Over...
[Nov. 8, 2007] Congratulations to those who won in the city elections, and to their challengers, Mike Byrne (candidate for mayor) and Cathleen Buell (city council candidate) who, despite their losses, managed to get a good number of people to show up at the polls to vote for them. By Jim Newell

Ah, election time
[Oct. 25, 2007] It’s election time, and while many people might dread another trip to the polls, it’s a time that can also bring a sense of hope and renewal. By Jim Newell

Good Karma
[Oct. 18, 2007] I believe in Karma. Yes, there is the malicious kind, where we say that someone who kicks dogs and steps on butterflies will get theirs, but that’s not what I’m referring to.
And not the John Lennon Instant Karma variety ... By Jim Newell

Goodrich recall effort: You reap what you sow
[Oct. 11, 2007] Except for one mayoral recall in the City of Flint, I generally don’t support recall efforts. Not, necessarily, for ideological reasons, but for practical ones.
Recall efforts require a lot of effort, waste a lot of time and ultimately By Jim Newell

State budget crisis averted, for now
[Oct. 4, 2007] If you’re reading this then you’ve figured out that the state didn’t shut us down.
Actually, we are independently owned and completely unaffiliated with the state government (except for paying taxes), thankfully, or you would probably be reading this week’s issue scribbled in crayon on very inexpensive notebook paper. By Jim Newell

Candidates must be aware of impressions
[Sep. 27, 2007]   By Jim Newell

A little of this, a little of that ...
[Sep. 20, 2007] For such an excellent, progressive school district Grand Blanc sure does like its Big Brother toys.
The school board previously adopted a computer use policy allowing the district to punish students who posted nasty, libelous comments about the school/teachers/fellow students on the internet from the home computers. By Jim Newell

Community festivals show forward thinking
[Sep. 13, 2007] Imagine a place (start by thinking of those wavy lines all dreadful television shows use when beginning a flashback scene) where kids ride their bikes in the street, neighbors wearing khakis and short-sleeved button-down shirts wave to their neighbors as they mow their perfectly manicured landscapes and every house has a fresh pie cooling in the kitchen window. By Jim Newell

The harsh realities of school violence
[Sep. 6, 2007] We are indeed a violent society.
Movies, video games and CDs carry advisory warnings for violent and profane content, though many people seem eager to snatch them up. Security cameras seem to sprout up everywhere, just to let people know that they’re being watched. The U.S. has the highest ratio, per capita, of serial killers of any industrialized nation. By Jim Newell

Fenton – my hometown:Catastrophes often bring out the best in people
[Aug. 30, 2007] When the local television stations began warning of an impending tornado, I never would have dreamed that the whirlwind would not only hit my hometown, but that it would also rip through the street I once called home. By Kelly Skarritt

Finding lost boy reaffirms faith in people
[Aug. 23, 2007] There are times — and I don’t want to say that these times make one finally believe, or restores their faith, in the innate goodness of people — but there are times when the simple, selfless acts of compassion and a little leg work reaffirms one’s faith that people care and are willing to help others. By Jim Newell

On the arts ... On Writing and Dissent
[Aug. 16, 2007] I had the pleasure of attending the Grand Blanc Arts Council’s art fair this past weekend, which featured artists from throughout Genesee County, including artists from Grand Blanc, Burton and Goodrich. By Jim Newell