Newsmaker—Todd Hoadley, Superintendent, Olmsted Falls City Schools. Mr. Hoadley made news when he requested, on behalf his school system, $100-million from the government bailout pool. The money would be used for upgrading schools in Olmstead Falls and defraying the cost of federally-mandated education programs. Hoadley wrote in a Plain Dealer op-ed this week that he could think of no better way to stimulate the economy than to invest the money in the education of the next generation.
Roundtable: Regina Brett, metro columnist, The Plain Dealer; Greg Saber, reporter, WTAM 1100; Richard Osborne, editor, Ohio Magazine.
Water Main Break: A key piece of Cleveland’s water system sprang a big leak sending torrents of water down city streets and emptying the pipes of hundreds of buildings. The leak also emptied offices and school rooms from the near East Side all the way to Rocky River on the west. The incident was the second major water main eruption downtown this year, focusing further attention on water mains laid down in the late 1800’s.
Corrupt Government: Ohio is no slouch when it comes to producing political corruption. According to a report in the New York Times, Ohio ranked fifth in the number of public officials convicted or wrongdoing. Ohio ranked tenth in a poll of journalists asked for their perception which states are most corrupt. Despite the problems of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Ohio outpointed Illinois in both polls.
Senator Caroline Kennedy? The daughter of John F. Kennedy has let it be known that she’s interested in filling the Senate seat to be opened when Hillary Clinton moves to the Obama cabinet. Caroline Kennedy has never held elective office, but made a political splash in the recent campaign when she endorsed and campaigned for Obama. She’s been making the rounds in New York this week convincing skeptics of her sincerity.
Shoe Attack: A surprise visit to Iraq ended with a surprise for President Bush this week. An Iraqi journalist attending a news conference threw both his shoes at the President while hurling verbal insults. Bush was not struck by either shoe and laughed off the incident. The journalist is in jail on criminal charges that could lead to a two-year jail term. The speaker of Iraq’s parliament resigned following a loud debate over whether the shoe-thrower is a heel or a hero.