Orchids to …
• the person who found the dead dog on County Road 50N and contacted the owner on Friday.
• the person who turned in my purse at Walmart, from Betty.
• Four Seasons for hosting the soup and sandwich buffet for CRH volunteers and for the gifts, from Donna Rueff.
• Jim Lucas and others who have written great clarifications of the Indiana Religious Freedom Restoration Act.
• Jake Baker for making the gold honor roll, from Grandmother and Granddaddy.
• citizens who believe Columbus deserves better and who know for their support of Jim Lienhoop to count, they need to go to the poll and cast their vote.
• Judge Stephen Heimann for telling it as it is and posting the facts of the case.
• Jason Hyer for a great letter pointing out the obvious.
• Chuck Wells for returning my call and explaining a question on Around Town, from Sandy.
• Laurence Brown for your well-written letter illuminating the issues in the current administration and showing why we need to elect Jim Lienhoop.
• Jan and Janie for helping, checking, caring and being kind to Nita, from Nita and Nancy.
• Coach from Coaches Cutz for helping out a fledgling business, thanks a million, from Chris and Laurel Wilson at Laurel’s Hair Studio.
• my neighbor Kevin Kidd, many thanks, from Joan and Ed.
• former department head Laurence Brown for his service to the residents of Columbus and his insightful, first-person account of the leadership style practiced in City Hall.
• Jim Lienhoop for addressing the high turnover rate of department heads in the city of Columbus under the present administration, from Garry Pugh.
• Alan Purtlebaugh at Columbus Carpet and Linoleum for his friendliness, expertise and offering a cold beverage to his customer, from a happy customer.
• Tricia Ryan at Brand’s Lumber for the wonderful kitchen she designed for us, from a happy customer.
• John Lipson for his expertise with our doors and shelves, from Jackie and Vanessa.
• Elizabeth Lipson for sending home delicious sandwiches with us, from Jackie and Vanessa.
• Mayor Kristen Brown for taking the time to hear my suggestions and making my daughter smile since she really wanted to meet the mayor.
• Lucy for the work you did in my yard, from Alma.
• Lori for mowing my yard.
• Mayor Kristen Brown for always trying to do the right thing and staying above the ugliness, from a very proud constituent.
Onions to …
• the person who hit and killed the dog on County Road 50N and did not stop Friday.
• the tax office that charged me $519 for tax prep when I only made $23,000 last year.
• the group of women who are making phone calls to the public telling untruths about the mayor.
• anyone who thinks we need a new mayor when in fact we need a new city council.
• whoever stole my 11-year-old son’s bike on Chandler Lane, from a very upset mother who can’t afford to replace it.
• the unconcerned store employees who were more concerned about filling out an incident report than helping the poor, elderly women who had tripped and fallen and needed an ambulance.
• the family that is unwilling to accept the truth.
• the current administration that has opened our city to possible lawsuits for the improper demolition of homes.
• federal officials who grant approval to a CSX investment yielding cost savings 15 times its cost but at the same time decline to shake loose any money to mitigate its effect on our community.
• the candidate who excessively uses transparency as a buzz word to the point it has lost its meaning.
• the letter writer who must have never watched a State of the Union address to see that the opposite side of the aisle doesn’t always applaud for the president.
• the city for continuing to ignore the drainage problem that has been ongoing for years on Central Avenue every time it rains.
• those who have given local law enforcement a black eye.
• anyone that thinks any deal with Iran eventually obtaining a nuclear bomb is a good one.
• whomever changed the wording of my Onion to where it meant nothing.
• the agency that is aware of speeding complaints on county roads but does nothing to stop it.
• elected officials who are more concerned with losing tax revenue rather than cutting spending.
• all the doctors who have forgotten the Hippocratic Oath, who pick and choose who they see.
• the elected official for apparently not realizing that a 501(c)(3) corporation is not owned by individuals.
• those creating a community where there is fear of retribution for voicing your opinion and concerns.
• people that can’t take care of their property.
• those having poor audio and video at the debates.
• those who write letters and Orchids about a candidate’s collaboration but have not seen that person behaving poorly.
• the candidate for claiming collaboration and leadership when that person has been absent from important meetings.
• those who don’t know or ignore the facts for why many of the department heads quit or retired.
• those who say back home when you lived there a minute as a baby, which you don’t even remember, just to impress relatives.
• a branch of local law enforcement for not having a DUI task force.
• the Columbus City Council for their inappropriate behavior at the mayor’s State of the City address.
• the small-engine business that intentionally sabotaged my lawn mower.
• people who complain about the ongoing coverage of a death.
• two landlords for how they represented their property ownership in an argument at the mayoral debate Saturday.
• the manager who was rude when there was a problem with my rewards card when I was checking out Saturday at breakfast.
• the candidate who talks about collaboration but doesn’t demonstrate it.
• The Republic for printing an obvious sour-grapes letter.
• all the city council members for their actions during the State of the City address.
• the letter writer in Sunday’s paper who left rather than making Columbus better.
• the office for not having enough free tax forms for four people who do not have computers.
• the local party for not offering a candidate but trying to game the primary.
• candidates and elected officials who believe city government should fund the arts and nonprofits.
Happy Birthday to …
• Diana Mann, from Ryan, Molly, Regan, Frank, Mother and family.
• Kim King Smith, from Pastor Lewis and the Who So Ever Will Community Church.
• Florence Toll, from Bethel Baptist Church.
• Zachary Perry, from Mom (Brandy), Chelsea, Austin, Allison, Karson and Zhoie.
• Crissy Trimnell, from your family and Donna.
• Kandie Lee Dale, from Mama and Papa Freeman.
• Barbara Kinworthy, from Dove Ministries.
• Michelle Wood.
• Justin Len Ashcroft, from Grandpa Don and Grandma Penny Gilham.
• Chase Mathis, from Mom, Dad, Connor, Chance, Nana Ann, Papaw Eddie & the Steenbargers.
Belated Wishes to …
• Britni McKee on No. 21, make the most of it, from all your family and friends in Indiana, Texas and Colorado.
• Wanda Bryant, from Pastor Lewis and the Who So Ever Will Community Church.
• Henrietta McGaha, from Pastor Lewis and the Who So Ever Will Community Church.
• our mom Pearl Moody, from all of your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Happy Anniversary to …
• Tammie Pool on No. 31, from Randy.
• Cody and Emily Fleetwood, from Sharon Snyder
• Randy and Julie Snyder, from Sharon Snyder.
• ANOTHER beautiful morning