From 1893 to 1933, the Anti-Saloon League was a major force in Ohio and American politics. Influencing the United States through the printed word and lobbying, it turned a moral crusade into a Constitutional amendment. The League left a legacy of printed material at a site bequeathed to the Westerville Public Library which houses the Anti-Saloon League Museum. The Anti-Saloon League Museum at the Westerville Public Library is open to the public Monday through Friday 9:00am-6:00pm and by appointment. Tours and presentations for groups can be scheduled. For more info visit their site at: http://www.wpl.lib.oh.us/AntiSaloon

In the wake of an Ohio supreme court decision favoring the use of speed cameras and red light cameras, residents of Chillicothe are looking to become the third community to take matters into their own hands. The group Citizens Against Photo Enforcement announced the filing of a formal initiative petition this week that would offer a vote in November on whether to ban photo ticketing completely.

The initiative's sponsors believe they can gather the 800 signatures required to put the question to voters in the city of 22,000. An informal online petition already gathered the support of 3416 area residents, which represents nearly one out of every five registered voters. If successful, the measure would repeal the city ordinance authorizing cameras and prohibit any similar ordinances from being adopted in the future. The measure also bans contracting out photo ticketing services to a private company and ensures anyone charged with a civil or administrative traffic fine has the full protection of due process under "state, federal, or common law as may apply."

According to petition proponents, Chillicothe's red light cameras have been placed at intersections with just 3.0 seconds of yellow warning time. Under a 2008 state law, it is illegal for any camera-equipped intersection to have a yellow time duration of less than 4.0 seconds (Ohio Code Section 4511.094). Proponents are also disturbed by the speed cameras that have been ticketing at a rate of at least 300 citations per day with 70 percent of the profit generated sent to Redflex Traffic Systems in Australia.

Last month a bipartisan coalition led a successful initiative effort banning cameras 100 miles west in Cincinnati. In 2006, three out of every four voters in Steubenville chose to kick out speed cameras after the devices had issued $600,000 in citations. Over the past twelve years, voters in Anchorage, Alaska; Peoria, Arizona and Batavia, Illinois have also banned cameras.

Source: www.thenewspaper.com, http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/26/2623.asp

Stare at the dot in the center and slowly move your head back and forth.. Neat!  For more see http://brainden.com/optical-illusions.htm

The Supreme Court of Ohio ruled last September that a momentary drift a few inches over the white line at the edge of the road is sufficient grounds for a police officer to pull over an otherwise safe driver. The ruling upheld the conviction of Christopher Mays who had been stopped by a state trooper on Route 16, a four-lane highway near Newark, on March 26, 2006.

"The question of whether appellant might have a possible defense to a charge of violating R.C. 4511.33 is irrelevant in our analysis of whether an officer has a reasonable and articulable suspicion to initiate a traffic stop," Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer wrote for the unanimous court. "An officer is not required to determine whether someone who has been observed committing a crime might have a legal defense to the charge.... In conclusion, a traffic stop is constitutionally valid when a law enforcement officer witnesses a motorist drift over the lane markings in violation of R.C. 4511.33, even without further evidence of erratic or unsafe driving."
 Ohio v. Mays (Supreme Court of Ohio, 9/16/2008)
Source: www.thenewspaper.com, http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/25/2555.asp

Many will call me an adventurer - and that I am, only one of a different sort: one of those who risks his skin to prove his platitudes.
-Che Guevara-

Today the Dayton Daily News reported that liquor sales in Ohio hit a record high of $719.2 million in 2008, a 4.75 percent increase over 2007.  The amount of liquor sold — 10.5 million gallons — represented a 2.64 percent increase over 2007. The numbers released Thursday represent liquor containing more than 21 percent alcohol.

The top selling liquor was Kamchatka Vodka, at 380,465 gallons, followed by Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey, Bacardi Superior Light Rum, Captain Morgan Spiced Rum and Jagermeister.  The industry contributed $298 million to the state.  Who drinks Kamchatka Vodka?

Source: http://www.daytondailynews.com/search/content/gen/ap/OH_Liquor_Sales.html

Today, January 13...

The trial of Jon Mountjoy continues in Federal Court.  All testimony has been concluded and we will await the transcript to file a post-trial brief.  The case was heard by the Honorable M. Merz and he was fantastic to try a case before.  We are hopeful for a good outcome.

The Fallacy of the "Average Person" (from the National College for DUI Defense)

One of the greatest sources of error ...   more »

Despite a fragile economy, consumers will continue to see alcoholic beverages as an affordable indulgence according to Richard Hurst, senior ...   more »

Little Kings Acquired By Moerleins

According to www.Realbeer.com, Moreleins purchased the brand and is going to promote a comeback. 

“What we’re about with the return of Little Kings is the same thing that we’ve been doing with Christian Moerlein Lagers and Ales the last four years, which is repositioning the brands to make them relevant with today’s consumers,” CEO Greg Hardman said.

Little Kings cream ale was known for its great taste and high alcohol content and was a favorite for many of us who are over 35.  Growing up in Dayton we also took pride in Little Kings because it was made by our beloved local Hudepohl Brewing Company (yeah Cincy we in Dayton laid claim to the Kings). So cheers to Moerleins and cheers to the Kings!  What a great way to start 2009.

Charles M. Rowland II is proud to announce his continued relationship with www.DUI1.com and 1-800-KICK-DUI.  www.DUI1.com is one of the most established DUI websites with many years of service to clients accused of drunk driving.  "We have put 1-800-KICK-DUI on buses, on store fronts and all over downtown windows in Xenia, Ohio," said Rowland.  If you are accused of an OVI offense this holiday season, call Charles M. Rowland II at 1-800-KICK-DUI.