October Road

There is a recurring image in my mind’s eye. That image is the view while traveling a country road with the autumn sunshine radiating through leaves of gold and crimson, green and brown, bringing a sense of warmth and comfort. The image is of a day obviously shorter than the one before, with nature trying to cram as much in it as possible. The autumn day understands that the cold, the snow and the darkness is right around the corner and intends to make the most of what is left. The image is that of the October Road.

Of all the differing paths I follow, the October Road is my favorite. My favorite month, my favorite season, my favorite set of activities, my favorite scenes and scenery – the October Road winds through them all.   The trees leave September green and full and by the end of October they are bare. The October Road nimbly travels through the changes in life, from green and ordinary through spectacular color to a state of rest and preparation for the rush of spring.

One could say that I favor the October Road because that seems to be the phase of life that I am in. But, no, it has always been my favorite – as far back as I can remember. October is certain. Summer can be rainy, can be dry, can be hot, can be humid, and winters are known as mild or harsh. Spring is unpredictable. October is a known commodity. It will start out relatively warm and end relatively cool. There will be rain, there will be sun. Frost will peak its head back into the picture. There will be color and it will fade. Sweaters and jackets will reappear from a season of hibernation. It will be dark when you get out of bed in the morning and it will get dark soon after supper. While the sun is out, however, Glory be to God!

My October Road takes me several times through the Appalachians between the Commonwealths of Virginia and Kentucky, through the Blue Ridge Mountains and through the Shenandoah Valley. It takes me over Afton Mountain, through Northeast Kentucky along the Ohio River to its confluence with the Big Sandy and along the New/Kanawha River to Sandstone Mountain. My October road runs to Central Kentucky: Lexington, Frankfort, Versailles, and Midway.

And the road carries me to October’s venues. Scott Stadium on the Grounds of Mr. Jefferson’s University, is where I toiled and played, cheered, questioned, partied, cried, cussed and exhorted.   The Lawn is between his Rotunda, his Lawn rooms and Pavilions down to the statue of Homer and Cabell Hall, where every visit is magical, restorative, and peaceful – the purple shadows, the NM runs, watching Hillary and Jamie chase and be chased by Caroline and Camden while sit on my darn scooter and tear up. Where Cavman vanquishes his foes. Where I have eaten Oysters fresh from the Chesapeake with my Brothers. The big red bow tie in 1973 with Mattingley & Moore.

Venues such as the Corner, with visits to Mincers (for every kind of UVa t-shirt known to mankind,) to the College Inn, and the White Spot (home of the Gusburger.) Bodo’s Bagels. Michie Tavern, Monticello and the Jefferson Winery.

Venues as incomparable as the Mecca of thoroughbreds – Keeneland, with its burgoo, co-eds in sun dresses at 45 degrees (God love ‘em!) and impressively bred horses running to glory. The ‘horsey set’ and the ‘great unwashed’, side by side and having a great time. Making periodic donations to the Keeneland Trust (i.e., a losing ticket.)  The October road carries me to the UK Campus and Commonwealth Stadium, site of my law school activities and the best tailgating around. UK football, one day, may deserve its fans. This year it carried me to the annual meeting of the Southern Conference of Bar Presidents the KBA hosted in Lexington – where our guests were treated to the best of the Bluegrass.

Maybe, someday my October road will carry me to Great American Ballpark for a Reds World Series.

Venues as grandiose as the Woodford Reserve Distillery on the banks of a picturesque limestone creek in the middle of Woodford County horse farms and as simple as my fraternity brother Jim Tucker’s daughter’s house in Cincinnati for a lovely dinner party with Jim and Cathy, Ryan and Kathryn, their dog River (as big as a pony) and the cat that sat on my shoulder.

Venues as close Erlanger, on my own Twinridge deck, where my tomato plant keeps developing red pears, where the golden sunlight filters through my windows, and where Doe Run Lake suddenly re-appears after a season of camouflage, reveal the splendor of autumn. The sugar maples explode with color on Erlanger Road, the Canadian Geese and Mallard Ducks fly over kids practicing football on their way to a watery landing in a pond somewhere. The garden winds down with kale, collards and brussel sprouts thriving in the cooler weather.

As do all things, October ends. But the spectacular October Road ends as it should – with fun and whimsy – with candy and caramel apples and popcorn – with laughter and children - with spiced warm drinks, a warm fire and good friends celebrating a good, old fashioned BOO!

I wonder where the next October road shall take me.  Oh, the anticipation. Where does your October road take you?

Green Pastures

Memories of your childhood come and go. There were images or pictures in your head, there are faces of people important to you who have been gone a long time, and some things remain. Among those things that I remember from my childhood is the 23rd Psalm. It was one of the first Bible verses I can remember: "The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth  beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul."

A week ago in church my pastor, Charlie Martin, at the Erlanger Christian church (Disciples of Christ) spoke about 23rd Psalm and posed the question: Where are your green pastures? I had an immediate answer and this weekend I tested my hypothesis. What do I do,  where do I go to lie down in green pastures and have my soul restored? I am sure that over the years this answer is changed and there may be several different answers to the question. But for now, packing a bag, hopping in my Van, turning off the telephone (or at least turning down the ring tone ) and heading east on the AA and I-64 for a visit with Hillary, Jamie, Caroline and Camden and for home football game at the University of Virginia is my green pasture.

Folks tell me that an 8-hour drive is tiring. I get physically tired from the trip but mentally refreshed . I know the road. I know where to stop . I know where the good food is . I know where they will pump my gas for me . I know the sights and, in particular, where to look for various things . crossing the Kanawha River four times as I pass through Charleston . the new River Bridge. where to sneak a peek at the Greenbrier. the little grass airstrip adjacent to the road near Clifton Forge, Virginia.the view from Afton Mountain. driving through Charlottesville as my Van attempts to get off the Expressway and head toward rugby road . the last hour toward Richmond and arriving at the Billingsley house in Hanover County . Caroline coming out the front door with a big smile and hollering "hi Poppy ". Camden climbing on the my scooter as soon as I get in the house. Stopping by the Kenton County library before I leave and picking up a couple books on CD to listen to during the drive . ( On this trip I listened to Grisham's The Abduction and got halfway through Baldacci's Deliver Us From Evil .)

I don't get to see my grandkids enough, so it's always a treat to be with them . Camden is growing like a weed and talks a lot – soon we will be able to understand what he is saying . Caroline is a wonder child – so bright , so good, so loving and a real big Virginia fan . Jamie makes a great pot of pulled pork barbecue and we hang out on Friday night after the kids hit the sack by watching some kind of game on television . Hillary usually reads. I am usually awakened on Saturday morning by the sound of cartoons or whatever it is the they call children's programming on Saturday mornings these days . after a little breakfast and a scan of the newspaper on their iPad , we get ready for the trip Charlottesville .

 The game Saturday was at 6 PM against William and Mary , one of the top teams in the Colonial Athletic Conference and the FCS. We arrived on the grounds at about 230 – 245 and the parking lot alumni Hall was already full . We went to the University's parking garage about a block away instead . We walked to Alumni Hall to see what was going on and I met my Pi Kapp brother Mark Bearden . Mark grew up in Cincinnati but now lives in Richmond .  I saw several other people that I knew from a distance but since the kids were there, we headed toward the stadium . This is a beautiful walk along Emmet Street , past the Dell , the Curry School of Education and my old haunt , the School of Engineering and Applied Science . new buildings – new sidewalks – quite impressive . Emerging from the engineering complex , our path opened into the parking lots at Scott Stadium . lots of tailgating was going on . It's different than other forms of tailgating that I observe, engage in and/or enjoy but it's good . UVA tailgating has changed over the past decade or so .Scott Stadium , in the 70s, was the largest open air bar south of the Mason Dixon line but there has been a significant emphasis on cutting down on the alcohol .  It is very family-friendly – lots of balls flying around , lots of kids running and playing , and small groups of marching band members circulating around the lots playing music and pumping up the crowd.

There is an entrance to the stadium for those who need elevators to get upstairs and we typically enter there. Itis also the entrance to the Virginia Football Alumni Room where our receptions are held  after ever game.  I like to get into the stadium early to watch the teams warm-up and, in particular, to watch the Virginia offensive line go through its paces directly below my seats . This usually turns into a reunion . First, all of the ushers and attendents that I've known over the years stop by to say hello ; Hillary and Jamie's friends and classmates often stop by ; a couple of the fellows that I played football with (George Korte, Andy Selfridge, among others) stop by and , of course, my fraternity brothers come by an chat. I guess 'chat' is a good word for it . Actually, we usually pick up conversations that we left off the last time we saw each other which could be anywhere from two months to 20 years ago . this weekend I saw and spoke with some of my favorite people on the face of this earth– Mark , Shep , Sonny, Phil, Opie, Bozo , Brillo ( or should I say the Rev. Mr. Watson) , dandy Don ,and, of course, my dear Katie. Catching up on everyone's lives , where their kids are ,where they've been, weddings and family events that have been experienced, plans for the future, and how our beloved Wahoo's are going to be this year. The  Cavalier marching, a relatively new phenomenon, keep keeps getting bigger and better every year. I love it when the band marches right toward me , forms the Power-V  and plays   " U V A – go Hoos  Go ."  the adventures of CavMan appears on the big screen followed by the entrance of the team and the Cavalier on horseback. I know it sounds goofy but I love this stuff and it is my green pasture .

After the game we go down to the alumni room for a bottle of water , a soft drink or beer ,some food , a few minutes to cool down or warm up (depending on the time of the year) catch up with some old friends and make some new ones. After the crowd thins, we head home.

The drive home on Sunday is usually quicker and easier - for some unknown reason. Maybe its because I am refreshed.  He maketh me lie down in green pastures . . .

50 something – for a little while longer.

I have 371 days left in my 50s. Wow!
Time flies when you're having fun. Actually, when you get older time flies no matter what you're doing. And, since we have no idea how many days we have left in this life, everyday is a gift, every meal is a banquet and every friend is a joy.

It's a good time to reflect. It's a good time to put the house in order. It's a good time to count blessings.

Friends are important. Do you have any really, really good friends? Friends who will stay with you and have stayed with you over the years through thick and thin, health and illness, fortune and famine? (I am not counting family. Family is different.) I am lucky to have a couple really, really good friends and I am blessed to be able to spend time with them. Do you get to spend time with your friends? Make it so!

Some people come and go from your life, and some people are there for the long haul. Have you ever been reacquainted with someone that you had a strong relationship with years ago but for one reason or the other drifted apart? It's quite a feeling. I recommend it. Estrangement eats away at you, and no one needs that. 

How about being reacquainted with a large group of people that you have stayed in touch with in part but time and distance has kept you from realizing the fruits of your relationship? Last April I participated in a reunion of my Beta Upsilon chapter of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at the University of Virginia. Our chapter was 50 years old and we came together as a group to celebrate. I saw people that I see regularly and I saw people that I haven't seen in 35 years. It was absolutely wonderful to catch up with these guys and I am convinced that if our circumstances permitted it, we would reestablish our great, great friendships. Some of my best friends to this day are my Pi Kapp Brothers.

What do you like to do? Are you doing what you like to do? I like practicing law because I like helping people, I like serving my community in city government, I like serving my profession, and I like football. I guess I'm doing what I like to do. Are you? Does the day-to-day grind keep you from enjoying your life? If so, my advice is to change that pattern and do what you like to do. Life is too short.

What would you do if you did not have to work to earn money to pay your bills ? I have a friend who has already retired to a golf course in Florida. If I was healthy, I still couldn't do that (for any more than a month or two.) I  have thought about this a lot and came to the conclusion that I would probably do exactly what I'm doing now – staying busy trying to help, serve my community and serve my profession .  I am fortunate that I am in a position where I can do this so long as I make enough to cover my basic monthly bills.   Not everybody else can do this. Many of my generation  are going to be faced with this problem as regular pensions (defined benefit plans) are fading away, 401(k) plans are being whipsawed by the market and the retirement age for Social Security is raised . We all need to find something we like to do and do it. 

Do you go to church? Do you have some sort of spiritual life? I do and I hope you do.  My church is my home away from home. My great great grandmother has a stained-glass window in my church. Other churches may have more to offer, but my church is my church. My church family is for real and I rely on them as they rely on me.

Friends, Functions and Faith. Good Subjects for reflection. Wonder what my 60's will be like?

TLR.

Reflections on the ABA in Toronto

After I experience something new, something I haven't done before, I typically go through a decompression of a day or two. During this time, I reflect on all the things that I witnessed, heard, saw and thought during the experience. I am nearing the end of this reflection following my first ever trip to Toronto, Ontario, Canada for the annual meeting of the American Bar Association. Now that I am writing this blog, I can put some of my thoughts down in case anybody is interested.

My new position as Vice President of the Kentucky Bar Association afforded me the opportunity to make this trip and participate in the meetings of the Southern Conference of Bar Presidents, the National Association of Bar Presidents, and the ABA. An added bonus to this trip was the fact that Erlanger resident in good friend William T (Bill) Robinson III was assuming the position of President of the ABA and I would be there to participate and observe.

I drove to and from Toronto as I needed my scooter to participate fully in the events and since the drive really isn't that far. On the way up I went Interstate 75 to Detroit and took a right turn through Ontario. The trip took about 10 hours and was 520 miles or so. 75 is a mess, especially with all the trucks, and Detroit was a little difficult to navigate. The drive through Ontario was very bucolic and, frankly, boring. On the way back, the route was different. Toronto to Niagara to Buffalo to Erie, PA to Cleveland and 71 S. there was much more to see and I thought the drive was easier. This route was about 530 miles, plus or minus, and took about 10 hours.

Toronto is a large, metropolitan city, with ethnic diversity, and the number of attractions worth visiting. My hotel was the Intercontinental and my room had a view of the CN Tower with its nightly light show and the Rogers center, formerly known as SkyDome, home of the Blue Jays and Argonauts of the CFL. The rest of the Kentucky delegation was housed in the Fairmont Royal York, an older hotel with old world charm. However, old world charm does not translate into handicap accessible bathrooms and showers, and I choose cleanliness and accessibility over charm. The streets in the sections of Toronto that I visited were filled with interesting restaurants, bistros, pubs, shops, and hotels/inns. People watching was outstanding as there was a great diversity in the scenery. Every group I passed seemed to have a different language and different manner of dress. Lake Ontario forms the southern border of the city. I noticed that the city was fairly clean, a great deal of construction activity, and is very few visible law enforcement officers. The closest thing to a disagreement I observed was an incident between two cabdrivers arguing over one touching the others vehicle!

Thursday and Friday were filled with meetings with bar leaders from around the country. The Southern Conference meetings were Thursday and I met some great people, people I hope to be friends with for a long time. There's something about people from the South. The Kentucky Bar president, Maggie Keane,  served as the head of the Southern Conference this year (it rotates from state to state) and we will host the fall meeting in October in Lexington. In addition to our meetings, the Kentucky Bar will show its friends such Kentucky Classics as a day at Keeneland and a trip to the Woodford Reserve distillery near Versailles.

In the first meeting each state bar organization was given the opportunity to address the group for three or 4 min. and give highlights of the past year or so. Some states have unified bars, like Kentucky, where every lawyer with a license in that state must belong to the Bar Association. Other states have two bar associations, one for disciplinary purposes that is an agency of their Supreme Court and the other for other justice related activity, continuing education, lawyer assistance programs and the like. After the general meeting the group broke into breakout sessions: the vice presidents and presidents elect met, the current presidents met, and the past presidents were a third group. Issues common to each group were raised and discussed such as mentoring, computerized legal research, member benefits and access to justice programs. Later that evening a reception was held which gave the participants a better opportunity to get to know each other – and families were involved.

I did not enjoy the National Association meetings as much as I did the Southern Conference meetings. In fact, at 10 AM on Friday I made the decision to attend another program in a different building – a program on the need to encourage civics education in American schools. It was said that most Americans can name the three American Idol judges but none of the justices of the United States Supreme Court, and that is sad. As I was waiting on my scooter to enter the room, a tall gentleman was in front of me talking to a group of people. As he sensed me behind him with an apparatus, he turned and with a smile introduced himself: Associate Justice Stephen Breyer of the United States Supreme Court. Shortly after being stunned with that introduction, I felt a hand on my shoulder and heard a lady ask if I needed her to get the justice out of the way – it was retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. Therefore, quite unintentionally and while playing hooky from a meeting, I was privileged to meet two important jurists. What a lucky guy!

Incoming president Bill Robinson appointed me to the ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law. I was able to attend a couple of functions involving members of the commission, got to meet some of the people and learned about the workings of that group. Everyday is a learning opportunity at the ABA and a chance to meet outstanding people.

Saturday and Sunday presented some opportunities to sightsee a bit, check out some shopping venues, explore a nearby brewery and eat at some interesting places. The weather was mostly great and a lot of the eating was outside under umbrellas. I don't imagine they get to do that for a long time in Canada.

The highlight of the meeting for me, besides inadvertently meeting Supreme Court justices, was the installation of Bill Robinson as president of the ABA. At 4 PM on Monday afternoon, in the middle of a House of delegates session where resolutions were being debated, the proceedings were halted and Bill Robinson was escorted to the podium by the Kentucky delegation in attendance and other ABA members of Bill's choosing while the entire house stood with applause. After escorting Bill, we took seats at the other side of the podium and listened while outgoing president Steve Zack from Miami introduced bill and handed him the gavel. Building gave his "inaugural address" to the crowd. Afterwards, many pictures were taken in the house of delegates resumed its activity. I was impressed with the entire process and, being a newbie to ABA proceedings, took it all in.

Next year's annual meeting is scheduled for Chicago in early August and, the good Lord willing and the creek don't rise, I will be President-elect of the Kentucky bar and in attendance.

Several have asked me why the ABA will hold its annual meeting out of the country, and that is a valid question. I asked it myself. The answer I was given is that the ABA and the Canadian equivalent work very well together and many members of the Canadian bar attend ABA meetings. Therefore, every once in a while the annual meeting or another meeting is held in Canada to recognize this degree of cooperation.

All in all, the trip was a positive experience for me. I made many contacts and was able to network with attorneys from all parts of the country. I gained insight as to other state courts and their organized bars and realized that Kentucky doesn't take a backseat to any of them. We seem to be ahead of the curve on many issues. The food was great; the networking was great; the scenery was great and the weather, for the most part, held its own.

I like being around lawyers who get involved in their profession. I find these people to be engaging, intelligent and driven. I have always been impressed with the character of the people who choose to get involved. In general they are great people, important figures in their community, and have their heads and hearts in the right place. Service to others. Setting and obtaining goals. Helping those who need help. Teaching in local schools, serving on local nonprofit boards, assisting charities, involved with their churches, synagogues and mosques. I have always felt privileged to be an attorney and, in particular, a Kentucky attorney, and being around these people adds fuel to the fire.

My Favorite season is around the corner.

Anybody who really knows me knows I am an absolute football fanatic. All forms. Pee-wees to the pros. Particularly, I am passionate about high school and college football. That is why this time of the year my attitude usually changes. Instead of worrying about the heat, the rain or lack of it, how the tomatoes are producing, the local political scene, the national political fiasco or the price of gas, I begin thinking about my trips to Charlottesville, Lexington, Clifton, and local venues such as Cecil Dees Field, Rice Mountjoy Stadium, Gilligan Stadium, Newport Stadium, etc. I begin thinking about seeing old friends, about tailgating, about what new concoction so and so will bring Saturday. I think about how pretty Julie Dammert’s tailgate table will look at the UK – U of L game. What else can you mix with cheap bourbon? Post-game receptions in the Virginia Football Alumni room inside Scott Stadium. Going to the Greyhound Tavern for onion rings and a beer after football Friday night and watching the scores on the TV.

This stuff gets me pumped. It has ever since I was a little boy. Going to the Lloyd games and playing touch football in the end zones with my buddies using a paper cup as the ball. Going with my dad to Covington to watch his Holmes Bulldogs play. "Big Daddy" Tom Ellis. Watching my neighborhood hero, Joe Ashley, walk up Erlanger Road to the game he was about the play in wearing his Lloyd jersey –#71. That became my number. Steve Davis took it from me when I moved on. When I was coaching, one of my prize pupils, Hilliard Vance, was proud to wear it. I always look to see who's wearing the blue and gold number 71 because a little of it belongs to me, always will, and it should be worn with pride and dignity.

I participated in the Lloyd football program for six years as a player, three years on the freshman team in three years as a varsity starter. I was chosen to play in the KY East-West All Star Game at WKU in 1970.  Years later I was privileged to become a paraprofessional assistant coach at the request of Rudy Tassini and then Roy Lucas Jr. I coached young Juggernauts for 15 years. I was a member of the COOL society (coaches of offensive lineman), also known as the mushroom club, because the rest of the coaches keep us in the dark and feed us manure. When I was warming my lineman up for home games I frequently reminded them and motivated them by telling that they were playing on what I consider to be ‘hallowed ground. ‘ That very dirt underneath the grass contained bits and pieces of my blood, my sweat, my tears, and those same components from every Juggernaut that ever played there. I told them that they had to respect the game, respect the uniform that they wore, respect their opponent, respect their family, and realize how privileged they were to be spending a Friday night with their brothers doing something they'll remember the rest of their lives. Other kids were wandering around the stands trying to be cool or sitting at home playing video games. My boys, on the other hand, had worked for this very moment since the last season ended in the weight room, running the streets and on the track, practicing 2 to 3 hours a day, at least, for as long as the state would permit, and were focused on victory. In my book, only one form of victory is evidenced by the scoreboard. Other wins and losses occur on every snap, every rep in practice, every day in the classroom, every time they encounter another human and treat them with kindness, etc. That's what I and the other coaches I was privileged to work with tried to instill in our boys. Victory comes in many forms.

I began officiating football in 1973 when my college career ended (by my choice) and I continued with this through intramurals, Pee-wee, JV and freshman high school, varsity high school and even a couple college JV games. I had hoped to get into officiating college football but then some neurological condition got in the way and, over time, running, then walking, became problematic. When I got the chance to coach, I jumped at it. By the end of my 15 years, I was coaching from a golf cart.

I enjoyed coaching high school football more than I have enjoyed anything in my life other than my children and my family. If I won the lottery today and didn't have to worry about paying bills, I would find some way and somewhere to coach football and smile all the time.

I love college football, too. I have season tickets to the Virginia Cavaliers home games, and to the Kentucky Wildcats home games. I catch a game or two at Nippert Stadium for the Cincinnati Bearcats every year. This fall I am going to Bloomington for a game to watch Virginia play Indiana. I have been to bowl games (Peach (3x), Sugar, Gator, Citrus) in when I was a child, my family went to Champaign – Urbana for Illinois Fighting Illini games as my uncle was a professor there. I played in games at, of course, Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, home of the Hokies, at UNC, at VM I, have been to Tiger Stadium at Clemson, Byrd Stadium at Maryland, Wade Stadium at Duke, Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at Ole Miss, between the hedges at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia, Beaver Stadium at Penn State and the Horseshoe in Columbus.

I love the pageantry. I love the colors. I love to see what kind of uniforms teams are wearing and whether or not they are cutting edge, traditional, or boring. I love college bands. I make sure that I'm in my seat in time for the Virginia Cavalier marching band to form the Power-V and march right toward my seats, in time to watch the Wildcat Marching Band form the block K and play ‘On, On, U of K’, and tear up when it plays ‘My Old Kentucky Home.’ I love to watch the Cincinnati Bearcats band run down the stadium steps after the cannon fires, form up on the field, and head toward the 50, expanding as it marches. I am not, admittedly, an Ohio State fan (far from it) but I am a fan of ‘the best damn band in the land’ and ‘Script Ohio.’  The Ole Miss Pride of the South marching onto the field with their fight song and, after a trumpet flourish, breaking into ‘Dixie.’  I love to look at what the fans are wearing – and some of it is downright crazy. I love ESPN's ‘Game Day’, but often have to record it because I am gone to a Stadium by that time. What mascot head is Lee Corso going to put on this week?

Next weekend college athletes will be assembling on campuses from coast-to-coast to prepare for the Labor Day weekend kickoff of college football season. These athletes have been working all summer (actually since the end of last season) on strength and conditioning so when they begin practice, it's all about football and not about getting in shape. If they come to practice out of shape they typically do not see the field on Saturday. High school athletes have been at it all summer, and, except for Kentucky's dead period around the Fourth of July, practice regularly. There have been 7 on 7 competitions (without linemen) . Many practices had been moved to the break of dawn for the safety of the athletes in this heat we have been experiencing lately. The first high school scrimmages will probably start next weekend and I believe the first games of which I am aware are on August 19. It's almost here . . . . .

Football is the greatest game ever devised for young men. Almost any person who has the desire can compete in football and learn and grow as a person from the experience. Football has much more to do with life than X's and O's and the final score. We learn more and more about injuries, and develop equipment and techniques to prevent injuries. Things that I was taught to do in the 60s are now completely illegal in the game is better for it. The athletes are bigger and stronger, the off season conditioning is intense and comprehensive, and the coaching gets better and better every year, even down to the youth league level. There are exceptions and dramatic examples of things going wrong but that happens in every form of life and typically draws media attention because it is so out of the ordinary. I have watched young men who seemingly did not have an athletic bone in their body nor a good idea of how to put a helmet on, with time, effort and instruction, become outstanding young men, leaders in their community, husbands and fathers, and darn good football players. And when I say effort, I mean lots of it because nothing like this happens without being invested in the process. And when the effort is put forth, it is owned and can be called on time and time again.

This stuff gets me pumped. At my age and condition, its good that something does. My view these days is from the seat of an electric scooter, from the end zone where I can watch the line play, and through rose colored glasses. Memories. Nostalgia. Plastic cups filled with ice and whatever. Optimism, realism, hope, tough losses, exciting wins, great times with great friends at great venues watching great football. Caroline and Camden riding on my scooter with me from our parking lot, through the tailgaters, to the Football Alumni entrance at Scott Stadium. Meeting up with Jessica and friends in the blue lot outside of Commonwealth Stadium.

I can't wait!

Passings . . .and getting busy.

The news this week got me to thinking about lawyers, particularly good lawyers who were established and successful when I started this profession in 1978. Two men who I considered giants in the profession passed to the other side this week, and I have only kind thoughts and pleasant memories of them.

Bob Ruberg was a very kind and sweet man, treated me with utmost courtesy and compassion, and has left a professional legacy with his excellent law firm and his two lawyers sons - Don and Mike. In the past few years I only saw Bob at the northern Kentucky bar annual holiday dinner, but it was always very cordial and pleasant experience. I will miss Bob greatly.

Willie Mathis, Jr. also passed away this week. When I started practice he was the Commonwealth's Atty. for Boone Gallatin Counties and was a member of a successful firm, Mathis, Dallas and Frohlich. Willie left the practice a few years ago via retirement and was enjoying life, I am told. I saw him occasionally, usually at bar events, and our relationship continued to be strong through the years and miles. Willie was a fine prosecutor, a keen businessman and a good friend. I will miss Willie, also.

I made the decision several years ago to get deeply involved in Bar Association activities. I was President of the Kenton County Bar when a group of us formed the Northern KY Bar Association.I was on the board and later led that organization. That has led me to my current status as Vice President of the Kentucky Bar Association. I will leave Thursday for two days of meetings called the KBA Board of Governors summer meeting. This year, the meetings will be held at Kentucky Dam Village, very close to Pres. elect Doug Myers' lake house. I have never been there before and am looking forward to a jaunt deep into Western Kentucky. In early August I will attend the American Bar Association convention in Toronto - another place I have not been to, Erlanger's Bill Robinson will become ABA President during the convention (and his Mayor will be there to cheer him on!)

Typically no discipline is taken up at the summer meeting as it is the first meeting of the new board and a great deal of time is spent in training the new board members and handling other programs and missions of the bar. The last board meeting of the year is held the Tuesday before the convention starts, and we had enough discipline that meeting to last a while (Stan Chesley and Jay Bamberger.) A lot of bonding takes place as the new board will have to work together through some very difficult activities.

My experience has shown me that the vast majority of people elected to the board and to office  are excellent attorneys , leaders in their particular area of the Commonwealth, and dedicated to the improvement of the practice of law and the system of justice in our Commonwealth. Very infrequently people with agendas or bones to pick are elected to the board and they are uniformly unsuccessful. I look forward to working with them all, old and new.

 I am of the age now where many attorneys who served as mentors and/or teachers to me have retired  and are leaving us for a different world. A few weeks ago, Judge William Schmedecke and Gerry Patton. This week, Bob and Willie. I know it is a part of life and I accept God's will, but I don't like it. These people have left marks on northern Kentucky that will last for generations. It is only my hope that my work with the Kentucky Bar Association also helps my brothers and sisters at the bar way that the Judge, Jerry , Bob and Willie helped me. God God bless them.

What is the "Tea Party?"

I have been busy lately facing a challenge to a Northern Kentucky institution called the Northern Kentucky Area Planning Commission (NKAPC). This organization resulted from a consolidation of many planning and zoning operations conducted by the dozens of cities and County governments located in northern Kentucky decades ago. A group of people that call themselves the 'tea party' are proposing that this organization be eliminated and that Northern Kentucky go back to the 1950s with every city having its own planning and zoning operation and its own set of zoning ordinances, creating a patchwork quilt like you have never seen before. Erlanger's city government does not use all the services that NKAPC offers, preferring to conduct some of the operations in-house. Nonetheless, Erlanger firmly supports the continued existence, the direction, and the services offered by NKAPC. In this day of tight government finances and strict scrutiny, consolidated planning and zoning services makes eminent sense.

As I worked my way last month through legislative committee meetings, late night budget committee meetings, the commission's regular budget meeting and Erlanger's City Council deliberations, I began to think about the meaning of the 'Tea Party.' In some respects, the Tea Party means all things to all people -  meaning it can be whatever you want it to be. It is obviously not a political party like the Republicans and Democrats, Libertarians and even Whigs. It has no set of principles, has no party platform that I am aware of, has no party discipline, and apparently no unified leadership. It has no candidates for office –they still belong to the traditional parties or are independents.

I always viewed the Tea Party as a movement, a way of thinking, a line of thought that opposes, in general, the massive spending by our federal government. Almost everyone that I talk to believes that our federal government is out of control, is beyond the reach of the average citizen , and needs a general overhaul. The 'best and brightest' the American people send to Washington can't seem to fix anything, probabl because they are not the best and brightest, but the most wealthy and well connected. I certainly agree with this. My dear cousin believes in this so passionately that she rode a bus to Washington for a Tea Party rally.

Locally, however, it seems to me that the tea party consists of a group of people, socially conservative and Libertarian by nature, that are opposed to everything that has anything to do with the government . They have set their sights on local governments which is ironic because local governments are the closest to the people and most responsive to the constituents.  Local governments provide basic services such as police, fire, rescue, snow removal and street repair . Federal and state governments provide no services such as these.  Perhaps these people feel as helpless as the rest of us do when addressing problems on the national level and do not have enough influence in Frankfort to address state concerns. In any event, I have seen them in meetings of local governments , the mayors group, and of the NKAPC, sitting in the back room like gargoyles on the walls of a cathedral . It may not be their intention, but they appear menacing and intimidating to some, irritating to others and a distraction to everyone trying to get something done in the meeting. I have personally never heard any of the local , self-proclaimed tea party members say they were in support of anything . I know what they are against – any form of government spending any public money – but I have heard no constructive criticism nor suggestion from them on how to do it better .

I feel very safe in saying that no local government elected official in Northern Kentucky seeks the position or fulfills the obligations of office for the money or perks. All that I know do it for the good of their community, always trying to do the right thing, sometimes failing, but always getting up and trudging ahead. The local gargoyles seem to me to believe that local elected officials are out to waste taxpayer money on nonessential activity, personal wealth and hubris. Nothing could be further from the truth.

I am the first to say,and have said it on several occasions since becoming mayor of Erlanger , that I embrace out-of-the-box thinking and new ways to get the job done. Government has to be flexible , inventive and responsive to the needs of its constituents and I think that local government does does this the best. Therefore, if anybody, Tea Party member or atheist or even a Democrat, has a better way to get something done that Erlanger has to do , come talk to us and show us the error of our way and convince us of the merit of your way. Simply sitting back and criticizing , or silently lining the walls of meetings, does nobody any good and is a waste of time and effort. And perhaps talent! No one will know as the gargoyle remains silent!

In my humble opinion.

TLR
7.14.11

Counsel, The Jury has a verdict . . . .

Driving to my daughter Hillary's house near Richmond Virginia takes about eight hours in each direction. Spending that much time in the vehicle, alone, affords me the opportunity to think about a lot of subjects. It also permits a brain cleanse from time to time. I was a little stressed and wiped out when I left here a few days ago but am back and raring  to go. I thought of lots of things to write about in this blog, but upon my return, one news flash seems to have dominated the media, and the pages of Facebook. So, I think I'll weigh in.

Casey Anthony was found not guilty by a Florida jury of first-degree murder, manslaughter, and another serious charge but was found guilty of four counts of lying to the police. She faces up to four years in prison if she receives the maximum sentence on each count, class A misdemeanors. Most people do not get the maximum on their first offense and she's already spent about three years incarcerated, so there is a good chance that she will walk out of the jail a free person shortly. And some freedom she will have: her baby is dead, she is estranged from her parents, everybody on the face of the earth knows who she is and has an opinion about her, she has no place to live unless the parents take her back in, she has no job, etc. Sounds pretty bleak to me. Some think she deserves it, and many more think she deserves much worse. The only people whose thoughts matter are the jury, and by a unanimous verdict they did not find evidence to find her guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

In my little piece of the Facebook world, it seems that everybody has an opinion and most people believe that she killed her child. They are stunned at the Florida jury would let her get away with it. However, these opinionated folks were not in the courtroom, did not see, handle nor observe all of the evidence, were not required by the judge to take an oath to base their verdict only on the evidence, were not instructed by the judge on what Florida law is, and did not deliberate with the other jury members behind closed doors and away from media scrutiny. Only that jury experienced the full range of activities involved in a capital murder jury trial. How anyone can say that they were wrong amazes me. It also reveals a flaw in today'a American culture

In my younger days, I performed public defender work in Kenton County, and practiced criminal law in Kenton, Boone, Campbell, Grant, Gallatin and Pendleton counties. I gave up the criminal side of my practice several years ago and now, because I am the Mayor of the city that has a 50 person Police Department, may not practice criminal law. I remember several important points from those days, and from my law school training, and from my study for the bar exam. First, beyond a reasonable doubt means just that – beyond a reasonable doubt. Exactly what is a reasonable doubt is left to each jury on a case-by-case basis but the way I look at it there has to be proof such that a person of ordinary sensibilities is convinced of guilt by at least 95% of the evidence. I think that most criminal cases can result in a verdict in which there is some doubt as to the defendant's guilt, but if that doubt is such that an ordinarily prudent person has doubt as to the guilt, our Constitution requires the accused to be acquitted. Does this mean that the accused didn't do the act? No. It means that the prosecution could not prove it beyond a reasonable doubt and that is a standard that was agreed upon by the founders of this country to protect its citizens from the arbitrary use of power. It has been said that it is better for 10 guilty people to go free than for one innocent person to be convicted and sentenced. I agree with this. Many do not, but it is the system under which we live.

I have watched many trials from afar, especially in the days of increased media scrutiny, starting pretty much from the OJ Simpson trial. I became convinced, from my vantage point, that jurors often ignored the reasonable doubt standard and found people guilty because they think that the accused did it, ignoring the constitutional requirement and the judge's instruction. It appeared to me that these juries took things into their own hands and did what they wanted to do regardless of the law. The fallacy of juries conduct is illustrated by the OJ fiasco: the criminal jury found him not guilty because it was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that he committed the crime. Remember, if the glove doesn't fit you must acquit? Another jury in the civil case found that OJ did kill his wife because the standard of proof there was the same standard used in all civil cases, a preponderance of the evidence – more likely than not. Same facts, same people, same actions, different juries, different legal requirements, different results.

For instance, based upon what I read in the paper and watched on television, I do not believe that Ryan Widmer is guilty of murder. He was tried three times, so the media has a lot of the proof in the public record. Many people were convinced that he did, or at least participated in his wife's death to some degree, and two of the three juries convicted him. But, I was not in the courtroom, did not see, hear and handle the evidence, was not instructed by the judge on the law, did not take the oath, and so my opinion is just an opinion. Opinions are like noses, everybody has one.

What about Casey Anthony? From my vantage point – and I did not pay real close attention to the case – I think she was a miserable mother had no business with the child, was narcissistic, is a benign liar, and pretty stupid. The one thing that I did look for in the media reports of the evidence was proof that the child died at the hands of another person – homicide. I am unaware of any convincing proof. I know that the precious little girl is dead, that she was buried in a swampy area, and that her mother lied about her whereabouts. Those three facts do not equal murder. Or manslaughter.

A college classmate of mine named Larry Sabato is a professor of government at the University of Virginia. He wrote a book several years ago that focused on the effect that media scrutiny has on current events, particularly elections. He titled the book "Feeding Frenzy." Well the media certainly had a feeding frenzy with Casey Anthony. While her baby was missing and probably already dead, Casey had pictures taken while she was out partying with most of her body parts exposed, adult averages consumed, and wild expressions on her face. This is perfect ammunition for people like Nancy Grace, people who have an opinion about everything that is based on nothing resembling substance. These talking heads are on TV because people like to watch this stuff for entertainment and it sells soap, beer, erectile dysfunction medications, and Fords.

My point is this: jurors must make their decision based upon the evidence that is presented in the court room in a legal manner. They must not base their verdict upon what loudmouth talking heads say on late night talk TV, nor upon media speculation, nor upon evidence not in the record. I wish all criminal juries took their job as seriously as this Florida jury did.

I have another point. If substantive opinions are based upon what we hear and see on television and read on line or in newspapers, we're in trouble. Way too much of today's social consciousness is based upon sound bites and blurbs on the Internet. I am making a gross generalization here and exceptions can be found by the Legion, but… Far too many people make far too many decisions based on far too little sound, verifiable information. It scares me. People who go out of the way to become informed on the subject and actually base their opinions on verifiable facts are drowned out by the mob. Many people thought that an educated America would be able to make solid decisions, but the problem is the education that Americans are getting is often based upon what the media can sell, and that is frightening.

I hope the jury got it right, and may God bless the little girl. At least she is in good hands now, back home with her maker.

TLR

7.5.2011

Thoughts on travel this Holiday weekend

I made the drive from northern Kentucky to central Virginia so many times that I can't count them over the past 41 years. When I first started the trip, the Expressway was not finished through West Virginia so the route was 71 north to Columbus then east on 70 to the Pennsylvania Turnpike and south on 81 from Breezewood into Virginia. That took about 12 hours (in a Volkswagen bug!) These days it is straight east from my house. AA to 64 straight through Charlottesville to Richmond. I will be headed that way this weekend to celebrate my granddaughters fourth birthday – July 3. I'll have to admit that my van always seems to want to get off the Expressway in Charlottesville and visit my old haunts around the University. So many good times there! But, these days, I trudge the next hour toward Richmond and wind up at my daughters house in Hanover County, in a location called Glen Allen. The drive takes about eight solid hours for me and I'll a stop once or twice, pack my lunch, and make sure I'm hydrated. I actually like the drive because I know the road, know what to look for, and love driving through the mountains. Most holiday traffic is going North and South so my east – West jaunt usually encounters little traffic.

Eight hours in the car alone gives me a lot of time to think. I think about relationships, about the status of the city of Erlanger, about how my law practice is going, about particular cases, about my parents, about my kids and grandkids – a little bit of everything. I often solve all the problems in the world during that eight hour trip only to forget my solutions when I arrive and see my granddaughter running toward me.

My current curiosity is examining my station in life. I will be 59 in August, am twice divorced, live alone in a big house and am pretty much confined to an electric scooter or power chair. I designed the house and it was built so that the everyday chores of living would be manageable – bathrooms, laundry, kitchen, etc. I love to travel but every place I go away from here presents a challenge and struggle. The temptation is to stay home where I am in control of everything, but the adventure is to leave and see what's out there. When I'm away from here I have to start preparing for scheduled events much earlier than the average Joe. You'd be surprised how hard it is in some places to put on pants and shoes and socks. Simple things. Reaching the showerhead. Getting to the sink with a toilet in the way. A super soft mattress which inhibits my ability to roll over in bed (I had to get Hyatt personnel to put a piece of plywood under the mattress during the bar convention.) Traveling with someone is so much easier for me than traveling alone. However, my station in life requires me to travel alone most of the time. Traveling alone is one of the downsides of being single.

I do get several opportunities a year to travel. For instance, I am making this trip to Virginia. In two weeks I will go to Kentucky Dam Village for two days for KBA summer meetings In August I will go to Toronto for the American Bar Association meetings now that I am a KBA officer. Labor Day weekend starts football season and I will be traveling to Virginia and Lexington for 8 to 10 football games and will probably spend Thanksgiving weekend in Glen allen as the Virginia Tech game is in Charlottesville this year. I try to plan trips to Virginia for one or two basketball games during the winter but the weather has been so bad the past two years that I haven't been able to count on the Expressway being passable. Each spring, I make at least one trip to Charlottesville for a baseball game and/or a lacrosse game (after all, UVA lacrosse are the national champs and UVA baseball made the final four in the College World Series.) Like I said, I love to go but I don't like to go alone. But, I go alone because sitting here and having a pity party is not an option.

I haven't been on an airplane in years and don't plan on it anytime soon. Air travel, alone, does not suit me, particularly with the way I am treated in airports in my own country. Therefore, my travel will be by motor vehicle. I can carry all of my apparatus and stuff in the Toyota sienna, and it is quite a comfortable vehicle for me.

For years and years, my family vacationed in Hilton head, South Carolina and it is still my favorite place to go for a beach vacation. In the past few years, vacation trips have been to Charleston South Carolina, Chicago Illinois, in Washington DC. I can't get back out on the sand in many places so beach vacations for me consist of sitting by the pool or on a deck overlooking the ocean and reading all of these books that are stacked up on my desk. That's okay – I don't get much quiet time to read. I am told that the new Virginia Beach has ramps to go practically to the water for wheelchair and scooter users, gazebos every so often along the boardwalk with music, and lots of things to occupy your attention so perhaps I'll try that soon.

With all the modern gizmos and gadgets, I can practice law from practically anywhere that I am, if I leave the gizmos and gadgets turned on. Sometimes you just need to turn everything off. I will probably turn everything off when I leave here because my brain needs a cleanse. Sitting alone in my thoughts, listening to a book on desk, listening to music, and/or listening to talk radio is relaxing to me, and I need a little that. I could use a hug or two also, and I'll get that in Virginia.

I hope that everyone has a happy and safe Independence Day weekend and returns next week with charged batteries and a cleansed brain.

TLR 6.29.11

Reflections of a food junkie

It was a beautiful summer evening last night so my friend Laura and I decided to attend the annual festival held by the Greek Orthodox Church up on the Winton Road in Cincinnati – Panegyri. I typically don't attend that festival to see people that I know, because I don't know many there. The main attraction is the food – wonderful food! Lamb, rice, Greek salad, stuffed grape leaves, pastries filled with cheese and spinach, baklava, Greek wine that tastes like pine cones. If I use the Greek words for all of these things I would be in the dictionary the rest of the day. Thinking about the wonderful food we enjoyed last night brought back memories of places long gone.

I was raised in a house on Erlanger Road with my father, mother, maternal grandfather (Poppy), and sister Lucy. On regular occasions – every other week or so – the five of us would go out to dinner at a local establishment. I remember eating at the restaurant at the airport (SkyChef?) watching the airplanes with propellers come and go and thinking how glamorous it seemed to fly away. I remember eating at the Cabana, which is now a shoe store across the street from the post office and muffler shop. I remember eating at a Retschultes (and wondering if the frog legs they served were from the pond in the back), which is now Barleycorn's in Lakeside Park. Sometimes we would drive to Batesville Indiana and eat at the Sherman House, or to Lexington to eat at the Campbell House or Imperial House across the street. Those trips became possible when the expressways were built in the 50s and 60s. But, in particular, I remember the establishments on the 'Gourmet Strip' of the Dixie Highway ran through Park Hills.

Our family's favorite place was the White Horse Tavern, owned and operated by a family friend, Ben Castleman. (the breeder of Seattle Slew) I look at the empty lot that now sits where the restaurant was and am amazed at how the establishment operated there, parking and all. Once seated, Poppy would always order a Manhattan up, and I usually managed to find a way to get the cherry from him. While the grown-ups were having cocktails, Lucy and I would have alternate drinks such as Shirley Temples or Cokes and eat the complementary offering of olives, sweet pickles, pickled corn, and my favorite – watermelon rind pickles. The cracker basket was also attacked. My favorite was Melba toast. When it was time to eat, the menu had all sorts of delicious choices. The restaurant had a tank of live lobsters in the dining room and you could choose your own. I remember country ham, fried chicken, prime rib, fish selections, calves liver and onions, pork chops, hot slaw, blue cheese dressing, among other delicacies.  I had my first oysters on the half shell there and learned to love them. I probably had my first shrimp cocktail there are also. I do not remember what my favorite food was but I was told by my parents that I usually ordered whatever my grandfather ordered. Sister Lucy, however, was a different story. If my memory serves me correctly her standard order was a cup of vichyssoise followed by deviled crab. I remember baked Alaska for dessert, and the place always have a selection of my favorite desserts – pies. The parents would finish their meal by liesurely smoking and chatting while the kids would get outside and run up and down the sidewalk in front of the restaurant waiting for the adults to emerge. The sidewalk was no more than 10 or 15 feet from the Dixie Highway but in those days it wasn't an issue.

Several traits that I believe I carry with me today were learned during those restaurant adventures. Patience - lots of patience. Keeping an open mind to new things and being willing to try anything at least once. (I still don't like fried chicken livers but I tried them!) Manners – minding my manners and learning from my parents, particularly my mother, what manners were. Respecting and learning from my elders. The ability to carry on conversations with adults. Knowing when to shut up, sit down and stay out of the way. People watching, learning from their actions, and reading people's faces and body language. I tried to impart this same experience on Hillary and Jessica, but times were different, the pace was faster, and the restaurants by and large tried to get us out of there so somebody else could sit at the table. Hopefully they got at least part of what I did.

My last memory of eating at the White Horse Tavern was having dinner before the prom my senior year in high school, 1970, with a group of friends and dates. I remember that the restaurant seemed to be getting smaller and smaller as I grew and grew. The college-bound football player did not fit as well in the small rooms as the little boy had. In the fall of 1970 I relocated to the grounds of Mr. Jefferson University in Charlottesville, Virginia and by the time I came back, the White Horse Tavern was memory. A great memory.

The Golden Goose – now Szechuan Garden. The Town & Country – now the Gardens of Park Hills. The Lookout House – now an office building. Oelsner's Colonial Inn - Now Skyline Chili, I think. The Hearthstone – now indigos. The gourmet strip was filled with lights, good food and good times. The lessons learned by a boy eating out with his family have lasted a lifetime. Perhaps that is why to this day I really enjoy a well-prepared dinner out with friends and family.

Family

Today is Father's Day. My dad has been gone 20 years and I miss him every day, but enough of that. I was blessed to spend the day with Hillary, Jamie, Caroline and Camden, and Jessica and her boyfriend Greg joined us for dinner at FMCC. Lucy and Kevin joined us at Dixie Chili for lunch after church at the Erlanger Christian Church. I can't get enough of this. Hillary lives in Glen Allen, VA and its been months since we were all together. Those 2 grandkids, well . . . . .

Family first. Always - in my book. Treasure your kids, spoil the grandkids. If you are lucky enough to still have parents around, visit or talk to them daily. Families can be natural (kids, grandkids, etc.) and families can be created (via marriages, adoptions, guardianships, etc.). In my book, families are families, and the relationships are blessed by God and to be honored and respected.

Jamie's folks, Mitch and Patti Billingsley, and his sister Ashley Kay, are wonderful people and live close, so they spend lots of time with each other. I am envious of them, as they see C & C grow and change daily. I have to do it long distance via Skype, telephone, Facebook and try to make regular visits. 8 hours in the van alone is a long drive for me and is draining. But part of my family lives in Virginia, so I do it as often as I can. If only the airlines were not so: 1) expensive, 2) hostile to handicapped scooter users, 3) unreliable and 4) generally a pain, I could avoid the drive now and again.

I used to be able to fly Comair, on their 'weekend traveler' program, round trip to Virginia for $150. But, Comair became so good that Delta bought it and destroyed it. Good job, Delta and, by the way, thanks for what you have done to CVG and for lying to everyone. Great corporate citizen. Should have been liquidated in bankruptcy and sold off. If I were king for a while, I would decree that Delta be forced to pay off the debt CVG incurred to ramp up for the promise Delta made making CVG a 'hub' then ban it from NKy and invite Southwest and other carriers back in. Delta is real family friendly - not!

In 33 years of practicing family law, I have seen some real dysfunctional families, some horribly abusive situations, some crazy behavior, but in most of those cases, something had intervened, such as alcohol, mental illness and drug abuse. I have also witnessed the love between parent and child, caring and nurturing grandparents, and selfless decisions made for the best interests of kids. I continue to practice in this area because I like to help people through trying times. I also enjoying helping children.

So, my conclusion is that no matter what your situation is, cherish your family in your own way and spend as much time together as possible. When they are gone, or move away, you'll wish you had them back. God bless families!

TLR
6.19.2011

Beginnings . . .

I am stepping into the world of blogging, trying to become more techno-saavy and 'modern.' or whatever that concept is called these days. Probably - no, assuredly - I am late to the party, and not fashionably late. But, I often have lots to say on subjects (and often no one to say them to) that may be of interest to someone, and in today's world with the media options we have, this seems way too easy. so - here goes.

Why 'Beginnings?' Its the title to a song by Chicago I listened to over and over while an engineering student at UVa from 1970-75  - and I believe my real beginning was at Mr. Jefferson's University. I will share many thoughts and rememberances from those Glory Days on the Grounds, and hopefully show relevance to the world in which I live today. Perhaps I may become one of the 'Honor Men.'

Down the road I will try some video blogging. My friend Marcus Carey has impressed me with his effort in his Bluegrass Blog. For now, written thought will suffice.

Why "Hoo's in charge?" Pretty simple - my daughter Hillary suggested it. I am, after all and among other things, a WAHOO, the nickname used by many for the Virginia sports teams and students -  a 'Hoo - and seem to be in charge of a lot of stuff. So, this Hoo's in charge.

In charge of what? These days, and as this is written, I operate my own law practice - THOMAS ROUSE LAW - and am engaged in the practice of family law, general and bodily injury liutigation, estate planning and administration (probate, guardianships, trusts, etc.) small business assistance, and most general practice topics.  I received my Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1978.

I am in my second term as Mayor of the City of Erlanger, KY, a city of 18,000 in Northern Kentucky and am the CEO of an operation of 150 +/- employees and a $14 million general fund budget. I spent 14 years as a member of Erlanger's City Council (1989-2003) and grew up the son of Erlanger's City Co-Ordinator (today called CAO) Clyde L. Rouse, who served the city for 24 years. Erlanger is and always will be in my blood.

I took the KY Constitutional Oath a couple of nights ago as the Kentucky Bar Association's Vice President. I will finish my 6th and final year as a member of the Board of Governors representing the 6th KY Supreme Court (SCOKY) District- 23 northern KY counties on 6/30 and become VP on 7/1. The KBA is an agency of SCOKY charged with the duty of maintaining professional discipline among its members - every attorney licensed to practice law by the Court.

I intend to discuss matters of concern to me, matters that entertain me, that amuse me, that interest me and that I think you may be interested in. I invite feedback - I never pass up a learning opportunity! I may even use this to get stuff off my chest. I hope its fun.

TLR 6/18/2011.