Rich St John's Editorial

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Whew!  Christmas 2011 is over.  We trust you and yours had a happy and joyous Christmas.  Christmas is always a looked forward to event but the hustle and bustle seems more taxing as we age.  We look forward to it coming and look forward to it being over, at least at our household.

For many, the holiday season continues with no school, some not having to work, or even vacation time.  The coming weekend continues with the New Year of 2012.  We look forward to another year and wonder what is in store.  New Year’s resolutions may come and go, as we prepare for another year.

Being an election year, we are certain to be besieged with political advertising.  One person being good, the opponent is a scoundrel, and vice versa.  Ah, the good ole campaigning tactics.  Next week at this time we should know the outcome of the Iowa Caucus and the full fledge campaigning will ramp up.  Oh well, it provides fodder for us in the media.  Expect this election to be one of the nastiest on record.

Chillicothe certainly was in the news over the holidays.  The body of a man found on the riverfront certainly is news.  As of this writing, not much is known.  The sudden death of a former resident that moved to Enterprise Alabama is another news story.  Neither was of the type we would prefer.

Life, however, goes on regardless of events.  We live and learn to cope with it as it comes along.  We hope that 2012 brings each of us some happiness.

We close the final 2011 issue with simply; Wishing you a Very Happy New Year!

Newspapers in Chillicothe – our take on upcoming changes

Last week, the startling news that our competitor is now becoming a free newspaper beginning July 20th, was announced. How will this affect you and Chillicothe as a community? We will review this information from both as an industry insight and as a community.
The Times group, including the Bulletin, is owned by a New York investment company, Gatehouse Media. Gatehouse owns hundreds and hundreds of newspaper throughout the U.S., including the Peoria Journal Star. As such, they have resources must local newspapers do not. They are a Peoria paper covering Chillicothe even having their office in the Peoria Journal Star building.

Read more: Newspapers in Chillicothe – our take on upcoming changes

‘A DATE THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY’

December 7, 1941
Few are around today that remember and lived on this date. The tragic events in Hawaii led to our involvement in World War II both in the Pacific and European theaters. As a nation we will remember this event, 70 years ago today. There were numerous historical precedents for unannounced military action by Japan. However, the lack of any formal warning, particularly while negotiations were still apparently ongoing, led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy”.
The attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese and the Battle of Pearl Harbor was a surprise military strike conducted by the Imperial Japanese Navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor that morning..
353 Japanese fighters, bombers and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers attacked the base. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four being sunk. All but two of the eight were raised, repaired and returned to service later in the war. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruises, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,459 Americans were killed and 1,282 wounded.. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 65 servicemen killed or wounded. One Japanese sailor was captured.
The attack was intended as a preventive action in order to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from interfering with military actions the Empire of Japan was planning in Southeast Asia against overseas territories of the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States
Subsequent operations by the U.S. prompted Germany and Italy to declare war on the U.S. on December 11, which was reciprocated by the U.S. the same day. This began World War II, and changed the world forever.

Letter to the Editor from Mayor Childers

Dear Chillicotheans:

Sunday May 1st, 2011, we lost a very good Chillicothean, Bennie Razo. Bennie was a close friend of Dawn and mine. He was known as the Godfather at least that’s what I always referred to him by. He was a die hard Marine and was very active in the American Legion, taco night and the Mexican American Society. He served on the Chillicothe Police Commission for a good number of years.
He once asked me to write an article about him, as I have from time to time with others who have passed on. I suppose he wanted to see what I would write about him and then he would let me know if it met with his approval. I’m sorry Bennie, but I thought you weren’t going to leave us so soon. But, as you can see, I’m writing what a good Chillicothean you were, and what a good family man you were, and what a good church supporter, I’m not sure who was doing the blessings – you or the Priest!!!
You will be missed by all of us in Chillicothe, as well as your loving wife Lillian, you children, grandchildren, fellow Marines, your American Legions family and your friends that you have accumulated over all these years.
I once heard that if you can count on one hand your true friends you’re lucky, and Bennie I was lucky to know you. You are on my hand as I’m on yours. So long for now my friend, but I will see you again

Mayor Troy Childers