On Friday morning Hickory River opened their doors early to serve up some delicious grub for 25 city officials and Chamber members as a part of the Tipp City Area Chamber of Commerce ‘Breakfast Briefing’ where local businesses get together to network and listen to a variety of speakers and topics.
This month’s guest speaker was state Senator Fred Strahorn (D) who represents Ohio’s 5th District which includes half of Darke County, all of Miami County and the northern portion of Montgomery County.
Strahorn spoke to the business owners and City officials about HB 110 (Sewer/waste management), Casinos, the 3-C Rail plans to accept over $400 million in federal stimulus dollars and create 200 jobs on Ohio with a hope to have additional jobs created along the passenger rail line. He was aware of the budget shortfall (calculated to be $17 million) for maintaining the rail line and stated that he hoped that naming rights and concessions would make up that deficit and that it would not fall on Ohio taxpayers to subsidize.
Local business owners stated their concern with the new federal health care legislation as well as whether or not Ohio’s House and Senate would enact laws to uphold the rule of law as it deals with illegal immigration. (Ohio is one of the states currently considering tougher immigration legislation to hold back the growth of illegal aliens into the state)
Also in attendance was Bill Beagle, local resident and former City Council member who is running against Sen. Strahorn in November. Strahorn publicly acknowledged that he will not be carrying out a “dirty” campaign and hopes to become friends with his challenger. The always self-effacing Beagle shared the same and that he looks forward to their campaign and the election in November.
