LorainCounty.com

Betty Blair's Bulletin Board- May 2008

May 1, 2008 — Basketball Mania - Lorain County Style - When you have lived in a house for almost 50 years, you tend to accumulate lots of interesting stuff, so says my oldest Grandson, Jonathan Reiman. Among some of the more interesting items is a thrice-autographed basketball that I acquired years ago at a fundraising auction. The importance of this basketball came to light during the Difference Makers Gala sponsored by Leadership Lorain County and held at in February.

There, I met and visited with Jim Lawhead of Lawhead Software Consulting of Wellington. He is the son of Barbara and Jim Lawhead, former long-time Coach at Lorain Catholic High School (and SIGNER ONE OF THE BASKETBALL SIGNERS) and arch-rival of Elyria Catholic. I mentioned to him that we (The Blair Family) were Bob Guinta Fans (SIGNER TWO OF THE BASKETBALL.) During the conversation, he noted that my grade and high school chum, Barbara Stanko Bryan, now of California, was his Godmother.

Now, surely you can guess who the THIRD SIGNER of this treasured basketball might be. He has just recently completed a 42-year career, with 642 wins, including two state titles (Clearview in 1974 and Oberlin in 1986. Twice he had Elyria Catholic one step away from the Final Four). His talent has graced Clearview, Oberlin, Vermilion, Elyria Catholic and finally Elyria High School. It is none other than Bob Walsh.

Basketball is a family activity, at least it was in ours. Chuck Blair was the starting center for Amherst High School. When our kids were at Elyria Catholic, he assisted the basketball program by serving Bob Guinta as a front scout. We went to all the games. When E. C. made it to the tournaments in Bowling Green, because we were a one-car family, I had to bum a ride with my niece as the �family car� went scouting. Green is not my favorite color, but we all wore green stuff to support the �Big Green Machine.� There is nothing more exciting than to watch your team come from behind to win, to maintain a lead, or just to support the team that you know has worked so hard to get to where they are.

Early in our dating days, Elyria High School had some pretty fantastic teams. My Mother, Loretta Yunker, who worked for Elyria�s First Municipal Court Judge, Frank Wilcox, used to take her lunch hour and stand in line to get tickets for us to attend the games. Always thrilling!

I remember the excitement of attending a Midview game with my son, Kurt, to watch my great-nephew, Erie Crozier play. (He is the son of Barb and Denny Crozier, who played for Elyria Catholic.) At the game, I ran into our former neighbor, Doug Gerber, also a standout at Elyria Catholic. His Son was playing for Midview that night as well.

Indeed basketball is a family sport, and many families have enjoyed it over the 42 years participation of the THIRD SIGNER of my basketball. Congratulations to the Vermilion Sailors who were in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time ever and to the Elyria High School Pioneers, who, after 31 years returned to the Sweet Sixteen. Special congratulations to Elyria High�s retiring Head Coach, Bob Walsh, who has amassed such an impressive 642-301 overall record in 42 years of coaching basketball. And for him it is a family affair. His son, Mike, coaches the Lady Pioneers and his wife, Maureen, is a loyal fan. Congratulations Bob Walsh on a job well done!

Upcoming May Events:

  • May 2 & 3, 2008 Annual Senior Living Fair - Fairgrounds - 10 a.m.-2 p.m.

  • May 3, 2008 Earth Day - Cascade Park, Elyria
    Cinco de Mayo Parade - Vine & 31st St., Lorain - 4:15 p.m.

  • May 9, 2008 Team Lorain County @ Lorain County Community College 7:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.
    Wellington High School FFA Chapter Banquet - 6:30 p.m.

  • May 10, 2008 Black River Trail Opening National Train Day Walk for the Homeless @ Lorain County Community College

  • May 12, 2008 Black River RAP Meeting - 1:30

  • May 13, 2008 Lorain County Solid Waste Management District Meeting 10 a.m.

  • May 16, 2008 Governor Strickland Banquet @ Lorain County Community College 6 p.m.

  • May 17, 2008 Lorain County PRIDE DAY - Take Your Pride Countywide!

  • May 20, 2008 Senior Fest @ Midway Mall - Macy�s Wing 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

  • May 28, 2008 Lorain County Visitor Bureau Board Meeting - 8 a.m.

If you have question on any of the above, please contact my office for further information. (440)329-5112 or email [email protected].

Tidbits

Five Steps To Use In Avoiding The Leadership Tactics Of Atilla The Hun:

  1. Establish clear lines of authority.

  2. Clearly define the process. (As process proceeds not allowed to challenge previous decisions except if clearly erroneous.)

  3. Process must be open to receive public input.

  4. Fiscal integrity. (Capital still drives this engine.)

  5. A finality!

The foregoing was the advice of Stephen J. Del Giudice who served as the 1996 Chair of Prince George�s County Council, MD. These suggestions are still timely today and are reprinted for your reflection.

Seen on Elyria�s Northwood Junior High School Board: �Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it!�

Sympathy to the Family of Leonard P. Reichlin who served as a Lorain County Commissioner from 1983 to 1988 and Elyria�s Mayor from 1966 to 1975. Many positive things were said and written about his exemplary public life but the two that I enjoyed and remember the most included comments by his son-in-law, Ron Roberts, who said: �He would have said his seven children were his proudest achievement. He was more of a father than a father-in-law to me. He was a great dad.� And at St. Jude�s church service, son, Paul Reichlin shared several family memories, including the story that when his Dad didn�t believe the local newspaper had accurately reported on something of importance, he would purchase advertising space, entitle it �Reichlin Reports,� and accurately describe the facts.

Elyria and Lorain County are the better for Len and Peggy Reichlin having chosen to make their home here.

Betty Blair, Lorain County Commissioner