Independence Day

My family and I had a great time on this extended weekend, attending the City of Maumee's pre-fireworks party on July 3 and experiencing the great get-together held in the uptown area. Then, my daughter Caitlin and I stayed for the fireworks show and enjoyed a spectacular show from Golden Gate Plaza in Maumee while my wife and Sophie (age 2 in August) headed home.

Today we attended a traditional Fourth of July celebration at the Harvard Circle event in South Toledo and we were pleased to see Ted Strickland (our next Governor) in attendance to say a few words to the crowd. It will be great to see our state off to a fresh start with Congressman Strickland's election and I'm honored to be part of the statewide ticket with such great candidates as Ted Strickland and Lee Fisher and the rest of the fine slate.

I've met with Ted a few times and share his commitment to a new Ohio. As the campaign moves along, more and more Ohioans will get to know Ted's background and his program and I would feel very fortunate to be able to work along with Governor Strickland as we can certainly do better in Ohio than what we've seen in the last decade.

All in all, it was a great weekend for some family time. On a day like today it is also important to reflect on all the brave men and women of the armed forces who are putting their lives on the line every day so we can enjoy the freedoms we have in this great country of ours. We salute you and pray for your safe return from harm's way. Thank you.


Mark